Chipping

[Feilo]

Hi I'm a noob here on this forum as I am considering a CX-& for my next ride. I currently have a VW Passat with a chipped 1.8T engine. Chipping is a great way to up HP on a turbo engine with very little side-effects (eg mpg) IF done right. As I don't see much discussed about this topic here, I'd thought I'd chime in to see if other CX-7 have looked into this.

In researching this, I see that Cobb Tuning (well known for tuning Subarus and is developing programs for the MS3 and 6) is looking for a CX-7 "guinea pig" in UT. Wonder what your thoughts are on this?

BTW, great forum! Happy to have found it.

[Raider]

Cobb has a lot of experience, and very thorough. Their testing is lengthy. The release of the tuner for my speed3 is months pushed back, but the setup is so basic, and easy to use, it looks like a fantastic option. Until then, I will bolt on my modifications. :)

[AWmustang]

I've heard some talk about one of these companies coming up with a chip. But they are going to be asking something like $600 for it. So I didn't make note of where it was, because I thought that was a ridiculous amount.

I could have gotten a reprogrammer and 3 custom programs AND a CAI for less than that for my Mustang.

So I'll wait for the aftermarket to get more competitive before I start looking at a chip.

[Raider]

Unichip has been making Mazda stuff for a while, I wonder if they will have a CX-7 unit out.

[Feilo]

Appreciate the comments. In the VW tuner community, a $600 chip/program is not uncommon, although its a bit on the high side. The demand and supply (or suppliers) will determine the price. By the looks of it, the demand for a CX-7 chip may be limited although the Cobb Tuning CX-7 forum does indicate that the CX-7 ECU is a kin of the MS3 and in this there may be glimmer of hope for a widely available chip at a reasonable price.

IMHO chipping provided the most hp/$ for a turbo engine so I'm looking forward to some developments.

[AWmustang]

IMHO chipping provided the most hp/$ for a turbo engine so I'm looking forward to some developments.


I agree and would add that a CAI is right up there too. You get those 2 mods working together and you have major hp/$

[shadow1]

"Chipping" is definitely a VW/Audi thing. Unless things have changed, do you still have to pull the ECU, send it out, and have a new chip installed? I'm hoping that some Mazda tuners will start doing ECU reflashing like they do in the Subie and Mitsu world.

[Feilo]

"Chipping" is definitely a VW/Audi thing. Unless things have changed, do you still have to pull the ECU, send it out, and have a new chip installed? I'm hoping that some Mazda tuners will start doing ECU reflashing like they do in the Subie and Mitsu world.

New gen VW/Audi "chipping" is now done via the OBD port (e.g. GIAC & APR), just like Cobb Tuning's port flasher. Mine was done the old fashion way e.g. new chip in the ECU

[CX7POS]

personally chipping is good if you don't plan on more than a few bolt-ons. reprogrammable piggyback or stand alone is the only way to get every bit of that HP from the motor + add ons.

I am in contact with Perfect Power since I am a owner of a old SMT5. From what they have told me is that the Fuel and boost is controllable, except the ignition. They mentioned to me that there is a possible burnt out on the coil if the the car is on for a period of time without the engine starting. this is for all MZR motors.

The flat spot from idle to 2500 might be a timing issue where it needs some advancing. I don't know I need to hook up my OBDII reader to it and log it out and see. Anyone know where the OBDII connector is at on the CX-7? I only have the car for 4 days, and haven't looked for it yet.

[CX7POS]

So I just went down to look for the OBDII port.. it's about 2" right of the hood release.

Anyway, plugged it in, no data. It's probably a 11bit CAN port. So I have to purchase a CAN port adapter for my software to work.

So I still can't monitor the timing between idle to 2500rpm.

[shadow1]

Google the Elmscan 5 USB. I have this OBDII interface. Top notch piece. Completely CAN compliant.

[gpd323]

It is the CAN protocol. My Pocketlogger could not read the CX7 OBD2 port. But my new Code Reader Scout can. Cannot datalog though, just clear CEL's and reset the ECU sensors.

I asked Dave at Digital Tuning if he was ever going to update the Pocketlogger software for the CAN protocol so we could datalog the CX7. He said he had no plans to do so.