Protege sedan ECU upgrade
 

Just as the title says, is there one available? Besides the AEM P-N-P unit for 1,500.00? Just curious....

I've seen some posts around about getting your ECU "flashed" with the MP3 specifications. I'm not sure what "flashing" is, and if I remember right the MP3 only had a cat-back exhaust, different ECU, and maybe (can't recall) an intake plenum that was opened up a bit. Maybe it gets you a few Horse-Pressures, I dunno

ECU upgrading is mostly used for tuning on late model imports. There's generally not much power to gain from changing fuel/timing maps on a relatively stock vehicle either. There was on the Mazdaspeed Protege however. That was just due to the overly rich fuel maps Mazda used for safety.

The ECU 'flash' would be something Mazda would do. I don't think they'll just change anyone's maps to that of the MP3. You might have to know someone at the dealership to do that for you. I can't imagine someone getting maybe more than a few horsepower with that anyway.

In other words... Money is better spent elsewhere. The best bang for your buck on a FS 2.0L has shown to be the Japanese intake cam.

where can you get this cam?

J-spec intake and MS exhaust cam don't do jack. Don't buy them.

I'm not sure where you're getting your information from, but you've been misinformed. The Japanese FS 2.0L (where the cam comes from) has quite a bit more power than the US FS 2.0L (around 50 more horsepower than the Protege FS motor) The intake cam, higher compression ratio, and dual runner intake manifold are the main parts that create that extra power. I also sold those cams for 4 years at my last job. Nothing but positive response, actually hard to keep them in stock due to the demand. They have been dyno proven and showed an average gain of 10whp on the 2.0L Probe/MX-6/626 and around 12whp on the Protege 2.0L And even MORE on the Mazdaspeed Proteges.

Like I said, they're one of the best bangs for your buck. Fact.


I actually have one laying around I never installed. I decided on a new car before I ever put it in my MSP. Also have adjustable cam gears for sale too. Private message me if you're interested.

Search the forums and you will find that YOU are misinformed. The FS-ZE does NOT have 50 more HP. The intake cam might gain 3hp if you're lucky. The FS-ZE's power comes from higher compression and the ECU as you mentioned, along with less stringent emissions requirements and a better IM. The J-spec intake cam alone on a pretty much stock FS-DE will do pretty much nothing.

I'm not here to argue with anyone. But I have in fact been part of various Mazda forums for the past 6 years. I have first hand experience with this part, this motor, and other Mazda motors. U.S. and JDM. And that's what I'm basing my information on.

So you are basing your information of this product on what a few people have said on message boards? That's not really the greatest of ways to get information.

I did do a search for them the other Protégé board (more activity there). The majority seems to love them and recomend them.
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...ght=intake+cam

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...ght=intake+cam

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...ght=intake+cam

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...ght=intake+cam

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showt...ght=intake+cam

However, I did find a guy here and there throughout the posts that said they don't do much. But dynos do not lie. Back to back runs have shown large increses in power. Reputable companies have dyno tested these and shown the increases. (Rotary Performance for example gained near 20whp on a turbocharged application.)

The FS_ZE only has around a point higher compression. That and ECU changes (alot of ECU changes are due to their fuel overseas) is not going to net the gains that motor has over the U.S. version.

Not to nitpick or anything, but none of those links has a dyno.
Just a lot of speculation.
You are correct that msprotege has a lot more activity but more comments such as
'i can feel the difference' doesn't make the information more accurate.
I've still never seen a dyno for the j-specs and until I do, I wouldn't spend the money.

That is true and a good point. Rarely does anyone seem to do that for any part for that matter. Most parts you buy don't have vehicle specific dyno information though. :shrug:

I'll see what I can do about a dyno sheet. :thumbs-up:

Those threads back me up. "The concensus is they will do nothing." One of them wasn't even for the FS-DE. Another talks about valve springs and retainers. I don't see the point to those, albeit I didn't read every posy, just skimmed through. I've been around these boards for a couple years, and I have yet to see anyone with a dyno or a good review of the J-spec cam on a relatively stock motor. I'm not talking adding it to a turbo motor, etc.

my cams helped alot on Top-end power, above 4k rpms the motor pulls alot more than before...

and about the MP3 ecu, as far as I know of it has Advanced Timing over a reg. Protege/5 ecu.

Like I said, there was a couple people here and there I found that spoke against them. You just took out a few quotes (ones I said I found) in a thread where most people did like the product. There was quite a bit more positive than negative about them. No, those threads are not titled "the intake cam is awesome/sucks" but they have numerous comments of satisfied people. That is why I posted them.

Like I said, I have first hand information and years of experience with these engines and parts. You have said nothing besides what you have read off a message board.



Again, I will see what I can do about a dyno sheet on an NA car.

Well, the specs on the mazdaspeed intake cams are roughly 10 degrees more duration and slightly more lift.

This modification creates more power at higher RPM's since it allows more air to be drawn into the motor (it can breathe better) and thus when more air is needed at higher RPM's, it can take it in.

At lower RPM's you want less lift and duration to increase intake air velocity (lift) and also to keep the air in the engine (duration). If the lift is too high, your intake velocity decreases, and if the duration is too long, air from the chamber can escape.

The j-spec cams will certainly provide more top-end umph, probably sacraficing a little bit of low end power (this is one of the reasons VTEC is so great). Paired with the correct exuast cam and header that will promote scavanging (exiting exhaust helps suck more air into chamber with open intake valvel) will definitely give a good boost in the HP.

I have seen dyno's of j-spec cam'd engines, and usually they're abotu 6-10hp with stock components, and greater gains for cars with a good intake and header.

Bottom line is that it will give you decent performance gains initially, and will add synergisticly to any future modifications you decide to make. If you can find someone able to put it on for a good price, I say it's a great investment.

there was a mention of using this cam on the Mazdaspeed.. BAD IDEA...using cams that increase NA performance on a turbo engine increases likelyhood of detonation....if you want cams for a turbo, get crower to make you some turbo cams....from dyno runs I have seen people have netted a total of 8-10 whp on intake AND exhaust cams though...best bang for your buck would probably be the wagner header from what i've heard