Swapping P5 ECU with MP3(turbo) ECU

The benifit For Mp3's is only in a turbo application, It is thought by some that the advanced timing of the MP3's ECU will cause problems when turboed
 
The gain for MP3 owners switching to a P5 ECU is that the P% ECU doesn't have the advanced timing the MP3 has. This is only beneficial in turbo/supercharging/N2O applications.

All motor cars benefit from advanced timing because it gives the crankshaft time to rotate around and get a better angle with the rod before the spark plug fires.

This can also be achieved by moving the rod pin up higher towards the top of the piston. This increases dwell time, the time the piston stays at TDC, also allowing the crank time to roatate and get a better angle.

Both advance timing and moving the pin up higher are bad for FI. If the pin is higher in a turbo car, it and the bearing stand more chance of being damaged by detonation.

Not exactly sure on the advanced timing though. Has something to do with the increased volume of air/fuel, takes longer to burn, so you need to retard the timing a bit.

SO...

P5/Protege will see 10 crank HP from an MP3 ECU, and MP3 will have a more boost friendly timing curve.

A few MP3 owners on here have P5 ECU's. Forgot the names though. I see no bad side effects to this swap. Exact same engine in all the cars, even the MSP.
 
Maybe someone can tell me if this is true or not. Someone posted on a different board that if I swap in the MP3 ECU on my P5 that I will have to run higher octane to benifit from it. Is this true? I know that the MP3 run higher octane gas than th P5, is this only because of the advanced timing? If this is the case I will think twice about swapping especially with the way gas prices are increasing.

Also I am still alittle concerned that two of the Mazda dealerships said that the MP3 ECU could cause problems because there are more differences than just the advanced timing. Is there a way to contact the master mechanic from Mazda HQ to find out for sure.
 
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well If I was a betting man. Then I would say you prob. would need to run higher octane to benifit from the ECU. thats the whole reason for the higher rating is the timing. But then again I'm not sure and could be completely wrong.
 
No, you're right. It's the same case with the Mustang/T-Bird/Cougar 5.0. As soon as you increase the timing, you have to put in higher octane gas or it will ping.

If you want performance, you gotta pay for it. Modding your car is not for the weak wallet.
 
I could be wrong too....I thought higher compression ratio vehicles needed higher octane gas......but then ours are the same (I assume)...and you need higher octane gas (MP3).....so I guess I'll keep on researching for more knowledge as well..Peace!
 
If an Mp3 owner put 89 ocatane...the ecu will automatically retaurd it to the pro5 timing...In other words..loss of that 10hp!

Chas
 
hmm so if I keep my ECU with the turbo and put 87 octane in It will work.......NOT!

IF you read the thread...i never mention 89 octane..w/ a turbo...i ment...non turbo!!!
:rolleyes:

anyone who's running a turbo..will tell you to put in the highest octane!!!

:wtf:
 
Yeah,..so that's my point....octane isn't the magical formula to addtional HP...your MP3 should generate the same HP or certainly close HP with octane rates under 93...you just might have a pinging sound..which still isn't good,...but HP, wouldn't "dramatically drop..Right???...I've owned several high performance vehicles...my last being a 928 Porsche. I played around w/ many combo's of Octane and timing....and when the smoke cleared...at least for this German Beast 4.5L V8 front Engine Euro 5 Speed...nothing really changed....so again I chunked the differences being compression ratios...higher compression ratio's needed higher octane gas...otherwise you're just wasting your money...I think??..Peace!!
 
u're right. octane is a retardant (anti-detonant). That means it will allow the fuel mix to be compressed more. U put regular gaz in high compression engines and the fuel mix will explode before the piston reaches it's ffull travel; thus, it pings. U can always go up in octane, but never down, same for an airplane.
 
but to come back with the "swapability" and it's effects on a long run, i stopped by the dealer on my way back from work, spoke with the ECU wiz over there, he is gonna check with it's trainer and get back to me.
 
alec172 said:
but to come back with the "swapability" and it's effects on a long run, i stopped by the dealer on my way back from work, spoke with the ECU wiz over there, he is gonna check with it's trainer and get back to me.

Great! I am dying to hear what he has to say.
 
Ask them what engine code are engine is and if he knows I will atleast listen. I had asked a tech this once and he said that I would lose my warranty, but most of them dont even know our engine code or deatails. Just that it is in the 626.b Their are techs that do know their stuff. Also the only real differenc should be that the MP3 doesnt have VTCS that is all.
 
I lost my warranty a long time ago so to me, it's no big deal...I do my own mtc anyway. I should receive my shop manual in a couple of weeks.
 
acidbbg said:


IF you read the thread...i never mention 89 octane..w/ a turbo...i ment...non turbo!!!
:rolleyes:

anyone who's running a turbo..will tell you to put in the highest octane!!!

:wtf:

Oh yes I definetly know I was just being sarcastic I've always put 93 in my MP3 and will continue to do so
 
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