Increase N/A Power- no ECU

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 5:28 pm

The issue is that if you change stuff in the engine (cams etc) it will need a custom tune to pass emissions (not to mention run)
So really, if you get pinged it just becomes a choice "do I want to fail on emissions? or ECU?"

Trust me, if there was a way to do this semi-legally in Victoria there would be a HEAP more MX5s on the road with it done.

Victoria's rubbish modifcation rules really force us all to have to choose either to modify and accept the risk of defect/EPA/rego cancellation.
Or leave it stock (bar a few things like intake and exhaust that we're allowed to do)

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 6:11 pm

No expert by any means but I've known a few guys that have gone through EPA. As far as I'm aware most of the things on that list will fail it. It needs standard everything to pass. Some people have found putting a stock engine in an easier alternative. Cams, injectors and the head port will definitely be stamped with a big defect. Even a faulty O2 sensor will fail the test and if you think you have found a way to fool them then think again. It's been done before.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Tue Feb 18, 2014 11:17 pm

Hi.
Only one way to see if a standard ecu works try it won't hurt the engine.

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 2:08 am

Best bet is to just go turbo. It's a lot easier to go back to n/a from turbo than it is buying a stock motor and having to swap your big cammed head worked engine. With turbo, everything is bolt on bolt off.

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Wed Feb 19, 2014 4:47 pm

^^^^^ What he said. The only downside is that the average police officer is more likely to pick up on a turbo more than cams, head, ecu, etc. Realistically the chances of being dragged over the coals in an mx5 is very low but that is a risk that has to be weighed up.

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 9:46 am

I've been dragged through the coals before, because the car 'looked too low'
Did the wheel, spent 10 minutes in the engine bay shining a torch at stuff, told me my brand new tyres (2 weeks old) needed replacing and then gave a sticker for being 'too low' which was cleared at Vicroads without me actually doing anything.

So I'm a little nervous to go turbo.. Especially since my wheels are bright orange at the moment.
I'm going to take the advice posted here and settle for close enough to stock for now.

One final question ;P
If I can only port/polish [OR] mild cam regrind, which one would you pick, and why?
Which one leads into turbo better... (I'm slowly being pulled to the dark side)?
And which one would feel/sound/drive better in an N/A engine with racing beat headers, slightly larger bore exhaust, CAI?

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 11:07 am

Also.. I've done lots of reading on VVT vs non VVT.
The VVT has 10:1 comp and BP4W only 9.5:1, and it seems this is an effect of the pistons only?

Can I use 10:1 pistons in the BP4W on a stock ECU? Or does this higher compression throw things out without the ECU?

On another note- An engine gasket kit is $660 from Mazda!!!
The rest of a rebuild kit is under $1850 inc GST and timing belt kit.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:45 pm

Buy gaskets from overseas. Cam will be better bang for buck (it's drop in, port and Polish is not).
Vvt cam upgrades are harder to source

I still think trying to use a stock ecu with significant performance upgrades is silly but each to their own.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

pcmx5 · Postby **pcmx5** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 1:52 pm

22Silver wrote:On another note- An engine gasket kit is $660 from Mazda!!!
The rest of a rebuild kit is under $1850 inc GST and timing belt kit.

I got a genuine Mazda gasket set for $370 landed a month ago,MX5 Spares Uk. Great service too!

Peter.

rascal · Postby **rascal** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:04 pm

22Silver wrote:One final question ;P
If I can only port/polish [OR] mild cam regrind, which one would you pick, and why?

Dropping in a set of mild cams is infinitely easier, than pulling the head off, sending it away to be ported, and then refitting when its back.
Much less $$ too..

bigmaxy · Postby **bigmaxy** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 2:40 pm

To me, including an ECU is just a no brainer. It is hidden and no police officer is going to go pulling your vehicle apart using sockets or spanners to see whether you have a factory one or not. If you do get a request to head down to the inspection station you swap out your PNP ECU and stick the factory one back in. Even the factory ECU would run the car albeit not very well.
Would have to be pretty unlucky to get followed to the inspection station and even if it failed just shrug your shoulders and mumble that you don't know what wrong. Then get it fixed.
Don't know how things work in Vic though. Are you on your P plates or a "known" vehicle?

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:10 pm

I am on P-Plates, in a (lowered) silver NB with matte black mirrors and windscreen surround, and orange wheels+personalised plates. My exhaust is also rather loud..

shuey · Postby **shuey** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:14 pm

22Silver wrote:I am on P-Plates, in a (lowered) silver NB with matte black mirrors and windscreen surround, and orange wheels+personalised plates. My exhaust is also rather loud..

.. well, this mod might work on the po-po? :mrgreen:

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Thu Feb 20, 2014 3:21 pm

And to top it off, I have messy hair, well past my armpits, and Black Sabbath can usually be found thumping out of my speakers.

I look quite suspect driving around. Maybe a cheesecutter hat is the way to go