'99 Turbo Converted Mazda MX5 | ME221 ECU Mapping

Last week, we found incredible gains mapping an "interestingly modified" turbo-converted Mazda MX5 running an ME221 Motorsport Electronics ECU. This particular MX5's been acquired by one of our regular customers with an impressive collection of retro Japanese vehicles.
The customer suspected that the vehicle was only running a base map. Suspicion turned out to be truth. Read on to find out how we got on...

About

With a wing only a Boeing 737 could rival, it's only right that this MX5 had the power to back the aggressive look. It came in for a service a couple of months ago & certainly turned a few heads in our workshop...

MAZDA MX5 MOTORSPORT ELECTRONICS ECU TUNING 1

Above: Ready for take-off? It will be once we're finished with it...

Redline Tuning have successfully tuned several MX5's over the years; they're an entry level tuner car for most people. Despite this, we're typically able to extract a lot of power from these little pocket rockets. This one was no different...

MAZDA MX5 MOTORSPORT ELECTRONICS ECU TUNING 2

Above: Turbo Conversions need "easy wipe" upholstery. For obvious reasons.

As you can see from the picture above, dials & smiles is a more appropriate tag than "miles & smiles". Even if it's larger-than-life wing isn't to your particular taste, we can all agree that the interior's been tastefully modified, following the red & black colour theme exhibited from the vehicle's exterior styling.

The Tuning Process | ME221 ECU Calibration.

We've tuned / calibrated several Motorsport Electronics ME221 ECU systems over the years. I'm pretty certain Rich (MD, Head Tuner) can tune them with his eyes closed. Imagine Stevie Wonder in the drivers seat. Replace the piano with the a laptop. Replace the hair with -- never mind. I'm sure he'll be thrilled with that comparison...

MAZDA MX5 MOTORSPORT ELECTRONICS ECU TUNING 3

Above: Is the styling subtle enough for you?

Motorsport Electronic's ME221 is popular aftermarket / piggyback ECU, as it can easily be installed in conjunction with the vehicle's factory wiring harness, keeping installation costs low, while still allowing upgrades such as MAF-less fuel control, turbocharging or throttlebody installs. You can find the range of ECU's Redline Tuning are competent to tune on our aftermarket ECU page.

MAZDA MX5 MOTORSPORT ELECTRONICS ECU TUNING ENGINE BAY

Above: Would you look at that - it's a perfect fit.

As you can see from the image above, this Mazda MX5's had a turbo conversion. After a quick power run on the dyno and some digital investigation, we found that this vehicle was only had a base map calibration, making the turbo conversion completely ineffective. A couple of hours of dyno time, and we were able to make full use of the turbo & accompanying mods - creating a formidable tune that surpassed our expectations...

You've got to ask why the MX5 needs a turbo conversion in the first place - they should've come with one in the first place! The resulting tune / calibration was very impressive; a shade under 60HP was found. More impressively, +75 LB-FT (roughly) was found at 4,200 RPM. Very, very noticeable...

MAZDA MX5 MOTORSPORT ELECTRONICS ECU TUNING DYNO RESULTS

Above: Before / After tuning results - fresh from the tuning bay.

This MX5's certainly earned the "pocket rocket" status. Now the big wing makes sense...