Who has Cobb AP and one other mod?

[watchurwrist]

I'm interested in getting an AP for my stock '09 ms3 and would like to know if the power gains exceeded your expectations or you expected more. On a scale of 1-10 (10 being highest), how would you rate power gains?

Specifically:
1. Did you notice power increases in the lower or higher gears?
2. Was car able to hold boost to redline?
3. Better gas mileage?
4. For power gains only, do you think it was worth the money?
5. Was power gains more vs another mod?
6. Do you regret getting the AP and for what reason(s).
7. When visiting the dealer (prior to routine service or repair) and you flashed the ecu back to stock, was the dealer able to determine the ecu was flashed?

The Mazda CAI is the only mod I'm considering.

 

[Sport6]

1. 11
2. 11
3. 11
4. 11
5. 11
6. 11
7. 11

 

[jnr5005]

As long is it does not rain, I will be able to tell you how I personally feel about the AP tommorrow night after I go to the drag strip. The AP will need to cut a couple tenths off my quarter mile time for me to believe it is truly worth the cost. But that is just me personally.

I feel as if the AP gave my car a huge increase in power in all gears, especially in higher RPM. Monitoring boost, I see my car holding 18 psi pretty steadily. The car is noticably faster and louder.

I have only had the AP a week, and have not yet noticed how it affects my gas mileage. I can say however, the car is so much smoother, and more useable around 3-4k RPM because of the absence of boost during normal driving. You know when you want to accelarate briskly to keep up with traffic, but don't want to be racing and boosting crazily/ giving your girlfriend whiplash? Well the car is a lot smoother during partial acceleration, especially with the new v104 map with "improved boost control".

I must say, reguardless of what happens at the track tommorrow night, the AP + my intake really improved the feel of the car, and my overall experience owning a Speed3. Although I will be dissapointed if I do not see an improvement in my time, I would still recommend Speed3 owners buying an AP for its numerous features.

Also to answer question #7; in a conversation with a Mazda tech at my local dealership, he told me it is impossible for them to tell if my car's ECU was flashed.

Ill give you a scaled rating on power after I run at the track...but right now I am thinking 9-10.

 

[watchurwrist]

Good luck at the track

As long is it does not rain, I will be able to tell you how I personally feel about the AP tommorrow night after I go to the drag strip. The AP will need to cut a couple tenths off my quarter mile time for me to believe it is truly worth the cost. But that is just me personally.

I feel as if the AP gave my car a huge increase in power in all gears, especially in higher RPM. Monitoring boost, I see my car holding 18 psi pretty steadily. The car is noticably faster and louder.

I have only had the AP a week, and have not yet noticed how it affects my gas mileage. I can say however, the car is so much smoother, and more useable around 3-4k RPM because of the absence of boost during normal driving. You know when you want to accelarate briskly to keep up with traffic, but don't want to be racing and boosting crazily/ giving your girlfriend whiplash? Well the car is a lot smoother during partial acceleration, especially with the new v104 map with "improved boost control".

I must say, reguardless of what happens at the track tommorrow night, the AP + my intake really improved the feel of the car, and my overall experience owning a Speed3. Although I will be dissapointed if I do not see an improvement in my time, I would still recommend Speed3 owners buying an AP for its numerous features.

Also to answer question #7; in a conversation with a Mazda tech at my local dealership, he told me it is impossible for them to tell if my car's ECU was flashed.

Ill give you a scaled rating on power after I run at the track...but right now I am thinking 9-10.

Good stuff. I appreciate the information.

Do you plan on getting it tuned by a professional tuner?

 

[ms6acton]

hmm also interested in your numbers from the track since i want to get an ap very soon

 

[derspi]

Without a doubt, the AP is probably one of the best mods you can get for your Speed3. This wasn't always case, as some of us early adopters (I've had mine for over a year now) had to make do with OTS maps that didn't always work the greatest with our specific car but now that ATR is out, we can pretty much tune for as many variables as possible.

My tuner made some fueling adjustments to richen things up and now my car runs all that extra boost a little bit more safely (In boost, AFRs are rock solid in the 10s and 11s). My biggest accomplishment was being able to tune out the nasty fuel cut when I overboost past 22.xx PSI on the stock MAF. No more herky jerky boost cut makes the car 10x more enjoyable to drive. With the recent addition of launch control and flat-foot shifting, the AP added even more value IMO. I have yet to hit the dyno though so I can't comment on what it will do in terms of adding HP. But I'm sure that even if there's little to no gain in the peak HP, it's obvious the AP has added power to a lot of areas under that curve (most notably the top end).

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the AP, even to an owner with a basically stock MS3. You WILL make more power and be happy with all the AP has to offer.

 

[jnr5005]

Good stuff. I appreciate the information.

Do you plan on getting it tuned by a professional tuner?

Not unless I have problems or something...the 93 octane Stage 1 + SF is pretty agressive and feels like it suits my needs so far.

 

[08cosmic3]

I'm a new AP user also and have been experimenting with several maps. I have settled on the Stg1+sf93. I have read that those with a test pipe might be able to run stg 2 maps. I tried the stg2+sf91 and 93 and the car pulled so hard it was scary, however, i was spiking at 21 psi and holding 19.5-20 psi with AF's at 12.0 to 12.5. I decided this was not very safe so I tried the stg1+sf93 and I like this map. The car does not pull quite as hard but it still hauls ass. My boost is spiking to 20 psi and holding 18, dropping to 17.5 around 5800 rpm. I'm going to the track Saturday and will see how I do. I have only made 8 passes at the strip in the car with a best of 13.953 at 102mph. I made these passes on stock tires with 26,000 miles on them and 35 psi in the tires. I'm going to run 25psi in the tires and add a little 110 octane race fuel to the tank. I'm hoping for 13.5

 

[Jared703]

I have read that those with a test pipe might be able to run stg 2 maps.

For the stage 2 maps you want (need) to have a downpipe installed. Like you mentioned, you'll create unsafe and non optimal conditions.

I'm also excited about getting an ap. I'll be installing a ms cai in the next few weeks and I'll probably go for an ap shortly after. The new 1.04 map sounds great, and I'd probably get a custom tune down the line. I ran an ap for four years on my previous wrx (stage 2) and I was happy with improvement, especially for an ots tune.

 

[8.5MS3]

get it, you wont be disappointed

 

[jnr5005]

I'm a new AP user also and have been experimenting with several maps. I have settled on the Stg1+sf93. I have read that those with a test pipe might be able to run stg 2 maps. I tried the stg2+sf91 and 93 and the car pulled so hard it was scary, however, i was spiking at 21 psi and holding 19.5-20 psi with AF's at 12.0 to 12.5. I decided this was not very safe so I tried the stg1+sf93 and I like this map. The car does not pull quite as hard but it still hauls ass. My boost is spiking to 20 psi and holding 18, dropping to 17.5 around 5800 rpm. I'm going to the track Saturday and will see how I do. I have only made 8 passes at the strip in the car with a best of 13.953 at 102mph. I made these passes on stock tires with 26,000 miles on them and 35 psi in the tires. I'm going to run 25psi in the tires and add a little 110 octane race fuel to the tank. I'm hoping for 13.5

What mods did you have for those 1/4 runs?

 

[240ka]

best mod for 1/4 runs are drag Radials not an AP

 

[8.5MS3]

best mod for 1/4 runs are drag Radials not an AP

+1 watch for snapped axles

 

[iracer7]

What about returning it back to stock? Will the dealer notice? That's the question I'm most concerned about. All my current mods are bolt-on's that I can return back to stock pretty easily. Cobb AP or new springs are next on my mod list.

 

[8.5MS3]

What about returning it back to stock? Will the dealer notice? That's the question I'm most concerned about. All my current mods are bolt-on's that I can return back to stock pretty easily. Cobb AP or new springs are next on my mod list.

once you flash back to stock they cant tell. thry can see that the computer was reset recently, but you could always make an excuse for taking out the battery.

"i took the battery out because i was on vacation and didnt want anyone stealing my car" is the one i use

EDIT: They can tell if you flash to stock. They cant tell if you completely uninstall the AP

 

[jnr5005]

best mod for 1/4 runs are drag Radials not an AP

I agree, but nobody asked what the best mod for the 1/4 was. I use the 1/4 mile to test the effectiveness of the mods I do. If all you care about having the fastest 1/4 mile time possible, you are driving the worng type of car.

 

[08cosmic3]

What mods did you have for those 1/4 runs?

Mods in Sig.

 

[jnr5005]

Nice, yea I don't doubt that you will get your 13.5 after some more runs. I am hoping to get that myself.

 

[iracer7]

Hmmm...from Mazdaspeed forums

the AP re-flashes your ecu, I have been to the dealer many times with it installed however they had no reason to suspect anything so they didn't check. They CAN tell if you have fashed your ecu with the AP - whether it is installed or has been removed.

 

[jnr5005]

I just got home from the track. I didn't realize that you need to wear a helmet under 14 seconds. I have been racing there for years, with 4 cars in the 13s, and nobody tells me I need a helmet until tonight!

I am mad, I was only allowed one run, and it was the second I got there. I couldn't let my car cool at all. Boost temp was 140+, 80 degrees outside, but was still able to manage a 13.80 @ 103.45, which is my best time yet... by half of a tenth. Not too bad though considering all the crappy variables, and the fact that before the AP, 99% of my runs were in the 14s.

This run definatley did not feel like 100%. My first-second shift sucked (2.33 60 ft.). I love the launch control, but I think I will try it at 3500 RPM, instead of 3000.

We will see what happens next time, when I bring a helmet.