300zx's ELX work log

[FE3-323]

makes perfect sense to me. Alot more so then trying to alter the frame rail

[KAinjection]

It sure beats having to come up with a custom engine mount and bracket for it or butchering the stock stuff to fit.

[FE3-323]

^couldn't of said it better

[KAinjection]

So a major problem has come up after having almost completed the wiring harness. Apparently the mazda 3 has an anti-theft immobilizer system that requires the key, key antenna, pats module, and of course the ecu otherwise it won't allow the car to crank or fire the coils and injectors. I saved everything I needed but never found the pats module in the car when I was stripping it and so I didn't worry about it, until now after digging through wiring schematics and browsing forums I find out the pats module is inside the instrument cluster and the instrument cluster is long gone, I either sold it or tossed it and the cluster stores the key code, and even if I get a new cluster it would still have to be programmed by the dealer which the electronics are no longer in the original car, and to top it off they would require a VIN number from the vehicle and I don't have that either since I sent the shell for scrap and the title went with it. I now have to run a standalone or find an alternative oem solution.

[FE3-323]

most ****ty luck. is there any option to modify the internals of the ECU to eliminate that check? i feel like there has to be some way to do it.

[KAinjection]

I wish there was a solution but currently I havnt found any. I found a PDF training manual for the Mazda immobilizer system online and it explains how it all works and all the PCM is doing is getting the inhibit or enable signal through the CAN BUS from the cluster after it verifies through the key antenna that the key code is correct. If someone had a way to find out what what kind of signal the ECU was looking for I am sure it could be bypassed easily enough but this is something way beyond my knowledge.

I did send an email to the ONLY company offering ECU tuning and flash services for 04-05 Mazda 3 ECU's and asked them if they could disable it. The answer they gave was not promising but they did mention an alternative and I replied back to them to give me more details on what they are talking about. Here is the initial response:

No there is no way to do it at this point. I would suggest you use a denso ecu and harness from a 2006-2009 mx5. that can be done and we have done several for customers so far

Sincerely,
Dynotronics

[KAinjection]

I got confirmation that I only need to purchase the Miata ECU and they can bypass the immobilizer on it with no problem. Time to start shopping!

[KAinjection]

I haven't updated this one in a while yet either.....

I bought a set of brand new KSports for this car, and still need to order the Miata ECU so I can finish wiring it up.

I have a few surprises that I will be working on for this car in the future regarding suspension and brakes which translate to making improvements while losing some weight. I am also debating a new tire and wheel combo for this thing as well but going wider adds weight while I am trying to reduce it......decisions decisions

[KAinjection]

I am starting to wonder how this thing would look with some ZG flares on it.............

Anybody want to photoshop that for me?

[KAinjection]

Light weight surprises soon. Adding more aluminum to this build....

Also, why are TE37's so expensive??? I want some so bad but dont want to pay $2.5K for some wheels.

[Iantboyd]

Talk to bo. He can set you up way cheaper than that.

[atomicEGT]

are you looking at new prices or something? $2500 seems super high for TEs

[Iantboyd]

For some bg fitment te's I think you could score a nice set for less than 1300. Used of course but nice.

Expensive due to high quality forging ect. Damn fine wheels.

[KAinjection]

Yeah I was looking at new ones.

They are nice wheels and apparently about 5lb lighter then the Enkei 16's I currently have, but even at $1k for a used set is hard for me to justify the older I get, especially when the car really needs painted before it needs new wheels.

[KAinjection]

So I found a used Wilwood Miata BBK kit with 11" 2 piece rotors to try and see how well it works with the Kia knuckle. The miata kit is slightly off but I can make it work with a custom brake bracket and More than likely having to modify the caliper mounts and wilwood calipers....