Racing Performance Works - your new WA Tuner for Mazda Vehicles

[Mitsiman]

First of all a big thank you to the forums for allowing us to come on board.

Some information first about us

Racing Performance Works - known more commonly as RPW, we have for many years been specialising in Mitsubishi Performance which is what we were best known for.

We branched out into Haltech ECU systems, which now also includes Links, Vipec, Greddy, Apexi, Power Fc, Xede and recently HKS as well. Through this we started doing tuning on many different makes and model vehicles, which led us to purchase our own Dynapack Hub Dyno.

Continuing our Mitsubishi tradition, we then got involved with the reflashing of Mitsubishi ECU's which now makes up 50% of our tuning work. This started with the EVO range, but we are now pioneering the software into the Lancer, Ralliart Colt Turbo and now the 4wd range as well.

Looking ahead, we forsaw that the future of vehicle tuning, for the majority of owners is reflashing factory ecus. The number of people using full aftermarker ecu's and piggy backs are diminishing as the factory systems get more complicated and involved, especially with drive by wire throttle mapping and involved check engine codes. The Mitsubishi ralliart colt was a perfect example of this, with integrated turbo, drive by wire and nazi fanatic style ecu which would not let us modify anything. We spent 2 years developing software and tuning packages for these vehicles, and now they are becoming heavily modified cars.

Expanding on this further, we decided to branch out into other makes and model vehicles in these specific areas. The first new models we are adding to our range is the Mazda range, followed by the Mini / BMW and then the Nissan range.

Now to the Mazda range

We have purchased two lots of software, the Mazda edit software for the 1st generation vehicles, and a new software called MMC Flasher which is working on the 1st and 2nd generation vehicles.

Once we get this software, which is arriving in the next few weeks, we will then endeavour to get several vehicles in and provide some discounted tuning so that we can become familiar with teh software and the vehicles in question. Find out what makes them tick and get the best results out of them. This enables us to setup some basemaps which are then used as the foundation for future tuning.

Like our other reflashing, we find that the best system is to setup a range of basemaps, for specific modifications, then load those maps into the customers vehicle, and then fine tune the car on the dyno to optimise it. This reduces the time on the dyno and is the main reason why we can offer tuning for significantly less than our opposition. You still get a custom full tune, but we utilise our experience and history with the vehicles to produce tunes that have the majority of work already done.

Examples of this are best found in the Mitsubishi EVO X range, we do a tune for these for $450.00 on average. Our competitors are charging between $750 - $1250.00 to do the same work.

To clarify though, you are still going to get a custom full tune on the vehicle, maximising power, torque and boost (Where applicable) to suit your vehicles specific modifications and capabilities. We are just short cutting the time we need to spend on the dyno by pre loading a set of defined maps already. Why pay to do the same tune on teh vehicles over and over all the time.

I am the tuner myself so I am certainly able and willing to answer any questions about what we do and how we do it.

As I start on these vehicles, I will outline more information and results, but suffice to say, no vehicle I have ever tuned has had an engine failure on the street or track as a result of the tuning we did. We take pride in that fact. I know that some tuners have retuned cars we have done, and been able to get another 5 - 10hp out of them, but my philosophy is to ensure that we provide a powerful and SAFE tune for the customer. One that allows room for error. If they get the wrong fuel, an intercooler pipe falls off or something that can result in altering the tune, we have left a saftey margin.

If a customer wishes me to tune his vehicle with "Less" of a saftey margin then i will do so with orf course appropiate warnings.

Well enough said. Our focus is to provide tuning services for WA Clients, although we are happy to help out eastern states clients and international as well if needed.

Feedback

One final thing, RPW has been in business for a very long time - 30 years to date. Unfortunatly over the years we have had some issues with customers, some our own fault, some customer issues etc. Many of these have occurred years ago, most of them in excess of 10 years ago with different staff, and with different tuners.

Unfortunatly there are a group of people who in other forums who continue to harbour on these events that happened so long ago. We just ask that if you do hear comments or feedback from people which are negative in light, ask first when did it happen? And most importantly does it relate to tuning a vehicle. You will find it doesn't. I am sorry that I have to mention this but these people are very loud and have made it there life choice to try and demean our business at any opportunity they can.

I beleive that over time, people will see the qaulity of our tuning work and have full confidence to both come to us as well as refer us as well.

We are not looking for mechanical work here, although if people wish to come to us for mechanical work we are happy to oblige.

We are also a dealer for the following product lines which I beleive can complement our tuning work

(A) TurboXS Exhaust Systems
(B) CES Exhaust systems
(C) Autobahn88 Products (Intercooler pipes, induciton kits etc)

We will update our website with mazda products and look to provide an aftermarket product support as well.

I look forward to meeting and discussing this with members in the future.

[240MPS]

Great write up, appreciate the honesty, but unfortunately there are knockers in this place of ours,( Not this forum of course in general ) wish you all the luck and welcome again....
Cheers
Rino

[SarcasticOne]

as rino said, great post to introduce your business
appreciate the honesty, and it's good to see that you have admitted that there was problems in the past, you've worked to rectifiy them

just one question, am not in WA myself, but figure it needs to be asked for those over there...

Now to the Mazda range

We have purchased two lots of software, the Mazda edit software for the 1st generation vehicles, and a new software called MMC Flasher which is working on the 1st and 2nd generation vehicles.

Once we get this software, which is arriving in the next few weeks, we will then endeavour to get several vehicles in and provide some discounted tuning so that we can become familiar with teh software and the vehicles in question. Find out what makes them tick and get the best results out of them. This enables us to setup some basemaps which are then used as the foundation for future tuning.

Like our other reflashing, we find that the best system is to setup a range of basemaps, for specific modifications, then load those maps into the customers vehicle, and then fine tune the car on the dyno to optimise it. This reduces the time on the dyno and is the main reason why we can offer tuning for significantly less than our opposition. You still get a custom full tune, but we utilise our experience and history with the vehicles to produce tunes that have the majority of work already done.

Examples of this are best found in the Mitsubishi EVO X range, we do a tune for these for $450.00 on average. Our competitors are charging between $750 - $1250.00 to do the same work.

To clarify though, you are still going to get a custom full tune on the vehicle, maximising power, torque and boost (Where applicable) to suit your vehicles specific modifications and capabilities. We are just short cutting the time we need to spend on the dyno by pre loading a set of defined maps already. Why pay to do the same tune on teh vehicles over and over all the time.

I am the tuner myself so I am certainly able and willing to answer any questions about what we do and how we do it.

As I start on these vehicles, I will outline more information and results, but suffice to say, no vehicle I have ever tuned has had an engine failure on the street or track as a result of the tuning we did. We take pride in that fact. I know that some tuners have retuned cars we have done, and been able to get another 5 - 10hp out of them, but my philosophy is to ensure that we provide a powerful and SAFE tune for the customer. One that allows room for error. If they get the wrong fuel, an intercooler pipe falls off or something that can result in altering the tune, we have left a saftey margin.

If a customer wishes me to tune his vehicle with "Less" of a saftey margin then i will do so with orf course appropiate warnings.

Well enough said. Our focus is to provide tuning services for WA Clients, although we are happy to help out eastern states clients and international as well if needed.

does this mean you'll have a "general" map for someone who has an intake/exhaust (for example) and from there you'll fine tune it for the person's car?

[Mitsiman]

Thanks for the feedback - yes i have been working hard over the years to rectify previous issues. A lot of them came about from a business growing too fast with not enough staff and too much varying type of work. We are more focused now with more experienced staff.

does this mean you'll have a "general" map for someone who has an intake/exhaust (for example) and from there you'll fine tune it for the person's car?

Thats it exactly

[kmh001]

Welcome. I've been holding back on a turbo upgrade due to the lack of custom tuning for MPS vehicles in Perth, so I'm very glad that you are plugging that gap and I can now go ahead with the hardware part of the upgrade. On the software side my requirement is for a conservative tune with no issues and little risk, so I appreciate your philosophy of tuning for safety. I'll take whatever hp numbers come out at the other end and I'm happy to leave the pursuit of hp targets to the young guys. What matters to me is how the car drives after the tune - specifically the mid-range where my engine spends 99.9% of its time.

On the issue of safety there is a lot of history with these Mazda DI engines in terms of unexplained failures – particularly involving stock engines operating at low to mid rpm. These particular failures have been discussed to death in various Mazda forums around the world with many theories put forward, but the cause has never been determined. To cut a long story short, I’ve come very close to the same failure mode 3 or 4 times and I’m convinced there is a software bug that can result in anomalous engine operation which can kill these engines when you least expect it.

Possibly related to this software issue is the fact that many MPS’s, mine included, have a distinct period of misfire following gear changes – but only when the PCM has adapted to moderate driving conditions. When you give these cars a bit of stick there is no misfire and no mysterious engine failures (only obvious engine failures). One of the members here has a custom tune and still has the misfire. So my question is, do these new tuning packages provide the capability to find dodgy code or are they limited to tuning?

[Mitsiman]

Thats interesting information. With good datalogging over time I am sure if we worked on it we could research this issue in the midrange and see what the problem is. Whether it be an ignition timing / detonation issue, or maybe the factory ecu leaning out too much with an overlap on the long term fuel trims. At this stage I can only say I am happy to look into it with a dedicated customer who is prepared to do lots of datalogging and retain the information. Anything that works towards resolving issues like this is better for the community as a whole.

[Yeldarb]

If I post you my ECU (scary, I know), can you give it a "basic tune"?

I have the standard set of mods like most members. Could you tune the ECU to these known products?
It's similar in theory to a Hypertech tune. I have mod A, B and C. The Hypertech module remaps the ECU based on this formula.

But if you do it then you're adding your years of experience, you're based in Australia and I imagine there would be a limited warranty to your work.

Just a thought.

[LittleredMPS]

Honestly mate, you couldnt get in any more trouble with the performance community than unichip did lol.

Looking forwards to seeing what you come up with for the MPS's.

[MattMPS3]

Honestly mate, you couldnt get in any more trouble with the performance community than unichip did lol.

Looking forwards to seeing what you come up with for the MPS's.

I'll see your unichip and raise you a piasini flash

Welcome to the forum RPW, good to have you on board .

[guitar69]

From those of us here in Perth, a warm welcome to the forums.
I look forward to coming and seeing you in the next few weeks to chat about various options.
Best wishes with this new part of your business venture.