SpeedGSXR

I was just wondering that due to the fact that Mazda Maniac has stated himself that he doesn't care about customer service whatsoever, I need to find a tuner if I want an updated map within 3 months of sending it out...

So, my question to you guys is - are the gains so minimal (not power but efficiency) that it's not even worth getting tuned? My car is only getting 15mpg when I'm easy on the throttle, I use 93 oct and techron in every 4-5 fillups to make sure carbon gets cleaned out since I'm not in the 7-9k range very often. I just want to try to lean out the supposedly too rich stock fuel maps.

What do you think about my question?

shaunv74

I think your question can be answered by searching under coils instead of AP...

Highway8

iTrader: (11)

I have found MM's customer service to be just fine. He tells me he is going to do something and he has always followed through. Have you had any bad experiances with him? Yes he had some turbo parts issues, some e-mails were lost (sent to the wrong address by customers or not sent correctly) and once in a while people slip throught the cracks, but over all the people who now what to except (1-2, maybe 3 week turn around) they are happy customers.

The big problem is that people expect the "customer is always right" attitude from MM, but the problem is that the customer is not always right and MM is working for a lot less money then other people charge, so he does not have the time to give that extra customer service attention some people like. He is charging $700 (standard price) for the AP and you get free tunning. The next best deal is $150 or $200 for one time tunning, MM gives 6 months or more free. Bottem line, know what to expect, follow the directions and be happy with a quality tune.

Now in your case, if you expect to have you MPG improve, you may be disipointed with the results, no matter who you use. Assuming that you coils, wires, plugs, air filter, alignment and tire pressures are all up to par, then you would need a 5-10% increase in MPG to even notice an improvement. That is a lot to ask of tune. Should you get it done? I cant answer that question for you. I purchased the AP and have had my vehicle tunned because I track the car and wanted the extra HP, oil metering, removed cat CEL and the fans to come on earlier. If I just had a daily driver or weekend cruiser, well I might not have it done.

Oh, some people report that if you drop down to 91oct you get better MPG.

Easy_E1

iTrader: (2)

And where did this info come from?
Mazdamaniac cares about Customer Service. He doesn't care for customers who demand it when the issue is not his service but the customers own stupidity.
He has over 300 of these around the WORLD right now. i just dropped 5 at UPS this morning for him.
He must be doing something right.
He is very concise in his instructions and expects the consumer to be the same in their reply of information. Very simple exchange. In return you get tuning for FREE.
All the other vendors charge you additional money for tuning. Hundreds of dollars. And you don't know who does the tuning.

No one else offers this kind of customer service. Anywhere.

So you make the call.

AJ's Shinka

He was going to tune mine, but I am not where I want to be yet (modwise). But he still offered to do so regardless, so kudos to him.

From what I've learned, you want to run richer because running too lean is bad for your engine and your cat if you have one on. Around 13.2 AFR at WOT IIRC is optimum.

I have been running Cobb Stage 1 Map since I was mostly stock and it works just fine. I have a couple mods now and will be trying to get a full exhaust system soon, so I will need to get a tune sooner or later.

The Cobb AP comes with a Fuel Efficiency Map if that you can load to your car if that is your main concern.

Fluid Motorsports is offering tuning with a 48 hour turn around, I guess that is another option, I haven't heard too much about it though.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

My experience was Mazdamaniac was perfect.

I filled out everything AS asked in the e-mail, attached ONLY what was asked for, and made sure I only needed to send 1 e-mail. I never waited more then 1 1/2 weeks for a new calibration. I got 4 calibrations from him, 3 of which were "performance" calibrations.

Is it really so hard to do what you are ASKED to do? That is and always has been the problem with peoples tunes being delayed.

And yes, I did feel the difference.

Flashwing

Great to see some of these comments! To the OP, yes getting the accessport tuned for your RX8 is a 100% good investment for your vehicle. The capabilities of the accessport go way beyond power increases and allow the RX8 to run better without the hold-backs of relying on Mazda's flashes.

Here's a short list of stuff you can expect. Increased OMP output to ensure proper lubrication, elimination of various check engine lights to guarentee passing emissions while allowing you to run midpipes or other upgrades without a CEL while maintaining critical CEL's, turn fans on sooner to prevent overheating, raise your idle speed for a smoother idle, increase rev limiter as well as a host of other stuff.

With his Custom Calibration Service, you simply send a series of data logs and he send you back a flash for your RX8. You then test the flash to see if any further tuning is needed. Then repeat the process until your satisfied or MazdaManiac informs you no further tuning is necessary.

Due to the large customer base and the need for specific information, a strict set of instructions are in place for customers. The better you follow the instructions the less likely you will have any problems.

As seen above, people who followed the process to a T got their calibrations quickly and without incident.

The AP is a must have for any RX8 owner, stock or otherwise. It's the best money you can spend on your car period.

alz0rz

iTrader: (41)

I am selling my AP now due to my accident and the car being totaled.. but I will definitely be getting ANOTHER accessport for the 09s.

SpeedGSXR

Look here: This thread isn't about what your opinion is of MM or how much of a fanboy or bandwagon-er you are, this was about a simple question I asked about getting it tuned with a close to stock setup.

But, since you decided you needed to throw your own .02 in on a completely unrelated issue, fine. Here's the attitude that says "I don't care about my customers" -


That is MM's response to having a survey done on a customer satisfaction by his own customers...

I'm not one of those customers who thinks they always are right, not at all. As I've stated from the start, I just want some basic communication, and if things are going to be delayed a week or two, would like to be notified so I don't think I'm being scammed when I send an email inquiring about what's going on and don't get anything back.

Hence the reason for my original question, since I'm not sure that I can't rely on him for a timely adjustment, is it worth getting tuned on a dyno by a pro? (and yes, I'm getting the BHR ignition setup as well, that's already in the works)

Please try to stay on topic.

robrecht

You should know you didn't really ask a simple question. You asked a loaded question. Aside from the thinly veiled attack on MM, it's not a simple question. In the hands of a good tuner, you can expect to get 10-20 hp gains, perhaps on the high side o that range if you're deleting your cat and going for a more aggressive tune with leaner AFRs. Not sure how carefully some tuners monitor EGTs and whether or how much that might shorten engine life expectancy. Any one have lont-term data? The real question is not about the AP but rather about the tuner.

If your only interested in fuel economy, the AP will not be cost-effective.

DarthRX8

If you cannot wait 3 to 4 weeks for a calibration then you should go somewhere else. Jeff is very reliable as a tuner and as a vendor and nobody knows more about tuning the 8 than him. My advise is if you can wait, stick with Jeff, your 8 will be much happier . If you cannot go to a local performace shop or through another vendor (not many to choose from who have expierence)!

My opinion is biased because I have not dealt with any other tuner for my 8. When it comes to my 8 (it is my daily driver), I do not want to risk hurting it mechanically in any way. The wrong tune could potentially destroy your 8, which is why I only trust the best with mine.

Atilla

iTrader: (1)

+1 w/Darth

If you go with another Tuner, be careful and make sure your tuner understands the software and your car. Running too rich or too lean may cause some serious damage to your car.

J03K1LLARX8

iTrader: (1)

yeah dude MM is is highly respected around here. so yeah any bad thing you say about him is not going to get good feedback from people. MM has hooked up alot of members and gives nothing but good servise for alot less than you can find. so fyi dont bad mouth the guy that can tune up an 8 like no ones business! also stupid questions deserve stupid answers, right guys? do your home work before you post BS!

jmc23200

Go to another tuner, spend a few hundred dollars, see that it doesnt make a huge difference for you, and go back and ask for a "free" tune to improve the previous tune. You will be laughed at. That comment from MM doesn't say he doesnt care about his cusomers, it says he doesnt care about the survey. Obviously there are going to be some people who get pissy because it takes 3 weeks for 1 man to help you since he is helping/tuning for hundreds of other people. Where is the logic in that?

Buy the Cobb AP. It is $700 and it only makes your car better. You also get 6+ months of free tunes to improve your 8 so it can be the best possible. Ifyou go to a local tuner, you will spend a few hundred dollars for 1 tue. Then when you get the bhr ignition system, need to spend another few hundred on another tune. Then if you add any more mods, theres another tune and another few hundred $$$. Or, spend $700 upfront, add whatever mods you want, email MM, and he will do it for free.

Your money, your choice.


BTW, I'll buy your AP alzorz

zoom44

nobody is going to give him n NA tune that will destroy his 8 . please step back from the abyss.


a good tune CAN increase your mileage. my flash from RB definitely improved my mileage. anyone that ever tuned their car from the beginning when there was only Maurice's Canzoomer e-manage box knows that a good tune can indeed get you better mileage.

get the 11.x and 12s tuned up to the 13s and you will be doing much better- but probably at the expense of cat longevity.


go RB or Go Cobb with the tunes that come with or get it tuned by a local Cobb tuner. those are all real viable options. Or go Hymee

SpeedGSXR

You're just an idiot...badmouthing translates to copying and pasting him saying he doesn't care about what his customers think...wow


Anyway, to the rest of you who could avoid getting butt-hurt at what I've said in regards to my experiences w/ MM, thanks for the info.

To the remainder aka sarcastic fanboys and MM groupies who are practically on your knees sucking his **** on this forum - please take the blindfolds of your bias off and realize that just bc someone can tune an engine with a specific tuning tool well doesn't make them God or obsolve them from the responsibilities of running a business...they are going to catch some flack - when it comes, just accept it instead of trying to run around throwing excuses up.

dozer

iTrader: (3)

ibtl?

cjkim

im neither a fanboy or a hater, but i think youve taken this a little too far
ibtl!

jmc23200

Or you and your 9 posts can do more research about the different tunes available, their pros/cons, dont post here asking for opinions when you arent ready to accept all of them since they are someone elses opinions, and not knock someone that you havent delt with yet. Apparently you are a very angry person and I didnt know you can suck dick over the internet or via email. Ive been missing out then

Atilla

iTrader: (1)

yeah...

a little off the deep end. there was a reason why people were advocating MM's work. Though it may take more than a couple of weeks to get the maps you desire, for the most part - it's pretty much worth the wait. A lot of tuners are available true, but not as much with a reputation like MM's. Though not everybody likes the guy or appreciates his 'customer service' - the positive results from those who have received their maps is undeniable. If you find another tuner that's better and can deal with a similar stress load that he's taken on...please post details of him/her. I'm sure others would be glad to post some Q and A.

p.s. IBTL

treceb

contac rb. take ecu off car and ship to rb and wait for it to come back.
i think to avoid all these "fanboy" posts u shouldve asked if a cobb ap tune would increase mpg and leave mms name out of it. theres a few cobb dealers and tuners out there...

DarthRX8

maybe. However, what I was trying to point out was that tuning was something that I knew nothing about when I was considering sending my ECU to RB or buying the AP from MM (I chose to buy the AP so that I wouldn't have to worry about MAzda reflashing my ECU and other reasons).

If you have no tuning experience it is nice to work with someone who has and can answer your questions along with ensuring your 8 has the best tune.
If you go with the RB reflash, an AP from COBB/ MM or any tuning unit it really doesn't matter, as long as the person doing the work knows what they are doing. The unit itself all comes down to personal preference.

This thread has begun to peg the I'm an idiot meter, that has senseless comments.

DarthRX8

You wanted to know what your options were for leaning out your too rich tune in order to achieve better fuel efficiency. People have answered. It all comes down to who you trust and how much money you are willing to spend. If you take your AP to a local shop, hopefully they can tune your 8. However you are looking at an additional cost (200 or more dollars). If you have the money and the shop has the knowledge great, that is what worked for you!

If you don't want to hear peoples opinions then you are in the wrong place. Your comments mean nothing except you are impatient, senseless and want to have the perfect tune NOW! Good luck with that and please let all of us know when you find that individual and how much it costs!

RufusVonStorm

Flashwing answered this perfectly.

IF the question is "what's the point in buying an AP for a stock rx-8" there are a lot of good reasons: omp output, fans on sooner, higher redline, leaner mixture, af monitoring, etc etc etc

SpeedGSXR

Once again, there are topic titles for a reason, and if all you took away from my post was that I am impatient, you are still playing in the shallow end of the pool. Speaking of the shallow end of the pool - to whoever said I haven't dealt with Jeff yet, you're wrong, I've been dealing with him for the past month since I ordered an AP and just got it the other day, look in the MazdaManiac issues thread, you'll find all about the 'dealing' I've had with him and his lack of respect.

I know that we, as enthusiasts, have come to accept a lack of customer service as a given in the aftermarket performance market - but a complete lack of communication is what is unacceptable to me.

I took my turbo S2000 to Mase of Stage VI in Jacksonville,FL (Masetuning.com) and he was able to iron out the 'perfect' or at least perfect enough for me in a few hours for 200 bucks...went from making a mere 375whp to 453 and a much smoother curve. Point being: I arrived wanting a better tune that day - does that make me sensless? does that mean I wanted it in 10 minutes instead of 3 hours? No. It just means that I expect people to deliver what they advertise in the time in which they advertise to deliver in. God strike me dead and 'senseless' for actually holding ANYONE, (better yet a person running a business who I have invested my money into) to what they say...

If you can't see how ridiculous you're being in saying I'm sensless and have 0 patience, you guys really are a bunch of bandwagoning butt-hurt groupies, which is fine with me...I'll just watch