I got a sport model with 4000 miles now, I recently had to get the PCM reflashed due to lack of power (we're talking pedal to the floor = 50 mph) soon after the reflash (2 days) I now get a ratcheting noise and hesitation at normal acceleration. It's happened 3 times now, anybody else here have this same problem. Also I kind of feel cheated by Mazda, they advertised a 274 hp AWD sedan only thing is you have to run a higher octane fuel (93) to achieve said 274 hp, which here in Calif it's 91 octane (same engine in Mazdaspeed3 now rated at 260 hp) Hey will a chip help in this situation?

 

1st off, i think it says it all over the place that power is made with 93 octane, so shame on you if you missed that part. second, there have been a couple people that have had issues post-reflash over on 6club, i just don't know the details on it. once tuning become available (right now have CP-E, Vishnu & Cobb all talking about seeing it end of year or so) i'm sure it will squeeze a bit more with the 91 we have out here. you can always get a boost controller for now and just set boost to say 15psi and it will hold it to redline, though not as efficient up there, it will still provide power since stock ecu cuts boost after 5500. car runs pig rich, so there's no worries at 15psi.

 

The salesguy never said anything about fuel requirements other than it ran premuim (which in Calif it's 91) I recently talked to the guy and he did the flip flop several times, I really would like to know the difference in octane and performance

 

higher the octane the less likely it is to cumbust until you want it pretty much...more controlled for higher heat engine situations. i usually do all my research before i go to buy anything, so that's why i didn't even think you'd need a salesman to tell you.

on the bright side, TQ #'s seems to be way underrated, even on those that dyno'd on 91 octane. still showing good HP #'s but it's all before 5500 and all down hill....so just learn to short shift and you'll be all good.