Noob tune question

[Bluedot]

Greetings,

Bought a MS3 earlier this year to replace an 04' Cobra (all the bolt ons) that I needed to get rid of. I chose the MS3 purely for the price, figuring I didn't want to spend any more than I had to on a car I figured I was sure to hate in comparison. Anyway, I miss the Cobra, but the MS3 is no joke. In a lot of ways it's more fun to drive (if it were only RWD .... )

I've been reading up in here for all the possible ways to play with the car and I'm confused on one topic. With the american cars, I've been used to a flash tuner (SCT/Diablo) to upload custom tunes, or to alter timing / fuel of the stock mapping. However with these everything seems to require replacing the whole ECU (or piggyback) with an aftermarket.

Can I assume that these ECU's won't work with an aftermarket flash tuner ? Is it the design of the ECU (though the dealer can obviously re-flash it).

Can anyone help me out, or please point me to a thread related ?
Thanks for any assistance.

 

[SharkDiver]

The only ems out now are piggyback type were you have to splice into your wireharness.Cobb is working on a program to flash the stock ecu with a new map and save the stock map to put back on at a later date.It is unclear when cobb will be releasing the Ap for the speed3.

Enjoy..\\

Ps.Why did you get rid of the cobra?

 

[SwampAss]

I'd be surprised if cobb successfully cracks mazda's software. They are the only one, to my knowledge that is making the attempt. All other software tuners are going with piggybacks. Maybe Cobb knows something the others don't. I don't know.

So far, as previously mentioned, only splice ins are available. According to the folks at CPE, they are expecting to have their PNP anywhere from Nov-Jan. (I was told about 11 weeks two weeks ago)
The PNP version will be more expensive but will have more features than the splice in. It's going to be about $400 more directly from CPE. I'm sure other retailers will prob mark it a little bit cheaper and offer free shipping as the current one is marketed in this manner. Personally, I'm waiting with abated breath.

 

[Adammazda06]

cobb is supposed to announce the release date at the SEMA show at the end of the month. that's what i am personally holding my breath for.

 

[Bluedot]

Thanks for the answers. For all the difference in the world that some slight tweeks to the stock map can make, it's a shame it's not more available. Piggyback just seems a waste unless you're going all out.

Ps.Why did you get rid of the cobra?

Good question - with the bolt on's and tuned it put down 458rwhp/463tq (2.8 pulley - pump gas) I had really bad luck with it breaking parts. The transmission was replaced twice and the entire rear end (Ford's lousy IRS) and by Cobra standards mine wasn't that modded. Having a car you're always worried about breaking sucked. Someone made me an offer I couldn't refuse on it and so I got rid of it. I do miss it.