Just installed the DSM afc, AND....

[tallrd]

it works perfect! I started at 9pm lastnight and got done at 12:30am. This was mainly due to me mounting the box in the engine bay which required me to run wires through the firewall to the ECU. That shouldn't take most people as long as it took my tired ass.

Also, I know a few people have had a really hard time getting a hold of John and DSM (including me). It took me a month from my first inquiry to purchase to the time when I actually held it my hands. They would yield more business if they could cut that time AT LEAST in half. However, whenever I did get a hold of John, he was super nice and professional.

Here are the fruits of my labor for those curious.

[Ryoga28]

I'm planning to get get one soon. Just wondering how long did it take roughly to get the afc after placing your order thru paypal?

[tallrd]

I'm planning to get get one soon. Just wondering how long did it take roughly to get the afc after placing your order thru paypal?

short answer: 2 weeks.

long answer: PayPal wouldn't make my transfer to them avail for their withdrawl for 3-4 biz days so that sucked up a week right there (it was the short week of July 4th). This was after PayPal held my deposit for 3-4 business days before making it available for me to even send to him. All for security I'm sure, but it still sucked. Ad to that the fact that I wasn't getting returned emails or calls from DSM and that's where I ended up waiting so long from my initial request to purchase.

On the performance side, surprisingly, my car even idles smoother; like WAY smoother. It actually feels like it's not even running when I'm at a stand still and I even have a pretty agressive sounding exhaust. The accelleration curve is TOTALLY smooth too; no hesitation at all. Just clean throw-you-back-in-your-seat accelleration with no dips or peaks. They include great instructions for installation, but no photos, so I figured I'd post them here to help those out who are of the visual nature.

[jeffmsp]

what level of boost are you running with it?

[peepsalot]

good work. Pushing shit through that firewall is a bitch. I just put my unit on the inside, and only had to run the vacuum hose through.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1513159&postcount=3

[TenaciousB]

I assume that you tap into the same vacuum line as you do for a MBC (JoeP) and boost gauge?

It won't affect anything if I add another "t" fitting in the vacuum line....only reason I ask is because I'm buying an AFC next week and will be installing it

[CustomMSP]

I know for a fact that the line you tapped into only sees vacuum because of the check valve it's connected to. You need to change your source to either the line on top of the mani or the rear of the mani, otherwise you're AFC is not doing anything because it sees no boost.

[peepsalot]

I know for a fact that the line you tapped into only sees vacuum because of the check valve it's connected to. You need to change your source to either the line on top of the mani or the rear of the mani, otherwise you're AFC is not doing anything because it sees no boost.
Ooh, good catch. Custom MSP is right. I didn't even click thorugh all the pictures to notice that the first time around.

Haha, well here's a good chance to test the placebo effect: Did you notice any gains? LOL

[tallrd]

Ooh, good catch. Custom MSP is right. I didn't even click thorugh all the pictures to notice that the first time around.

Haha, well here's a good chance to test the placebo effect: Did you notice any gains? LOL

whoa. Could you show me a photo of the "correct" vacuum source (DSM's instructions just said the "vacuum source from the intake manifold" and he's imposible to get a hold of). Someone more knowledgable than myself told me that would work so I didn't think twice about it. I know it's doing something because it idles completely still (like the car isn't running) and at wot my car used to hesitate like mad at 4k; now it's completely smooth.

So...where's the "correct" vacuum source again please?

[tallrd]

what level of boost are you running with it?
stock for now; 8 psi coming in the next week or so.

[JBreed]

is this a tunable unit? or does it come pre-mapped

[tallrd]

is this a tunable unit? or does it come pre-mapped

both. He has maps which he has made for the MSP either with or w/out a fmic and for options of stock boost, 8psi, or 10psi and he ships you the appropriate one based off what you tell him.

From there, if you want further tuning it seems that you can send him your dyno results via email, and he customizes it specifically for your car. Pretty cool, eh?

BTW, would you know what the correct vac source is?

[peepsalot]

whoa. Could you show me a photo of the "correct" vacuum source (DSM's instructions just said the "vacuum source from the intake manifold" and he's imposible to get a hold of). Someone more knowledgable than myself told me that would work so I didn't think twice about it. I know it's doing something because it idles completely still (like the car isn't running) and at wot my car used to hesitate like mad at 4k; now it's completely smooth.

So...where's the "correct" vacuum source again please?
See the pic here.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1005899&postcount=14
Mine is tapped from the large diameter brake booster line. If you do this, you must be sure that it is tapped before the inline check valve. It is only noticable as a slight bulge in the brake booster line, or a hard un smushable spot on the line. I think you have to remove some insulating foam to see it. When I say before the valve, I mean on the side of the valve towards the intake manifold.

The other good option is the one in that pic labeled as the wastegate line.

[tallrd]

cool. I'll fix this tomorrow. Now watch it run like shit--wouldn't that be funny in a "funeral" sort of way. *crossing fingers* points given



See the pic here.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1005899&postcount=14
Mine is tapped from the large diameter brake booster line. If you do this, you must be sure that it is tapped before the inline check valve. It is only noticable as a slight bulge in the brake booster line, or a hard un smushable spot on the line. I think you have to remove some insulating foam to see it. When I say before the valve, I mean on the side of the valve towards the intake manifold.

The other good option is the one in that pic labeled as the wastegate line.

[JBreed]

both. He has maps which he has made for the MSP either with or w/out a fmic and for options of stock boost, 8psi, or 10psi and he ships you the appropriate one based off what you tell him.

From there, if you want further tuning it seems that you can send him your dyno results via email, and he customizes it specifically for your car. Pretty cool, eh?

BTW, would you know what the correct vac source is?



Thanks for the info, Looks like peeps gave you a photo for vacuum line application, but I tapped my boost controller into the back of my manifold along with the boost gauge.
I have had no problems so far, BTW did this clear up the infamous MSP hesitation? If it did I may have to purchase one!

[tallrd]

well, with an apparently incorrect vac source it works wonders--no hesitation AT ALL--none. We'll see what it does with the new vac source; I'll keep y'all posted if anything suffers or gains. I'm tired as hell so I'm going to bed. Just got watching "Constatine" so I'll probably wake up in a cold sweat ;)


Thanks for the info, Looks like peeps gave you a photo for vacuum line application, but I tapped my boost controller into the back of my manifold along with the boost gauge.
I have had no problems so far, BTW did this clear up the infamous MSP hesitation? If it did I may have to purchase one!

[MsP_DeViL]

it works perfect! I started at 9pm lastnight and got done at 12:30am. This was mainly due to me mounting the box in the engine bay which required me to run wires through the firewall to the ECU. That shouldn't take most people as long as it took my tired ass.

Also, I know a few people have had a really hard time getting a hold of John and DSM (including me). It took me a month from my first inquiry to purchase to the time when I actually held it my hands. They would yield more business if they could cut that time AT LEAST in half. However, whenever I did get a hold of John, he was super nice and professional.

Here are the fruits of my labor for those curious.


Good Work Bro !!! I am having the same 4k hes. I want to get one soon !! Keep us posted. I dont know if this is the correct source or not but good work anyways!

[CustomMSP]

Well you did reset your ECU in the process tallRD, that's why your car feels different than before, and it will for a little while until the ECU relearns. However with boost running through the AFC you should be very happy. The car will run much better from what I read.

I'm sure you'll let us know how it goes!

[JBreed]

Well you did reset your ECU in the process tallRD, that's why your car feels different than before, and it will for a little while until the ECU relearns. However with boost running through the AFC you should be very happy. The car will run much better from what I read.

I'm sure you'll let us know how it goes!


are you saying the ecu re-learns it factory settings (therefore overrides) even with a piggyback system installed?

[CustomMSP]

No,

The car is feeling better for him because the ECU still hasn't learned the environment after being reset. The AFC has nothing to do with that.

[tallrd]

Well you did reset your ECU in the process tallRD, that's why your car feels different than before, and it will for a little while until the ECU relearns. However with boost running through the AFC you should be very happy. The car will run much better from what I read.

I'm sure you'll let us know how it goes!

So, my 2 year old son just shut my modem off after I typed up my entire update SO....here's the short version: I re-tapped the "correct" vac source and the car still runs great. I did disconnect the batt both times, and turned on the headlights to discharge the system (I don't like to pump the brakes when the car is off--not the best for the system). Plugged it all back in, took it for a roll w/o going to wot and runs super smooth. That said, I'm waiting to go to wot because it's 112 deg ambient right now with the heat index so god knows what the air is like in this weather. I'll wait til later tonight when it's only going to feel like 80 ;)

Not to jack my own thread, but how long does the ECU's "learning" process take? I've never seen it quantified on these forums and it would be good to know "when the cement cures" so to speak. That way I can give everyone an official update. Anyone know?

[CustomMSP]

I think it's around 150mi...I think. However you should be able to go WOT either way and feel a difference from a mod.

[tallrd]

I think it's around 150mi...I think. However you should be able to go WOT either way and feel a difference from a mod.

cool. good to know and thank you. I just took the car for a *real* test drive and it pulls like mad. The vac source made a difference for sure (from what I could tell). It still idles perfectly still and my shit must have been running REALLY rich before because it doesn't backfire at all, doesn't dip in RPMs (I'm running a dual setup w/ one venting and it's used to dip, but never killed), and throws me back in my seat like it's a different car.

I'll give a 150 mile update if I think of it. Thanks everyone for their help! The mazda engineers should have spoken to DSM during production ;)

[CasopoliS]

Glad to hear the install went ok after all those PM's ! Good luck with the tuning. I have liked the stock super map the best.... someone on this forum got really smooth AFR curves with it.

[DSMConvert]

yea, my partner seems to be missing in action, bought a new house and seems to work on that day and night, which leaves me alone to run the whole company...needless to say i need to find a way to clone myself...In the process now of hiring a dedicated customer service rep so hopefully i'll be able to get back to my 24hr return contact with customers.....in the install pics note as soon as i get a free moment I"m gonna get back with our website admin and throw up a pictorial install section with pics from your guys installs, well as long as nobody minds us using their pics....ON another note shawn got the last one in the batch...next batch should be ready to go here in 2-3wks....waiting list is already 5 deep so....

[tallrd]

very cool of you to keep us posted. I know how hard it is doing this on your own (I have many friends who started their own businesses) so thanks for keeping everyone on the up and up.

As for photos, you are more than welcome to use my photos (just don't use the one with the INCORRECT vac line ;) ).

Thanks again!




yea, my partner seems to be missing in action, bought a new house and seems to work on that day and night, which leaves me alone to run the whole company...needless to say i need to find a way to clone myself...In the process now of hiring a dedicated customer service rep so hopefully i'll be able to get back to my 24hr return contact with customers.....in the install pics note as soon as i get a free moment I"m gonna get back with our website admin and throw up a pictorial install section with pics from your guys installs, well as long as nobody minds us using their pics....ON another note shawn got the last one in the batch...next batch should be ready to go here in 2-3wks....waiting list is already 5 deep so....

[Ryoga28]

DSM, I will put in an order on thursday. Save a unit for me ^^

Just one fast question though. Is there a different supermap for 93 octane or 91 octane?

[CustomMSP]

DSM, I will put in an order on thursday. Save a unit for me ^^

Just one fast question though. Is there a different supermap for 93 octane or 91 octane?

I won't think so, because you're not dealing with timing here. Don't quote that though

[Ryoga28]

Thanks Custom. I remembered reading somewhere in the afc thread that John has a different map for 91 and 93 octane. I think one of the buyers from CA asked about the proper octane and John replied that the AFC was loaded with a map that was based on the 91 octane. Although I'm not sure if I read that conversation correctly or not.


http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1510431&postcount=55

[DSMConvert]

yeah the map was based on CA crappy 91 octane gas, but what most people dont know is that octane doesnt have that much to do with a/f ratios, all the octane does is make the gas more combustable...so yes you'll run slightly richer but the afc should be able to compensate for it after a few runs...ryo im completely sold out at the moment we'll have the next batch ready to go in about 2-3wks...

[Ryoga28]

John, That was a fast turnout out...I thought you had a new shipment last week.

[tallrd]

So, I've put about 170 miles on since I hooked the battery back up post-install. The verdict? It seems that the honeymoon is *almost* over. Let me say this much (and solicit some ideas from y'all): I have the map for 8 psi running the fmic, but I'm still at STOCK BOOST. I have been waiting on my mbc for some time now, and once that finally arrives and get's installed I should have an exact idea. Does that make the difference in solving the problems which are described below? read on:

When I fire the car up after not driving it a while it runs pretty rough at idle (more so than it used to). Once I get 'er rolling it seems pretty smooth, but it still backfires sometimes; not like a bomb or anything but it's still annoying. This might be a mis-match of backpressure in general though--don't know (uhm). I still dip in rpm's though when going from boost to neutral, but it doesn't kill--essentially the exact same thing it did before the DSM.

The one saving grace thus far is the kick my car gained at wot. It's flat back in your seat all the way without any hesitation; just *wham!* once you nail the accellerator. That's the one huge difference that hasn't yielded since install and that alone makes it worth the price of admission.

So, any ideas on expecting this to get better with an increase in boost the match the map?

Help would be appreciated, but in the meantime I hope this info helps y'all.