MD Race ecu's? Anyone?
 

Hey. I have been thinking of getting a reprogrammed ECU from MD race. Ive been trying to contact them for over a month, email and by phone, and they are not responding. It clains like 20 HP gain, and the same for torque I think, with an extra 5mpg. Has anyone gotten one of these, and is it worth it. What was the price. And also are there any other suggestions for ecu's? I really dont wanna spend that much, and want just a plug in replacement. I know superchips.com has one for like $500, has anyone gotten this one? Any tips or comments welcome, please.

yeah i had one of those for like 6 months, it was great. it improved my 1/4 mile time by .4 second(on average) and 0-60 by .1 second (average) i was impressed, never clocked MPG. the car in general ran alot better b/c the timing i think.
the low end was quite a bit better, and the upper end was a bit better, and the mid area was awesome, like from 3k to 5800 rpm or so. i actually sold mine, but havent heard back from the guy yet sooo.,
Jason

Well on that note, does anyone have an ECU , mdrace or other, for a 86 N/A, for sale?

Did you have to run 92-93 octane gas in it? CJ

I heard that those things are tuned based on what altitude you're at.

I just received my reprogrammed ECU from them yesterday.
The only way to get ahold of them is to call them.
They are still making them.
I will be selling mine (For 88 TII) in a few months. Going Haltech.

Do you have the number handy? I'd like to call them up and see how this thing works.

MD Racing Enterprises
282 N.W. 104th Avenue
Coral Springs, FL 33071
Phone: (954) 720-7989
Fax: (954) 341-7385
E-mail: mdrace@mdrace.com

Awesome, thanks. :)

All the MD Race chip is, is a Superchips one. Just a little insight.

No.... It might have been that way, but now you can get only one version of the chip.

Wrong! When I got mine yesterday, I opened it up and looked at it. It's a home grown chip. It was stamped MD Racing. They do however call it The Super Performance Chip. Maybe that is where you got that?

Here.... check this link out.

http://www.rx7.voodoobox.net/howto/chip/chip.html

How much did it cost? Were the gains worth it?

I'd gladly pay a couple hundred bucks for 20 extra horsepower and increased gas mileage.

I haven't used it yet because my engine is blown:mad: , but I have used a G-Force before it blew and did notice an improvement.
I paid $350 for the upgrade + $25 shipping.

All the MD Race chip is, is a Superchips one. Just a little insight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wrong!
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Actually, drewstrbo2 is right. The only difference is that the Superchips includes a bleeder hose (kinda like a cheappy boost controller) that allows that turbo to run upto 11 psi. The MD chip has the same firmware (damn, the firmware checksum is even the same for the two companies for the default configuration) as the Supchips. The MD chip does not include the bleeder hose, and hence a little cheaper ($90). As for the stamping difference, you can stamp anything onto a ROM. All you have to do is bake it in UV light to clear it, then program it. Once that is done, you can stamp anything on the EPROM. Also, if you check the webpage of Superchips and MD. Damn, they are word for word the same. If the two chips are different, I would think Superchips would have a cow because MD copied their webpage (yes, Superchips came first and then MD came later...in offering chips for the turbo RX7's that is). I am only speaking from the 89-91 Turbo II ECU's. I have tried them both and also G-Force. They are all basically the same.

Yo Rxmfn,
You can also try G-Force. Here is a link: http://www.gforceengineering.com. Contrary to popular belief, they are alive and very healthy. They recently change their homepage address. Seriously though, I would recommend that you save you money if you have a 86 n/a. It's not worth it. I don't think the 86-88 ECU can adjust the timing (only on the 89-91 ECU), even w/ ECU upgrade. They will only alter the fuel curve. Ask yourself this: is it worth $400 to change your fuel curve? If you say yes, then try the S-AFC (but, don't recommend it either unless you plan to do lots of other things to your car).

Jay

You have it backwards. On the 86-88 ECU, you can't adjust the fuel curve, but you can adjust the timing.

RXTASY1, Thanks for clarifying. Jay

Actually if you call and talk to him like me and Rx_tasy did you'll find that they used to be their own company and they still are but SuperChips bought them out some years ago. so yes they are owned by superchips. and yes they are their own company.

They dont base them on altitude, but they can change it if you are at a really high altitude.

I thought it was worth every penny.

Jason

One question, is this only for turbocharged cars?

no idea.

From what I gathered, MD Racing doesn't exist anymore. It's now MD Tracking?
He told me, he has an engineer there that still does the chips.
Maybe what happened is when Superchips bought them, they changed the EPROM to match MD Racings EPROM.
This makes me wonder now?????? Did I get ripped off?

No.... It's for both NA and TII's

to
 

Do you have to use bigger secondary injectors and fuel
pump to compensate for the higher boost levels? Will the factory
stuff handle it. It sounds like a good investment for us
RX owners that seem to have a problem with breaking motors.

Thanks,
Ryan

Mykl
no its for both, i had it on my n/a. My Mods Were:
~~~~~~~~ 86 GXL ~~~~~~~~~
~Apexi N1 Dual ~2.5" Race Pipe
~Bonez Intake ~3" Straight ABS Intake
~TII Fuel Pump ~6 Ports Via Airpump
~8mm ignition wires ~blue silicon vacuum lines
~TB mod ~TB/Intake Porting/Polishing
~2650 lbs. ~0-60 mph under 7 (Gtech)

My Mods Now:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 86 GXL ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~Series 4 J-Spec ~Haltech E6K ~Apexi N1 Dual
~2.5" Down Pipe ~2.5" Straight Pipe ~Bonez Intake
~3" TID ~AVC-R ~Perma Cool 16" E.Fan ~8mm Wires
~Blue silicon lines ~TB mod ~TB Polished ~No Emissions
~GReddy A/F w/ 4 wire o2 ~Whole Exhuast Thermowrapped
~Tokico Illumina 5 ways ~HKS Super Form Springs
~17" Konig J-specs ~245/45/17 Kuhmos ~T2 Tranny/Clutch
~Phoenix Gold Stereo ~Recaro Race Seats ~Debadged
~Tinted Windows ~New paint ~2700 lbs.
--------In the mail-----------
~Blitz Super Sound BOV ~HKS POV
~Walbro Pump ~800cc Secondaries
--------Up Next-----------
~Racing Beat Sways ~Strut Tower Bars
~Camber Plates ~Camber Links

I had one in my '90 Convertible. As said already, it was worth every penny I paid. Most torque was available at 3K rpms and after 5500, it really takes off.

You will have to run on premium gas.

The reason why i was wondering if you needed to run premium, is because for my daily driver i would wrather just put in regular. I allready have a car i can only run 93 ocatane in. CJ

$350 and all these good testimonials eh? So there are no real quality problems or quirkyness issues while running these things?

I may have to get one then. :) If I keep the convertible it's gonna get a lot of work starting next February, a bit more power would be a good thing.

I want the car to look mint, and run even better. I just don't have the time or money to do it right now, gotsta wait until I get back from Saudi.

Does anybody actually have any figures for peak specific horsepower gains?

This figure is very subjective, but mine was estimated at 190hp with the ECU, Bonez intake, Bonez Superflow cat, and a Dynomax cat-back.

The estimate was from a guy named John Zentnor, after he tuned & drove my car. For those of you who can remember, John was the guy who built Brooks Weisblatt's engine, so I'd say his opinion was somewhat credible.

From a comparison point of view, I could pull away from a stock '90 GXL. That means I had at least enough hp to counter the ~375 lbs of extra weight I was toting around.

If you go to their web site www.mdrace.com, they have 2 dyno charts which appear to be adjusted for reflect flywheel hp. The way my car drove, I'd say they're accurate.

I e-mailed SAS racing and here what i said.

Ok, i have a n/a 1990 Rx-7. It has a Racing Beat exuast system, replaced stock air box with cone style K&N. Removed double throttle, and coolant flow to the throttle body. Ported black elbo before throttle body. New mildly ported 13B built by Pineapple Racing and some P.R. 6 port sleeves.

On the rx7 forum, there are quite a few people talking about ecu upgrades for the non turbo cars. (Several of wich recommend you guys.) So here are a couple questions for you. What type of power increase would i be looking at with an upgraded ecu? What type of fuel would i have to use? Would any of the drivability be lost?

I would appreciate any info you would like to offer, as i've been looking around for an upgraded ecu.

Thanks, CJ Brault


The response. (It happend within 8hrs.)

We no longer offer the computer upgrade, however we are working on a package for our engine customers that will add 45 HP to a non ported engine. Please call us at 954-784-4166 for more information. Thank you for looking us up.

Carl Sloan
SAS RACING


So.....who wants to call???

Called SAS...
 

They're doing a package for people that they're selling engines to. They're upgrading the injectors, ignition, etc. The engines are non ported, but the water jackets are modified.. They don't have a set price yet, but they're thinkin' it will be a couple grand. The guy at SAS said it was gonna be a friggin' road rocket. He stressed that the engines will be "bone stock." Got any more questions, PM me.

I'm really thinking about getting a chip now. Keep us posted with any additional information.

Thanks,
Derek

Timing & Fuel ?
 

I was just looking at the G-Force sight, and for 87-88 TII there chip adjusts:

Fuel Map
Ignition Timing map
Boost limiter

and for the 89-91 TII

Fuel Map
Ignition Timing map
Boost limiter
Boost Control

a couple questions before I call them up, a couple people have said that only the timing or fuel could be changed on the 87-88 ECU, and how does the ECU control the boost, or limit it?

Yea. I looked at that G-force website and saw the 87-88 ecu , and was wondering why it didnt say 86-88? There wasnt any engine change in those years were there? Just wondering if it would work on my 86. Thanks

This is a great thread....I haven't seen a whole lot of info about chips for n/a's in the past....but if it really can add 20 extra HP than I gotto get one!

Anyone who has a aftermarket ecu.....needs to go and get the there car dyno'd! With and without a ecu upgrade of course.:)

*Bump*

CJ

G-Force
 

whats G-Force website url ?

btw..anyone got images for EPROM burner of any chips for FC ? ;o)))

g-force is gone. it says on there website posted above. the reason it says 87-88 instead of 86-88 is there is no turbo in 86.

the 89-91 can control (well, raise...) boost because it has an electric boost controller that is controlled by the ecu. that is why it runs 8psi not 5.5. the wastegate spring is 5.5 in booth.

"jet" also makes chips. don't know anything about them. I think I'll get a chip in the spring/ summer time. I hate my FCD. I really don't think it would be worth it on a N/A car though...

i need image of chip (that means i don`t want to buy chip ;p) for 87 TII

Your insight is wrong. It's not superchips. I'm an electrical engineer, and I cracked the thing open when I bought mine, and I know EXACTLY what modifications SAS Racing does to the computers. It's not just a chip... there's much more involved.

have you cracked a super chips one to compare?? otherwise you are just stating that there is more of a difference between a stock one and the sas one then the chip.... maybe superchips makes the other changes too??

Yes. I owned the superchips before I bought the MD Racing computer. The modifications they make are different -- more specifically, Superchips only replaces the main EPROM that holds the A/F mixture/timing information. MD Racing modifies and sockets a secondary EPROM, as well as "overclocks" the whole computer.

OH and for all you wanting to buy these:

The MD Racing computer they have for a turbo setup is excellent, but then again, an independent system is better, like Wolf 3D. However, for the N/A both the superchips and MD Racing computers don't work very well... they don't come close to claimed increases. However, both computer increase fuel economy because they lean out the A/F mixture.

hmm, right off the mdrace page

"MD Racing is also an authorized dealer for Superchips; which has the widest product line of chips in the world. MD Racing Enterprises can offer you the same wide selection of chips at a very competitive price. The following list is a brief description of what you can expect from one of our performance chip upgrades."

I don't see any prices on the md page though.

604

do u have ability/images to make copy of any chip for 87-88 Turbo setup ? i need image and some how-to...i have EEPROM burner and other stuff so i think that i could put it together...

i`m not about making some bussines from it, i just need it for my and friends TII's here in CZ and i can`t go thru hassle of sending my ECU overseas and wait for it till it gets back (if so) even if i would have money for it...

thanks

just wondering. was this a 86-88 ecu, or 89-91?

hmm, by your name. are you in BC?

is it any different the going through superchips?? I have a superchips dealer in town so it would probably be cheaper...

or are they different chips?

edit: never mind you answered that a few posts back... I thought you were saying the SAS ones were better.

hey wait I was right, up ahead you said you cracked the sas one and said it was way better then the superchips one, but then started talking about the MD one being better...

which one did you have/open after the super chips one??

Let's clarify here: SAS Racing designed the computer(s) that MD Racing sells. They are essentially the same company, one is a subsiduary of the other. Secondly, if the chip that's used in MD Racing's computers is made by superchips, it doesn't matter because the EPROM is just a modified A/F map. I know that they spent time tuning the computer heavily for the TII and N/A application, and did much more than just slap in a chip. The TII computer I don't have -- a friend bought it, and we noticed a huge difference over stock. However, with the N/A -- what I have -- it's hardly noticeable. I'm sure it does help a bit, but not nearly as much as for the TII. If you want to find out the details and see if Superchips would be better for you, phone Carl Sloan at SAS Racing and he can tell you all about the computer.

So this means that we could no longer get their upgrades right?? So the only way we could is if we bought an engine from them???

^Bump