ECU tuning questions!

[Bigchris800]

Hey everyone, I have an 05 MZ3 that is fairly modded at the moment(SRI, CBE, Headers) and i plan to keep modding. My next mods will be the Cosworth intake manifold and injectors. My question is: can i tune through the stock ECU or am i better off getting something like the Hypertech or MSD dashhawk?

Lil bit of advice pleasee!

LMK!(hi)

 

[slow 3]

You will need a tune of some sort so that you can actually tune and not just flash it (hypertech). Your best bet is a standalone (microtech makes one.. but its around $1000) If you can't afford a standalone, try a piggyback system. You can find both systems at protegegarage.com.

 

[Bigchris800]

What about the AEM I/FC? IS that worth my time?

 

[slow 3]

I e-mailed AEM about there product and they said you can play with the fuel maps (which is what your looking for since you are going to need to tune that). As it turns out, the AEM F/IC is universal, so you will need to get the wiring sorted out. There is a company called boomslang that has a plug and play harness for it, but I looked and they didn't make one for the Mazda 3 (you might be able to ask them to see if they can make one.). If I were going to buy a tuner, I would have to say split-second. You can call them up and they are very knowlegable with everything and they can tell you exactly what they can do for you.

Hope this helped!!

 

[cali_axela]

You probably don't need to upgrade injectors for a mild NA build like that, since you won't really need to be adding fuel. The F/IC is a great piggyback option for tuning your fuel maps properly.

 

[Bigchris800]

Will I make any more power with an injector upgrade though or is it just a waste of time?
I do plan on cams a little further down the road.

 

[cali_axela]

No, you only need bigger injectors if you're adding a bunch more fuel, for example when going turbo. The stock injectors can keep a proper ratio for all bolt-on NA mods since you don't want/need a richer mix like you do with a turbo and aren't really flowing THAT much more air. With cams, you may need them, or with ITB's you'd probably need them, but you'll also really want to go standalone (like Microtech) in those cases to really benefit from them, instead of just using a piggyback.