JDM Tuning Discussion

Now before you turn on your flame thrower just read what I have to say and think about it objectively. Don't immediately reply to this thread. Just think about it. This thread should be about nothing but discussing JDM tuning methods. I don't care if you get 350+ HP out of your kit with a Cobb. Talk about it in your own build threads (which I do enjoy reading).



I've been doing a lot of research on the various tuning options that we have available to us outside of Japan and frankly, it's sickening. If you have a series 1 your options are basically either Mazdaedit or the bullshit Cobb AP monopoly agreement with MM. If you own a series 2 then basically all you have is Mazdaedit (I am aware that there are exceptions out there no need to note them here). Mazdaedit doesn't seem bad but it also doesn't seem like everything is understood about it yet.



So.... this got me thinking (dangerous I know) about how JDM tuners have been tuning their FI RX-8s. I decided to do some research and the results are surprising and seem to go against some of the popular beliefs out there i.e. don't use a piggy back ECU, the Greddy E-manage is crap, NA RX-8s are hard to get 200+ HP out of, the list goes on.



So here is the question. What JDM tuning methods are you familiar with and what are they doing that is different from what we have been doing? That's the topic of discussion. I think it's important to compare to help our community improve our quality of life when it comes to tuning options. Do I expect this thread to produce some sort of magical tuning option for us? No. Without at least talking about it though we will never get there..



Here is a long list of observations that RE-Amemiya did on the RX-8. It's translated using google translate so keep that in mind.They even provide examples of a couple maps although they are pretty illegible. They also talk about the difference between their ECU and the OEM ECU. If you are in Japan they charge about the equivalent of $1000 USD to tune your car with their ECU. Dyno results are also at the bottom of the page using their ECU.



RE-Amemiya Site



Here is a link to one of their maps. It looks like it's for ignition timing.



Ignition Map



Here is a thread discussing what has been done to the RE-Amemiya RX-8. Note that this car is using both the Redom Mini A and the Greddy E-manage.



http://ift.tt/QtVXfd



Here is another feature discussing several different RX-8s tuned by some of the big names like RE-Amemiya and AutoExe. The RE-Amemiya tuned RX-8 caught my attention because they are using what seems like a piggy back ECU called the RE Amemiya Redom Mini. They claim that just by changing the intake, exhaust and using this ECU they are getting 220HP. If it was anyone else I'd call BS but this is RE-Amemiya, the undisputed kings of rotary tuning (again there is a dyno on their site).



[ FEATURE | R32 Skyline Mayhem ] J.D.M. OPTION INTERNATIONAL



I only found one thread that barely talked about the Redom and it was about the speed limit removal model which is NOT the ECU.



http://ift.tt/QtVYjm



Found this link for actually purchasing the ECU. Note that there are 3 different models and the one I am talking about sepcifically that I know is used in track cars is the RE Amemiya Redom Mini A-Type about $1000 USD. They also have the Knight Sports unit and the Leg Motorsports unit which I have zero info on...



RX-8 SE3P Aero Parts / Tuning Performance Auto Parts Online Shop - Auto-Style USA - Japan Car Parts JDM Parts



Here is a thread where Takahashi says he used the Knight Sports ECU and had expeceted results with a dyno sheet.



http://ift.tt/QtVXfj



TLDR: What are JDM tuners doing that we aren't? What tools are they using? What's their tunning philosohpy versus ours?