MS3 recommended mods? [Archive]

Captain KRM P5

02-06-2008, 09:35 PM

you're going to get alot of people telling you to use the search feature, etc. intake and bypass valve are two easy and relatively inexpensive modifications. a set of gauges to monitor boost, oil pressure and water temperature or EGT is also a good basic place to start. short shifter and bushings make a nice drivability difference and are easy to install and easy on the pocketbook.

there are more expensive modifications to be had of course but these are a few good, cheap and easy places to start.

07speed3

02-06-2008, 09:36 PM

CAI, TBE Exhaust, BOV (recirc), Rear Motor mounts, Shifter Bushings...the list goes on haha

jville

02-06-2008, 09:38 PM

Didn't we just do this? anyways welcome to ur new addiction.

SharkDiver

02-06-2008, 10:19 PM

CAI, TBE Exhaust, BOV (recirc), Rear Motor mounts, Shifter Bushings...the list goes on haha

+1

welcome to the boards..

mrlilguy157

02-06-2008, 10:53 PM

i would do:

boost gauge, intake, downpipe, map clamp, and boost controller

you'll be happy.

AutoXRacer

02-06-2008, 11:40 PM

I vote for the MS CAI and TRZ motor mount to start...
Followed by DP, CBE, TMIC, BPV/BOV, etc... The list goes on and on and on... (lol2)

MSLou

02-07-2008, 12:29 AM

best starter mods in my opinion are:

2nd cat delete
turbo xs Downpipe
corksport motormounts
cobb SRI
BIGGER TIRES! (225 at least)
cobb accessport
gauges

clos561

02-07-2008, 09:33 AM

first thing, intake....then get a gauge if u like watching the meter go up and down, then get a motor mount upgrade. Best performance for about 400, and u can gut ur second cat urself and get a free 5-10whp mod

MS3077

02-28-2008, 08:41 PM

First thing you get should be a rear motor mount..

Jesse MS3GT

02-29-2008, 04:01 AM

I hate to say it but the best mod for most Americans is lay off fast food. On top of losing weight yourself, making your car quicker, all that money you saved from overeating turns into part money!

Im only 140-150 wet so I cant lose much more weight :/

TurboWagon

02-29-2008, 08:35 AM

hey guys its me mike, and i was just wondering what are some good starter mods to put on a mazdaspeed3?

It really depends on what you want. For me, since its new and under warranty and almost perfect the way it is; all i really plan on doing is what you see in my signature. However, you can go much, MUCH, further.

Honestly, not to sound like an ass but searching on THIS site, compared to others I've been to, can get you VERY good results. Being that this car is still "new" to the auto world, to almost everyone here as well as the vendors, questions you might be thinking about asking might have already been answered.

If you have the time, just lurking around the forums and seeing what people have to say is a great option. Heck, I know my post count is small but that doesn't mean I don't read most of the threads in the forum. Sometimes taking the initiative to read up a bit on your own can give outstanding results.

And Welcome to the forum.

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 09:50 AM

street unit rear mount + corksport front mount intercooler.

if I had it to do over again, that would be what I would do.

TurboWagon

02-29-2008, 11:48 AM

if I had it to do over again, that would be what I would do.

Pssh.....you make it sound like you wouldn't want to do that, lol.

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 11:49 AM

dparm1984

02-29-2008, 11:49 AM

My advice would be to develop a plan as to where you want to take the car, THEN build a parts package to support that. Worst thing you can do is Lego-build the motor.

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 11:50 AM

I love leggos!!!!!

TurboWagon

02-29-2008, 12:01 PM

huh?

seriously, the mount is great, as long as you don't have the ETS top mount intercooler, which I have, and the corksport intercooler comes with a ram air intake. I mean it's the best of all possible worlds.

Is that because of rubbing issues due to increased vibration from the mount?

I put some motor mounts on my GTI and they worked well without giving too much vibration. If your ETS wasnt the 3.5 I would consider buying it off of you, that way you could get the corksport. But I dont think I will get an IC till warranty ends and when I can read up up on all the possible effects.

EDIT: Nevermind, I see your thread now

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 01:24 PM

I wouldn't have a problem selling this intercooler. both of the ones I have bought, I have only ended up with because I have reacted to fs threads in less than a minute. I am sure I wouldn't have a horrible time selling my intake either, but... wait, why am I not doing this already!? hm I might just have to.

trees_house

02-29-2008, 03:21 PM

I haven't done any mods YET, but I'm planning on both Cobb SF SRI and AccessPORT when the AP is released. Easy to install, and best bang for the buck from what I've researched. Estimating price at less than $1000 ($200 & $800 respectively) with free shipping from **********. I'm not sure I plan to go much further due to concerns with emissions.
If I was to go further, I might consider the engine mount and short shifter. I'm not planning on racing the car, just want some stuff to enhance driveability. Upgrading the springs and sway bars (Cobb Stage 2) is another consideration for me.
It seems that the CBE's don't give you much performance, but the TBE's do (but deleting cats or using hi-flowing cats could be a problem for emissions). Yes, you can put the car back to stock, but I don't want to deal with what I perceive are hassles.
Plus, if your dealer isn't cool, the more stuff you put on could be an issue if a problem arises.
FYI, I put together all pricing and performance metrics in another link, so I hope that helps too. (http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123698277)

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 03:27 PM

I'm not sure I plan to go much further due to concerns with emissions.
If I was to go further, I might consider the engine mount and short shifter.

hahahahahahahaha

trees_house

02-29-2008, 03:41 PM

hahahahahahahaha

whatever dude

camrycev6

02-29-2008, 03:57 PM

sleeper3

02-29-2008, 04:04 PM

oh, by the way, I just found out that the corksport intercooler has a larger than stock mass air flow housing. I'm crossing it off of my list as we speak.

~JoJo~

02-29-2008, 05:38 PM

what brand of Rear motor mount you guys recommend? Does it make a big difference is the ride?

palerider

02-29-2008, 08:15 PM

Hey folks... I keep seeing the rear motor mount listed as one of the first and best upgrades. What is that doing for your performance? I already got the recall notice and had it checked / swapped out. I am good to go. So why should I replace it?

that was the transmission mount.

Rear mount locks up the most movement in the motor. Shifts are better, and if you do a dyno with the hood up and your watching... a rear mount may save you a heartattack looking at your motor move.

Cookim6

02-29-2008, 10:26 PM

what brand of Rear motor mount you guys recommend? Does it make a big difference is the ride?Been reading up....wondering the same thing.

Munnugles

02-29-2008, 10:51 PM

for the mm im using street unit 62a dont get that... i regret it im about to order the 90a insert for the su mount 62a is too soft... and ive heard good things about the trz poly mount.. it also depends on if you can deal with vibrations and what your goin to use the car for, this is my daily driver, i dont drag or autox but i still need a stiffer mount... and for the tmic im using ets 3.25 no rubbing issue that i noticed

AutoXRacer

03-01-2008, 08:41 AM

TRZ Poly!!!! (2thumbs)

I wrote a review on it in the engine/tranny section. Just search TRZ Poly.

Cookim6

03-01-2008, 12:38 PM

TRZ Poly!!!! (2thumbs)

I wrote a review on it in the engine/tranny section. Just search TRZ Poly.That is what I was leaning torwards....looks like a very strong piece!

cld12pk2go

03-02-2008, 09:42 AM

That is what I was leaning torwards....looks like a very strong piece!

I just posted one for sale here if you want to save $20:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123698970

slo4now

03-02-2008, 10:10 AM

It really depends on what you want. For me, since its new and under warranty and almost perfect the way it is; all i really plan on doing is what you see in my signature. However, you can go much, MUCH, further.

Honestly, not to sound like an ass but searching on THIS site, compared to others I've been to, can get you VERY good results. Being that this car is still "new" to the auto world, to almost everyone here as well as the vendors, questions you might be thinking about asking might have already been answered.

If you have the time, just lurking around the forums and seeing what people have to say is a great option. Heck, I know my post count is small but that doesn't mean I don't read most of the threads in the forum. Sometimes taking the initiative to read up a bit on your own can give outstanding results.

And Welcome to the forum.
Best information said so far, i am doing the same thing.
Reading and learning.

camrycev6

03-03-2008, 02:25 PM

that was the transmission mount.

Rear mount locks up the most movement in the motor. Shifts are better, and if you do a dyno with the hood up and your watching... a rear mount may save you a heartattack looking at your motor move.

Thanks for the info Palerider.

Khakicorndog5

04-24-2008, 12:58 AM

jam_asian85

04-24-2008, 02:12 AM

hey, i'm extremely new to the board and to the mazdaspeed3... I am very curious about many things, but most of all why a motor mount is a good upgrade? Will somebody explain to me in dummy terms why upgrading the rear mount is so great?
Thank you
joey d

there's your answer
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123675838

cld12pk2go

04-24-2008, 06:26 AM

hey, i'm extremely new to the board and to the mazdaspeed3... I am very curious about many things, but most of all why a motor mount is a good upgrade? Will somebody explain to me in dummy terms why upgrading the rear mount is so great?
Thank you
joey d

Go here for my breakdown on all 3 I have tried:

You have to take out the spaces from the link...

http://www.mazda 3 forums .com/index.php?topic=75832.0

AutoXRacer

04-24-2008, 09:32 AM

hey, i'm extremely new to the board and to the mazdaspeed3... I am very curious about many things, but most of all why a motor mount is a good upgrade? Will somebody explain to me in dummy terms why upgrading the rear mount is so great?
Thank you
joey d

Real quick explanation is that the stock mount has a lot of play in it...thus the torque that is engine outputs is used to sway the motor in the engine bay instead of transferring it to the ground/wheels. The stock mount really lets the engine sway back and forth. There is a video on you-tube where a guy did a dyno pull with his hood open and it was surprising to see the engine sway so much.

Another benefit is that the mount since it plants the engine, the 3rd gear shift and all shifts crisp up. You get a more solid feel while shifting since the engine is no longer pulling on the shifter cables.

The overall difference will be felt when you smash on the accelerator, with the upgraded mount the car will accelerate instantly, while with the stocker, you have delay and a much more progressive feel.

Oh and I almost forgot...a good upgraded mount will also reduce if not eliminate wheel hop. The stock mount introduces horrible wheel hop...so bad that it can throw off the alignment...it happened to me.

Zimmer

05-17-2008, 01:03 PM

Real quick explanation is that the stock mount has a lot of play in it...thus the torque that is engine outputs is used to sway the motor in the engine bay instead of transferring it to the ground/wheels. The stock mount really lets the engine sway back and forth. There is a video on you-tube where a guy did a dyno pull with his hood open and it was surprising to see the engine sway so much.

Another benefit is that the mount since it plants the engine, the 3rd gear shift and all shifts crisp up. You get a more solid feel while shifting since the engine is no longer pulling on the shifter cables.

The overall difference will be felt when you smash on the accelerator, with the upgraded mount the car will accelerate instantly, while with the stocker, you have delay and a much more progressive feel.

Oh and I almost forgot...a good upgraded mount will also reduce if not eliminate wheel hop. The stock mount introduces horrible wheel hop...so bad that it can throw off the alignment...it happened to me.

Great explanation. I remember when the dealer rev'd the engine for some guy and I saw the motor move I thought, "ooohhh I trust its designed to do that!"

How is the install???

MS3077

05-17-2008, 01:06 PM

Yeah I threw off my alignment a couple times on the stock mount :(

The upgraded rear engine motor mounts have to be the best single mod for this car period.

aaronc7

05-17-2008, 01:09 PM

yeah, fo sho. If bang for buck is important and/or stock like vibrations (none)...get the CS inserts.

MS3077

05-17-2008, 01:29 PM

Has anyone done a stock and after upgraded MM dyno? I wonder what the HP/TQ gains are.

aaronc7

05-17-2008, 01:34 PM

Don't think it would make a difference in a controlled environment like that

AutoXRacer

05-17-2008, 08:20 PM

Great explanation. I remember when the dealer rev'd the engine for some guy and I saw the motor move I thought, "ooohhh I trust its designed to do that!"

How is the install???

Literally took 10 mins...

Zimmer

05-17-2008, 09:58 PM

Literally took 10 mins...

sweet thanks... I ask cuz I live in the damn city so it can be a pain... I usually tie up friends garages and I hate doing that

JimmiV

05-19-2008, 01:09 PM

mordant80

05-19-2008, 02:09 PM

Stickers lots of stickers.....
Sorry was just reading the dumb thing ricers say thread...
Hahahaha
No really let her breath.... cai & exaust...
May be a bigger wing just to keep her under control Hahaha

Sorry for the quick thread jack.. do you have the link for that ricer thread, I've been looking for that again, can't find it.