Cobb AP, who has them?

[dkswim]

well i got mine in and im currious who all ordered one/ has one, how you like it what stage your running.

well mine im able to run stage two+ on it i noticed they got rid of that on off spot right where your trying to accelarate briskfully but not make boost and take off like a rocket. crusing around town throtle modulation is so much inproved I havn't yet taken it WOT trying to give it time to learn.

[oneofakindms3]

mine should be here 2day.hows the power in stage2 n what brand r ur mods on the stage 2?really excited bout dis product.

[SharkDiver]

I got mine.Im running stage 1+ with my mods in my sig.No problems at all.Ive got over 100 miles on it since the flash and to be honest I cant tell if its fast or not.Its much smoother and I cant get my tires to spin as easy in 2nd or 3rd.My AFR are right where they should be with my MS CAI so thats a plus,It even seems to be on the rich side.It will get down to 9-8 AFR in high RPMS and around 13-14 crusing.

[trufanatic]

I got mine.Im running stage 1+ with my mods in my sig.No problems at all.Ive got over 100 miles on it since the flash and to be honest I cant tell if its fast or not.Its much smoother and I cant get my tires to spin as easy in 2nd or 3rd.My AFR are right where they should be with my MS CAI so thats a plus,It even seems to be on the rich side.It will get down to 9-8 AFR in high RPMS and around 13-14 crusing.

thats pig rich....really really rich.

[94jedi]

I have the AP as well. Here's what I've posted in the otehr forums:

ok, back from my first time WOT'ing the car. Overall impression is that of course, it's "smoother" and it feels like a larger displacement engine. I did 3rd gear pulls from about 3k to 6k. Boost is around 15.5 or so, no timing pull at all.

The a/f's bug me a bit. from about 3-3.5K, the ap says ~13.1 or so but then drops to ~ by 3.8k then proceeds to drop as low as 9.5 by 6k rpm. I'm guessing that the lean condition early in the run is simply delay in the signal from the sensor->ecu->ap. I get that the OTS maps are very conservative and safe but high10's or low 11's would've been better. I'm guessing Cobb tried it and saw no power increase from leaning it out a bit. I also felt a bit of increased tq steer at around 4k rpm but I'm guessing that's due to the tq coming on faster than before. I never had that sensation until after the ap. I don't mind that at all, just mentioning it.

Overall, the car hauls and it's A LOT stronger throughout the power band. It may not have picked up massive peak hp but it definitely feels like it's operating under a much fatter tq curve. it's way more responsive, smoother, etc. all around. I can't wait to test it out at the drag strip.

Obviously, I can't say too much about the a/f's because I'm using the MSCAI so I'll hold off judgment on that until I get a MSCAI compat. map or I get the Cobb SRI.

edit* more ap observations:

so a few more key cycles and more seat time and the car is really liking the ap. I actually got a bit of wheel hop going into 3rd gear. I used to be able to produce a small chirp but now it's wheel hop lol. the car runs slightly stronger with each key cycle. I'm more and more impressed as time passes. afr's look good, if not a bit too safe (mid 10's by the top of a 3/4th gear pull). the car just feels stronger all over.

edit#2 - I had to go for another quick drive lol

a 4th gear pull in this car is totally different now. low end tq hasn't been improved all that much but the butt-dyno improvement from 4k to 6k is DRAMATIC. as you reach 80 mph, you feel like you're being "slingshot" forward faster and faster.

[john blutarski]

sounds like great news so far

[Conso]

eh give me 2 weeks and ill let u know how real ems feels =P

[94jedi]

eh give me 2 weeks and ill let u know how real ems feels =P

real EMS???? whatcha got planned??? And where the hell is Arnold Md??? lol

pm me.

[SharkDiver]

eh give me 2 weeks and ill let u know how real ems feels =P

You calling a piggyback system a real EMS?lol..This isnt the XEDE thread..

[aaronc7]

Let me know dkswim how it works out for you...

94jedi. about how many miles/power cycles have you gone through now to the point where its running a lot beter?

[lestat13]

Man, I wasn't thinking I was gonna get this, but after the 94jedi post, I don't see how I CAN'T get the new AP. All I need is someone to say it won't make a difference to the factory if I need to unmarry it to get warranty work done. That's the only thing holding me back from ordering TONIGHT!

[94jedi]

guys just temper your expectations, don't buy into the hype (either side) and you're going to love the AP. Make sure your car is in peak shape first though. Seriously, it doesn't feel like adding nitrous or going to a 3071 but it is a marked improvement. someone said that Cobb "removed the wild child personality" of the car in favor of making it more like an M3. I think that's a good comparison. It's no longer wheel spin all over, balls to the wall; it's much more refined yet still pulls hard in the upper gears.

[SharkDiver]

cobb says they will not be able to tell that it was messed with.You just need to download your stock map when you install the AP so you can put it back to stock later.

[94jedi]

All I need is someone to say it won't make a difference to the factory if I need to unmarry it to get warranty work done.

It won't. Actually, I'll find out for sure on Tuesday/wednesday. I'm taking my car in for the TSB in the hopes that I get a new CDFP on Mazda's dime. I'll be un-marrying the AP.

if you want to buy an AP w/ free overnight shipping, call Rick or Drew at IAG Performance. Tell them Patrick sent you. great bunch of guys over there.

[94jedi]

cobb says they will not be able to tell that it was messed with.You just need to download your stock map when you install the AP so you can put it back to stock later.

exactly.

[Betelgeuse]

guys just temper your expectations, don't buy into the hype (either side) and you're going to love the AP. Make sure your car is in peak shape first though. Seriously, it doesn't feel like adding nitrous or going to a 3071 but it is a marked improvement. someone said that Cobb "removed the wild child personality" of the car in favor of making it more like an M3. I think that's a good comparison. It's no longer wheel spin all over, balls to the wall; it's much more refined yet still pulls hard in the upper gears.


^^I like hearing this. I'm over the 'wild child', wheelspin-all-over-the-place phase. Wheelspin might impress or make you look fast, but in reality it just slows you down. It's also nice to know I can undo it if a problem arises or before going to the dealer.

[dkswim]

im likeing i still havnt got to wot i noticed im having to what i call back peadle it meaning more torque per throtle input while accelarating. i catch myself going faster then what i used to do with same throtle engagement. not scientificle but can tell there are a couple more ponys under that hood. i dont know how they keep cramming them in there. i might have to add a shim to my forge or revert back to stock for whenever i decide to go wot. i think in the next couple of weeks ill try and upload the econnomy map and run that for 2 weeks and see what kind of milage i can get out of it. pre ap i was getting 26.5 calculated

[mspeed3 617]

So are you just running Stage 1? or do you have the SRI and running Stage 1+?

[4thStroke]

Dont get your hopes up with the economy tune. With my Subie, I got the same mileage on a long freeway drive than the regular tune.

The Mazda may be different, just dont get your hopes up.

[mspeed3 617]

Yea I heard from someone else that they didn't see much of a difference in MPG...

If you are concerned as hard as it is, stay out of boost and ull be surprised with the increase in MPG

[dkswim]

im not that concerned with it but i thought i would try it out and see what kind of diffrence i can get out of it and im stage 2+

[zoom-zoomhatch]

Just for clarification, a friend of mine was trying to tell me that the higher the afr like 14 15 is leaner. I've always thought the lower the leaner like 10.5-11 being good, lower than that bad, 14-15 rich.

[94jedi]

Just for clarification, a friend of mine was trying to tell me that the higher the afr like 14 15 is leaner. I've always thought the lower the leaner like 10.5-11 being good, lower than that bad, 14-15 rich.

nope sorry. the higher the number, the leaner the condition.

[94jedi]

So are you just running Stage 1? or do you have the SRI and running Stage 1+?

I am running Stg1+ but using an MSCAI. That's why I don't want to make a final judgment until I'm in complete compliance w/ cobb's maps which means either getting a SRI or Cobb making a MSCAI compatible map.

[lestat13]

nope sorry. the higher the number, the leaner the condition.

It's (# parts air) : (# parts fuel)
so 10:1 means 10 parts air for every part fuel, while a 16:1 means 16 parts air for every one part fuel. the 16:1 means there is more air in the mixture thus leaner condition. Hope this helps! (naughty)

[lamp3]

I'm really intersted in how the stage 2+ cars are running. Thats going to be my deciding factor. I have my AP sitting here. but on the fence about keeping it. All i have on the car now is the cobb intake. If I go straight to Stage 2 + with a CS DP. How much is the car going to transform? Stage 2 guys, care to relate how ya feel about the performance?

[aaronc7]

dude just try it. Worst case scenario you dont like it and can send it back and get your money back...30 day guarantee. We need more people with the CS downpipe trying it out, so we can figure out if that's causing problems, or if its something else.

[lamp3]

Aaron, you got your problem sorted with plugs correct? hows the car been running? What year is yours. I've got an 08.5 so I'm hoping the CDFP will not be an issue for me. Oh also one the cobb 30 day thing. anyone kow if you go through cobb on that or your vendor0 anyone sent one back yet lol? I really want to run the CS dp looks like a great design. and the cpe with cat is pricey as hell. Also hows the fumesfrom the catess pipe man? I.m been hearin all these complaints abut it filling the car. K ran catless with my STi, could smell it outside but not inside. wonder if its because the ms3 is a hatch.

[aaronc7]

I could smell it inside at a stop...but I put a highflow cat in mine

http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u65/aaronc7/Mazdaspeed%203/IMG_2819.jpg

I think you go thru cobb, but I could be wrong to return it. My car is an 07 with a build date of 2/07. It falls in the TSB range. Your plugs are probably good since you probably have a lot less miles than me.

[zoom-zoomhatch]

All I'm waiting on is for them to make a map to work with the cpe intake. I was to understand that thier intake keeps afrs looking pretty close to factory, and was on the "yeah, parts for my car lets be the first to buy" bandwagon and hate buying different parts down the road and changing the setup all together. May just be the guinee pig and see if it runs to lean/rich and if so just uninstall until they make a map or the st software becomes available.

[samsel450r]

i have mine set to stage1+ and it definitely feels slower in 1st and 2nd gear... not so happy about my purchase...so i put it back to stock... but i think ima get it dyno'd before i try and return it... if i return it im going with a intercooler...

[lestat13]

I have heard that sometimes cars are fast but don't feel like it.....

I definitely believe you that you are probably slower, just throwing that ^^ out there. Give it a week or two to learn, maybe it will adjust??

[ev0nstispanka]

i got a friend whos had it since it came out and he says he doesnt feel a difference either. this aint cool. at all.

[aaronc7]

it seems to be working good for people with Cobb SRI and CPE catted TBE or DP. As in those who fit the mod criteria perfectly, or most similar to all cobb parts like they are using to test the car with. These are the v100 maps, I'm sure they will improve things as time goes on, just like they have with STIs and WRXs and all other cars. I think the problem stems from some sort of common hardware problem on our cars that cobb's car doesnt happen to have (bad fuel pump, worn out spark plugs, etc) or incompatibility with other manufacters exhausts. Some of the WRX/STI map revisions include "improved compatibility with a wider range of hardware). So, it seems like theres just kinks to be worked out and things will improve over time. Once custom tunes and self tuning software is out it should be a lot more useful, especially for people going big turbo and want to take advantage of keeping the throttle plate open longer, etc.

[Yoo Shin]

There's a reason why it's called "tuning" folks. Plus, believe it or not, when it comes to engine managment, this is another one of those "you get what you paid for", just as it is with most other mods such as coilovers or even racing seats. A lot of the Evo guys learned this lesson the hard way when many of them demanded something quick, simple and cheap only to have major mechanical issues down the road. Now you'll find many Evo owners more open minded about the Cobb product, knowing what type of R&D has gone into it to ensure a high quality and safe result.

Another aspect that many fail to recognize, is that for the $700, you're investing in a broad network of Cobb Tuning certified tuners every where, with thousands of hours of dyno and road tuning experience most of which will (eventually) be able to apply in tuning the Cobb Accessport for the MS3. In fact I know tuners that have based their business mainly on their ability to tune the Cobb Accessport.

I swear this reminds me of NASIOC circa 2002.

[nig3]

i have mine set to stage1+ and it definitely feels slower in 1st and 2nd gear... not so happy about my purchase...so i put it back to stock... but i think ima get it dyno'd before i try and return it... if i return it im going with a intercooler...

your cars probably slow because of your 50/50 BOV, you really should recirculate especially on a MAFS car. its common knowledge nga(smoke)

[numbnuts22715]

your cars probably slow because of your 50/50 BOV, you really should recirculate especially on a MAFS car. its common knowledge nga(smoke)

the ap with stage1+ really actually feels like it's a bit slower. I used to be able to spin through 1st and 2nd, and now it feels like it wants to, but doesnt. 3rd feels like it pulls harder, but not by much.
I ordered a downpipe to make me feel better about it all :)

[94jedi]

Hey guys, this past weekend I tested a beta Stg1 +SF v101F that Christian emailed me. This map still retains some of the smoothness of the original stg1 map but this map is what everyone has wanted. The kick in the pants is back. This is how the file should have been from the start. People would be raving about it if it was. boost in the first two gears comes on very strong and of course, forget traction if you're not careful. I granny shifted into 3rd "spun"...not a chirp mind you, but the tires spun for moment. I flashed the car this morning with the test map and other than 1 spirited run, I haven't really gotten on the car hard because I want to put some miles and key cycles on it. the car honestly pulls pretty damn hard now. even at 75% throttle, I'm impressed. Now I feel like I'm starting to get what I paid for. i can't imagine what this car will feel like with a revised stg2 + SF+ FMIC map. It's going to be nasty for sure. I'm not sure how accurate the AP's 1/4 mi tester is but before this map I was getting ~96mph traps on my tests. it seems to be fairly accurate on trap speed because my last 3 actual track 1/4 mi runs, I trapped 96.60, 95.64, 96.95. granted I had some problems shifting on those runs but it's a fairly equivalent comparison. I will be testing w/ the AP 1/4 mi timer again and I know I should pick up at least 2mph which is roughly 20hp. yes, it feels THAT much stronger. I'm actually thinking of going to a dyno this coming weekend to try it out. Christian has worked hard to improve upon the original file and this one is definitely a winner.

[DreSEL]

It won't. Actually, I'll find out for sure on Tuesday/wednesday. I'm taking my car in for the TSB in the hopes that I get a new CDFP on Mazda's dime. I'll be un-marrying the AP.

if you want to buy an AP w/ free overnight shipping, call Rick or Drew at IAG Performance. Tell them Patrick sent you. great bunch of guys over there.

So did Mazda find out that your ECU was reflashed ?
Just wondering....

[aaronc7]

Have about 50 miles on the latest beta...v101L.

It's not a night and day difference from the F revision, as far as I can tell. With my setup the car struggles for traction in first and second, even had the traction control light come on when shifting into 3rd. But it's not so much power that the result is just endless wheelspin. If someone is still on the skinny stock wheels with all season tires they might have a few more issues...but it my eyes that's their own tradeoff that they made when they got new tires.

Looks like boost is pretty much on target for me. Spikes up to around 19 still when going through the gears. It comes back down into the 17s and then I want to say in the 16s by 4k or so. I dont have v100 map notes right here but I think that's about right. AFRs seem to be pretty consistent in the 12s to 11.9ish when going wot and in the peak powerband. WGDC seems to be generally higher (not holding boost back as much)....that's a good sign to me, as long as it's safe, etc.

Overall it's been a blast to drive around with. There wasn't a single issue I noticed driving around. If there's more power to be had, great, but I'll leave that up to Christian or a "pro tuner" to figure that out for sure. It's also in the 90s today and humid as always, so if anything my car should be feeling sluggish, but its not at all.

A+ to Christian and the rest of the Cobb guys!

[Christian.]

As we had promised earlier. Please review our latest document, the MS3 Service Bulletin v1.01 (http://www.accessecu.com/accessport/mazda/07-08MS3Maps.html) and let me know if this is helpful? We wanted to get together information concerning how these high-performance, turbo-charged engines are supposed to be maintained as well as some information about various service announcements that have been made by the manufacturer of the vehicle.

Take care,
Christian.

[94jedi]

So did Mazda find out that your ECU was reflashed ?
Just wondering....

Nope. I uninstalled the AP, let the dealer flash it and reinstalled when I got the car back. the dealer knew NOTHING. And I'm sure they looked at the ecu thoroughly before flashing.

[clos561]

Nope. I uninstalled the AP, let the dealer flash it and reinstalled when I got the car back. the dealer knew NOTHING. And I'm sure they looked at the ecu thoroughly before flashing.

thats badass, i really want to get a flash device. this was one of my concerns that the dealer could see that the comp was flashed

[lestat13]

thats badass, i really want to get a flash device. this was one of my concerns that the dealer could see that the comp was flashed

That pretty much makes up my mind too!

[nig3]

Just got mine! im saving the stock map now, then i was gonna load up the stage 2 for intake and TBE. Why does it say that you need a TMIC for stage 2 on the AP itslef? stage 2 says intake, TBE and TMIC?? i didnt think you needed a TMIC for stage 2?? I will let you know how it works out shortly.

[lestat13]

For warranty purposes I'm not gonna replace my downpipe, I'm guessing there isn't a stage 2 map you can run with the factory downpipe, even if the rest is switched out?

[squabbin]

Nope

[haberdashery]

Just got mine! im saving the stock map now, then i was gonna load up the stage 2 for intake and TBE. Why does it say that you need a TMIC for stage 2 on the AP itslef? stage 2 says intake, TBE and TMIC?? i didnt think you needed a TMIC for stage 2?? I will let you know how it works out shortly.

maybe its referring to the stock tmic?

[lestat13]

Nope

Didn't think so ;) oh well, probably not worth $700 for stage 1 :P

[94jedi]

For warranty purposes I'm not gonna replace my downpipe, I'm guessing there isn't a stage 2 map you can run with the factory downpipe, even if the rest is switched out?

yea, I felt the same way but honestly, the DP install isn't that bad. I was planning on keeping all my mods stealth or at least easily removed - Like an ETS TMIC, race pipe etc...But I think I'm going to go ahead w/ the DP anyway. why not. If anything goes wrong, I'll just remove the DP and RP and put the stock ones back on.

[yager]

Have one. LOVE IT. I think I was the first one to need the new firmware.

[Captain KRM P5]

give Cobb some time guys. once shops and users can tune it there will be plenty of tappable potential.

[GoFast]

hmmmmmmm this is starting to sound worth it!

[silversurfer513]

give Cobb some time guys. once shops and users can tune it there will be plenty of tappable potential.

+1

Cant wait for Jorge at P&L to work his magic!

[clos561]

That pretty much makes up my mind too!

yea but, hearing so much negative makes the product seem like a waste of 800 dollars, and there isnt the tuner capability so its 1 map for all which is retarded seeing that everyone lives in diff temp, elevation etc... cobb, come on ya(jerkit)

[PeterC]

yea but, hearing so much negative makes the product seem like a waste of 800 dollars, and there isnt the tuner capability so its 1 map for all which is retarded seeing that everyone lives in diff temp, elevation etc... cobb, come on ya(jerkit)

Why are you complaining...it's a lot better than nothing, and I don't see any other tuners stepping up to the plate.

[AZN2NR]

I just got mine today but waiting to get my dp installed before reflashing my ecu. I have an Injen CAI, turbosmart BOV, GHL cbe and CP-E catless dp. Not sure which map to use. Any ideas?

[ericrapp]

Nope. I uninstalled the AP, let the dealer flash it and reinstalled when I got the car back. the dealer knew NOTHING. And I'm sure they looked at the ecu thoroughly before flashing. My service writer asked if I had a chip in the car besides all the bolt ons. Because with the reflash there is potential for it to be wiped. I do not have Cobb, but this feature of being able to disengage their data maps and return to stock with out sucking reflash capabilities of stock Ecu is pretty nifty. As many have said, patience has its rewards. These fellows are doing the Mazdaspeed 3 folks right and they are our dedicated Tuner. The rest of us will probably borrow their ideas once they get into the higher perf. Which they will.