2008 2.3L 5 speed auto Dynotronics tune

[loosenut]

I finally pulled the trigger on a Dynotronics tune for my 5. I placed the order on the 20th and my cable and OBD2 connector showed up today.

$472 after tax and shipping. I have a refurbished laptop on the way that I will use only for this process and any related charting or record keeping I want to do along the way. Once I have the software downloaded I'll be able to start the tuning process which I expect to be an all summer project.

I'm looking into local dynos as I want quantifiable data after the tuning process is over. My 5 has approximately 99k on it at this time with the original engine and trans. I'm getting an oil analysis done and will be posting compression results shortly. This is a first step in the process of deciding whether I'm going to install a turbocharger. After reading several members experience with Dynotronics I have fully prepared myself to be patient with this process. I'll post updates as I go along.

 

[loosenut]

Results of compression testing:
Cylinder 1: 173 psi / Cylinder 2: 173 psi / Cylinder 3: 175 psi / Cylinder 4: 173 psi all at approximately 245 rpm. Using graph below my compression is well within spec and nice and even.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Nice. I really think it is a worthwhile investment (tune and turbo). Look forward to seeing your results.

Btw, did you follow a particular # of cranks for the compression test, and why?

 

[loosenut]

Nice. I really think it is a worthwhile investment (tune and turbo). Look forward to seeing your results.

Btw, did you follow a particular # of cranks for the compression test, and why?

Yeah I typically do 5-6 revolutions, but you crank until it stops building pressure, throttle wide open during cranking. This is how I was taught to do it. I always watch the gauge to make sure each hit per cylinder is approximately even and that it takes about the same number of revolutions to build final compression pressure. If it takes one cylinder longer to build pressure obviously there is a problem even if it can obtain the same final number as the rest.

 

[loosenut]

I picked up a Bluetooth OBDII connector and began monitoring my engine operation using the Torque app over the weekend. I'm happy with what I'm seeing so far. I had a road trip that gave me plenty of time to play with the app, even checked out a few things on my mother's car that has been setting a check engine light recently. Once I get the tune software running I'll be using that primarily but the Torque app is nice.

Unrelated to the Dynotronics tune but related to the possible turbocharger install I now have all the large components for the exhaust side of the install. So far I've spent approx $200 for everything in the picture. I still have a couple brackets to get and rebuild the turbocharger but in all I'd say I have maybe another $100 to spend with these components. I'm piecing things together slowly, buying used when parts show up for sale locally.

 

[Secondtyme]

Is that Speed3 OE stuff? You got a good deal on it if so....

 

[loosenut]

Yes it is, everything except the K04 turbo. That is off a CX7. Anybody that is interested in doing this should buddy up to a dealer because most of the time Mazda does not call the turbos back for warranty, so they get sent to scrap. I got the turbo for free and was able to pick the one with the least shaft play and little or no interference marks on the impellers. Parts are available for rebuilding them for $45, I picked up the heat shields off of ebay $35 and the exhaust came from a local who had his speed3 exhaust listed for $100. Imagine my surprise when I looked through the box and it was turbo back.

 

[flcruising]

What manifold works for the 5?

 

[loosenut]

OEM mazdaspeed 3/6 or CX7 manifold. I picked mine up for $40 over the weekend. See sac02's turbocharger thread further down the thread list for details. His is a great install and I hope he updates us soon on how it's working out for him.

 

[Kojack]

Are you getting the car's computer tuned before the turbo install? Im interested to hear your results with that. I took our 5 on a road trip this past weekend. I love how zippy the thing is compared to my Jeep. ha ha. passing 140kmh is so easy in it! ha ha. My jeep has never seen 140 I don't think.

 

[loosenut]

Yes, the NA tune will be completed before I decide yea or nay on the turbo install. I'm picking up parts for the turbo install as I go along but will resell them if I decide not to proceed.

 

[loosenut]

My refurbished laptop finally arrived so I've started the process of setting up MazdaEdit so the tune can commence. I sent Dynotronics an email Saturday with the the hardware fingerprint from the initial install of the required software and Dynotronics will send me a security key to finish install. One note, during install I was having trouble with one of the programs not loading correctly and found that my anti-virus software was quarantining part of it. Turned anti-virus off and it loaded fine.

I have sent off the engine oil sample and expect results back from that around Wednesday or Thursday. After I get some more miles on my transmission fluid I'll be sending off a sample of that as well.

I'm still looking into local dynos but haven't finalized that yet. I'm going to use the Torque app to try and monitor performance improvements as well.

 

[azmavhockey3]

Subscribed. Good to see another 5 is up to the dyne tropics challenge. Mazda2 and Mazda3 are running DT with no problems on turn turn around time. Good luck, just don't forget about us like sac2.

 

[loosenut]

Oil analysis update:

I'm still working on getting MazdaEdit up and running as it took Dynotronics longer than expected to return the key for setting up the first portion. I'm now waiting on getting the tactrix cable info set up so MazdaEdit will recognize that. Dynotronics has to return a device key to continue. I found out after calling about the delay they now have a Georgia office.

Dyno day is June 22!

 

[loosenut]

So I now have MazdaEdit up and running. (nana) Joseph (Joe) at Dynotronics sent me the device key yesterday (Sunday) so I give the man many props for that. The first task was to copy the stock PCM ROM to a file and screen shot the calibration level of the car and I failed miserably. (sadbanana) I tried several times yesterday to make a copy following Dynotronics instructions I received upon purchase. It just wasn't working. I think that I was having the same issue that rodslinger was having when he was attempting to have his 5 tuned by Dynotronics. I was up late last night researching as many forums as I could to find out what I was doing wrong. I finally found a very good thread on the three/revolutions forum and also here in the Mazda 2 forums as to what I should be seeing and it just wasn't happening on my end. Joe responded very early this morning and clarified some steps for me. I had seen in the Mazda 2 forum here that on the screen as the ROM "dump" is happening each line of "code" appears during the 20 minute copy process. That wasn't happening for me. I planned to try again after work but was able to squeeze another attempt in at lunch time and it worked even though I don't think I did anything different. I was able to capture the ROM and save it to a file and send it to Joe. Now I'll try and be very patient as I've seen that it can take several weeks for Joe to create the first flash file. I'm going to have to find something else to preoccupy my time.

I'm still trying to iron out getting my 5 on a dyno. My initial appointment for the 22nd fell through. I'm going to make it happen though.

 

[loosenut]

Whooot! Dyno day on the 22nd is back on! (yippy)It'll be on a Dynojet. I'm going in with low expectations. 125 WHP is my prediction. It's funny, I contacted several tuning shops around town about getting the 5 on their dyno but as soon as I told them what I drive their interest waned.

 

[Silentnoise713]

“Red M5” didn’t catch their attention ? Come back next time with “red M5-t”

Look forward to your baseline. Now we have two “2.3 auto” to compare.

 

[loosenut]

I must have missed it, who else had theirs dyno'd? The only one that I've seen was Phunky and I thought his was a manual.

I could have said M5 and then photgraphed their faces but that would be cruel I think.

 

[tuanies]

MazdaEdit needs an updated definition file to get it to recognize the 5.

Mine dynoed at 154hp/163lb-ft but I have a 6MT - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-upgrade,3966-8.html

I've given up on tuning it, MazdaEdit is not defined properly for the 5. Any changes to fuel just causes it to run too rich at WOT.

 

[loosenut]

Mine dynoed at 154hp/163lb-ft but I have a 6MT - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-upgrade,3966-8.html

I've given up on tuning it, MazdaEdit is not defined properly for the 5. Any changes to fuel just causes it to run too rich at WOT.

That makes me wonder then how sac02 is fairing with his turbo tune from Dynotronics.

Woah, aren't those numbers what Mazda has listed as at the crank? What type of dyno was that on?

Edit: dynojet, should have clicked on the link before replying