What's the deal with flashing the MSP

[BrianV]

I've searched and could only find people discussing the actual flash process and dealer experience, and concerns with flashing.

I want to know what the flash is? It seems people say it raises the boost? Is this true? From what I gather it also is supposed to make it smoother. Is that all it's supposed to do?

Someone fill me in.

Thanks

 

[1sty]

SEARCH HARDER!!!!!!
(rofl)

Kidding my brotha from anotha motha.
Its not the easiest topic to find things on.

The Flash is the long awaited fix for the long mentioned hesitation problem on the MSP. Flashing refers to reprogramming the cars computer to run better. I have seen no proof of boost increse as a result of the flash. The other running theory was it advanced the timing. Either way it makes adding more boost on your own a bad idea.

 

[BrianV]

Yeah I know what flashing is, I've helped test ECU's for Maxima's. I meant what was done in the ECU. I don't know if the turbo boost pressure is controlled from the ECU or not.

So basically don't flash unless you have hesitation problems?

Another stupid newb question, when you say hesitation do you refer to power delivery hesitation through the entire power band, just at idle, or hesitation for the motor to crank/start up.

Thanks

 

[1sty]

The hesitation is a subject all on its own.
Search for my name, in the MSP section and for hesitation. I had a decent write up on it that alot of people agreed with. I'll see if i canfind it.
Basicly its the car flat out obviously not accelerating like it should in any way.
To my knowledge the ECU was pulling WAY to much timing thus the flash advanced the timing o aviod it. The hesitation was a weird one though in that some people got it others didn't.

I would have the car flash regardless although many feel that if you have tuned the car for higher boost, say 10 PSi then the flash will bemore troublesome then its worth.

 

[1sty]

Hers the thread:
http://www.msprotege.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24512&highlight=hesitation

Heres my post:

I finaly got to first hand experience it in a MSp yesturday and heres what it was.

The RPM range seems to be 3K-5.5K. At 5.5K it seems like the turbo kicks back in or whatever was holding the car back finaly releases it.
Outside temp seems to be unimportant but hotter makes it slighlty worse. Even at 60 degrees it will happen on the cars so inflicted.
The only consensus seems to be that the car indeed has to be fully warmed up and driven for a good 10 minutes.
MPH doesn't matter its trying to accelerate once in the for mentioned RPM range when it will happen.
I noticed it in 2nd threw 4th gear.
Hard acceleration seems to avoid the problem if you can keep the RPMs above 5K but if you were cruising at 40 MPH at 2.5K RPM and try to accelerate the hesitation will slow the car down more then a normal protege.

For a story line:
We took the car out in about 75 degree day and the car was warm as it had only been sitting for 1/2 hour after a long drive.
Accelerating normaly there was no issue in 1st. Then shifting to 2nd the car pulled well and even pushed us back into the seat untill we hit 3K and then it felt like someone hit the brakes and our bodies were actualy tossed foward slighly as it was such a drastic change in acceleration. The car did not acclerate again until 5500 RPM and then in all gears it did the same thing.

 

[BrianV]

Ok well it sounds obvious, if I feel it I'd get it done, otherwise I won't bother unless its recommended by the dealer.

 

[Bremmer]

I read the link and you guys were talking about the car running rich. If I'd get that fixed and lean it out a little, that means less fuel is entering right? which means I should get more miles to the tank? cause right now i'm getting 350 city miles to the tank, if I'm wrong someone tell me and explain.

 

[1sty]

To much fuel was another possible issue.

keep in mind very little has been proven to be true, just speculated.

Some have said the flash did not reduce the fuel at all. Other said it did.

 

[BrianV]

Bremmer, it's not necessarily that simple.

Less fuel should make the car run leaner and hotter, this will generally yield better performance and better mpg.

Too much fuel, runs colder and richers. This is safer for the engine, but performance is less and over time you can build up a lot of carbons.

A lean mixture is dangerous though, well at least too lean. Too lean on a turbo motor can result in blowing an engine. That's why people say, "It ran the best right before it blew." That's generally because it's running lean.

 

[cbcbd]

If you haven't gotten an MSP yet then your dealer (depends which) might've already flashed it. Dealers have been told to flash the cars on the lot, so make sure to ask the dealer if he has done this or not.

 

[1sty]

The dealer is required to put a BIG ASS sticker in the engine bay if they flach I believe, so poping the hood should tell the tale.

 

[Bremmer]

No sitcker, But maybe I did have the problem, cause It felt like i was getting boost in intervals when i was at wot in 2nd gear, but i dont feel it anymore after i put the injen intake on. If it comes back I'll have a talk with the dealer.

 

[doublebase]

cost

Where do you go and get this done and how much does it cost?

 

[1sty]

Dealer
Free