I am having my motor rebuilt by mazdamastertech in Houston. Well, I knew that my rod bearings were shot and also my piston rings because of the amount of oil it was burning. But what I didn't know is that 3 of my pistons were cracked. Yep, and I only had my car in boost for like 3 weeks tops at only 6 to 7psi. So trust me, it's not only the rods that are weak, the pistons are very weak also. My suggestion to all of you is to swap ecu's with someone. Just thought I'd give you guys a warning. I think the only reason Terry has been safe is because of his extra injectors and his timing control. You guys might want to look into swapping or getting a piggyback.
WARNING! All Turbo MP3's
- Thread starter big_ben
- Start date
03SpeedLSD
Member
What's this about swapping ECU's??? Later,
- :
- 09 370Z Nismo
MP3 have more advanced timing in their ECUs to give them a small jump in horsepower over other proteges. If you swap the ECU with say, a ES or protege5, it will decrease the timing, maybe losing a little horsepower, but if you boost, it ends up making more horsepower, and healthier boost =)
ES/P5ers get the ECUs from an MP3, and if they are going N/A, it gives them that little extra HP they want to squeeze out.
ES/P5ers get the ECUs from an MP3, and if they are going N/A, it gives them that little extra HP they want to squeeze out.
Hopefully Linux can take apart his engine to see whats up.
Is it actualy possible to just swap ECUs? I thought the car might go hawire from the systems the P5 has that the MP3 doesn't.
I was definitly considering it though. I have already dropped the boost to 5 PSI in light of Linux's situation.
Is it actualy possible to just swap ECUs? I thought the car might go hawire from the systems the P5 has that the MP3 doesn't.
I was definitly considering it though. I have already dropped the boost to 5 PSI in light of Linux's situation.
Ben,
I wonder if the cracks could have been the result of the oil running out, and boost that fateful day? There are accually oil squirters under the pistons that are there to keep the pistons cool. If you were running low on oil.....that could have been a contributing factor to this...right? I accually think I will start ripping apart my current block this weekend ( I just recieved my FS Engine Workshop Manual). I am also researching forged pistons too. I may accually have to expiriment with a P5 ECU after getting my s*** fixed...
I wonder if the cracks could have been the result of the oil running out, and boost that fateful day? There are accually oil squirters under the pistons that are there to keep the pistons cool. If you were running low on oil.....that could have been a contributing factor to this...right? I accually think I will start ripping apart my current block this weekend ( I just recieved my FS Engine Workshop Manual). I am also researching forged pistons too. I may accually have to expiriment with a P5 ECU after getting my s*** fixed...
Last edited:
PhyschoMP3
Member
Didnt your rod break? You should lower your comp and get all forged rods and pistons. You'd be going were no man has gone before, except JIC. But thats different.
I think we have to see whats up with your internals first before passing judgement linux.
If your pistons are also nuked then its all but useless for an MP3 to run boost without full engine management. If this is the case I can hint at how incredibly pissed off I will be!
Lets hope Spoolin or keith get on this one soon!
If your pistons are also nuked then its all but useless for an MP3 to run boost without full engine management. If this is the case I can hint at how incredibly pissed off I will be!
Lets hope Spoolin or keith get on this one soon!
Ben I know you are paranoid now abotu turbo proteges but the fact you lost almost all your oil in your system had detrimental effects on not only your rings/bearings but also the pistons like Patrick said. Turbo pressure with no oil, a overheating motor, and no oil spuirting on the bottoms of the pistons that should be will cause any piston to crack quick. Turbo on teh Protege is safe if done right. The timing on the MP3 is not right for turbo get a regular protege ECU all of you MP3 turbo people. A turbo on teh regular protege or P5 is fine I believe as none of the P5 turbos have blown with the exception of one which he was going 110+ MPH with 5 guys in the car at full boost in 5th gear pushing it hard....thats just bad judgement too much weight for 8 PSI of boost on a T3/T4 I know our blocks are a little stronger than Hondas but I'm treating mine like a honda in the fact i'm keeping it intercooled and only going to the 5-6 psi mark for now still i build up a stroker 2.0L to a 2.2L with all forged internals then the boost will just to around 12-14.....till then I agree that yes the MP3's timing is a timebomb but a turbo can be run safely with the right things done.
I see what you are saying about running out of oil, but I believe the advanced timing had a lot to do with it also. The way I see it is this. It would not cost you a dime to swap the ecu's. It would just take you the two days to wait on the mail if you ship it express. The ecu's are completely compatable, so there would be no problems there. Better safe than sorry if you ask me. You never know what kind of damage you are doing to your pistons until something goes wrong. I just thought I'd warn you guys.
MP3skaterNC
JDM *****.
- :
- slotege mp3
no, cause that will override the problem of advanced timing.
Engine management is good, whether with the MP3 ECU or not. Has ANYONE with an mp3 swapped ECUs with an ES on here? How did it turn out? Can the ES ECU be downloaded into the MP3's? How long/hard are they to swap?
Tech geeks, Terry, FP: can't a tricker be made for the mp3 so that the ECU thinks hotter air is coming in the MAS, thus retarding timing? Basically the complete opposite of those ebay things?
Tech geeks, Terry, FP: can't a tricker be made for the mp3 so that the ECU thinks hotter air is coming in the MAS, thus retarding timing? Basically the complete opposite of those ebay things?
Kieth has done it and he has a dyno of it on the FM site. The ECU is VERY easy to remove and swap. Both the MP3 ecu and the one from the ES and the P5 are swapable also. They are the exact same except for the timing.
As for a piggy back, I would suggest using the Link that FM sells. The reason is that Terry already has his tuned and he could provide all the settings. There would be no need to tune it on a dyno, just plug in the numbers that Terry says and you are set. I am pretty sure the link runs about $1500. Just my suggestion.
As for a piggy back, I would suggest using the Link that FM sells. The reason is that Terry already has his tuned and he could provide all the settings. There would be no need to tune it on a dyno, just plug in the numbers that Terry says and you are set. I am pretty sure the link runs about $1500. Just my suggestion.
yay for cars
Member
is there a difference in ECU between an automatic and a manual? i would think there is since it needs to tell the tranny when to shift in an auto, but maybe not cause i have never heard this mentioned.
