Is the Cobb AP worth it for me?

[jnr5005]

Hello all, I am wondering If the Cobb AP is worth the cost. I only have the SRI, so I would just be running the 93 Octane Stage 1 + SF map. I would hope that if I were to spend the money on the AP, I would then be able to achieve 1/4 mile times in the 13.4-13.6 range. Is this a realistic assumtion? Could AP owners please let me know how they feel about the product?

I do see the value the many features of the AP, but for me to spend $600-700 right now, I would really like to see a noticable difference in power...especially at the drag strip!

 

[coyfish]

Well drag strip driving really depends on your driving abilities.

As for the AP. It will give you gains if you are stock or running fully bolted.

Downpipe / AP / intercooler are the big bang HP mods on the mazdaspeed. You will definately feel more power and a "better" powerband.

 

[koston33]

Im running the ap with just a mscai at the moment, tbe coming soon. And I can say that I'm definitely satisfied. Pulls harder, and the thing that sold me was the huge improvement in the top end, 5500-up. Also the fact that you can monitor and record and what not is great. Also you can buy the ap now, enjoy it, and then get some stuff to run stage 2. That's what I'm doing. I recommend waiting to get a used one. Would your run stage 1 93 btw?

 

[jnr5005]

Thanks guys for your quick replies. Yes I would run the 93 map. My friend just bought the AP for his Civic Si and knocked off a couple tenths in the quarter (with and without the launch control feature)...so judging by this and your success', I'm starting to think I would definatley like to buy one this month.

 

[Hank3]

Keep an eye out for used units. They've been popping up regularly these days. Save yourself 100-150 bones

 

[koston33]

I second that

 

[jnr5005]

Where are you guys seeing these used units?

 

[jnr5005]

Also, if anyone else using the AP would like to share their experiences at the drag strip, etc....especially those of you running Stage 1 + SF maps

 

[8.5MS3]

I was running the AP with the stage1+ setup for a while, it did improve power throughout the rpm range and did a good job of limiting the power loss after 5.5k. I dont drag the car, but i do autocross and the maps definetly improved my times (although now i have to feather the throttle alot more). Just a heads up some cars love the OTS maps and others dont. its definetly worth every penny, but have some extra cash for a protune if the car starts running weird. if your not worried about tuning the car yourself you could always download ATR for free and tune it yourself.

 

[djthom]

my car pulls a lot harder since install...
2nd gear is a monster now!
i am sri, tbe stage 2 91 octane

i had the 93 map but would see a lot more KR...

 

[jnr5005]

my car pulls a lot harder since install...
2nd gear is a monster now!
i am sri, tbe stage 2 91 octane

i had the 93 map but would see a lot more KR...

I am sorry, what is KR?

 

[8.5MS3]

knock retard. basically the cylinder spontaniously fires before the spark. the computer pulls timing in degree increments to prevent engine damage. if you see anything above 2.0 at WOT (wide open throttle) its a problem.

 

[jnr5005]

Oh, I see. KR stinks.

 

[8.5MS3]

i should clarify. knock retard is the computers reaction to detecting knock. when the sparkplug fires the flame originates at the tip of the plug and travels out as one "shockwave" pushing the piston down with even force over the entire surface. knock occurs when the flame starts in another area causing uneven forces within the chamber, which can shake the piston (hence the term) and cause an audible knock sound. it can happen for any number of reasons: lean afr's, bad fuel, hot spots etc. if knock is severe enough it can cause detonation. detonation is what kills engines. think of it this way, as the piston is traveling up on the compression stroke and the fuel ignites half way up, it will try to push the piston back down the wrong way causing huge forces which ultimately lead to bent rods and cracked blocks.

 

[jnr5005]

Ok I know bent rods and cracked blocks do definatley stink! Thank you for explaining that.

So you see significantly less KR with the 91 map. What is it about 93 or the 93 map that would cause this? Did u change to step colder plugs? And wouldn't whether you did or did not affect this?

 

[8.5MS3]

Ok I know bent rods and cracked blocks do definatley stink! Thank you for explaining that.

So you see significantly less KR with the 91 map. What is it about 93 or the 93 map that would cause this? Did u change to step colder plugs? And wouldn't whether you did or did not affect this?

I cant speak on behalf of djthom. but if you load the 91 map and put 93 gas in it gives you a little more room for errors (bad gas). if your running the 93 map and put in gas of lesser quality it will cause more knock. ive been meaning to put in step colder plugs, just too lazy to do it, especially with all the crap weather weve had the past month.

test the 93 map out first. after you flash the car drive easy and use the ap to monitor kr, if you see it at part throttle, itll get worse at wot.

 

[240ka]

Just installed mine last night. And its awesome. See my mods below.

I'm ruining the stage 1+SF 93 map. And my rev limiter is now 7k. I'm spiking 21-22lbs and and holding 18lbs in 2nd and 3rd. 4th 5th and 6th spiking 22 and holding 17.5.

And I don't go any lower than 17lbs as I'm getting close to my 7k rev limiter. When I hit rev limit I'm still at 15.4lbs

Its worth it. If you can be patient. I bought mine for 500 shipped. I think someone on MSF is selling one for 500 as well so check there

If you want brand new. Go on ebay and look up "incrediblegems". They are coming down to $575 shipped. Two friends of mine got theirs from there. I was going to do the same but found the 500 shipped.

Also, you can buy from MS6 owners. That's who I bought mine off of. We use the same AP and the firmware auto updates to which ever platform its plgged into

 

[jnr5005]

Okay, I will be sure do that when I get one. If I do experience a lot of KR with the 93, I would switch to the 91 map and run 93 octane gas. Do you think if I experience KR with the 93 map that octane booster would help? (even though it says specifically in the owners manual not to use octane booster)

 

[8.5MS3]

a spike of 22psi is pretty high IMO. what's your fp at 7k?

also if you just loaded the map you should go easy for 100 miles or so. just to see how the car reacts at part throttle.
closed loop and open loop tables are totally different plus it needs to establish fuel trims so you dont go lean and boom

 

[8.5MS3]

Okay, I will be sure do that when I get one. If I do experience a lot of KR with the 93, I would switch to the 91 map and run 93 octane gas. Do you think if I experience KR with the 93 map that octane booster would help? (even though it says specifically in the owners manual not to use octane booster)

ive never used octane booster but i wouldnt, you'll have to buy one for every tank of gas and monitor kr constantly. cant really enjoy the car that way (blowup) I got a custom tune for peace of mind. didnt cost me too much ($450) but i got a map taylored to my car specifically. gained 40whp and 55 wtq at the peaks, but my "area under the curve" is much better now and i dont have ANY boost spikes