JB's Journey with JBR and Stratified
 

THE JOURNEY: Origin

After visiting Jamie @jbarone; a few months ago, I sprouted the idea of taking a stock speed6 and slowly modding it while getting dyno numbers along the way. Using many constants, such as the same car, same dyno and same gas, we could find out the true difference in power with different modifications. I know that people have sort of done this throughout the years this platform has been out but I’m setting out to make this as thorough of a comparison as possible so any myths that are out there (if there are any) will be put to rest. This could also start up some good conversation regarding the platform and make it more advanced once this is all said and done.

Jamie agreed that this would be a good idea and to contact Alex @Lex; to see if he could help make this work. So, I did just that. Alex agreed to help with this project soon after I contacted him.


THE JOURNEY: Mod Path

We both came up with a modification path that made sense. This path is really just experimental and there may be another way that makes more sense to you. I will give a thorough review of what I thought about the modification path once I am done, however. I really have no idea how this is all going to turn out in the end (numbers wise).
For the sake of easiness I am going to call each set of modifications a phase.

• Phase 1: Stock
• Phase 2: HPFP Internals + Stratified 3-Port EBCV + Stratified Tune
• Phase 3: HPFP Internals + Stratified 3-Port EBCV + Whale Penis (3.5” Intake) + Retune
• Phase 4: HPFP Internals + Stratified 3-Port EBCV + Whale Penis (3.5” Intake) + TMIC + Retune
• Phase 5: HPFP Internals + Stratified 3-Port EBCV + Whale Penis (3.5” Intake) + TMIC + Downpipe + Retune
• Phase 6: HPFP Internals + Stratified 3-Port EBCV + PowerPath Intake (2.67” Intake) + TMIC + Downpipe +Retune

I understand that jumping straight to a 3.5” intake might not make much sense but it will be compared with the PowerPath in the end so a percent increase can be found. I would assume that calculating percentages throughout this experiment will keep things uniform. Just looking at the actual numbers will not do anything as it will be different for every car. I will expand on this more as I hit the dyno a few more times and do more research. Also, I have the thought that most people modding their cars will end up having an intake/dp/tmic/hpfp as those are the basics with this car, so a comparison with those mods and a different sized intake makes sense.


THE JOURNEY: Assumptions

1. The “Car”: 2006 Mazdaspeed 6. The Engine was replaced about 2 years ago and has approximately 25k on it and goes up every day as it is my DD.
2. Car had an AP hooked up to it the whole time, tunes were just changed.
3. Parts that were on the car during the stock dyno: Autotech HPFP Internals, FOMOCO stock heat range spark plugs, JBR Throttle Body TIG, JBR Trilogy Mounts, JBR OCC.
4. Parts that will be on the car throughout the tuning process: NGK IX One Step Colder Spark Plugs, JBR Throttle Body TIG, JBR Trilogy Mounts, JBR OCC
5. A 25% blend of E85 will be used throughout the tuning process. Shell 93 is what will be mixed with the E85.
6. All dyno runs performed on Cobb Plano’s dyno.

THE JOURNEY: Dyno Numbers

• Phase 1: 228whp/261wtq
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0e0c1356.jpg
  
• Phase 2: 276whp/346wtq
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps77b7bd2e.jpg
  
• Phase 3:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps56d1093a.jpg
  
• Phase 4:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7a5db65c.jpg
  
• Phase 5:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6389e212.jpg
  
• Phase 6:
  Not complete yet.
  
  ***These next few documents show the difference in power of certain phases. Only 3 can be on a graph at a time.***
  
• Phase 3 vs. 4 vs. 5:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb4386876.jpg
  
• Phase 1 vs. 5:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps2de59f16.jpg
  
• Phase 2 vs. 3 vs. 5:
  http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7076f0c4.jpg

Documentation of this whole process will be in the next few posts as well as spread throughout this thread.

I’m trying my best to do my part to help this platform further expand and just help out this site in any way I can so if there are any questions/comments you have please post them up and I will do my best to answer them or get someone that is more knowledgeable than me to chime in.

Thank you for reading,

Justin a.ka. JB a.k.a. jbmazda6 a.k.a. The Ginger Jew (True fact right here)

P.S. Thank you again to JBR and Stratified for their efforts, they are much appreciated.


THE JOURNEY: The Actual Journey

I will try my best to update this along with my posts throughout the thread. I will probably consolidate all my posts throughout this thread in this one section. Stick with me as I decide what to do!


2/24/14: Stock Out

Raise that bitch up!
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psd11b9a8e.jpg

Had to grind off the exhaust nuts at the back of the testpipe and after I took it off I found a shitload of soot inside. I found a black hole:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0c8e265a.jpg

Before:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7ec0b1cc.jpg

After:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psfeec0013.jpg

I was previously on the S-OTS stage 2 map before I went back to stock. Going back to stock made my car penis decrease in size by a few inches but I knew it would be for the better in the end. I forgot how slow a stock speed6 was.


2/25/14: Stock Dyno

I went to Cobb Plano to get my stock baseline dyno done. After three pulls on the dyno I found out what this car makes stock, 228whp/261wtq.
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps4e637531.jpg

And here's a video of the three pulls. Stock is so quiet:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob8s...ature=youtu.be

The log of the three pulls is also attached and is called "All Three Dyno Runs". Sorry about the generic name. Already uploaded it or else I'd change the name.


3/13/14: I love me some E!

After confirming the modification path with Alex I made some purchases. I acquired Stratified's 3-Port EBCV and Guardian Angel along with some NGK IX's from Edge. Somehow my NGK's got lost on the way to my house so I called up EdgeAutosport and they had a new set two day shipped to me. Thank you @JP@edgeautosport.com; (can't remember who helped me out but I talked to a few of you and you were all awesome).

Picking up the unicorn jizz:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbkafcebe.jpg

Beautiful Stratified parts:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psz4a05zas.jpg


3/17/14: Time to get Stratified!

After a long time coming (not really just felt like it) I got my first Stratified tune, a 25% E85 tune set up to work with a 3-Port EBCV in 3-Port mode along with HPFP internals. This is "Phase 1". Now that I had the first tune on my hands I could install the 3-Port and Guardian Angel.

My first impression on these parts was great. Good quality and felt solid. I wasn't a huge fan of the plastic clamps that were included and ended up only using them where the vacuum hose connected to the Stratified parts (seemed to work best here). I used the stock clamps and some I had laying around for the wastegate, boost source, bpv, etc.

After making a quick run to Autozone for extra vacuum hose and some nipples to put on the restrictor side of the wastegate I ran into a small problem. Where am I going to put these things in a stock engine bay?! Not too much space. I currently have the JBR small battery tray so I had room on the side of the intake to mount the 3-Port directly to the battery. This location should be good for the life of the car. Now.. where to mount the Guardian Angel. I decided to mount it as seen below. I just had to cut a small hose in the airbox to allow the vacuum hose nipple that is routed to the bpv to be accessible. This location allows for adjust-ability of the Guardian Angel's settings along with looking clean as fuck. I would highly suggest this location for anyone with the stock intake running this unit.

Pictures of the Guardian Angel and 3-Port mounted up:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps0dae4768.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps67e48a3b.jpg

FOMOCO's to NGK IX's. The FOMOCO's didn't have too many miles on them when I took them out (maybe a couple thousand):
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1350d0ae.jpg

After everything was installed I went out for a drive to see if the Guardian Angel was working properly (set it at the lowest setting). Sure enough when I went WOT it shut me down from what it thought was a boost spike. Did a few more adjustments and got it all set up right. What a great piece to have just for safety purposes. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. Worth the money. The 3 port is also a nice piece to have as it controls boost much better and allows for more boost up top (Mazda 3 Port Electronic Boost Control Valve [MAZ 3P EBCV (0100-0005.2)] - $85.00CAD : Stratified Automotive Controls). As I said before, both were great quality!

Now that I officially have a Stratified tune on my car I could apply the sticker:
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps1qef121w.jpg


3/30/14: Revisions, revisions, revisions!

I now have a few revisions in my pocket and the car is feeling great. It feels just about as quick, if not quicker, than when I had the S-OTS tune on it before I stocked out. The stock intake is quite restrictive and I'm not seeing flow above 245 g/sec in optimal conditions. I will be heading to the dyno (hopefully) on April 8th to get this phases numbers. Any guesses?! lol I will post a few logs, vDynos, and actual dyno info after this tune is finished. So hard waiting for each phase as I'm so excited for the next one but at the same time I'm even more excited for the ones beyond that.

I've been scouring the FS threads here while waiting, however, and picked up a CPE TMIC from @thehead;. Thanks again man.
http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvacdp7be.jpg

I am now looking to pick up a downpipe so if you know of anyone or have one for sale please let me know! I haven't seen one for sale in ages. Probably because they're such a PITA to take out.

Also, there was a North of North Dallas meet yesterday where we did a few compression tests. My car came out with 190, 190, 185, 195 going from left to right (1-4). Thank you @kevdog; for supplying the compression tester and hosting and @Cheapspeed; and @El Beaner; for helping out. Good news!

More updates coming soon!

Reserved

Subbed

Good work Justin! In for results.

I really like this approach, and even tho I have an MS3, I'm still interested to see how the mods affect an MS6.

Well the power gains he gets should translate very easily to the MS3 since it is the same platform(engine). Of course the MS3 would have higher whp/wtq numbers due to lower drive train loss but still is a good guage on what would happen.

Percentage increases will be shown along with the numbers. I personally like percentages rather than saying a part will add X amount of HP onto your car.

You beet me to it on the 3.5" intake review! Mine will be on a Genjuan tho :). I was looking for a strong base or structure to build my review because its all over the place right now! Thanks for the help ;). Gotta find things spread throughout my entire computer taking notes while doing everything haha.

This is good stuff man!

Good luck! I was kinda doing the same. Plan to spend a whole Sunday structuring and writing things up! Worth it in the end though. PM me if you need any help with anything. I'd also like to review some other stuff once my tune is all said and done so I'll be pm'ing you later this year with some questions.

Haha, hit me up man ill sure be around. Ill be sure to hit you up with any questions I may have. I didn't go as deep as you as mine is from just an intake and internals to fully bolted haha. Look forward to seeing more from you man!
@jbmazda6; Just throwing it out there but i bought the J2 Ebay DP and it has been great. Has a few cons but nothing major. Lmk if you wanna know more info on it. Cant got wrong with the M2 either.

Subbed


Sent from my iPhone using sausage fingers

Subbed, I have a 3 but essentially the same motor, can't wait to see how this goes.

Double tappin' the Moto

@JgamB; this type of tuning science seems right up your alley

Instantly caught my attention but I was waiting for results! Thanks for the mention.

Subbed!

UPDATE

4/13/14: Clutch pedal

As mentioned in the first post, I currently have the full face ACT clutch. I have had problems ever since I had it installed 2.5 years ago. I've gone through a master cylinder and now two clutch pedals. Luckily this one was salvageable.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshotjxktg.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psnifibprv.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psvrv2rvd0.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psjigoyz91.jpg

After I examined the carnage I decided that it needed some more bracing. Bracing and welds are pictured below. The clutch feels so much better now. Before I could barely get the clutch to disengage. After having so many problems I believe I may go back to stock. This clutch really isn't all that great and feels like it slips a bit. Really just wanna take it out and examine everything. The rear main seal may be toast.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps7dh2ujf1.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...pshervzjbw.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psbnsr51mw.jpg

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...pswyrj0dk1.jpg

As for updates on the tune, it is almost finished. It's taking more revisions than I thought but that's ok because it's just going to be all that much better. Will be heading to the dyno as soon as the tune is finished.

@jbmazda6; we just replaced my clutch and it turned out to be a rear main seal issue. 40,000 miles.

sent while failing

What were your symptoms? Slipping? Im always scared for my clutch lol

Sent via Tapafail

Bad rear main seal causes slipping as some oil gets onto the clutch plate/flywheel which makes it slip as the pressure plate pushes the disc onto the flywheel

nice write up

subbed

Would slip on my high horsepower tune occasionally. Some days it would slip so bad it sounded like I revved it in neutral, other days it wouldnt slip at all. There was a SLIGHT amount of oil in the small drain slot between the trans and bell housing.

sent while failing

4/21/14: More Toys

So I finally broke down and picked up a v3 off the FS section. Also, Jamie sent me a whale penis in the mail. It's beautiful.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps9tuplgid.jpg

Hoping to get to the dyno this week.

The V3 is worth every penny. Ability to see 6 different min/max values is bitchin. Congrats on the for sale score. I knew someone would snatch them up quick. Looking forward to updates.

Sent via Tapafail

You got onez too!! Nnice!

Man I'm fucking slacking, taking me forever to peice my FREEKISH review together!

Awesome man! NoND dongs are getting large!

UPDATE

4/30/14: POWAHHH

So, I was able to hit up the dyno today. Made better numbers than I thought but still need to talk over why my boost spiked towards the end of the run with Lex. Will be putting the big dong on tonight.

Also thinking about picking up an ethanol content analyzer to make sure I have the correct amount of E85 in the tank at all times. Anyone have experience with these?

Here's the dyno graph. Will get better pics soon. 276whp/346wtq for phase 1. That's +38hp/+85tq with just e and a 3-port.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps77b7bd2e.jpg

Sub

Can't wait to see the results from the next phases.

Really gonna be interesting to see how much the big dong adds to power

UPDATE

5/28/14: Dyno Day Approaching

I finally have some time to update this thread, so here it goes...

Quite a bit has happened since I last posted up on here, but at the same time not so much happened.

After the last dyno, I proceeded to install a massive penis on my car. Install wasn't as smooth as I had liked but I eventually got that SOB in place and bolted everything back up. I will post a review of the part itself in my review thread for JBR. Enjoy a picture of a big black penis:

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...psrpzih9ju.jpg

Went to go take her for the initial test drive with the new map uploaded and only made it about a 1/2 mile before the car shut off. Ended up getting towed home by my roommate and got to work on figuring out what was wrong. Don't feel like explaining everything here so I will link you to the thread I made if you would like to read up: http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...k-help-169685/

After that problem was solved I proceeded to get logs and @Lex; would make the necessary revisions for me. After a few exchanges we finally got to the last map this week.

I will be heading to the dyno this Friday to see what numbers she'll put down. Hopefully it's close to the 300whp/350 tq area. Really looking to see more power later in the rev range though.. we shall see..

STAY TUNED!

Also, during all of this I decided I would paint the cp-e intercooler I bought off a member here. Looks like new! I've got a cp-e catted downpipe waiting for install too :) super excited about the next few phases.

http://i909.photobucket.com/albums/a...pspxcoxgho.jpg

Sorry about the shitty cell phone pics this time around!

Good stuff man, wish I had the time and money to get a good break down like this step by step, dyno by dyno! I guess I'll just be comparing turbos with the peen whenever I decide to upgrade lol


Tapatalk for what!

I promise I haven't forgotten about this! Just been super busy. Will update this weekend with progress.

6 hours on a wednesday night was definitely not fun but the pizza, beer, and good company helped a lot. Sadly it is raining here so I probably will not get good fourth gear logs today.

I really hope we can finish this tune and the smaller intake tune by August 12th!

subscribed for updates!!

Where did stage 3 go?

It is conplete. Results to come. I decided I would like to finish everythung before publishing the results.

Too late. I've already switched to a 5.5" intake with a shop vac filter. My car won't idle but it pulls 600 g/s on K04.

:moon:

Anxious to see the results!

weak...I just put a shop vac filter onto the turbo...fuck a MAF housing.

very fun build to watch..keep it coming!

Almost done? I'm excited to see results since I'm doing everything pretty similar and want to know what to expect!

I would say it is complete. I am in the writeup process. It is taking longer than expected because of my workload being back at school. I am going to finish the writeup as soon as possible.

Am I the only one still waiting on the the verdict for this?

No you are not. I really would like to know how this pans out. I do like the stratified tunes and will consider sticking with them based on his findings.

@jbmazda6 Stop masturbating long enough to give everyone updates

what happened? THE WORLD WANTS RESULTS

Ok, so I finally found some documents to hold you guys over. I am extremely sorry for it taking this long. My computer is currently broken and has all the documents from this on it. Hopefully it will be fixed soon. When I get all the data back I will post data logs of everything as well as a comparison between vdyno and an actual dyno.

I did not get to complete phase 6 (the phase I was really hoping to complete) but I will hopefully get to do it this spring or summer.

There were some unexpected results but I believe that this was due to limited tuning time as well as the hot weather and crap gas in Dallas.

I would like to thank Jamie and Alex again for helping me with this. They are both very great people and I highly suggest buying their products. I wouldn't do it any other way if I were to do this all over again. Hopefully they can use these results for further development of their products and skills.

If there are any questions please let me know.

Documents are in the original post..just fyi

Awesome comparo. Phase 5 (DP installed) really shows improvements throughout the power band, with both max and average numbers higher than either phase 3 or 4. I've seen conflicting reports on the effectiveness of a DP, so this is encouraging.

The question at hand is if the roughly 10hp increase is worth the headache that is a downpipe install.

I wish JB had done a comparison with just a testpipe and then full downpipe to see what the true difference is.

I would have if I owned a money tree lol $70 a dyno adds up quick. I think i remember me and alex stating that the numbers would/should be about the same with just a test pipe on a k04. The downpipe i got has a cat in it as well. I personally believe it was worth it.. and as weird as this sounds the one thing i really liked about it is that some drone actually went away so the cars quieter at higher speeds.

This is true... The DP is truly a nightmare job. Hey @jbmazda6; what DP did you install?

I installed a cpe full length downpipe and to be honest it wasnt that bad compared to other things ive done on this car. Having someone around who has done it before would be a big help.. and having the right tools is a must. If i were to do it again i could probably do it by myself in 3 hours.

Does that 3 hour estimate include stopping to administer hand jobs?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really want to see the difference between the 3.5'' and the 2.5'' intakes. My car could not break 290hp even on ethanol with the CAI.

After I installed the 3.5'' with 3bar and GFB BPV I'm now beginning to see 300hp on my logs.