[Metallicat]

Many Mazda 3 owners (as well as some others with drive-by-wire throttle controls) have been running an electrical wire from their throttle body to the negative terminal of the battery. This mod is quite popular amongst the 2.3 Mazda crowd - claims of smoother power delivery are everywhere. Well, I tried it tonight and it made absolutely no difference in my car. I really didn't expect it to, but it is a 2 mintute mod so I thought I would give it a whirl. But my throttle response is almost instantaneous now since I am SCT tuned, so perhaps it might make a difference on a stock car. At any rate, it seems that the Mazda folks with the 2.3 have had some problems with their ECU calibrations and this mod helps in some cases.

 

[swoop1156]

Does this do anything with the V6 in a Fusion, or Mazda 6?

 

[Metallicat]

A while back, I read about certain Mazda 6 owners doing this exact same thing.  Evidently, their 220hp didn't feel much like 220hp, and this was a mod that made a real difference.  You can certainly try it, but with your tune I doubt that you will notice anything.  I just ran an electrical wire from one of the TB bolts to the negative terminal.  This is also a popular mod amongst newer F150 owners with the wire-controlled throttle.  You can read a TON of information about this mod from the Mazda3 Forum link on this site.  It appears that the Mazda ECU is not tuner friendly either.     

[quote author=swoop1156 link=topic=50121.msg792225#msg792225 date=1151540369]
Does this do anything with the V6 in a Fusion, or Mazda 6?
[/quote]

 

[Metallicat]

http://www.mazda3forums.com/index.php?topic=8848.0

Go here for more info!

 

[cos]

MetalliCat,

Thanks for update!     Looks like the Mazda 3 forum is the place to get tips 'n tricks. I'm going to try this grounding mod on my 2.3 I-4.

 

[dtrkted]

how has this worked out? i wanna try it on my 4-cyl auto

 

[dtrkted]

i did the mod on my 4-cyl auto and call me mental, but i feel like the gears shift smoother and the response when i push the pedal is quicker. especially when i'm doing about 25-30 and i stomp the pedal, i don't get that kick when the car revs high. nice and smooth. maybe it's just me...

 

[mz6zoomzoom]

I'm one of the people that thinks this was just in the mind of those that thought it made their cars better, but it certainly can't hurt.

 

[Metallicat]

what "kick" are you refering to? when it shifts or something else?

[quote author=dtrkted link=topic=50121.msg795685#msg795685 date=1151688638]
i did the mod on my 4-cyl auto and call me mental, but i feel like the gears shift smoother and the response when i push the pedal is quicker. especially when i'm doing about 25-30 and i stomp the pedal, i don't get that kick when the car revs high. nice and smooth. maybe it's just me...
[/quote]

 

[dtrkted]

yeah, when you hit the pedal, i guess the car downshifts and revs up. i used to get a little jolt when it would do that. just a kick.

 

[Metallicat]

I put the wire back on tonight and will test more completely this week. I still don't notice anything different, but want to see if the "hanging rev" syndrome is lessened. So far I haven't noticed any differences but will test with and without to report any findings. It is the easiest of all mods to do / undo. I may just end up leaving it in since it is there now...

 

[brainfreeze]

Do an ABX test. Have a friend change the wire randomly on and off with out telling you which way it is. Then write down if you think its on or off. Do it as many times as you can but at least 10. If you get more then 50% (like 75%-100%) it should tell you that its working. (or you need to head to vegas quick you lucky dog).

 

[Metallicat]

After testing for the past 2 weeks, the TB grounding mod makes zero difference on my car. Can't tell if it is in or out.