Trouble after CAI mod

WesternPacific · Postby **WesternPacific** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:19 pm

I took my car for a run last night after installing an AEM CAI. There was noticeably more power BUT when at full throttle and at higher revs (typically around 5k) all power stops suddenly (like a switch going on/off). Sometimes the power will come back on, resulting in a violently jerky ride!
Having spent quite a few hours researching the issue, I have a hypothesis. Could it be that I am getting some boost cut?

I am a little lost, any help would be appreciated.

About the car: stock 2005 SE with Nitro Dann TBI and an AEM CAI.

I am about to go outside and triple check that I have everything in the right place, and all plugs are tight etc.

Any thoughts on what it would be and what a good process of elimination would be to confirm the issue?

Cheers
Ben

Snowmotion · Postby **Snowmotion** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 2:58 pm

Not sure on the MX5 what ECU protection it has but sounds like either Boost Cut or AFM Cut.
As in the max allowable signal to the ECU is being reached and cutting ignition or fuel.

Nevyn72 · Postby **Nevyn72** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:06 pm

Have a read and start saving for an ECU, it's the only real solution, it's actually there in factory trim just not as obvious....

http://www.mazda-speed.com/forum2/index ... 863.0.html

5 things fix the factory strangulation of this car (100RWKW becomes ~150-160RWKW and a lot smoother);
- Intake (you've already done this)
- Intercooler (replace that toy the factory put in)
- Exhaust (go from factory strangled 2.25" to free flowing 2.5" is enough)
- Injectors
- ECU + dyno tune

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 4:14 pm

Haha:
Cheap
Cheap
Medium
Cheap
Expensive

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Postby **Okibi** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 5:23 pm

My car is stock except for the 3" Dann exhaust and the intake elbow/BOV

Last Sunday I started to get this same issue, about 6,000 rpm in 5th.

Time to put my ECU and injectors in, there's a few of us doing the same stuff to you might as well so similar so we can share base maps and save time/dollars on the dyno.

- Dave.

WesternPacific · Postby **WesternPacific** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:40 pm

yeah I have an ECU ready to go and some injectors lined up too. Just waiting for the extra bits and pieces to arrive to install it. By posting this question I wanted to eliminate anything non ECU related so as not to carry the problem over.

Too bad I have gone with MS, it seems like going with the Adaptronic would have been a better option considering everyone else in Perth is installing that atm.

Mr Sexy · Postby **Mr Sexy** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:11 pm

Quick question... I'm about to start modifing my se, was going to start with intake first but the more looking around I do the more threads like this I come across. I've owned it for a while so I know how crap the stock ecu is, was thinking of jumping in the deep end and starting off with getting the ecu changed.. I've noticed alot of you guys are in perth, who are you guys going to, to get this done?

Sorry for the little hijack, bit just noticed most of you guys are perth.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 10:48 pm

Get all your supporting mods at least purchased first. Get all the bits installed in one go then tune.

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kenson · Postby **kenson** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:36 pm

What sailaholic recommends is what most of us have been doing.
At the moment Okibi, WesternPacific, Swordfish (pending) and I are all doing similar things.

We've all got: intakes, exhausts, TBI and larger injectors as supporting mods.

At the moment, it's:
Adaptronic: Okibi, me
Megasquirt: WesternPacific
Haltech: Swordfish (to be confirmed)

I've stuck everything on and done a little bit of road tuning and will be dropping my car off this Thursday at Hyperdrive in Malaga.
I'll let you all know how I go.

You can start off with the the ECU first, but you might have to go to the dyno an extra time. Dyno time with a tuner is expensive!
If you do want to do the ECU first, at least upgrade the injectors.

and1 · Postby **and1** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 1:28 am

I've jumped on the Adaptronic wagon too

Postby **Okibi** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:41 am

We really need to sort out a local SE photoshoot. :mrgreen:

WesternPacific · Postby **WesternPacific** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:47 am

Mr Sexy wrote:Quick question... I'm about to start modifing my se, was going to start with intake first but the more looking around I do the more threads like this I come across. I've owned it for a while so I know how crap the stock ecu is, was thinking of jumping in the deep end and starting off with getting the ecu changed.. I've noticed alot of you guys are in perth, who are you guys going to, to get this done?

Sorry for the little hijack, bit just noticed most of you guys are perth.

I think that the first thing you need to do is sign up for Class D at the MX5 club events (modified with street tyres), if you haven't already! We have a good little group of SE's competing there and all of us are in varying stages of tuning as Kenson pointed out. Its all good fun and although we try hard it isn't taken very seriously. The more local SE guys who go, the better for everyone I think.

Now all we have to do is convince Okibi do drop his R comps and come play with us!

Oh and I think most of us plan to do the base work ourselves setting up the ECUs and then onto a tuner for the last little bit of polish. Thats my basic plan anyway

WesternPacific · Postby **WesternPacific** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 11:49 am

and1 wrote:I've jumped on the Adaptronic wagon too

I have been reading your garage thread for a while now, car looks sweet! Any chance you will be running with the other SE guys at the club events?

kenson · Postby **kenson** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 12:00 pm

Funny how everything pans out.

And1 was the first SE owner I met after I bought my car in late 2012.
We talked about mods and disadvantages and agreed that the ECU was critical.

Now look where we all are!

Congrats Andy and welcome!