Also considering light mods - but they would be next spring. Can I buy it now, get used to monitoring things like AFR, then do the exhaust/whatever next spring without an extra fee? I have seen the instructions say 6 months limit, so assume I will do the mods in March.

What are other choices for me to compare with? At a minimum to monitor AFR, temps.

 

^^^^ Im in the same boat as above, I have a completely stock motor at the moment and am gonna buy the Cobb AP + BHR ignition System but am wondering if after I install those if Im gonna be able to also install a AEM cold air intake and HKS Hi-Power exhaust. I have no intention of getting a turbo.

 

As long as you are not outside your 6 month window you can get it retuned through MMs Custom Calibration Service.... I believe

 

You can try to find a used AP for 400 or less (a little more won't hurt) to do what you want, and then purchase tuning from MazdaManiac when you want it. That's my plan right now (bought the Cobb, will tune in spring when I realize what I want to do).

It's pretty good regardless, as I was able to increase my rev limit (AT rev limit is 7500, I set mine at 8800 and shift at 8600). I was able to also increase my OMP output lowered the fan turn-on to provide protection for the engine. I'd imagine the sooner that was done, the better for the engine.

Also, being able to monitor AFR (as you stated you wanted to) helps me pay attention to any trends. This way, if I do notice that it gets extremely rich or lean in any conditions, I can ask for help on the forum.

 

I WANT ONE!


looks like i will have one around marchish

 

I want to expand a bit on the data logging function.

This is a must have for anyone getting the car worked on or DIY. Before and after data really are key in assessing the effectiveness of any upgrades or repairs.
Also in the Cobb Datalog thread you can find lots of reference logs to compare your data against to help pinpoint any potential issues.

 

Hi,

Are there any updates in regards to how you all like the Cobb with a completely stock Rx8.

I have a white 05 auto with a brand new engine. Since the install the vibration worsened. While the vehicle is on "Drive" at a stop it shakes worse.

Can I adjust the idle with Cobb? I find that higher idle gets rid of vibration.

Also wondering if evolv has any updates or reviews.

Thanks,

Mark

 

Hi all, I'm new to the board and recently purchased a 2005 RX8 MT. I have been researching the Cobb AP and was wondering if the stock maps allow me to reconfigure the OMP rates, cooling fan temperature, and idle adjustment or is that something that can only be done with the custom map from Mazda Maniac?

Thanks in advance.

 

Only if you know what you are doing i.e. what changes to make in which map cell. There is no play by play instruction manual that takes you by the hand and encouragingly shows you how. It's a sink or swim scenario, though some of the info is on the forum if you ever bother to search and dig for the nuggets of wisdom contained in the pile of crap post threads you will find.

 

You can make adjustments yourself with AccessTuner Race (forever) Beta, which you must request from Cobb Tuning:

http://accessecu.com/register/cobb.php

 

Engine mounts.

 

What do you mean?
What happens after 6 months
And how do they retune it?

 

The Custom Calibration Service contract period is 6 months. After that, you can resubscribe for additional time if it is needed (like if you add forced-induction or do some other large changes to the way the motor breathes).

In reality, the 6 month deadline is a not a hard cutoff - I will usually continue to work with a customer until their calibration is perfected, regardless of how long it takes, provided the customer has been at least somewhat diligent in providing data at the on-line live tuning sessions.
That said, it usually only takes 4 to 7 iterations to complete a tune on a normally-aspirated car and up to ten iterations for a forced-induction car, provided that the mechanical end of the deal is properly executed by the customer.
Many people come to me with mechanical issues - some pretty severe - and expect that I can "tune them out". While it is sometimes possible to do so, it is not a good idea. No amount of tuning will correct an improperly setup turbo system.
So, how long the MazdaManiac Custom Calibration Service contract period is extended is really dependent on the customer's commitment to doing it right.

 

So, I just downloaded the base MM map, and will be data logging per MM's instructions for my custom calibration.

Couple of questions:
1) is the MM base map an optimized stock map?

2) until you get the custom calibration done, how 'hard' can/should you drive the car? Are there any risks? It's my daily driver, so I need to use the car. Or should I wait to do the install and data logging until the day before I submit it?

Thanks!

PS: did someone actually see 10 rwhp on their normally aspirated car as reported on this thread earlier? Really?

 

lol

 

It is a specialized stock map.

As hard as you like - or at least as hard as you did on the stock map.
This only applies to a normally-aspirated application, though.

I just had a customer pull an additional 19 WHP after their 5th iteration on the service. It was verified with back-to-back runs on the OE calibration.

It is also possible to see no increase in power. It depends on your particular vehicle.
Of course, power is only one reason to use the AccessPORT.

 

Thanks, Jeff.

 

imo, buying a used cobb unless you are fortunate enough to know how to tune it is not finanicaly smart. heres what i think-most used aps go from 250-400. if you want mm tuning add ~300 to your used cobb. buying a new one from jeff with tuning included right now is ~540. personally i want one but i wouldnt buy a used one for more than 200 because i would want it set for my car and idk how to do it myself

 

FWIW

I went the MM route and am happy. I would not get one and dink with it myself. Car runs better, is a little better on gas, I feel it pulls better and smoother. Also, I quit premix afterwards due to the OMP bump. That was a plus as well.

Yeah, I would do it again. I really think I noticed an improvement between the steps of the tune as well. All my logs were taken on the same stretch of road, with close to the same weight in the car and pretty much the same fuel load. The major difference was temp. Looking at the logs, and looking at the 4th gear part of the pull, and matching up the times of day (temp), and how long it took to get from 3500 to 7200 RPM, I could convince myself I got a 5% or so increase in the rate the RPM would rise between the second data logging and the 4th one (the ones that matched the same time of day). Someone smarter than me will have to tell me what that equates to in horsepower...

So, yeah, it helped... Car sounds a lot cooler as well.

 

Thanks for the detailed review man. I want to buy this from Mazda maniac as soon as possible so that can get the hang of using it before I turbo charge my 2005 Automatic Transmission RX-8.

What I'm concerned about is that I wan to tune my current stock setup to optimum performance, but I also want it tuned for when I finally purchase the turbo kit. However, I don't plan to purchase the turbo kit until 2013. I want the Cobb AP now, tune my Naturally Aspirated stock setup and then want MM to tune my car again once I install the turbo kit.

The question is, will he allow me to do that? Will he be cool with calibrating it for me when I purchase my turbo kit in a year and a half? (without an extra cost).

Thanks,
Mark

 

Mark, If I recall correctly, the tuning is valid for 6 months from date of receiving the AP, but dont quote me on this. See post #38

 

No. The Calibration Service contract period is for 6 months from the time of purchase.
I usually go well beyond that time limit if it is necessary, but switching to a different setup entirely 18 months later would not be a reasonable expectation.

You can re-subscribe to the Calibration Service when you finally do switch to forced induction.

 

I doubt that Jeff needs any further endorsements, so if you don't want to hear another...it's time to hit the 'back' button on the browser.

Not only is Jeff is a great guy to work with (and funny...), his work is nearly miraculous. I was the one that questioned the 19 hp gain through his work, but if my well-worn seat of the pants dynanometer is still functioning, my car/motor has a new lease on life...and 20 extra hp. I have one of those useless GtechPro units, and I'm thinking that once Jeff gets me on final tune, I'll load the stock map back in the car and see what we find out in a back-to-back comparison.

His base map was a new page on my rotary with asthma; after his first tune tonight, I swear I heard the angels sing. Are you kidding me? It's surreal.

So, Jeff.....why didn't Mazda tune this cars correctly in the first place? We've all heard the media carping about 'great chassis...okay performance'. If the RX8 performed like this out of the box, perhaps they would have sold enough of them to keep the rotary in the product mix.

For those younger enthusiasts on the forum, I grew-up in the era of the JC Whitney catalog, with performance products promising 10% power increases and what not. Of course, they never worked.... But if you're on the fence about getting an Accessport from Jeff with his tuning, do it. I mean, don't you want to hear the angels sing??

thanks, Jeff.

BTW, I suggested to Jeff that he video one of his sessions so that he can pull-back the curtain and let us see the wizard at work on YouTube. I, for one, want to see this.

 

Of course I do. I need all the help I can get.
Critics are very vocal. Fans are strangely quiet.

Thanks for the endorsement (even though it was somewhat embarrassingly over-the-top). I really do appreciate it.
I too remember JC Whitney. I got many of the parts for my 1970 Dodge Challenger from there. They suck.

"Correctly" isn't likely the correct word. "Close to the edge" is probably better.
Mazda needed to go with what will always work on every car and with every regulation and warranty requirement.
You - as an individual and enthusiast - are not constrained by these requirements.
So, with careful consideration for both what is possible and what is proper, we are able to bring the engine management closer to the bleeding edge than Mazda dared.

Just for sh*ts and giggles, I am going to do that next week. I've had quite a few acquaintances ask me what it is I do, exactly and a video over my shoulder with a windowed look onto the desktop might be useful.
The tuning webinar I do gives insight into the math, mouse-clicks and theory. Watching exactly how I do it in real-time might be further enlightening.
I will record the session on the morning of the 27th.

 

^ That would be cool, I still think the DVD is a good idea.