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My OV Tune review thread--2018 Mazda 6 GT 2.5 Turbo

65K views 176 replies 26 participants last post by  TalonTsi90 
#1 ·
I thought I would start a separate thread to chronicle the process and review the tune. I have just received my software license key, so I will be getting the needed vehicle information, doing a stock ECU file dump to send to OV, and start datalogging, etc. Once I receive my first tune, I will be back with a review. I hope to have the vehicle information and stock ECU dump to OV by mid-week next week. I will get as much to them as I can on Monday.
 
#8 ·
Right now they are concentrating on figuring out all of the files as well as concentrating on reliability as well as power which is fine with me. 30+whp and wtq is where they are falling currently, but I believe they have mostly been working with CX-9s, so the 6 may do a little better. They really want to get around 45-50whp and wtq as that would be a nice number that would be feasible without hurting reliability.


Remember, this is on a fully stock engine. It would be possible to gain even more peak torque, but with stock component reliability still a relative unknown, it would be better to just concentrate with total power under the curve.
 
#3 ·
Nice! Thanks for the keeping us in the loop. I'll be eagerly waiting for your updates.
 
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#4 ·
Subbed! I have the CorkSport Intake for my CX-9 as well, just haven't installed it yet. I plan to do some of the same mods as you, like the intercooler and intercooler piping upgrade (if they release it for the CX-9).

Regarding the Pedal Commander, will you be using it with the tune, or will you be removing it? From what I understand, they can adjust throttle response just like the Pedal Commander can, but you would lose the ability to switch throttle response behaviour on the fly.
 
#6 ·
You can use the Pedal Commander with the tune, you just need to disable it during datalogging. I ordered the throttle calibration enhancement, but according to OV they have not broken into those files on the ECU yet. When they are available I will get an update. When that happens, I will probably take off the Pedal Commander (IF the throttle calibration is up to my expectations, which it should be from previous experience).
 
#7 ·
I got my Device and VIN keys today so I will be able to send them my 1:1 ECU dump as well as my first datalog. I am going to try to do that this evening.
 
#10 ·
Sent my ECU dump and first datalog yesterday evening. I forgot how doggy the throttle felt without the Pedal Commander turned on! Glad to have that over and be able to turn it back on.
 
#11 ·
What did the tune cost you? Including shipping, taxes, etc.
 
#12 ·
Their regular price is $479 for the software, hardware, and tuning service. I already had the software and hardware from a previous tune on another Mazda, so I am only paying for the tuning service. I would rather not say how much as I am just happy they cut me a deal.
 
#13 ·
Haven't heard for OV yet since sending my ECU dump and 1st logs. Hopefully this week.
 
#14 ·
I am finishing up my tuning (6th tune) at the moment and I heard they are pretty swamped, my personal experience has been to typically expect a 2+ week response time given how busy they are. But they do eventually reply haha!
 
#17 ·
Mat contacted me this morning and said they were finishing some dyno work on this platform before they send out my tune. He made it seem like they were finalizing the tune, or were at least close to what they wanted to do. Of course I will have multiple iterations to fine-tune it for my car, but it sound promising. I didn't ask him about the throttle tables. I'll worry about that after I get my first tune. I told him he spoiled me on my CX-3 as his responses with tune updates were a matter of a couple of days ;-).
 
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#18 · (Edited)
Mat contacted me this morning and said they were finishing some dyno work on this platform before they send out my tune. He made it seem like they were finalizing the tune, or were at least close to what they wanted to do. Of course I will have multiple iterations to fine-tune it for my car, but it sound promising. I didn't ask him about the throttle tables. I'll worry about that after I get my first tune. I told him he spoiled me on my CX-3 as his responses with tune updates were a matter of a couple of days ?.
This is exciting to hear, what are the final hp and tq numbers they're aiming for, is it still 45-50whp? I'm assuming the tune is based on 91 octane?
 
#20 · (Edited)
Isn't the choice of AKI 93 a pretty radical choice, say, versus AKI 91? I would think that 93 AKI may not be available if you travel, at least in some areas. Here in SW British Columbia (Canada) we can get ethanol free AKI 94... but only in BC. 91 or 92 is pretty easily available everywhere. The other thing about choosing a tune for a slightly lower AKI and then running a higher grade fuel is that any tendency to quell the knocking by richening the mixture would be curbed. Not that these engines (at least in a stock tuning state) have any tendency to dilute motor oil with fuel (like the turbo'd Honda's do).
 
#21 ·
In the USA, unless you live in the crazy land known as California (which only has 91), 93 is plentiful. A radical choice would have been E85 as its availability is scattered in some states.
 
#22 ·
Here in AZ we only have 91 in most places.

I have a question on what happens to Sport mode after the tune? Does the new tune have two different maps, one for regular driving and one for Sport mode? Or does Sport mode become redundant with a new tune?
 
#28 ·
Not a thing... I am supposed to be waiting for the car they are developing the tune on to return to the dyno. Apparently I am at the mercy of someone else's whim. Not exactly ecstatic right now, but I am being patient.
 
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#26 ·
I have zero experience with OV and Mazda tuning but I own a tuned Taurus SHO. In my tuner I have an 87, 91 and 93 tunes plus the stock file. If I have a hard time finding 93 octane fuel (94 in Canada) all I have to do is load a lower octane tune, it takes 2 minutes.

A relatively new company (Gearhead) is now offering a multi-octane tune for the Ecoboost, parameters auto-adjust depending on the fuel you add by reading what the knock sensor sees. You guys tuning the 6 should ask OV if they can come up with something like this.

Do you guys need to change your thermostat and MAP sensor with your tune?
 
#27 ·
I didn't replace anything on the car, everything is stock. If I want more power, then I'll have to do some modifications to the exhaust manifold.

All I have to "brag" about is the 20 wheel horsepower on the Dyno results but honestly, I can't tell the difference or perhaps I got used to it. I think that's what I might have missed when you do the tune one at a time and not like what I did with one shot hit on the dynamometer.

One thing that I know, fuel consumption has improved. I can only get 23 km/L but now, I can get 25/L.

On different octane ratings, I believe that the computer handles it automatically. It will adjust the ignition timing depending on the sensors.

I have a diesel variant, so I might be wrong.
 
#31 ·
I don't think so but I might be wrong. Last time the dealer checked the car, they used a computer to check the code. The guy who did it didn't say anything.

Regarding the stock ECU, if that's the right word, it is possible to return it. All you have to do is upload it to the car.
 
#32 ·
Update... Nothing yet. No response to my last email inquiry.
 
#33 ·
Still nothing...
 
#37 ·
First tune file installed!!!!

I haven't driven it yet. I've had a long day, so I will report back tomorrow.

I'll try to get logs by the end of the week, but I have a 4 day vacation coming up on Thursday, so it might not be till next week.
 
#38 ·
If you have a turbo car, theres no reason you shouldn't have a 3" turbo back (or cat back at least). Wish for more than 20hp on stock pipes is a literal pipe dream. Now ill sit back and wait for the "you need back pressure" comments...
 
#40 ·
Definitely do NOT want back pressure. I agree this platform needs a good 3" system (minimum) from the turbo back to make any real power, but there are no downpipes available yet and I will be damned if I pay $1000 for a Corksport exhaust no matter how "pretty" it is.

Sorry to disappoint you. You won't hear "needs backpressure" from me...?
 
#39 ·
There are actually a slew of things to consider about getting a full 3" turbo back on an unknown platform but here are a couple things related to OP.

1: In my experience, it's not hard at all to get over 20HP without upgrading anything in the exhaust at all as long as you're tuning a forced induction car. Depends on the car though.
2: Depending on the size of the wastegate on the OEM turbo, a full turboback system can introduce boost creep problems where the ECU is unable to bypass enough exhaust through the wastegate to keep the turbo from continuing to build more and more boost out of control as the RPMs rise. More flow is great as long as you can maintain control of the boost.

Frankly, not enough stuff done to these 2.5T engines for us to know these answers yet
 
#41 ·
I agree that we are in unknown territory...
 
#42 ·
So I drove about 20 miles so far today in various conditions. From previous experience I know that OVT sends you a VERY conservative tune for your first so that they can see from the logs how the engine will react to tweaks, so I wasn't expecting much. Here is what I can say: better idle, smoother and better throttle response, can feel extra torque under the curve with no spikes, seems to pull much more smoothly to redline without feeling like it's going to fall off of a cliff...

I'll datalog as soon as I can and send it back to OVT for tune #2 which will be more aggressive.
 
#47 ·
Mat contacted me today and is working on my second tune file. He said the log from tune 1 looked good and that he is working on the boost tables for this second round.
 
#49 ·
Second tune file loaded. I'll drive it to and from work the next couple of days and then do some logs. I'll report back either tomorrow or the day after.
 
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