New MSP owner with hesitating issues and failed Ca smog, (SEARCHED)

[StealthWyvern]

here is a idea is faud is upto it... try swapping in flashed ECU and see how it responds ( I dont know if any of his are flashed or not). If it responds well you will know thats your issue if not then move on. The ECU on these cars are not hard to get to at all.

 

[shadow7]

Yeah sounds like a plan, I'm meeting up with faud tonight, maybe he can shine some light on this

 

[protege3690]

here is a idea is faud is upto it... try swapping in flashed ECU and see how it responds ( I dont know if any of his are flashed or not). If it responds well you will know thats your issue if not then move on. The ECU on these cars are not hard to get to at all.

good idea. just trying to avoid any further headaches for the guy. cuz theres no point in flashing his stock ecu if that was never the issue. and itd be a waste of time AND money whether he BUYS a used flashed ecu/ or dealer charges him to do it, or even if the dealer does it for free, which i highly doubt.

 

[shadow7]

Hey guys thanks a lot for all the input, you guys are awesome and it's very much appreciated. Me and faud have been texting back and forth and he's been super cool in helping out, he's a good guy.

As of now it's just wait and see until I meet up with him and figure it out

 

[shadow7]

update!!

Ok so The car finally threw some codes today. I have never been so happy to see a check engine light.

Got p0421 which is because of the test pipe I'm running (I think)

And I got the damn p0660 code which I had already taken care of (replaced the VICS solenoid with brand new dealer one. I also checked the lines coming out of it to make sure there's no vacuum leaks.

Thinking about running to the dealer to pick up another one to replace the one with the white plug

What do you guys think

 

[MSPCHI]

I wouldn't recommend doing a reflash. I say purchase a split second air/fuel controller. It's probably the typical mazdaspeeds running too rich. The AFC will definitely help you with regards to this. Also, what are the temperatures like where you live? If it's pretty hot, you can definitely replace your intercooler as it gets heatsoaked VERY quickly, which causes bogging down. Two things to eliminate hesitation, AFC, and intercooler. It was a night and day difference for me with the AFC, and I have still yet to get my intercooler so I can't comment. Get it done and I know you'll be happy. PM with your e-mail if you need more details.

 

[hornsfan10609]

I would not even consider wasting $100 on the 'reflash' it honestly does not make any change to the hesitation from the stock tune. To resolve the hesitation you must get an AFC or install a better flowing intake manifold and exhaust in which case the cars reportedly run great on the stock tune.
You can switch the VICS and VTCS solenoids they do the same function. If the code changes the solenoid has failed. My car had horrible hesitation even with the reflash. Honestly an SSAFC is your best option so you should start warming up to the idea now even if you don't want to heavily mod the car.

 

[Davilad7]

I'm having the same problem as well. But my car tends to puut puut during take off then around 3-4rpm it tends to hesistate or feels like its restricted while giving it max throttle. I'm going to swap the plugs and clean the mass airflow sensor. Any other recommendations? I swapped the intercooler pipes with aluminum hardpipes, Injen CAI, 2.5 TBE with high flow cats, changed all belts and timing with water pump; car has 118k. Any suggestions are well taken, thanks guys in advanced

 

[hornsfan10609]

SSAFC is what you need.

 

[Davilad7]

Damn, that SSAFC is about $500 right? Thx for the input.

 

[protege3690]

Damn, that SSAFC is about $500 right? Thx for the input.

thyre about $375 on cr3motorsports.com but u can find them used on the forum from $250-300 and it always varies depending if its a V1 or V2.

 

[Davilad7]

Oh really, cool thanks. I tried to find one on here in the forums, but I didn't see any. Does it matter which version I get?

 

[hornsfan10609]

V2 has datalogging capability, V1 does not. Unless you hook up your WB to the AFC the v2 isnt necessary. I (like many others) have a v2 but never bothered to set up the aux inputs.

 

[Davilad7]

Ok thanks guys, I just got a check engine light on for a misfire. So I'm going to swap the plugs out and check the wires and coil packs. Hopefully it'll take care of the hesistation. If not then I'll look into the SSAFC, although the mazda dealer is doing the flash for free in my area. I've read some of the posts on here about that flash, and I haven't seen anything positive about it. Appreciate the responses!

 

[hornsfan10609]

If you replace the plugs get NGK ZFR6F (PN 4291) plugs and gap them to .028". And do not get the reflash

 

[Davilad7]

I swapped the plugs, still same problem. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't believe the SSAFC will fix my issue. Because it's happening when I'm barely giving it throttle, as well as giving it max throttle. Wouldn't the SSAFC help only when it's max throttle since thats when it's open loop? I threw it into 4th gear at a low speed and barely gave it enough throttle to climb up and it hesitates. I'm guessing exhaust manifold, cause I did have a crack on it, but welded it shut. Maybe I have another crack? Then again I don't see how it would make my car run how it is. Any more advice/inputs...

 

[hornsfan10609]

Did you gap the plugs to .028"? Cracked mani will not cause what you are describing. Get a WBO2 gauge to see how rich it runs, my car would hit 9.7-9.8 AFRs on the stock tune. Look for cracks in the piping if you still have the factory plastic intercooler and pipes.

 

[Davilad7]

I gapped to .029. I have the stock intercooler with aluminum pipes. I think my coworker has one of those gauges. So i'll check on that. Other than that im clueless. I dont want to spend money on the SSAFC if its not going to help my issue. Thx for your input hornsfan!

 

[hornsfan10609]

If your coils and wires are all good and you have NGK plugs it may be hesitation you are experiencing.

 

[Davilad7]

Little update. Today was a cool morning, so I gunned it on 2nd gear max throttle and man I've never felt my MSP pull like it did. Went smooth into 3rd then after 4 grand I got the "hesitation or sputter." Wish she ran like that fulltime. I've notice a smell to after I parked the vehicle. I'm guessing the stock rich tune. If I tune the car as oppose to getting the SSAFC will it cure the hesitation? If not then I believe thats what I need to have my MSP running smooth. Last small question, what BOV would you recommend. I still have the factory one and saw on some threads ppl using the HKS or the RFL or the 2 blow off set up to "kill the turkey." Once again thanks in advanced!