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Okay so I got a mediocre run in to document 0-60. Launch was horrible, mostly due to cheap tires and starting on concrete. I'm going to time it, and once I'm satisfied with it being a valid, realistic result, I'll post the video proof and existing mods from stock. It can at least serve as somewhat of a baseline for what to expect from this swap. Dynos will be invaluable as well, and I'm counting on Antics for that because I'm a broke bitch right now.

But yea. Let the documentation of RESULTS begin.

EDIT: Video. 7 seconds flat. Mods are 2.5L, VTCS delete, and timing advance. Good tires and a great launch will put it under 7.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/JkO7cYyz1p8
 
Okay so I got a mediocre run in to document 0-60. Launch was horrible, mostly due to cheap tires and starting on concrete. I'm going to time it, and once I'm satisfied with it being a valid, realistic result, I'll post the video proof and existing mods from stock. It can at least serve as somewhat of a baseline for what to expect from this swap. Dynos will be invaluable as well, and I'm counting on Antics for that because I'm a broke bitch right now.

But yea. Let the documentation of RESULTS begin.

EDIT: Video. 7 seconds flat. Mods are 2.5L, VTCS delete, and timing advance. Good tires and a great launch will put it under 7.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/JkO7cYyz1p8
Running smooth! I'm still on the fence about getting a tune for that extra power. It's another $400-500 and I really just want to be done with this thing. I just burned through my first tank and averaged 26.6 mpg, that was with a lot of 85mph highway driving and a heavy foot in the city. I imagine driving conservatively it'd be nearer to 30. I'm wonder what kind of A/F ratios I'm seeing using the 2.3 maps. The Torque app is only showing the commanded AFR, I'm not sure what I need to do to see the actual AFR. Torque app is showing 14.7 commanded at WOT which is surely not optimal for max power.

I picked up a couple of those spark plug extenders that I mentioned. Autozone calls them Spark Plug Non-Foulers, they are on the Dorman aisle with all those little spinning display racks. $3.99 for the pair of them. Part number 42002. They come in a pair of two, drill one of them out with a 1/2 bit to make room for the O2 sensor head, then screw the two of them together.
 
Running smooth! I'm still on the fence about getting a tune for that extra power. It's another $400-500 and I really just want to be done with this thing. I just burned through my first tank and averaged 26.6 mpg, that was with a lot of 85mph highway driving and a heavy foot in the city. I imagine driving conservatively it'd be nearer to 30. I'm wonder what kind of A/F ratios I'm seeing using the 2.3 maps. The Torque app is only showing the commanded AFR, I'm not sure what I need to do to see the actual AFR. Torque app is showing 14.7 commanded at WOT which is surely not optimal for max power.

I picked up a couple of those spark plug extenders that I mentioned. Autozone calls them Spark Plug Non-Foulers, they are on the Dorman aisle with all those little spinning display racks. $3.99 for the pair of them. Part number 42002. They come in a pair of two, drill one of them out with a 1/2 bit to make room for the O2 sensor head, then screw the two of them together.
Yea I am still curious about the maps, too. I wonder if anyone has a stock printout to compare to... I know I've seen at least one other member posting charts like this while troubleshooting, so somebody's got to have it. And I definitely want the tune... This is to me like people are with tattoos. Don't get me wrong, I'm having a blast with it right now... But the addiction only gets worse.

Good to know about the plugs, thanks. I did a soft reset on my ecu after the light came up, thinking it was the timing that I had just advanced at first, so I put it back and unplugged for about a minute. Long enough to clear the light, but not the clock, presets, and trip odo. Weird. Anyway, I checked the number (0421) and found out it was unrelated, readvanced the timing, and it hasn't come back. My second guess was it was the dropping temps around here lately, but that hasn't changed either, so I dunno. We'll see.
 
Looking at the Commanded or Actual AFR isn't going to tell you much. What you should be looking at is Long Term and Short Term fuel trims so you can actually see what the ECU is correcting for. If all you have is Torque...... That app does show Fuel trims.

Bank1 sensor1 is what you are looking for to monitor trims

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Looking at the Commanded or Actual AFR isn't going to tell you much. What you should be looking at is Long Term and Short Term fuel trims so you can actually see what the ECU is correcting for. If all you have is Torque...... That app does show Fuel trims.

Bank1 sensor1 is what you are looking for to monitor trims

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
It shows them but I don't know what it should look like. I remember looking at them but I can't recall what it was running at. I've read about what it should look like on a stock setup, I'm guessing it should just be a little more positive because of the engine swap.
 
Would something like that help determine a tiny vac leak that isn't showing a code but makes the idle slightly rougher than it should be?

I'm guessing that's my issue. Someone suggested pcv can cause that, or over tightened TB making a bad seal. Throttle is really sensitive too, lurches if I'm not really careful all the time.
 
Would something like that help determine a tiny vac leak that isn't showing a code but makes the idle slightly rougher than it should be?

I'm guessing that's my issue. Someone suggested pcv can cause that, or over tightened TB making a bad seal. Throttle is really sensitive too, lurches if I'm not really careful all the time.
A vacuum leak would definitely do that and not necessarily throw a code. How did you do your intake manifold?

I installed the spark plug extenders and cleared my P0421 code. I've cleared it a couple times and it always popped again after a while. Hopefully it doesn't come back tomorrow. I've been watching my fuel trims, LTFT is -10 under normal driving highway driving. This means I'm running rich and the ECU is pulling fuel to correct it? I don't know if this cat efficiency code would effect fuel trims that much. I think my next step is going to be cleaning the MAF, I don't know if it's ever been done.
 
I just replaced my MAF too... trying to isolate this AF issue.

I ended up eventually using gasket maker on my manifold. Not just on the outside edges, but all the way around each port, and the thing on the right whatever it is. There was one small hole still on the top of one port, due to a shard of plastic breaking off while I was struggling with the VTCS removal, but I plugged it. I've done the smoke test, and the places that I can get to, no such luck.

With the throttle body, do you just undo it and make sure it is torqued to spec? Somehow I doubt that's it. And as far as the PCV goes, does it close under power? I messed with it before, but only replaced it with the one from the 2.5 (doesn't technically fit, but I retrofitted a grommet around it to seal tight). Now that I mention it, that may actually be it... I'd be shocked, because that was really snug. But I suppose that's the most likely. Ugh, I really didn't want to take the IM off again...

EDIT: Took it off. The grommet I put on there clearly is not resisitant to oil, it's degrading already. And there seems to be an awful lot of oiliness around there, and up near the TB.... that's telltale of a bad valve, right? Or is that normal?

EDIT 2: It also moans sometimes. I thought that was my coolant reservoir (hairline crack that bleeds pressure when engine is hot), but I just read that the pcv can whistle or "moan" on some engines.... so yea. PCV purchase happening today. Better have platinum in it for 15 dollars...
 
My LTFT is usually around -10 during normal driving. I would have thought it would be positive. Wondering if this thing is running really lean. O2 sensor seems to be working normally but I'm not sure. Cleaned the MAF and reset the ecu 100 miles ago.
 
My LTFT is usually around -10 during normal driving. I would have thought it would be positive. Wondering if this thing is running really lean. O2 sensor seems to be working normally but I'm not sure. Cleaned the MAF and reset the ecu 100 miles ago.
If your trims are -10 or better all the time. You're running rich.

And makes since if youre using the 2.5L injectors on the 2.3L ecu. As iirc they are higher flowing than the 2.3L

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If your trims are -10 or better all the time. You're running rich.

And makes since if youre using the 2.5L injectors on the 2.3L ecu. As iirc they are higher flowing than the 2.3L

Sent from my HTC One_M8 using Tapatalk
Good call on the injectors, I hadn't thought of that. What is the % referencing, the stock 2.3 maps? That's what was throwing me. No way should I be using less fuel to be stoic with the bigger engine and breathing mods. Since the trim is calibrated to the 2.3 injectors it's not actually trimming what it thinks it is. If I were running the 2.3 injectors the fuel trims would show the positive figure that I've been expecting.

A shop in McKinney is having a dyno day this Saturday. $40 for 2 pulls with AFR included. I'm going to take it by and see what this thing does. I'm really curious what the 2.5 is going to look like on the 2.3 maps.
 
Well I have a lovely little issue going on. Connected the battery for the first time last night after doing this swap. Everything is hooked back up and ready to go. As soon as I touch the ground cable to the battery, you can hear something like a motor start running in behind the battery box. I don't know if there is a pump in that ABS block back there? Or some type of air pump for the brake booster? Then I looked in the car to make sure the key wasn't on run or something. It actually was clicked to run to unlock the steering when I put it in the garage. So I pulled the key out, and same thing is happening, plus all the dash lights and gauges are going on too.

I have never ran this car since I bought it with a blown engine to begin with. So this problem might be from previous owner and to related to swap at all. I was thinking possibly a bad ignition relay that is always closed? Any ideas?
 
Well I have a lovely little issue going on. Connected the battery for the first time last night after doing this swap. Everything is hooked back up and ready to go. As soon as I touch the ground cable to the battery, you can hear something like a motor start running in behind the battery box. I don't know if there is a pump in that ABS block back there? Or some type of air pump for the brake booster? Then I looked in the car to make sure the key wasn't on run or something. It actually was clicked to run to unlock the steering when I put it in the garage. So I pulled the key out, and same thing is happening, plus all the dash lights and gauges are going on too.

I have never ran this car since I bought it with a blown engine to begin with. So this problem might be from previous owner and to related to swap at all. I was thinking possibly a bad ignition relay that is always closed? Any ideas?
I'd connect the battery and pull fuses until the noise stops, no key in the ignition.
 
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