GrimmSpeed EBCS Write up - Mazda 6 Forums : Mazda 6 / Mazda Atenza Forum

jmhinkle · 08-12-2009, 10:14 PM

In an effort to find a better EBCS solution, I stepped up to take on the GrimmSpeed testing and tuning. Currently they are having problems sourcing a vendor to make a direct plug in solution, but I was willing to hardwire just to get the testing out of the way. They don't have a mount for our car either, so I asked then to ship one without a mount and I would make one. They sold me the '02-'05 WRX mount setup and I'm happy they did.

First, here is the GrimmSpeed with the '02-'05 WRX mounting plate.

Here are the two unused bolts on my dirty firewall.

Hey look the GrimmSpeed holes line up perfectly.

Time to buy some parts from Lowe's:
1 bag of these

1 bag of these

Install the grommets and squeeze the tabs tighter.

Place some washers strategically and it's mounted.

What about the electrical connection you ask?

Here is the GrimmSpeed Subaru plug, but I pried the lock tab for the white plug holder down for your viewing pleasure.

Pull the white tab out with needle nose pliers.

Gently lift the metal connectors up inside the plug and slip it out the back side.

At first I planned to just cut off all the connectors, but what is this? The metal connectors are the correct size.

Lets make a temporary plug out of two loose connectors:
First you wrap a small wire tie in the same location up high on the plug. This will keep them from touching. Then you wrap a small wire tie above the two and pull it just tight enough so the two connectors slightly flare at the end. This will make them tight in the plug. This is temporary until either GrimmSpeed gets a stock plug or I use Deutsch plugs to replace it all.

Lastly double up a ziptie and go around the whole thing thru the middle of the wires to keep them plugged in.

Testing time:
GrimmSpeed doesn't recommend "bleed" use, and gives instructions on hooking up in interrupt mode with an unrestricted source. That will require tuning for sure. Before getting to that though I wanted to try this as a stock replacement to see if it offered better performance than the crappy stock one. It was recommended that I make sure my car wasn't goofy or out of whack, even though I think they all are, so I read through the help file from Cobb on calibrating the MAF. Well, according to Cobb's guidance, if your LTFT and STFT doesn't add up or show greater than 5%, you shouldn't mess with it. My LTFT's were .8, 1.3 and 2.3 for different throttle/MAF areas and my AFR's were running where they should. My STFT's when added to my LTFT were either closer to zero or at least under the 5% rule so I didn't mess with it any.

First test was to see how the boost reacted on the stock EBCS with the AP map for Stage 2 91 Octane +SF +FMIC. Cobb's notes say it targets 18 psi and tapers to 16. My car spiked to 18 immediately dropped to 15 and tapered to 13 with the stock EBCS. Just as crappy as it ran before the AP and I always blamed the throttle control. HAH!!! I swapped over to the GrimmSpeed and took a drive on the same route. With the GrimmSpeed, boost shot right up to 17 and held steady with a slow taper to 15 by redline. So without tuning, it already works better than stock.

We had a local meet and drove up the mountain here in town. 5500 feet in town to 10500 on top. Boost was exactly the same response from bottom to top, with only the loss in psi from the loss in air. At the top I was still running 12ish when all the other stock turbos were down to 9 or less IIRC.

jmhinkle · 09-05-2009, 01:27 AM

Since I'm currently on a relocation assignment for work, I wanted to go ahead and unlock this to get the info out for everyone to at least see. I won't have the time to swap around and tune for interrupt mode for a while, but this thing is sure as shit 1 bazillion times better than my stock ever was when used as a plug and play replacement. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer ASAP.

djmarkian · 09-05-2009, 01:38 AM

When will this be available?... and btw nice write up and I think Grim dont have to do much for them to make a set for our platform...

jmhinkle · 09-05-2009, 01:43 AM

Grimm can't source our actual plug is the hold-up from there being a true model for us. You can buy the model I did and wire it in yourself like I did for now or do as I will soon and replace it all with kick-ass Deutsche plugs. I will keep added to this as I mess with the thing more, but I thing this thing is the best available by far after using it in person.

Poohster · 09-05-2009, 09:44 AM

Very interested in this development.

KoukiS14 · 09-05-2009, 12:09 PM

Nice work and good write up. Post some logs with boost and WGDC, please. Do you hear the solenoid through the firewall, or do the rubber isolators quiet it down enough?

I got jealous of the other local guys having aftermarket solenoids, so I tried out a 3-port solenoid from Grainger recently. Then my car died. I think it's the fuel pump. I think I'll continue testing once I de-mod and get it back from the dealer. The whole setup was $40 and local pickup. I'd barely started to test and tune with it when the car died, but the results weren't quite as expected. I ran it in both bleed mode and interrupt mode, and it just didn't hold the boost I wanted with low WGDC. Of course, it may have been defective, failed, and took my car along with it. We'll see.

Here's a pic of the setup plumbed for bleed mode with a bracket to mount to the stock location on the turbo. The plumbing for interrupt mode was far simpler, and it spiked less. Note my custom plug made with two layers of shrink wrap tubing around each wire and terminal, then a single layer to join them together. I got the terminals at AutoZone.

Road Rage · 09-05-2009, 01:52 PM

very cool, keep us informed of how it works out

jmhinkle · 09-05-2009, 06:56 PM

Thanks for reminding me Adam, yes I could hear it through the firewall originally. I forgot to add that to the post. To fix it, I loosened it up, stuck a piece of 1/4" thick foam rubber between it and the firewall and then tightened it back down. Can't hear it clicking anymore.

JumpingJackson · 09-05-2009, 08:25 PM

If your running any of these aftermarket EBCS in interrupt mode you need to remove the restrictor pill thats in the nipple on the stock turbo.

KoukiS14 · 09-05-2009, 09:08 PM

QUOTE (JumpingJackson @ Sep 5 2009, 05:25 PM)

Quote:

If your running any of these aftermarket EBCS in interrupt mode you need to remove the restrictor pill thats in the nipple on the stock turbo.[/b]

Yeah, I had it plumbed off of the BPV line temporarily.

08-12-2009, 10:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
jmhinkle Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 4,633 Thanks: 48 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	In an effort to find a better EBCS solution, I stepped up to take on the GrimmSpeed testing and tuning. Currently they are having problems sourcing a vendor to make a direct plug in solution, but I was willing to hardwire just to get the testing out of the way. They don't have a mount for our car either, so I asked then to ship one without a mount and I would make one. They sold me the '02-'05 WRX mount setup and I'm happy they did. First, here is the GrimmSpeed with the '02-'05 WRX mounting plate. Here are the two unused bolts on my dirty firewall. Hey look the GrimmSpeed holes line up perfectly. Time to buy some parts from Lowe's: 1 bag of these 1 bag of these 1 bag of these Install the grommets and squeeze the tabs tighter. Place some washers strategically and it's mounted. What about the electrical connection you ask? Here is the GrimmSpeed Subaru plug, but I pried the lock tab for the white plug holder down for your viewing pleasure. Pull the white tab out with needle nose pliers. Gently lift the metal connectors up inside the plug and slip it out the back side. At first I planned to just cut off all the connectors, but what is this? The metal connectors are the correct size. Lets make a temporary plug out of two loose connectors: First you wrap a small wire tie in the same location up high on the plug. This will keep them from touching. Then you wrap a small wire tie above the two and pull it just tight enough so the two connectors slightly flare at the end. This will make them tight in the plug. This is temporary until either GrimmSpeed gets a stock plug or I use Deutsch plugs to replace it all. Lastly double up a ziptie and go around the whole thing thru the middle of the wires to keep them plugged in. Testing time: GrimmSpeed doesn't recommend "bleed" use, and gives instructions on hooking up in interrupt mode with an unrestricted source. That will require tuning for sure. Before getting to that though I wanted to try this as a stock replacement to see if it offered better performance than the crappy stock one. It was recommended that I make sure my car wasn't goofy or out of whack, even though I think they all are, so I read through the help file from Cobb on calibrating the MAF. Well, according to Cobb's guidance, if your LTFT and STFT doesn't add up or show greater than 5%, you shouldn't mess with it. My LTFT's were .8, 1.3 and 2.3 for different throttle/MAF areas and my AFR's were running where they should. My STFT's when added to my LTFT were either closer to zero or at least under the 5% rule so I didn't mess with it any. First test was to see how the boost reacted on the stock EBCS with the AP map for Stage 2 91 Octane +SF +FMIC. Cobb's notes say it targets 18 psi and tapers to 16. My car spiked to 18 immediately dropped to 15 and tapered to 13 with the stock EBCS. Just as crappy as it ran before the AP and I always blamed the throttle control. HAH!!! I swapped over to the GrimmSpeed and took a drive on the same route. With the GrimmSpeed, boost shot right up to 17 and held steady with a slow taper to 15 by redline. So without tuning, it already works better than stock. We had a local meet and drove up the mountain here in town. 5500 feet in town to 10500 on top. Boost was exactly the same response from bottom to top, with only the loss in psi from the loss in air. At the top I was still running 12ish when all the other stock turbos were down to 9 or less IIRC. __________________ Yup, my car is stock.

09-05-2009, 01:27 AM	#2 (permalink)
jmhinkle Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 4,633 Thanks: 48 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Since I'm currently on a relocation assignment for work, I wanted to go ahead and unlock this to get the info out for everyone to at least see. I won't have the time to swap around and tune for interrupt mode for a while, but this thing is sure as shit 1 bazillion times better than my stock ever was when used as a plug and play replacement. If you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer ASAP. __________________ Yup, my car is stock.

09-05-2009, 01:38 AM	#3 (permalink)
djmarkian Mazda Guru Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 2,094 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	When will this be available?... and btw nice write up and I think Grim dont have to do much for them to make a set for our platform... __________________ 2006 Mazdaspeed 6 sport - Whitewater Pearl Engine & Drivetrain:COBB AP (stage 2+TIHS 93 FMIC), COBB SRI kit (AEM dry flow), COBB MS3 shifter weight, F2 BSD kit w/PTP tray, ATP catless downpipe, Vibrant performance HF cat, Custom FMIC, Denso 2-step colder plugs, Speedies Inlet Pipe kit, HKS SSQV (black edition), SU shifter bushings, SU rear motor mount, AWR transmission mount, AWR passenger side mount, TWM short shifter stage 1, Magnaflow exhaust, Aero Turbine resonator, Corksport muffler hangers, Top Fuel oil catch can, NRG grounding kit, Mazdaspeed oil cap, BLITZ rad cap / Suspension:H&R coilover kit, Megan Racing H-brace, GT spec trailing arm brace, Corksport front strut bar, Corksport trunk brace / Brakesf)EBC greenstuff brake pads, Stoptech slotted rotors, Techna fit brake lines, ®stock / Wheels & tires:League WKR-1 18x8 et 40, Kumho ASX 225/45-18 / Interior:Auto Exe buckskin wheel wrap, Corbeau A4 seats, Corbeau sliders, Audiolink Ipod adapter, Cable jive iphone 3g converter, Prosport boost gauge, RECARO child seat, Pre-amp+EQ by 808speed6, Apex'i mount bracket (AP) / Exterior:Smoked side and rear marker lights, flat black OEM grill, VG shark fin antenna, 35% tint all around, Carbon mirror covers / Lighting:HID 6000k low beams, HID 6000k 55w fog lights, LED brake, reverse and rear signals... Fluids:ENEOS synthetic oil 5w40, Amsoil DOT4 racing brake fluid, Royal Purple (drivetrain)... You can always rely on an ignorant person to be ignorant cause im not asian lol...

09-05-2009, 01:43 AM	#4 (permalink)
jmhinkle Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 4,633 Thanks: 48 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Grimm can't source our actual plug is the hold-up from there being a true model for us. You can buy the model I did and wire it in yourself like I did for now or do as I will soon and replace it all with kick-ass Deutsche plugs. I will keep added to this as I mess with the thing more, but I thing this thing is the best available by far after using it in person. __________________ Yup, my car is stock.

09-05-2009, 09:44 AM	#5 (permalink)
Poohster Rally Racer Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NJ Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Very interested in this development. __________________ '01 Dodge Dakota QC, Blk, 3.9L V6, 5 spd, a lot of bolt on mods. '06 Mazdaspeed6, Black Mica, Kazera KZ-V 18x7, +50 offset, Pirelli P215/45-18 PZero Nero M&S, CP-E Xcel CAI, Magnaflow Catback, SU Engine Mount, DG CF Down Forcers, Autometer Boost gauge, HKS BOV with CP-e flange, CS Strut bar, ETS 3" TMIC w/ red silicone boost tubes, SU red silicone recir. tube, RPM Sport springs and Bilstein shocks, Redline Tuning QuickLIFT, Shark Fin Antenna, CP-e PnP Standback, CP-e CDFP, MPI Upgraded K04, CP-e Vibrant Catted DP, TT Diff Front mount, TT Rear diff Bushings http://www.cardomain.com/ride/466348

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09-05-2009, 12:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
KoukiS14 Track Racer Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 360 Thanks: 0 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Nice work and good write up. Post some logs with boost and WGDC, please. Do you hear the solenoid through the firewall, or do the rubber isolators quiet it down enough? I got jealous of the other local guys having aftermarket solenoids, so I tried out a 3-port solenoid from Grainger recently. Then my car died. I think it's the fuel pump. I think I'll continue testing once I de-mod and get it back from the dealer. The whole setup was $40 and local pickup. I'd barely started to test and tune with it when the car died, but the results weren't quite as expected. I ran it in both bleed mode and interrupt mode, and it just didn't hold the boost I wanted with low WGDC. Of course, it may have been defective, failed, and took my car along with it. We'll see. Here's a pic of the setup plumbed for bleed mode with a bracket to mount to the stock location on the turbo. The plumbing for interrupt mode was far simpler, and it spiked less. Note my custom plug made with two layers of shrink wrap tubing around each wire and terminal, then a single layer to join them together. I got the terminals at AutoZone.

09-05-2009, 01:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Road Rage Rally Racer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Mn Posts: 1,847 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	very cool, keep us informed of how it works out __________________ "When you can leave black marks from the exit of every turn to the braking points of the next turn, then you have enough horsepower." "Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the back of the car. Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall. Torque is how far the wall moves after you hit it." 06 Black Cherry Mica Speed6

09-05-2009, 06:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
jmhinkle Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 4,633 Thanks: 48 Thanked 20 Times in 16 Posts Groans: 1 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	Thanks for reminding me Adam, yes I could hear it through the firewall originally. I forgot to add that to the post. To fix it, I loosened it up, stuck a piece of 1/4" thick foam rubber between it and the firewall and then tightened it back down. Can't hear it clicking anymore. __________________ Yup, my car is stock.

09-05-2009, 08:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
JumpingJackson Rally Racer Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bountiful, UT Posts: 1,096 Thanks: 0 Thanked 10 Times in 6 Posts Groans: 0 Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader: 0 reviews	If your running any of these aftermarket EBCS in interrupt mode you need to remove the restrictor pill thats in the nipple on the stock turbo. __________________ 2006 Titanium Gray MS6 Mods: Cobb AccessPort CP-E ,Turbo Inlet,Motor Mount DevilsOwn Progressive 50%/50% Water/Methanol Injection + Labonte Motorsport IFS-30 Injection Failsafe Bullseye T3 .55AR S256 Turbo ETS 3.25" TMIC Synapse Synchronic Blow Off Valve Custom Ceramic Coated T3 Exhaust Manifold , 3" T3 Downpipe, 3"-2.5" Dual Catback Exhaust, 3" MAF SRI PT-Performance Upgraded CDFP Internals Turbine Tech Rear Diff Front Mount + Street Unit Rear Diff Rear Mount Elemental Design Audio NINe.2x 760W AMP , 2x 11Kv.2 10" Subwoofers