I've been doing some research on various EMS units for my custom FI build project. I was looking for an EMS that was intuitive, versatile, worked with the factory PCM, incorporated a 3-bar MAP sensor and was relatively affordable. I looked at the AccessPort, Haltech, Motec, MicroTech and finally Adaptronic. I ended up going with the Adaptronic e420c Piggy-Back EMS for the RX8 because it satisfied all my prerequisites and then some.
Here's a link to the product page:
http://www.adaptronic.com.au/products/e420c.html

The EMS arrived pre-programmed and wired for the RX8. It took me less than an hour to plug in the EMS into the factory PCM and install the MAP sensor. After that, I was up and up and running!
There was no CEL and everything that the PCM controlled still worked.

I've been running the EMS on my stock NA motor for about 2 weeks now with the only issue so far being the response time of the stock drive-by-wire throttle. Out of the box, there's a slight delay when pressing on the gas pedal and the EMS actually responding to the signal. There are corrections for this delay but I haven't taken the time to explore them, plus I will be converting to an custom aftermarket throttle body that uses a standard throttle cable and TPS.

I will be updating this thread as the project progresses with details about the tuning process.
I'll upload some install photos later this evening as well.

 

Good info. You going away from throttle by wire?

 

That's right, I'm going with a 90mm throttle body and standard throttle cable.
I'm having a couple of shops look into designing an upper intake manifold for me as well to compliment the TB. If the design and price are right, I'll go that route, if not, I'll have an adapter flange made for the stock upper intake manifold to bolt to the 90mm TB.

 

Photos:

 

You don't need a 90mm TB.

 

why 90mm on the TB?

i am curious to see how the piggyback handles everything from the PCM trims to ambient condition changes, etc. just for conversation sake

 

You're right. I wouldn't need one if I was running all motor or a greddy turbo but in my case a 90mm TB will be a perfect match for my custom uim/plenum
and the new GTX4294R.

This is not my car but that is my turbo.

See above for the answer to your question about the TB.

So far the EMS has run great out of the box on my stock NA motor.
The EMS bypasses all the PCM trims, MAF, etc. It uses a 3-bar MAP sensor and a plethora of trim adjustments just like a lot of other EMS systems out there.
Tuning is also "supposed" to be much easier/quicker using the "Fast Tuner" feature. We'll see...

 

Well, that makes a bit more sense
Designing a good plenum for a turbo application is pain in the back though, good luck :p

Any screenshots of the tuning software? With the turbo in that position a MAF system would be pretty tricky, a MAP standalone may be a solution even if i don't personally like it. Many serious stand alone systems are also expensive as hell... what's the cost of a complete EMS system like yours with all the bells and the whistles?

 

Is it throwing a CEL?

 

It's definitely a pain in the ***, lucky for me though, I'm not the one fabricating the plenum.
I'm uploading screenshots now...
Yeah, the MAF and the drive-by-wire would definitely become a limiting factor and make tuning way more difficult, the MAP sensor and cabled TB with TPS is the way to go imo for this setup.
The unit cost me $1,352.93 w/ 3-Bar MAP sensor including shipping.


Nope. Not at all.

 

I added the screenshots:

 

nice setup. I'm usually not a fan of big wheels but your car looks nice. Any particular reason you use webshots to host your pictures?

 

Thx!

I've never had any issues with storage or bandwidth limits with Webshots, not yet at least.
I see a lot of "Storage quota exceeded" messages for Photobucket accounts.

 

Will the ECU box lid mount and close properly?

 

It just sux because you can't link pics or see full size ones without signing up. Did you use the fast tuning feature for your NA tune?

 

Good question.
It doesn't fit, I'll have to look into either making one or checking whether the aftermarket carbon fiber one will fit, which I doubt.

Oh, I didn't know that. That actually does suck. Any suggestions other than photobucket? Or is photobucket the way to go?

I didn't use the Fast Tuning feature, the EMS came setup already for a stock 6-port to run, so I just left it that way until I pull my motor out in a few weeks to build for my new setup. I'm planning on using it when the turbo and engine are ready.

 

Cool, great to see we have another option available to us. Oh, and I actually use www.flikr.com. I actually paid for the pro account because fancy myself a photographer But anyone can view them.

 

It doesn't strike me as a very elegant solution if the supplied wiring harness limits you to a location where you can't even keep it from getting wet

I'm not really sure why you're touting it fitting in the OE location if you can't even bolt the sealing lid down

 

I drove around with the lid off for 2 weeks in heavy on and off rain, not a drop of water in sight, totally dry, so in fact Mazda chose a very "elegant" location afterall.
Not to mention, I did go the extra mile and install the EMS in the stock PCM's plastic air cooled enclosure, which was actually really nice that it fit.
If I hadn't, the lid would've perfectly fit and I'd even still be able to use the two little dinky air intake tubes to cool the units. Which I may still do.

Oh BTW, I just installed the lid, about 95% anyway, bolts and everything. Basically, it looks practically stock and you'd only really notice if you were trying really hard to find something outta place, hint-hint-nudge-nudge. Will post a pic later tonight.

 

Any updates on this?

 

Re-wired the harness so that only the P1's are stage1 now, P2 & secondaries are now batched together as stage2.
Also, I have the primary and aux ports permanently open, I control the secondaries to open at 6K right now, that may or may not change.

Adaptronic support has been superb thus far. Andy, Rob an Ric Shaw definitely know what they're doing. Regular updates to the the EMS firmware and tuning software are much appreciated as well.

Texas Mile Results hopefully coming soon...

 

 

2010 Turbo Build: a.k.a. "Project JETS3T 8" (Startup Vid)