ECU Re-Flash, "chip"... what is it really

[djpatm]

So me and everyone who's drivin' my car all agree that there seems to be some kind of cut off or something when I try to floor it in my mazdaspeed 6. The car still goes and goes pretty fast for that matter but it just seems like either a) there somekind of cutoff or b) there is a really wierd effect to go with the turbo lag. I know there is that lack of power fix but I'm not sure if thats what it is cause one, there was no outstanding recalls on the car and two, I seriously doubt that is only performing 33% of its full potential. The thing can still HAUL ASS.

Anyways, the car is completly stock right now as I just got it a week or so ago and I just finally passed all my inspections and got the plates and obviously I'm gonna get an intake and exhaust on it once the money comes, but along with that I was thinking an ECU re-flash or a "chip."

I know an ECU flash is just a reprogramming of the ECU to boost the air to fuel ratio, raise the rev limiter, get rid of any govener (don't think I have one anyway, I hit 230 no problem with room to go before the redline, I just pussy'd out) and stuff like that. Atleast, thats how I understand it (Dad got it done to his Altima SE-R) if I'm wrong please correct me.

But when people say "chip" what do they mean? I hear it all the time though. Do they mean something else by "chip"? Like boost controller and stuff like that?

 

[lestat13]

There are a number of ways to reconfigure the ecu. The easiest is using a cobb acessport to flash a number of maps to your car. different maps are made to work with different modifications as well to get the full performance potential out of them. You might be a candidate for the cp-e standback. I thought standalone ems was too expensive but now I see that its probably the best bet for me as well.... it is also surprisingly affordable at about $600. It can take care of everything and is custom tuned to your specific vehicle and mods.

 

[tunersteve]

Currently there is no Accessport available for the MS6. The only options available are the XEDE, CP-E standback, and Unichip piggyback systems.

 

[blackwidow]

Got a CP-E tuned at Extreme motorports Maryland . 10 hours from my house but very satisfied !

 

[bova80]

Currently there is no Accessport available for the MS6. The only options available are the XEDE, CP-E standback, and Unichip piggyback systems.

this is where you are wrong. the cobb accessport for the ms3 now works with the speed6 with a firmware update from cobb. it will be released in 2 weeks or so. i just ordered an AP and currently have the FW from cobb to perform the update. I will be flashing my ECU by the end of the week.

 

[tunersteve]

this is where you are wrong. the cobb accessport for the ms3 now works with the speed6 with a firmware update from cobb. it will be released in 2 weeks or so. i just ordered an AP and currently have the FW from cobb to perform the update. I will be flashing my ECU by the end of the week.

Really? Well that's good to hear. This is the first I've heard of this, but it's a good thing.

 

[bova80]

yup. on another mazda 6 forum, there is a big topic about it and some are already using the AP on their cars.

 

[tunersteve]

yup. on another mazda 6 forum, there is a big topic about it and some are already using the AP on their cars.

Yeah, I did some hunting and found the thread on M6C. This is the route I'm gonna take now, since you can take control of the throttle plate and tune for $700.

 

[bova80]

hint hint* i got the ap new for $639. check the FS in the MS3 section, there is a vendor with them.

 

[Qwik6]

Right when I didnt wanna spend any more money on my car. Now im forced to buy an AP when it comes out

 

[LBV]

hint hint* i got the ap new for $639. check the FS in the MS3 section, there is a vendor with them.

Damn! Sure, tell me after I paid full retail of $695!!

Let us know how you like it bova when u get it. Mine's supposed to get here on monday.

 

[Aaron@JSC]

There are a number of ways to reconfigure the ecu. The easiest is using a cobb acessport to flash a number of maps to your car. different maps are made to work with different modifications as well to get the full performance potential out of them. You might be a candidate for the cp-e standback. I thought standalone ems was too expensive but now I see that its probably the best bet for me as well.... it is also surprisingly affordable at about $600. It can take care of everything and is custom tuned to your specific vehicle and mods.

please don't make this mistake, neither CP-E or the AccessPORT is a standalone EMS. A standalone completely deletes the factory ECU.

the AP is a flash system and the stand-back, Unichip, and Xede are all piggyback ems systems.

full standalone systems, though not available for the MS3, are in the $1500-$2000 range depending on the application.

 

[bova80]

but the ap down the run should provide better results then the piggyback systems and for much less the cost. example of pricing for cp-e standback + pnp + full throttle control flash = $653+$399+$499 = $1551 (plus you have to ship your ECU to them) where as the ap that can do all that too is $695 and you flash it yourself, unless you get a deal.

the only negative about the AP now is that tunes have to come for cobb now or you would have to wait until their tuners get software.

with the piggyback you can basically do it yourself unless you get the unichip.

 

[Aaron@JSC]

Not to mention that when shops can custom tune the AP, they will be able to give you full throttle with two clicks of a mouse, not a week+ of downtime.

I think people are minimizing the amount of skill and experience is needed to tune a car properly. Yeah you can custom tune the CP-E standback yourself, but are you really qualified to do that? Most people are not. I will leave the health and safety of my car (and myself) up to the professionals

 

[Redsand426]

Not to mention that when shops can custom tune the AP, they will be able to give you full throttle with two clicks of a mouse, not a week+ of downtime.

I think people are minimizing the amount of skill and experience is needed to tune a car properly. Yeah you can custom tune the CP-E standback yourself, but are you really qualified to do that? Most people are not. I will leave the health and safety of my car (and myself) up to the professionals

The AP comes with full throttle control already. I have it on my ms6 right now running stage 2. Top end pulls A LOT harder now with a bit beefier midrange. So far so good. I have datalogs if you wanna see them.

 

[tunersteve]

The AP comes with full throttle control already. I have it on my ms6 right now running stage 2. Top end pulls A LOT harder now with a bit beefier midrange. So far so good. I have datalogs if you wanna see them.

If it's not too much trouble, I'd like to see that datalogs. I'm seriously interested in the AP right now.

 

[Redsand426]

2-5th gear wot stock ecu

Before I had the AP, I'd have to shift the car around 5500rpm because the power just fell on its face due to the throttle plate closing and low boost (8-9psi).

2-4th gear wot cobb ap

Now that the accessport is installed, the throttle is wide open and the car is boosting 14-15psi past 6500rpm. Much more power under the curve to play with (drive2)

 

[tunersteve]

Wow, that throttle plate control is crazy compared to stock.

 

[Redsand426]

Wow, that throttle plate control is crazy compared to stock.

Yeah, it seems the altitude really affects the throttle plate. I even datalogged another ms6 in my area because I thought I had a boost leak or something. But surprisingly both of our cars shut the throttle down to 50% at 4200rpm exactly... very strange. Every single one of my stock datalogs shows the throttle shutting down at 4200rpm.

Now with the ap, it's almost scary revving my car up past 6500rpm because I'm not used to hearing the engine scream like that lol

 

[Qwik6]

Is anyone running stage 2 with CAI and a cat-back exhaust? Or does it have to be turbo back?