N2MB Racing MS6 WOT Box Review
 

N2MB Racing Products WOT BOX Review

N2MB Racing is an electronics firm who, up until now, built many electronic devices for the Dodge SRT-4 community. Their products cover devices that remove failure codes from transmissions, allow DAB and HOM functions to Mopar Stage 3 without toys kits and lastly, the WOT box that we are looking at today. N2MB Racing has branched out to quite a few brands lately and plan to release even more products in the future.

So, what IS the WOT Box? Per their description, The WOT Box is an electronic device that makes WOT shifting easy by reducing your engine's power for a very short timed period while you shift.

Ever grind third gear in your speed, while your foot is planted to the floor with the clutch engaged WOT? Yes, many of us have. Even adding a rear mount didn't actually solve the problem. Well, this little device allows the syncros and gears in your transmission to mesh properly, eliminating that ugly "grind" we have all seen. The most unique thing about the WOT Box is its ability to allow anyone, WOT shifting through the gears.

What is WOT shifting? WOT shifting has several different names. Powershifting, no lift shifting and flat foot shifting are several well known names. Its when you keep the gas pedal planted to floor, while quickly engaging the clutch and slamming it into the next gear. Best know practices is to do this 500 rpms before your target redline. If done quickly, you will have a quick, clean shift, without any drop in power. With a WOT Box installed though, you can literally take it all the way to redline, providing the obvious benifits of doing so.

So how does it work? Well, although complicated, the guys at N2MB Racing have dipped into the technology era and intercept the signals from the sensors and the computer to accomplish a clean, low load, powershifting, system. Since the clutch uses a lockout switch that doesn't allow the car to start unless fully engaged, is the first piece to the puzzle on the WOT box. When the box senses the second the clutch is engaged, it reduces the engines power by cutting the power to the ignition coils. This, helps reduce the load from the engine, to the driveline. The beauty of this WOT Box is, the user has complete control of this "timing" event that occurs between the engagement of the clutch, to the timing of the ignition coils being cut. The box is capable of controlling ignition from 25 milliseconds to 700 milliseconds in 25 millisecond increments. This takes the difficulty of WOT Shifting and brings it to the masses who lack the "Driver Mod" that others are so lucky to have. The advantages of this device are:

• Lower ETs - Up To 3/10's reduction in 1/4 Times
• Reduced chance of missing a gear
• More consistent, effortless shifts
• Reduced wear on the transmission
• Reduced chance of major transmission damage
• User Upgradable at any time via firmware flashing

One other available feature of this device is... the 2 Step feature, which is an option that can be added onto a WOT Box. 2-Step Launch Control allows you to program a desired launch RPM, then if you press the clutch and subsequently floor the gas, the engine will rev up and the WOT Box will kick in to hold your desired RPM. It will cut spark to accomplish this while fuel remains flowing, providing a generic version of anti-lag. The turbo will develop boost due to this simple but effective antilag. Best used if you have slicks or, a Mazdaspeed 6 with AWD as tested today. So, without further delay, lets walk you through a basic install of the WOT Box on a Mazdaspeed 6 performed by our own staff member, Andy Ellis (Ate Baller)[multipage=Installation]


WOT Box Installation Instructions – Mazdaspeed 6

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...wot/pinout.jpg

Installation Instructions
NOTE: If you have a CDI (capacitive discharge ignition system) please contact us at support@n2mb.com for additional instructions. Damage to your WOT Box can occur if the installation is not completed correctly!

Please refer to the attached wiring diagrams to aid in identifying the terminals mentioned in these instructions. If you need help with the installation, please email support@n2mb.com.

Tools needed:
wire cutters/strippers
crimping tool or pliers
soldering iron
solder
ratchet/extension
8mm, 10mm and 12mm sockets
Heat gun or Lighter
flashlight
drill w/ 3/4" bit

1: Pop the hood and disconnect the negative terminal on your battery using an 8mm socket and ratchet. Secure the harness safely away from the battery terminal.

2: Locate the 18 AWG BLACK, GREEN, BLUE and YELLOW wires from the WOT Box. Cut them to about 3’. You will not need all of the wire provided. Leave the RED / BLACK wire at its full length for now. It will be cut down later.

3: Slide the driver's seat all the way back, or remove it referring to a workshop manual for instructions. Lay down on the floorboard under the dash, looking up behind the dash. On your right-hand side (closest to the driver's side door), you will find the ECU. As you lay there, you will notice there are four connectors plugged into the ECU. We will be working with the connectors 1, 2, and 3 (the three closest to the passenger's side). They are labeled from left to right (passenger's side to driver's side)

4: On the first connector, locate the 1H WHITE / GREEN Clutch Pedal Position Switch wire and carefully strip back some of its insulation. See the attached ECU pinout diagrams for more information. Be sure not to break the wire. Connect the 18 AWG GREEN wire from the WOT Box to the 1H WHITE / GREEN Clutch Pedal Position Switch wire. Solder the connection and cover with electrical tape. Be careful not to solder over your head and always wear safety glasses while soldering!

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20012.jpg

5: On the second connector, locate the 2C GREEN Crankshaft Position sensor wire and carefully strip back some of its insulation. Be sure not to break the wire. Connect the 18 AWG YELLOW wire from the WOT Box to the 2C GREEN Crankshaft Position sensor wire. Solder the connection and cover with electrical tape.

6: On the third connector, locate the 3D WHITE Accelerator Pedal Position wire and carefully strip back some of its insulation. Be sure not to break the wire. Connect the 18 AWG BLUE wire from the WOT Box to the 3D WHITE Accelerator Pedal Position sensor wire. Solder the connection and cover with electrical tape.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20014.jpg

7: Locate the primary grommet in the firewall, shown below.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20019.jpg

You will have to route the 16 AWG RED / BLACK double-wire through that grommet. Using a coat hanger or other object, poke a hole in the grommet. Be careful not to damage the wiring harness that is already there. Tape the 16 AWG RED / BLACK wire to the coat hanger and use it to pull the wire through the grommet.

8: Now, back in the engine bay, remove the top mount intercooler shroud using the 10mm socket. Next to the intercooler, where the shroud's 'flap' was at, you will see a grey and a black connector shown below.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20016.jpg

We are interested in the black one. Disconnect the connector, and pull the driver's side portion under all the evap components to better access the harness. On the bottom side of the clip, there is a BLACK/WHITE/GREY SPOTTED wire that corresponds to a GREEN wire on the other connector. This is the ignition power wire. Cut that wire and strip back each end about 5/8".

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20017.jpg
http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20023.jpg

Route the 16 AWG RED / BLACK double-wire to this location. Split apart about 6" of the 16 AWG RED / BLACK wire from the WOT Box. Strip the ends of the wire and slide two pieces of provided heat shrink tubing over the wires.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20024.jpg

Connect the 16 AWG RED wire to the side of the BLACK/WHITE/GREY SPOTTED wire that is going away from the connector. Connect the 16 AWG BLACK wire to the side of the BLACK/WHITE/GREY SPOTTED wire that is going towards the connector as shown. Solder the connection and use the provided heat shrink tubing to cover the connection. Tape up the harness and reconnect the connector.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20018.jpg

9: Back in the passenger compartment; remove the whole interior panel covering the interior fuse box (not just the insert). Looking at the lower portion, you will see a bolt that holds the bracket to the frame (the fuzzy one behind the looms in the pic below).

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20021.jpg

We will be using this as the grounding location. Using the provided ring terminal, attach the 18 AWG BLACK wire from the WOT Box to this ground connection. You can cut the black wire to about 18", but be sure to leave enough wire so that the harness will have enough slack to make the WOT Box accessible in the knee compartment once reinstalled. Be sure to crimp the ring terminal connection solidly and solder if possible. Use the 12mm socket to remove the bolt, and replace with the terminal connector in place.

9: Next, you will need to drill a 3/4" hole in the right/back of the knee compartment pocket (the moving peice). Don't worry, it will be out of sight. Run the WOT Box wiring harness connector through this hole, into the compartment.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20015.jpg

Connect the WOT Box to the connector.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20020.jpg

Reconnect the ground terminal on the battery.
Before taping everything up, key the car "ON" to ensure everything is working properly.

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...ture%20022.jpg

Once you verify proper operation, tape up all connections, bundle all associated wires, and clean up any messes.
Troubleshooting - Testing the WOT Box
1. Key on the car but do not start the engine. Quickly press the gas pedal to the floor. You should see the LED on the WOT Box start to rapidly blink. If it does not, check your APP sensor signal connection.
2. Next, with the gas pedal still depressed, press the clutch pedal to the floor. You should see the LED on the WOT Box briefly go out, and then come back on solid for one second and then finally resume blinking rapidly. If you do not see this, check your Clutch Pedal Position Switch signal connection.
3. Next, start the engine. Quickly press the gas pedal to the floor and immediately step on the clutch. You should hear the engine start to rev up, stumble for a short period while the ignition is cut, then return back on and continue rev'ing. Remove your foot from the gas before you hit the rev limiter. The 2-step will not engage if the gas is depressed before the clutch. This is normal. If the engine does not stumble or pause when the LED turns out, then check the red/black paired wire. Verify that the RED and BLACK 16 AWG are wired facing the proper way. If they are reversed, the ignition cut will not work.
4. Lastly, test the 2-Step. Press the clutch pedal down and then quickly press the gas pedal all the way down. The gas pedal must be floored for the 2-step to engage. The engine should rev up to the desired RPM and hold. If it does not, be sure to remove your foot from the gas before you hit the rev limiter. If the 2-step does not work, check the Crankshaft Position Sensor connection. [multipage=Usage]

Usage
To use the WOT Shift feature, keep your foot fully on the gas and shift quickly using the clutch. Keep the gas fully depressed through the shift. The WOT Box will detect the clutch switch signal and briefly cut the ignition to enable an effortless shift.

To use the 2-Step feature, fully depress the clutch. Next, fully depress the gas pedal to the floor. The engine will rev up and hold the RPM that you have set. Quickly release the clutch while leaving the gas fully depressed to launch the car.

Programming
The WOT Box version 2.1 and up comes preset for an automatic WOT Shift kill time. This means that the WOT Box will automatically adjust the kill time to your shift time, up to a maximum of 350 ms. If you would like manual control over the WOT Shift kill time, start the car and hold down the button on the module and wait for the LED to begin to blink. Using the chart below, find the number of blinks that corresponds to the kill time that you want to set. Setting 0 blinks will disable the WOT Shift feature and setting 1 blink will set the automatic kill time mode. When you have reached the number of blinks that match your desired setting, simply let go of the button. To confirm, the WOT Box will blink back out the setting you entered.


The WOT Box comes preset for a 2-step RPM of 4000. To set the 2-Step RPM, repeat the same procedure described above, but keep the clutch down during the entire operation. This will signify to the WOT Box that you want to set the 2-step RPM and not the WOT Shift kill time. Use the second chart provided below to match up the desired RPM with the number of blinks. Setting 0 blinks will disable the 2-Step feature.[multipage=Programming Charts / ECU harness pinouts]

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...gncutchart.jpg

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...2stepchart.jpg

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...s/wot/con1.jpg

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...s/wot/con2.jpg

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/pics...s/wot/con3.jpg[multipage=Conclusion]

I have been using this device daily for two weeks now, and I can say with all honesty that I love it. Even though, I have not had a chance to utilize the 2-step launch control (due to rear differential issues), the WOT shifting is pretty damn amazing. I can take it all the way to redline (~6700rpm), stab the clutch in, bang to the next gear, and dump it, all without ever taking my foot off the gas.

For everyday driving, it's just fun as hell. For the 1/4 mile or even the 1/8 mile, it's a no-brainer.

It eliminates any inconsistency with your shift, so long as you don't miss the gear. The 2-step will make launching completely consistent, time after time. With this device installed, the only factors for inconsistency left are reaction time, shifting rpm, track conditions, and driver error. Once I get my diff squared away, I know the launching is going to be, with lack of a better term, perfect. When that happens, I'll be off to the track with a friend and a video camera to get some real world performance gains.

I've tested the 2-step as far as initiating it and adjusting it, and it is spot on. Can't really test the acuracy of the miliseconds of ignition cut between shifts, but I think it's safe to say, the guys at N2MB Racing really know their stuff when it comes to electroncs. Not that they're nerds, but their track record with previous customers deffinately speaks for itself. (pun intended)

Awesome support too. I had an issue with my laptop being the POS that it is and not wanting to read through the serial-usb converter provided with the WOT Box free of charge, and they went out of their way to figure out what the hell was wrong, and helped me fix it so I could download the latest firmware update.

All in all, I'm very satisfied with not only the performance of the product itself, but the service that comes with it as well. You can discuss the review here.