COBB Tuning Blog

COBB Tuning is announcing a restructuring of the AccessPORT product line in order to better align our internal resources with our core markets. Effective immediately, COBB Tuning is discontinuing development of AccessPORTs for naturally aspirated vehicles including: Honda Civic Si, Infiniti G35 & G37, Mazda RX-8, Nissan 350Z & 370Z and Subaru 2.5i & 2.5RS. This refocus of resources and efforts will ensure that COBB Tuning can provide the high level of service each individual AccessPORT platform requires going forward.

This means that AccessPORT firmware, AccessTUNER (Pro and Race) software and Off-The-Shelf calibrations for the above vehicles have reached their final level of development and customers may continue to use them in their current form. AccessPORTs for these applications will remain available for purchase for the next 30 days. AccessPORT hardware will remain under warranty 1 year from the date of purchase and repair services will remain available should your AccessPORT require service.  Off-The-Shelf maps and AccessTUNER software will remain available for download from the COBB Tuning website at their current version levels.

At COBB Tuning, we are committed to our customers’ satisfaction with our products.  In light of this change of product support, we are extending our AccessPORT Satisfaction Guarantee to 90-days from the date of purchase for discontinued platforms.  Please click on this link to learn more about our AccessPORT Satisfaction Guarantee.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this announcement, or you wish to learn more about COBB Tuning products, please contact one of our Customer Service agents at 801.713.0035 or support@cobbtuning.com.

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AccessTUNER Race 1.8.3.1-13392 is now available for download via the Request Form. This release addresses the Cruise Control bug that was discovered in the previous release. If you have customized map and are having cruise control issues, this new software release will allow you to load your map and re-enable cruise control

Bug Fixes:

• addressed cruise control bug:
• Fixed Cruise control issue not working with MAP tuning issue
• Affects 2006-2009 Civic Si MAP based vehicles
• Fixed Cruise control issue where cruise control would not work above ~67mph
• – Affects: 2006 Civic Si MAF and 2007-2009 Civic Si MAF vehicles

Instructions:
To fix maps with broken cruise control: (Assuming you’ve obtained AccessTUNER Race or Pro version 1.8.3.1-13392)

• Load any map using the AccessTUNER software.
• Go to “Edit” menu.
• Go to the “Toggles (Base)” tab.
• Verify that the “Cruise Control Enable”

All AccessPORT Off-The-Shelf Maps for the Civic Si have been updated with the cruise control issue resolved. This is for MAF calibrations only. We have gone through and fixed all maps hosted on our website. The new calibrations are now v1.05c. These can be downloaded from our map download page.

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Chris Billedo has been racing in the Redline Time Attack series since the first round at Buttonwillow, but just recently upgraded his Civic Si with an AccessPORT from COBB Tuning joining the illustrious ranks of AccessPORT Racers. This of course, garners him a coveted, AccessPORT Racer Spotlight! At Just 19-years-old, Chris is the youngest driver in the Redline Time Attack series, but is taking on the track nevertheless! Chris is competing in the Enthusiast FWD class and is proving to be a force to be reckoned with. Chris placed 2nd in his Si with a lap time of 2:04.226, almost 12-seconds ahead of 3rd place and just 4-seconds off of 1st!

Driving at Auto Club Speedway was a very fun experience for me, I’ve never been to such a fast track that required so much braking. I ran both days, Saturday and Sunday; Saturday being the practice day similar to an HPDE event and Sunday being the actual competition. Since I’ve never been to this track, I thought it would be a smart idea to sign up for the practice day. The practice day went very well; of course since it’s my first time here I took it very easy. As I started to get comfortable I picked up my speed around the track, especially around the high banks of Auto Club Speedway.

Racing is a never ending learning-experience and since I’m also the youngest in the series; I still have a lot to learn. I ran at Buttonwillow Raceway and Las Vegas Motorspeedway and thought I learned all I needed to learn. But at Auto Club, I experienced something I’ve never felt before. I was always taught that if you do your braking in a straight line, it will “all be good”. At Auto Club, the speeds are very fast and I’ve never experienced the car getting loose while braking. I think it has to do more in part with how fast I was going and also not having any aero enhancements. Due to the rules and specifications in Enthusiast class, you can’t run any carbon fiber, splitters, wings or anything to help with down force. Throughout the day I got used to how the car would brake so I didn’t worry about that anymore, but it sure was something I’ve never experienced.

I didn’t change much on the car for this race, but I added one major component that made the biggest difference: tuning my ECU with an AccessPORT from COBB Tuning. This made a dramatic difference. The car was tuned by Steve at e-tunez.com. He guided me through capturing datalogs and uploading maps to the car. One of the major differences on the new tune was the VTEC engagement point. Stock, VTEC kicks in at 5,600 rpm, but with the AccessPORT it was brought down to 4,500 rpm and red line raised to 8,600 from 8,200 rpm. Lowering VTEC allows the car to pull from lower in the RPM range which in theory would make the car faster.

Another area that the AccessPORT addressed was the “Rev Hang” experienced by many Si drivers where the drive by wire throttle keeps the revs up between shifts, making smooth and fast shifting difficult. But the AccessPORT eliminated this and made the throttle pedal very responsive. Lap times at Auto Club Speedway are highly dependent on how fast you are on the very long straights and banks of the track. I believe that the AccessPORT is the reason why I was able to take 2nd place in Fontana. The car was very responsive, whereas without the AccessPORT, the car felt very sluggish.

My racing program would not be possible without the help and support of all my sponsors including COBB Tuning. Not only did they provide me with an AccessPORT but they helped with track-side support and advice to help me better my skills as a driver also! This was my first race as a COBB Tuning Racer and I’m glad I am.

I am now 2nd in points for the Enthusiast FWD championship and I can’t wait for what else to come at future races!

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The COBB Tuning Motorsports team dominated Round 4 of the Redline Time Attack series at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, California, taking 1st in Super Modified AWD, 1st in Modified AWD, 1st in Street Tire AWD and capturing the Overall Event Win. The Super Session wheel-to-wheel race was an exciting inter-class battle and saw the Nissan GT-R win overall in Modified trim and the STI take the Street Tire class win. In addition to bringing home maximum points, Brian Lock set a new track record for a Modified Class car at Auto Club Speedway in the GT-R with a lap time of 1:43.072.

In a bid to appease the “Racing Gods,” the team showed up sporting COBB-blue hair-dos, but the success of the weekend was a direct result of the long hours and tireless effort put in by the talented and dedicated guys that make up the COBB Tuning Motorsports crew. The team took advantage of the month-long break between events and made significant changes to all three race cars in an effort to maximize performance and reliability, ultimately setting the team up to race hard for the remainder of the season.

The Nissan GT-R was treated to a complete engine rebuild with upgraded rods and pistons to better cope with the nearly 1,000 crank HP being produced. The Subaru STI went under the knife having a new custom safety cage fabricated from scratch and the transmission rebuilt while the Cosworth engine was sent home for a refresh and new Cosworth intake manifold added. The Nissan 370Z received a new set of rear springs to reduce excessive corner-exit oversteer. Finally, all three cars had OS Giken limited-slip differentials installed (GT-R front, STI & 370Z rear) to better get the AccessPORT tuned power down on the track where it belongs.

The extensive hours of hard-work paid off in spades as the team racked up its most successful weekend to date in the Redline Time Attack. Brian Lock in the Nissan GT-R screamed past the competition to take the Modified Class win and set a new track record of 1:43.072 in the process. After setting the new record, the GT-R visited pit lane to receive a new set of Yokohama A005 racing slicks before heading right back out on track to battle it out in the Super Modified class. The added grip of the Yokohama slicks dropped the GT-R’s lap time to a 1:39.730, fast enough to take the win in the Super Modified class and clinch the team’s second Overall event win!

photo courtesy of rpmgear.com

In the Street Tire AWD Class, Cameron Benner was on a mission to grab the 1st place position that had so far eluded him. The revitalized Subaru STI proved to be the perfect tool for the job as Cameron charged ahead the rest of the Street Class field, taking a decisive first win with a 3-second lead over his closest competitor!

photo courtesy of rpmgear.com

Gary Sheehan subbed in for an ill-feeling Trey Cobb to take on the Nissan 370Z driving duties. Although Gary was ineligible to compete in the Enthusiast Class, the event presented an opportunity to see how the suspension and driveline changes affected the performance of the little Z, and they proved to be quite effective. The COBB 370Z turned a time just 0.5 seconds shy of the Enthusiast RWD class winning lap in the final Time Attack session, and also revealed a few simple areas of improvement that, once addressed, should make it a serious class contender.

photo courtesy of rpmgear.com

The wheel-to-wheel Super Session turned out to be an exciting inter-class battle that once again showed that solid preparation, nerves of steel and blue hair will take the day. Brian Lock ran the Nissan GT-R in Modified trim with R-compound tires and gapped the field to take the overall win and much-needed Modified class championship points. Cameron Benner had a great drive in his Street Tire Class STI, battling with Modified class cars on the way to his class win and 4th place overall, adding to his impressive championship lead.

The Takata Time Attack/LIC Motorsports STI, had a strong showing this weekend, taking 2nd place in the Modified AWD Class with a 01:45.923 lap time and 2nd place in class in the Super Session . This car runs a COBB AccessPORT and was tuned at COBB Tuning Surgeline in Portland, Oregon. The LIC Motorsports team continues to show what quality preparation and great tuning can do as they consistently field the fastest Modified Class Subaru in the series and currently lead the Modified Class championship.

Jon Drenas showed what a lightly modified Mitsubishi EVO X can do by finishing in 2nd place in the AWD Street Class. Jon arrived at the track late in the event and laid down a 1:52.702 lap with almost no practice time in his HB Speed-tuned AccessPORT EVO X. Jon and his EVO X is a force to be reckoned with on the West Coast and has proven that you can drive your race car to the track, race it all weekend, and drive back home with a trophy in the passenger seat.

Chris Billedo drove his AccessPORT equipped Honda Civic Si to the sharp end of the Enthusiast FWD class with a solid 2nd place finish, continuing his streak of podium finishes and setting himself up for an impressive Redline Time Attack championship result.

The COBB Tuning Motorsports Team next heads to Autobahn Country Club in Joliet, Illinois for Round 5 on June 12th where they look to extend their East Coast Championship leads in the Modified and Street Tire classes.

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The new firmware update (version 1.6.0.0-13300) is available. This new firmware MUST be installed in order to use the new v1.05a maps.

Special Instructions: (READ FIRST):
Please note that once you obtain this BETA firmware update, you will not be able to revert to your previous firmware update. Before updating your AccessPORT, please review the release notes and understand the nature of this release.

MAF Tuning – The previous public firmware update already comes pre-equipped with MAF tuning capabilities. No special instructions are required to enable this mode.

MAP Tuning (Speed Density Support) – To use MAP based tuning you must first uninstall the AccessPORT either before or after you obtain the beta firmware update. At install time after your vehicle is identified, you will be prompted by the interface to install with either MAF or MAP modes.

Obtaining AccessPORT Firmware (BETA):

• This firmware has been deployed as a BETA release. Follow the below instructions to obtain the update.
• Download AccessPORT Updater if necessary:
• AccessPORT Updater

• Run AccessPORT Updater once it is installed.
• Press ‘Cancel’ on the screen when the “plug in the AccessPORT” dialogue appears.
• Press ‘Ok’, when the “Error” dialogue box appears.
• On the main application panel, select the drop down menu option “Tools/Options.”
• There is a check box in the Options dialogue box, labeled: ‘Check for beta AccessPORT firmware?’ Click on the check box to enable it.
• Select the ‘Ok’ button.
• Close-out the updater application by pressing the ‘Exit’ button.
• Plug your AccessPORT into the computer via. usb cable.
• Run AccessPORT Updater application again.
• The update process should start once it detects the AccessPORT.
• Once your AccessPORT is updated power it on and go to the “About” menu to verify that the firmware version number matches the released number (1.6.0.0-13300)

New 1.05a maps are available on the Honda AccessPORT Map Database. Download the maps you require and use AccessPORT manager to move them to your AccessPORT.

AccessTUNER Pro has been updated and is downloadable by pro tuners.

The maintenance on the AccessTUNER Race is complete. Honda AccessTUNER Race version 1.8.3.1-13293 is available for download from the AccessTUNER Race Request Page. The new Honda Tuning Guide is included in the new software and is also available for download HERE.

BETA Update Details:

FIRMWARE
Bug Fixes

• Fixed Datalogging issues introduced with 1.5.0.3-12449 firmware
• Fixed VTEC monitor which was affected by datalogging issues
• Rev-Hang Fixed beta maps available for 06-09 MAF vehicles

Known Bugs

• Dyno feature not functioning for MAP vehicles
• Fuel Economy not functioning for MAP vehicles

AccessTUNER Race/AccessTUNER Pro
New Features

• New Tuning Guide available
• New table descriptions added
• Added RPM breakpoint adjustment for “Decel. Fuel Inj. Cut – Low & High” tables
• Flash Map Pass-Through. Users can now flash maps directly from AccessTUNER through the in-line connected AccessPORT and on to the ECU. This eliminates the need to save the map to the AccessPORT using AP Manager, then flashing the map to the ECU.
• AEM UEGO 02 sensor support added

Bug Fixes

• Removed Immobilizer Toggle
• Fixed datalogging
• Fixed injector scalar

Known Bugs

• Breakpoint editable tables don’t correctly perform bounds checking during cell edit. User must ensure that edited cell value does not exceed value of the cell to the right.
• Live Tracing: MAP values are not currently tracing

Let us know what you think.

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Check out the April 2010 issue of Modified Magazine for an in-depth review of the AccessPORT for the Civic Si. Modified tested an un-tuned 2006 Si with mild bolt-ons to see what an AccessPORT tune could do for your Average Si owner. The car was tested on the dyno in stock, OTS stage 1 trim, AccessTUNER Race owner modified street tune and finally AccessTUNER Pro tune performed by SG Motorsport. The results were impressive with gains being made every step of the way with the ProTune making the most power. The issue is on newstands now, find it at your local newsstand and add it to your library of mandatory tuning literature!

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COBB Tuning is pleased to announce the beta release of the AccessPORT and AccessTUNER Race software with full forced induction tuning for the 8th gen Honda Civic Si with the option of using either MAF or Speed Density tuning (MAP) logic. Tuning enhancements such as Speed Density logic, injector scaling, expanded tables, LTFT control sensitivity, advanced throttle tuning, decel. fuel cut tuning, VTC tuning, additional ECU logic toggles and many more give the tuner significantly more control than ever before. The AccessPORT now offers the highest resolution of any OEM ECU tuning solution available, and equal tuning capability for both MAF and Speed Density engine management!

Here are some high points of the new software enhancements:

NEW VOLUMETRIC EFFICIENCY TABLES (MAP) – 10 new 24×24 volumetric efficiency tables with adjustable break points plus a 5×5 cranking volumetric efficiency table for MAP tuning.

FUEL INJECTOR TUNING – Injector scalar table adjustable by cc/min and a 1×5 injector latency table for tuning with upgraded injectors, both MAF and MAP.

IGNITION TABLES EXPANDED – 10 ignition advance tables expanded to 24×24 for increased resolution and ignition coil dwell time table added, both MAF and MAP.

KNOCK SENSITIVY TABLES EXPANDED – 10 knock sensitivity tables expanded to 24×24 for increased resolution, both MAF and MAP.

NEW FUEL COMPENSATION TABLES – Compensatory tables for intake air temperature (four tables) and engine coolant temperature (three tables), both MAF and MAP.

NEW IGNITION COMPENSATION TABLES – Compensatory tables for intake air temperature (five tables) and coolant temperature (four tables), both MAF and MAP.

NEW DECEL. FUEL CUT TABLES – 10 tables to control fuel cut and fuel cut delay to precisely tune rev-hang, both MAF and MAP. Includes gear based, during shift, min speed, max speed, high VTEC and low VTEC tables.

NEW RADIATOR FAN CONTROL – Two 1×2 tables to specify temperature to turn fans on and turn fans off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW THROTTLE CONTROL TABLES – 10 throttle control tables, both MAF and MAP. Includes target angle, APP vs. speed transfer, gear based response entry speed, gear based response exit speed, max target angle, gear based response and several more. Tune the throttle to do exactly what you want.

NEW LTFT CONTROL TABLES – 8 tables to control LTFT sensitivity, both MAF and MAP. These tables control how long it takes after start before LTFT becomes active, allows min and max RPM to be set for LTFT to be active, allows min coolant temp to be set for LTFT to be active, allows min intake air temp to be set before LTFT is active, control rate of LTFT learning and controls the limits of LTFT and STFT adjustments.

NEW CLOSED LOOP MAP THRESHOLD TABLE – Table that allows the MAP sensor to be configured to switch from closed loop to open loop, both MAF and MAP.

NEW CLOSED LOOP TPS THRESHOLD TABLES – Two tables that configure the TPS sensor to switch from closed loop to open loop and reenter from open loop to closed loop, both MAF and MAP.

VTC TABLE EXPANSION – 3D VTC table for closed loop control (expanded to 24×24) and 2D table for open loop control. Also provides the ability to turn off open loop (VTC) to stay in 3D table, both MAF and MAP.

NEW MAF SENSOR COMPENSATION TABLES – Compensatory tables for Barometric pressure and intake air temperature, MAF only.

NEW SPEED ADJUSTMENT TABLES – Two tables that allow the speed output to be changed to the speedometer and ECU separately, both MAF and MAP.

NEW MAP VS. TPS SWITCHING TOGGLE – This toggle allows the user to select the MAP sensor or the TPS sensor to determine open loop/closed loop switching, both MAF and MAP.

NEW 2ND COOLANT TEMP TOGGLE – Allows 2nd coolant temp sensor to be toggled on/off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW KNOCK SENSOR TOGGLE – Allows knock sensor to be toggled on/off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW FRONT O2 SENSOR TOGGLE – Allows front O2 sensor to be toggled on/off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW REAR O2 SENSOR TOGGLE – Allows rear O2 sensor to be toggled on/off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW IMMOBILIZER TOGGLE – Allows Immobilizer functionality to be toggled on/off, both MAF and MAP.

NEW BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR TOGGLE/TABLE – Allows barometric pressure sensor to be toggled on/off and locked to a specific value, both MAF and MAP.

NEW POST-START EMISSIONS REDUCTION TOGGLE – Allows turning/on/off specific fueling strategy post-start for catalyst light off, both MAF and MAP.

PASSTHROUGH DATALOGGING – Datalog directly to AccessTUNER software.

Acquiring AccessTUNER Race Software
Updated AccessTUNER Race software can be downloaded from the AccessTUNER Race Request Page. In an effort to get this software out to you as quickly as possible, three versions of the software are available for download:

• 2006 CIVIC Si (Coupe)
• 2007-2009 CIVIC Si (Coupes/Sedans)
• 2006-2009 USDM CIVIC – MAP (MT)

You must download the software appropriate for your vehicle year and tuning logic. If you want the option to tune using MAF and MAP, you must download the appropriate MAF version of the software for your vehicle year and the MAP software, which will require two separate software requests. In the near future, these will be integrated into a single software package. We felt it was more important to make this software available to you rather than delay it to provide it in the optimal packaging.

Updating AccessTUNER Firmware
Plug the AccessPORT into your PC using the USB port and launch the AccessPORT Updater application. Follow the on-screen prompts be sure to check the beta firmware option. The firmware will then be downloaded an your AccessPORT will automatically be updated to the most recent version of the firmware. (version 1.5.0.3)

Happy Tuning!

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COBB Tuning announces the immediate availability of the COBB Knob, the hottest shift knob available for 8th gen Honda Civic Si. The COBB Knob is a fusion of the highest quality materials that, when properly mated, produce a shift knob that feels as good as it looks. Shifting a Honda has never been this exciting!

The COBB Knob is designed to keep those extended shifting sessions exhilarating. The red anodized billet aluminum base is internally threaded to provide a tight fit onto the shifter shaft that won’t come loose in the most frenzied of gear changes. The matt black delrin knob has a perfectly round contour to fit right in the palm of your hand. The package is complete with a COBB logo boldly engraved into the base to let everyone know whose knob you hold. The shifter weighs in at 122g, encouraging smooth thrusts into every gear.

Spin on a COBB Knob and take your Honda for a ride!

COBB Tuning
www.cobbtuning.com
(801) 713-0035

COBB Tuning Plano
www.cobbtuningplano.com
(214) 291-3020

COBB Tuning Surgeline
www.cobbtuningsurgeline.com
(503) 670-9500

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COBB Tuning is pleased to announce significant updates to the 8th generation Honda Civic Si AccessPORT maps and AccessTUNER software. Tuning improvements such as additional intake cam advance, individual cylinder fuel control, individual cylinder ignition control, injector scaling, adjustable breakpoints, ECU learning limits and additional ECU logic toggles give the tuner significantly more control. So significant that a simple alteration of the MAF housing opens the door to the big power gains of forced induction tuning. Furthermore, MAP based naturally aspirated and forced induction tuning is just around the corner!

The calibration specialists at COBB Tuning have already employed the tuning software upgrades to uprev the free Off-The-Shelf maps to version 1.03. Users can expect performance improvements from the removal of the upper limit of variable camshaft phasing, improved variable timing control transitions at higher loads and revised variable timing control settings when in High VTEC. Simply connect the AccessPORT to your PC and open AccessPORT Updater to download the latest firmware and new v1.03 maps and experience these improvements today!

The latest version of AccessTUNER Race tuning software is now available for download. The improvements in the new software give much more granular control of the combustion process on a per cylinder basis, give the user control of camshaft advance breakpoints and introduce forced induction tuning on the Honda Civic Si using the AccessPORT. Detailed explanations of these enhancements are as follows:

USER ADJUSTABLE CAMSHAFT ADVANCE BREAKPOINTS – Camshaft angle based ignition related tables (Ignition Advance and Knock Sensitivity) now have user configurable breakpoints.

PRIMARY O2 SENSOR CALIBRATION – This table allows the front O2 sensor calibration to be rescaled or “corrected” so that it reads accurately.

MAX ALLOWED VTC – This table represents the maximum amount of intake camshaft advance that the ECM will allow to be targeted. These settings are effectively ceilings that dictate the maximum amount of intake camshaft advance that can be run, up to the mechanical limitations of the camshaft.

MAX ALLOWED VTC MIL DETECTION LIMIT – This table tells the ECU the camshaft phasing point at which it should recognize MIL P1009 (Variable Valve Timing Control (VTC) Advance Malfunction). If the variable camshaft phasing values go above this limit then the ECU will detect something is wrong with the camshaft phasing controls and will detect MIL P1009.

FUEL CYLINDER 1, 2, 3 & 4 COMP – These are compensatory tables used to modify fuel delivery to each cylinder individually.

IGN CYLINDER 1, 2, 3 & 4 COMP – These are compensatory tables used to modify ignition calculations for each cylinder individually.

MAX ALLOWED IGNITION ADVANCE – This table represents the maximum amount of ignition advance that the ECU can run and is effectively a user configurable ignition advance ceiling.

MINIMUM ALLOWED IGNITION ADV A, B, C & D – This table represents the minimum amount of ignition advance that the ECU can run is effectively a user configurable ignition advance floor.

BASE PULSE WIDTH – This table defines pulse width for fuel injection calculations based on RPM and is used as an injector scalar for controlling different size fuel injectors or for running significantly different fuels, like E85.

LTFT LIMITS – This table controls the limits for LTFT learning. The negative value is the greatest negative LTFT value that can be learned and the positive value is the greatest positive LTFT value that can be learned.

CLOSED LOOP TOGGLE – This toggle is the main function switch for turning the closed-loop feedback system logic ON or OFF.

POWER STEERING CONTROL SYSTEM – This toggle is the main function switch for turning the PSCS system ON or OFF.

VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL – This toggle is the main function switch for turning the VSA feedback system ON or OFF.

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