Flash Question

[Dirty Sanchez]

I see that this has been talked to death, but I don't want to talk about it. I just want to know, yes or no, if those that have had it done would do it again. I've got an appointment at my dealer for Monday to flash the ECU on my car, but thought I'd take a poll here first. Thanks,

Jaime

[2K3 MSP]

If you are planning on boosting over 10 psi, then don't do it. up to 10 psi, I would definately have it done. Seeing as you have an 03.5, I'm wondering why you think yours hasn't been done. Most of the 03.5's were flashed before being sold.

[t3ase]

I've traded ECUs with another forum member so I could go back to an unflashed ECU due to my boosting levels. If I weren't doing what I'm doing, I would still have the flashed one. It made a VERY nice difference.

[goku4658]

is there any other way to go back, besides trading ecu's?

[girth]

Meh...I don't regret getting mine flashed but it didn't make enough difference to make it worth getting off of work to get it done. If you have some free time get it. If not, don't worry about it - you're not missing much IMO.

[orangezoom]

no going back

[goku4658]

no going back
oh man, so i gotta pray for a new and improved flash if i wanna be one of the big boys and boost over 10psi?!?

[CatD399]

sounds like it; but do you have what it takes to go over 10?

[TampaBlackMSP]

I boost 9 - 10, and with all the other mods (and being flashed), I'm pretty damn pleased...at least for now. Good idea T3ease - swapping ECU's...you're the first I've heard that's done that, for the sake of a build-up...nice. (2thumbs)

[Dr.Sound]

do it
10psi is fine with flash....no more though
some members here have been running 12 for almot a year now, half of the time on a flashed ECU.

better gas milage......and no, or very little, hesitation.

[goku4658]

sounds like it; but do you have what it takes to go over 10?
hehe no not yet...but all my goals for the car are in line in getting prepared for increasing the boost to 15...i love fantasizing about my car!!

[CatD399]

hehe no not yet...but all my goals for the car are in line in getting prepared for increasing the boost to 15...i love fantasizing about my car!!
dreams, dreams, dreams aren't thos fun?!!!

[TampaBlackMSP]

Meh...I don't regret getting mine flashed but it didn't make enough difference to make it worth getting off of work to get it done. If you have some free time get it. If not, don't worry about it - you're not missing much IMO.
Man girth, I dunno...I myself noticed a BIG difference. Felt like a completely different car. Weird...

[girth]

Man girth, I dunno...I myself noticed a BIG difference. Felt like a completely different car. Weird... Yeah I don't get it. (dunno) Trust me, I wanted the flash to be great probably as much or more than anybody on here but it just didn't turn out that way for me. The car hesitates less than it did, but it still does hesitate. I know it's flashed too because I had 2 dealerships do it - 1 of which is one that I have a fair amount of confidence in.

[Dr.Sound]

titanium didnt change at all after the flash, never hesitated......only better gas milage after the flash.

orange on the other hand was hesitating to a point that i was discelerating when i hit gas half way. i've driven 8-10 unflashed MSP's and my orange felt the worst out of all of them.

point is that it depends on the car. everything about the design of MSP varies greatly from car to car......

[CatD399]

didn't they say they wanted to make every msp unique?

[Dr.Sound]

^ lol

[Dr.Sound]

yeah, like forget pieces of metal in the block....

[TampaBlackMSP]

(lol) well, with so few made, I guess you hafta think the odds for production variances are at least a little bit higher than whatever "average" is...ah well, if it still hestitated a little, I'd think you'd at least be safe for more boost - 11 - 12ish....

[Dirty Sanchez]

THanks for the replies. I'm gonna at least get them to check out the ECU. I get some hesitation at 3/4 or less throttle, but its quite bad when the tank is low on gas. This makes me think that its more than just turbo lag. Seeing as how I ride a fast motorbike and spend most of my extra cash race preping it and riding at the track I won't be investing in more than 10 Psi, maybe up to 12, but I don't want to have to change injectors and all that stuff. Hardpipes and BOV's are sexy though.

[CatD399]

no: 12 and a half!!!

[TampaBlackMSP]

You got the right idea Dirty.

[CatD399]

I won't be investing in more than 10 Psi, maybe up to 12, but I don't want to have to change injectors and all that stuff
correct me if i'm wrong, but won't an air/fuel ratio gauge tell you that?

[03MSP]

Wait a sec, I always thought Discreet was flashed.

[mazdaspeedpower]

Wait a sec, I always thought Discreet was flashed.

yeah, me too.

I personally would get it done again. I mean, if I need to go over 10 psi, I'd be getting myself a form of engine management, to make it more worthwhile....and safer. Looks like wagner may be taking care of that, so yeah. And can;t you just reset the ECU to remove the flash, or do you really have to swap ECU's?

[t3ase]

yeah, me too.

I personally would get it done again. I mean, if I need to go over 10 psi, I'd be getting myself a form of engine management, to make it more worthwhile....and safer. Looks like wagner may be taking care of that, so yeah. And can;t you just reset the ECU to remove the flash, or do you really have to swap ECU's?
The PCM(ECU) is saved on EEPROM memory. This type of memory stays regardless of power. It's basically like a CD-RW that you cannot delete from, only overwrite. Resetting your ECU via removing power only forces the ECU to pick up the defaults of the current program (flash), not restore the original (non-flashed) program.

To make it simple: The only way to go back is to trade or find Mazda's port location and hope they have a image of the original MSP map. Make sense?

[mspeedpro]

i swapped my stock ecu for a flashed ecu... man i wonder if that guy is boosting high or w/e on my stock ecu-- hope he treats him good -=*-(

[t3ase]

i swapped my stock ecu for a flashed ecu... man i wonder if that guy is boosting high or w/e on my stock ecu-- hope he treats him good -=*-(
you need not worry, sir.

[Dexter]

Heh heh, still unflashed. WILL TRADE WITH FLASHED FOR $100!!!!

LOL!!!

[dolphin]

Yes. I did have it flashed and the car has a more even power delivery and gets better fuel mileage. It's power delivery is still not up to Mazda's standards for their other car's but it is better. Most Mazda's may not have the most power but usually the power delivery is smooth, even and predictable. The MSP's power delivery is lumpy.

[Wingman21]

Yes. I did have it flashed and the car has a more even power delivery and gets better fuel mileage. It's power delivery is still not up to Mazda's standards for their other car's but it is better. Most Mazda's may not have the most power but usually the power delivery is smooth, even and predictable. The MSP's power delivery is lumpy.
Power provided by a Turbo is rarely smooth and even. I mean, If you go WOT from start you will have a smooth acceleration all the way to the redline, but if you play with you acceleration pedal, turbo will begin to spin more or less (turbo lag) and thats what causing the lumpy power. Turbo car are not like N/A car... you have to get used to the turbo :) !!!

[dolphin]

Having own a number of turbo cars, I understand about turbo lag and transition from off boost. That is not what I am talking about. What I am talking about is that once the boost catchs up and starts making power with your foot flat on the floor as it goes up through the rev band, the power varies a lot. It spikes and fads rather than being a nice smooth progression. Does that make sense? The Mazda dealer is going to look at it and see if there is something else wrong with he car. It may be that I am overly sensitive.

[Wingman21]

Well when I floor the pedal on my Speed, the acceleration is mostly smooth and even !!! I cant say its perfectly smooth thru all the RPM, but Im pretty satisfied till now, but maybe Ill change my mind once I get more used to my car :) !!! Right now Im just crazy about the feeling of the boost when the turbo kick in (ricer) !!! Its pulling so hard... maybe its the cold weather up here in Québec(canada)

[dolphin]

I am in Arizona at about 4700 feet, of course right now it is cool, but the car runs well. It is just not as good as Mazda's norm. Please don't misunderstand me, I really like my MSP! It really is much better since the flash. I drove a bunch of cars trying to decide on a car. I don't know of another new car that is as fun, quick, fun, roomy, fun, flexible and as inexpensive. I still enjoy it.

[t3ase]

Having own a number of turbo cars, I understand about turbo lag and transition from off boost. That is not what I am talking about. What I am talking about is that once the boost catchs up and starts making power with your foot flat on the floor as it goes up through the rev band, the power varies a lot. It spikes and fads rather than being a nice smooth progression. Does that make sense? The Mazda dealer is going to look at it and see if there is something else wrong with he car. It may be that I am overly sensitive.
word.

[Wingman21]

I am in Arizona at about 4700 feet, of course right now it is cool, but the car runs well. It is just not as good as Mazda's norm. Please don't misunderstand me, I really like my MSP! It really is much better since the flash. I drove a bunch of cars trying to decide on a car. I don't know of another new car that is as fun, quick, fun, roomy, fun, flexible and as inexpensive. I still enjoy it.
Cool then :) !!!

[Dirty Sanchez]

So I got it done today. I gotta say that I'm very happy. The Turbo sounds better, spools up faster, and the power delivery is much more consistent and smooth. My wife can't tell the difference though, girls :rolleyes: go figure. My dealership even ordered some new bushings for the stabalizer bars. They said that's where the squeaking was comming from.

[TampaBlackMSP]

Glad to hear you're happy...I know I was the day I drove away without feeling like I was being held back by a big rubber band while under acceleration!

I got my bushings replaced already, but they still squeak now and again (especially in the off chance that it's cold, or cool here in the a.m.'s) - don't be surprised if the squeak doesn't completely go away...

Yeah, my girl just patronizes me half the time when I show her something new that I've done...ah well, whatever! Keep the mods comin'!! :D