Look at the stickies for the ECU re-mapping thread. been covered extensively there.

 

There are no hardware requirements, as the engines are the same between the two models. Mazda simply added a software throttle limitation to the 120 hp version at the top-end which can be removed by a tune There are a number of chip tunes available (one in Denmark and BBR GTI in the UK), and a full custom tune (Orange Virus) that can eliminate the limitation. However, after the limitation is removed, the chip tunes only give you 5-10 hp/tq gains over the 165 hp version (developing 170-175 hp for the 120 hp version), whereas a custom tune can give you >25 hp/tq.

 

Do you know if there is still a tuner in DK, that fiddles with these models?

 

Thanks both of you guys for answers. I've read the whole main ECU tuning thread, but I would like to stay away from a custom tune.

I just meant to simply take a factory mapping from 165hp and uploading it to 120hp engine. That should be "trivial" with a piece of software, PC and some interfacing hardware. Also it should keep the emissions+consumption and all other parameters as they were set by Mazda for 165hp engine. Am I the only one interested in such a modification?

 

No, you are not the only one.

 

+1 to that! Some sort of plug-and-play gadget I could add and remove easily would be perfect.

 

I'm sure I'm not the only one thinking this, but this should do more harm than any positive, if anything at all.

The engines are scaled, one is a 2.0, what you have, the other a 2.5, the new Skyactiv engines are literally scale models of each other, so if anything, in theory at least, swapping over the 2.5's instructions from the ECU into a 2.0 should result in over-compensation of fuel as it expects more air to be in the chambers? Actually this I can't say for sure, but the point is, the parameters are different for the two engines, NOT one is "tuned" for more performance.

Both are tuned for longevity, one just naturally makes more power as it is larger, but also burns more fuel as well.

 

they are talking about the european 2.0 version with 120hp

available with 120hp or 165hp, like the diesel version with 150hp and 175hp ...

 

I am also searching for someone with the EU 2.0 165HP Mazda 3 to copy the ECU settings from. Not so easy as this 165HP setting is an option on the most expensive model.

 

From what I heard from the dealer it is just a different tuning to get an European energylabel "A", the 165HP version has energylabel "C". The A label is popular due to a tax benefit.

 

that sounds plausible... i'm not a technician... but also i think it must be a reason, that there is no german trustworthy tuner that tunes a g120 to g165

they did with the diesel, but that is another matter

 

Good luck getting an official to say yea just buy the cheaper version and get a tune..lol..

 

That would be a great way to save some money

 

These engines are most likely identical and as it was already mentioned, I don't think there will ever be an official confirmation about this from Mazda (why pay extra to a dealer, if you can fix the engine on your own for 1/10th of a price). For the factory it is cheaper to produce just one kind of engine and load it up with two (three/four) different tunes for different power outputs and regions. Also 120hp and 165hp version have identical outputs up to 4000rpm.

Back to my question - let's say I have both 165hp and 120hp cars available. What software and hardware would you recommend for downloading and uploading the ECU mapping?

 

As far as North American market is concerned, Orange Virus tuning. They offer E-tuning where basically you log data with a laptop, and they send you calibrated ECU files based on what you submit until the tune is complete. There are other tuners, but honestly I don't hear anything about them other than them advertising their own services (i.e no customer feedback). I'm not familiar with EU tuners, might need to check a EU Mazda forum for that kind of feedback.
OrangeVirus Tuning

 

Yea ovtuning is a customized tune based on data sent in by you (from your ECU); your fuel (be consistent), the conditions in which you drive, your mods and how you drive that affect your logs. You don't want a blanket tune, it's not worth it. Your factory tune is a blanket tune already, and you want to improve it, why would you replace it with another blanket tune lol.

 

Blanket tune is not such a bad alternative if all I'm aiming for is to remove artificial restrictions set in the engine SW. It requires just one flash, therefore can be done in a couple of minutes and brings a boost of 45hp off the bat. Not so horrible, considering how much people usually get out of their tunes. I believe we all can agree that Mazda did a piece of fine engineering making those Skyactivs and the factory tune is imho very good.

Out of the three differences between 120hp and 165hp that CarlitosM3 mentioned, there is none really of the engine construction. Looking back, I'm not sorry that I didn't go for 165hp version, as I don't mind longer gears (I do tons of hwy driving), I don't need all the extra equipment that comes with the 165hp trim and after my previous 300hp car I don't even need that 45 extra hp. I'm just a tech geek who likes to learn and try new things and M3 is a nice toy to do so.

Any other source for the SW and HW information besides the OrangeVirus?

 

Very interesting topic dog, BBR will be releasing a DYI kit soon apparently, don't know if one can drop the calibration part of the ‘Super 170’ and just remove the throttle restriction.

BBR GTi. - Performance Car Tuning Specialists - BBR launches 185 bhp two stage tuning package 2.0-litre SkyActiv models

 

You need the mazdaedit software and a tactrix openport 2.0

 

Hi CarlitosM3!

Would it be possible to copy your map and share it?

Thx!

 

Any good tuner can do for you .
Copy maps is not good idea

Here is dyno sheet of chiptuning of 120 HP version to almost 180 . Mazda 3 skyactiv-g 2.0

 

this is exactly the reason im going to chip tune my 3 months old mazda!

you see the stock BHP curve where the engine cuts off at 4400 rpm.. they did that deliberately to reduce emissions in EU and sell it at a lower price to be competitive -- there is no BHP curve that cuts off like that ... the car feels like its at the beggining of a great acceleration and right there it simply stops --- it doesnt feel natural.

its time to remap..

 

Mine makes 155hp stock, don't know what engine you guys got :/

 

that's US
we in Europe have 2 versions of 2.0l engine, 120hp and 165hp

 

So stock european 2.0 120hp has a 135 hp...nice. I wonder if there is a difference in european when using a 95 or 100 octane fuel?

 

I was surprised to find out the same, after lots of reading about tuning options for my Skyactiv 120. It’s rated as 118 HP, but they typically put out 135 to 140 HP. A mild OBD2 tuning gives about 10% gain, so that makes around 150 HP without losing your warranty. Quite impressive.

 

I have European version 2.2 D 150 hp up gradable to 190. In service they asked 400eur for this service

 

Hi,

I'm new to this forum here. My new, 2017 2.0L petrol, 120 HP, Mazda 3 is on it's way and by searching on the web came across this interesting thread.
I know custom tune is way better than 'off the shelf' tunes, however just wondering if anyone ever successfully attempted to load the 165 HP software to a 120 HP 2.0L ECU?

Thanks,
htomi

 

I had my 2014 Mazda 3 2.0L chip tuned last weekend, not the cheaper ones but a professional one who designed it specially for my car.

 

Hi apocolyps911..,

Can you tell me the results/gains of your tuning job and if you are happy with it please.., considering the same on my 2014 2.0 120 but would like some feedback off someone who has actually had it done.

Thanks..!

 

Nice! Is it a ecu tune only or a physical chiptune? I'm looking into this myself with my 120hp. The company I'm in touch with recommended a dyno run to get it done properly.

 

OK, so what exactly is a "physical chiptune"?

 

Removing the chip from the ECU, fiddling with it and putting it back. Seems like chipping and Ecu remapping are terms used interchangeably. I guess chipping is done mostly on older cars. I'm only aiming for a software tune.

 

You can't really remove the chip from the ecu, it doesn't have one.:dunno: The only way to get a decent tune that works is remapping. Doing in conjunction with a dyno is the best way to go.

 

As mentioned in the other thread, the engine is the one thing, but what's with the gearbox?
As i know it is a different one in both cars. Is it designed for this Torque/165HP?

 

skyactive-g

Reviving this thread. I AM A UK 2015 MAZDA3 SKYACTIV 2.0 120BHP OWNER. Considering this. Has anyone done this with success or got any feedback. My current insurers will only.cover a 10% bhp rise.