COBB AP Questions [Archive]

Ninkumpoop

10-08-2009, 01:40 PM

What's it do to increase power? Does it richen the A/F or up the boost?

Captain KRM P5

10-08-2009, 01:46 PM

there is alot to it. it rewrites code on the computer so that it is, in essence, a more aggressive map for the mods you have on the car. stock computers are tuned conservatively for the stock parts. bolting on parts makes a power difference however the real gains are made when you can tune the car to take better advantage of them. in generic terms, yes, leaning out the car as needed, running more timing, peaking more boost, shifting the power band, etc.

8.5MS3

10-08-2009, 01:49 PM

does all this for you, minus scaling the MAF sensor. granted not specified to the quirks of your car, but a good general starting point. This is the guide to tune the car yourself. the AP has several maps loaded on it for different mod applications

http://www.accessecu.com/support/docs/tuningguide/AccessTUNER_HelpFile_MAZDASPEED.pdf

Ninkumpoop

10-08-2009, 01:50 PM

So no need for a boost controller if I buy the COBB AP? What's the boost get pushed up to?

8.5MS3

10-08-2009, 01:56 PM

depends on the mods you have.

Im running 18-18.5psi right now

another user is running 24psi but hes on an upgraded turbo and a lot more supporting mods.

a boost controller will not work with an AP

http://www.accessecu.com/accessport/mazda/AP-MAZ-002/MS3Maps.html

read the map notes

Ninkumpoop

10-08-2009, 02:10 PM

So I just forget about the boost controller and go for the AP, got it. Any idea what the AP can boost it up to with one of their preloaded maps?

Captain KRM P5

10-08-2009, 02:11 PM

upping the boost should not be your primary concern here. there are other ways of making power, safer, than simply upping the boost.

8.5MS3

10-08-2009, 02:24 PM

theyres a lot more to making power than upping boost. read the map notes on the links i gave you. they give the new boost targets.

and boost targets are dependent on what mods you have on the car. I recommend not getting the ap until you fully understand the inner workings of the car since you can quite easily join the blown engine club if you dont know what to watch out for

essejkcamraw

10-08-2009, 09:44 PM

this thread has bad news written all over it.

Captain KRM P5

10-08-2009, 09:53 PM

relax guys, he's learning

Ninkumpoop

10-09-2009, 12:55 PM

I have SRI and catless TBE with the stock TMIC. Do I just follow the map COBB provides on their website even though they say TBE w/ cat?

8.5MS3

10-09-2009, 12:59 PM

no you will need a custom map. 2 ways to do that:

1. Find someone local that knows ATR and he can tune you (free, but risky)

2. Fork over ~500 bucks and get a protune.

with the mods you have im suprised you havent had issues. your driving around with a CEL im sure and probably more than one.

you need to do some reading before tuning at all. otherwise your gonna be starting threads in the troubleshooting section every day and eventually "my engine blew today"

18psiWhiteMS3

10-09-2009, 01:17 PM

I haz 24lbs boost

Ninkumpoop

10-09-2009, 01:21 PM

8.5MS3

10-09-2009, 02:58 PM

How are you running 24 lbs?

And as for the CELs, I only have one: "Lean at idle bank 1."
It comes and goes so I think it's not really anything to worry about, especially since it's just at idle. I modified my wideband O2 sensor so I don't have a CEL for that. Not really sure what other problems I may have with CELs.

he has a custom tune from the same shop I do.

you should have a cat inefficiency code as well. i wouldnt go around trying to trick the ecu with the O2 sensors since thats just begging for trouble.

a lean condition code means exactly that. you are running lean. which means you have a leak in the intake system and the car isnt getting accurate air readings. running lean = boom. just because it is throwing codes at idle doesnt mean its not lean everywhere else. It is, but not enough to throw a code.

Ninkumpoop

10-10-2009, 04:56 AM

he has a custom tune from the same shop I do.

you should have a cat inefficiency code as well. i wouldnt go around trying to trick the ecu with the O2 sensors since thats just begging for trouble.

a lean condition code means exactly that. you are running lean. which means you have a leak in the intake system and the car isnt getting accurate air readings. running lean = boom. just because it is throwing codes at idle doesnt mean its not lean everywhere else. It is, but not enough to throw a code.

I only modified the downstream O2 so I don't see how that would effect my performance or engine reliability.

Yes, it sounds weird, but I don't see how I can have a lean code at idle and not with a load but there it is. If I did have an air leak on a load, I'd be sucking in larger volumes of unmetered air at higher RPMs. I don't see how my car can register the minute leak at idle but not the larger one while driving (which probably means that there's something that's only associated with idle conditions). Plus my CEL only turns on while I'm idling after driving some amount. It only comes on once every two weeks or so and only when I'm at idle for a substantial amount of time. I've tried using a propane bottle to look for a leak while using a scanner to monitor my STFT and LTFT but I haven't had any success.

BTW, anyone know what shops usually charge for a custom tune?

8.5MS3

10-10-2009, 11:27 AM

you can have a lean code at idle only, i did as well. once you pass 20% on the trims it throws the CEL. At idle I was at 20.xx and off idle was at 18.xx. so its not enough to throw a code but its there nonetheless

a custom tune will cost you around 500

mzspd3soffl

10-10-2009, 05:17 PM

8.5MS3

10-10-2009, 07:02 PM

Ok i see there is no catless map setup. Am i out of the loop when it came to mods? Or would i just have to do a custom tune? Because i would like to run the maps for a while until i can afford a custom tune. just a quick Q (lol2)

gonna need a custom tune

either a protune or make a map in ATR depending on your skill levels and bravery