Mazda CX-5 Forums

Technical Section => Engine/Transmission/Powertrain/Exhaust => Topic started by: zoomer on June 30, 2015, 01:30:30 pm

Title: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on June 30, 2015, 01:30:30 pm
As requested here's some info

The engine cover just pulls off.  This is a view of the Maxchip connected, follow the Maxchip box cable on the right to the end of the commonrail (the 5 silver nuts) on the left and you will see the connections.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/Aliveankikin/IMG_2350_zpsdttn9x5o.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Aliveankikin/media/IMG_2350_zpsdttn9x5o.jpg.html)

This is a close up of the connections.  1 originally was connected to 1a. So you are connecting 2 & 3 inline.

This will be very clear when you get the Maxchip box, the connections cannot be wrongly fitted as they are male & female so don't worry.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/Aliveankikin/Maxchip%20conections_zpsopglyg7z.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Aliveankikin/media/Maxchip%20conections_zpsopglyg7z.jpg.html)

This is where I tucked the Box to keep it neat & tidy.

(http://i45.photobucket.com/albums/f71/Aliveankikin/IMG_2348_zpshyeiwrvg.jpg) (http://s45.photobucket.com/user/Aliveankikin/media/IMG_2348_zpshyeiwrvg.jpg.html)

The Box is set at a standard number 3 out of 1-9 so you have to open the box to change the setting to your liking.  I set mine at number 6.  Beware number 9 is MAX and quite viscious.

I have driving with mine for about 1000 miles without any problems.  I drove the last 340 miles an B roads (all flat roads) and is returning an indicated 48 mpg.  Please note, this is managed driving, you will notice the first couple of millimetres of throttle is quite responsive, any more throttle will use a lot more fuel.  Try it before you mock it. This applies without the Maxchip as well.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: BigAl on June 30, 2015, 01:43:28 pm
Nice write up, Phil. Very helpful to have pictures showing how it sits in the engine bay.

That's also answers another question I was going to ask, whether it's a Maxchip or a Maxchip pro - obviously the latter.
https://maxchip.de/en/catalog/category/view/id/95/?xarea=5622&xmarke=94&xmotor=8917&xtyp=358 (https://maxchip.de/en/catalog/category/view/id/95/?xarea=5622&xmarke=94&xmotor=8917&xtyp=358)

Alan
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on June 30, 2015, 02:10:25 pm
Nice write up, Phil. Very helpful to have pictures showing how it sits in the engine bay.

That's also answers another question I was going to ask, whether it's a Maxchip or a Maxchip pro - obviously the latter.
https://maxchip.de/en/catalog/category/view/id/95/?xarea=5622&xmarke=94&xmotor=8917&xtyp=358 (https://maxchip.de/en/catalog/category/view/id/95/?xarea=5622&xmarke=94&xmotor=8917&xtyp=358)

Alan

Lol, you beat me to it Al

Just noticed they've changed the bhp from 230 to 221 but left the torque the same
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on July 01, 2015, 02:26:02 pm
Thanks very much for the info, much appreciated.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on July 24, 2015, 10:46:23 am
UPDATE

Just done a couple of weeks town & city driving and the fuel consumption has gone down to a steady 44.6mpg
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on August 14, 2015, 09:07:39 am
Zoomer, did you buy your box from the company direct in Germany or through someone else in the UK?  I am looking to fit one now as I have just heard back that there will be no cost to the insurance - the only difference is as I put the car through my business it is a fleet policy and I have to restrict the use of the vehicle to over 25s only which is fine as no one younger than that would be allowed the keys anyway!
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on August 31, 2015, 10:03:25 pm
Sorry for the delay, been away.  Suspect you've already got one already, but just in case:

I went straight onto the site maxchip.de (it translates automatically) Change currency, click veh selection etc etc

Happy times
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on September 07, 2015, 02:28:12 pm
Sorry for the delay, been away.  Suspect you've already got one already, but just in case:

I went straight onto the site maxchip.de (it translates automatically) Change currency, click veh selection etc etc

Happy times

Cheers for the info.  Bought one from that site and have it in hand.  Not going to fit it yet as have the car booked into the dealer to see if they can update the software on the entertainment system.  It's had a couple of issues over the last few months - once the sat nav system failed to start and said there was not a system installed and the second time I got only a black screed with "please check surroundings for safety".  In both cases restarting the car made no difference and the problem persisted but was fine after sitting overnight.  The other issue is that I can't connect my phone to the car via wifi to use the traffic updates so hopefully an update may help this.  Not much point fitting the box for a week only to have to take it out again when it goes into the dealer.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Deepjoy22 on September 07, 2015, 05:35:55 pm
Fangface - not sure what version your info/entertainment system is running on but I've just updated my system to v56.00.210 - sorted out a lot of small niggles I noticed.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on September 08, 2015, 09:47:26 am
Fangface - not sure what version your info/entertainment system is running on but I've just updated my system to v56.00.210 - sorted out a lot of small niggles I noticed.

v55.00.300 came with the car so I am hoping the new firmware sorts the few niggles out.  Fingers crossed they can put v56 on if not I will try flashing it myself.  Where did you get the v56.00.210 firmware from?
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Deepjoy22 on September 08, 2015, 01:35:16 pm
I got the v56 from this site (Mazda 3 forum) - but firmware is the same.

http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-mazda-3-skyactiv-audio-electronics/98202-mzd-connect-all-firmware-version-only-downloads.html (http://mazda3revolution.com/forums/2014-mazda-3-skyactiv-audio-electronics/98202-mzd-connect-all-firmware-version-only-downloads.html)

There's a Mazda service bulletin that describes the steps to walk though with pictures - I think that is on the same site but I've taken a copy and can send if you need it.

No noticeable problems with v56 so far myself after 4 days.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: xtrailman on October 13, 2015, 09:12:16 am
Do you have any power graphs for the magic box to compare to the original.

And how much more fuel does it use?
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on November 10, 2015, 08:51:50 am
I finally got round to fitting my Maxchip Pro last weekend and was surprised at how easy it was.

The one thing I have found is that the setting it comes delivered with is quite harsh - a noticeable increase in power but no increase in fuel efficiency so I think I will turn it down slightly.  Zoomer - you said you had turned yours down so this is more directed at you - inside the box there are 3 switches, do you need to turn all three down to the lower setting or just one of them?
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on November 25, 2015, 11:09:27 pm
I have a wheel dial inside the box marked from 0 - 9.  It was set at 3 so I turned the wheel with a small screwdriver to number 6.

I have the Maxchip Pro, have you got the same?
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on November 26, 2015, 10:20:35 am
I have a wheel dial inside the box marked from 0 - 9.  It was set at 3 so I turned the wheel with a small screwdriver to number 6.

I have the Maxchip Pro, have you got the same?

Hi Zoomer,

Yes, it is the Maxchip Pro I have and inside the box is a circuit board with three small switches which are numbered from 0 to 9 and then A, B, C.   It sounds like we have a different internal design.

I spoke with Maxchip after sales and they told me to turn down the switches from the 8 they were each set at to 6 on the top dial and 7 on the other two.  This has helped the fuel economy noticeably but I miss the big boost the box gave when set higher.  I will likely turn all switches to 7 soon to see how it behaves to try and get a balance.   
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: xtrailman on November 26, 2015, 12:07:01 pm
I don't think your method sounds sensible, its guessing.

I would go for a remap in preference to a magic box, one that checks all the sensor parameters carries out a rolling road test and prints before and after power graphs.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: zoomer on November 27, 2015, 11:38:35 am
Number 7 on all three sounds about right,  200bhp ish I would have thought.  It seems Maxchip have updated the box to give ABC settings.

Have fun lol
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on November 27, 2015, 04:45:18 pm
I don't think your method sounds sensible, its guessing.

I would go for a remap in preference to a magic box, one that checks all the sensor parameters carries out a rolling road test and prints before and after power graphs.

A remap invalidates the warranty as opposed to simply unplugging the box before a service and reconnecting after.
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: xtrailman on November 27, 2015, 05:32:41 pm
I would have thought both invalidate warranty and insurance unless the insurer has been notified.  :)
Title: Re: ChipMax tuning box
Post by: Fangface on November 28, 2015, 01:11:45 pm
I would have thought both invalidate warranty and insurance unless the insurer has been notified.  :)

My insurance is fully aware and happy with the modification.  I have my own company and have a fleet policy for all vehicles and my broker advised them of the change and the only change to the policy was that no drivers under 25 are now allowed to drive the vehicle (previously it was anyone with my permission).