Need some advice...

[TriniFyah7]

Hey guys this is like my 2nd or 3rd time posting. Fairly new the scene and would like some tips/advice. I wanted to start doing some minor upgrades/installs to my currently stock car. What are the first set of essential upgrades should I do? I was thinking about turbo timer, rear engine mount as a start.

For guys that have upgraded their rear engine mount do you notice a huge difference in performance and driveability? Would having a turbo timer mean that I would have to leave the car in neutral everytime I park?

Secondly, I was thinking about investing in some gauges. I was thinking of getting 3(boost, oil press, wb a/f ratio) but at the same time I was looking into the DashHawk as it displays alot of vehicle info, however, I was wondering if the dashhawk can display info like boost, oil press, and a/f ratio all at the same time.

Thanks

[starscream]

Hey guys this is like my 2nd or 3rd time posting. Fairly new the scene and would like some tips/advice. I wanted to start doing some minor upgrades/installs to my currently stock car. What are the first set of essential upgrades should I do? I was thinking about turbo timer, rear engine mount as a start.

For guys that have upgraded their rear engine mount do you notice a huge difference in performance and driveability? Would having a turbo timer mean that I would have to leave the car in neutral everytime I park?

Secondly, I was thinking about investing in some gauges. I was thinking of getting 3(boost, oil press, wb a/f ratio) but at the same time I was looking into the DashHawk as it displays alot of vehicle info, however, I was wondering if the dashhawk can display info like boost, oil press, and a/f ratio all at the same time.

Thanks

Heya!

Rear Engine Mount is a must IMO to reduce wheel hop and have a smoother shift. Its a good start/first mod (it was my first mod too).

The turbotimer is more of an opinon, its really not needed IMO. Just drive easily for 1min before getting to your destination and you should be fine. The turbo is oil cooled as well as watercooled (coolant) and honestly that is plenty as long as you drive easy when your about to get out of the car/turn it off. IF your really worried about it, I recommend getting a Compustar Alarm (not only for the turbo time feature BUT also for it being an alarm and having a remote start feature). It has a turbo timer feature and you can enable to that to run the car while leave it AND its a theft deterrant. However yes you would have to leave the car in neutral for the turbo timer to work.

Gauges are a good idea, Personally I have both (which to some is overkill, I had the gauges first before the Dashhawk) however I recommend a dashhawk as well. I have it and its amazing it CAN tell you boost, AFRs, IAT, BAT, Fuel Pressure, Knock Retard and a slew of other things. It CANNOT tell you Oil Pressure readings and Oil Temp readings. I personally went with having a Dashhawk and 3 Gauges (Boost, Oil Pressure and Water Temp, although I am thinking to switch the water temp to Oil Temp).

Make sure you READ READ READ! Lots of information to know on the car. Also as stupid as it sounds, read up on how to drive the car (I.E no WOT in 6th gear, dont go full boost/WOT unless your above ~3000rpms, etc etc).

[WeatherB]

Keep in mind the vibration increase if you change the rear engine mount. I've expierenced both the Street Unit and the CP-e rear engine mount and both substantially increase the vibrations. I decided to keep the rear mount stock.

I'd probably do an intake as the first mod, followed by the turbo inlet pipe and down-pipe.

[Mazda3X2]

I really enjoy the TWM Short Throw Shifter. A great early mod that you use all the time.

Good bang for your buck is an SRI or CAI with a turbo inlet. Nice sound and noticable seat of your pants difference.

I have a boost gauge in the vent pod and an Aeorforce Interceptor gauge in a defrost vent pod. With those I read boost, AFR, fuel press and fuel trims. I like these and it's nice to know what's going on under the hood. The Interceptor is a nice gauge but not as inclusive as the Dash Hawk. I just happened to find a gread deal on mine used.

Personally I wouldn't bother with the turbo timer. Just be aware of how you drive the car before you shut it down.

I didn't change my rear mount becuase of the vibration increase that many people report as well.

Good luck with the modding. And as Starscream mentioned, read, read, read.

[TriniFyah7]

Heya!

Rear Engine Mount is a must IMO to reduce wheel hop and have a smoother shift. Its a good start/first mod (it was my first mod too).

The turbotimer is more of an opinon, its really not needed IMO. Just drive easily for 1min before getting to your destination and you should be fine. The turbo is oil cooled as well as watercooled (coolant) and honestly that is plenty as long as you drive easy when your about to get out of the car/turn it off. IF your really worried about it, I recommend getting a Compustar Alarm (not only for the turbo time feature BUT also for it being an alarm and having a remote start feature). It has a turbo timer feature and you can enable to that to run the car while leave it AND its a theft deterrant. However yes you would have to leave the car in neutral for the turbo timer to work.

Gauges are a good idea, Personally I have both (which to some is overkill, I had the gauges first before the Dashhawk) however I recommend a dashhawk as well. I have it and its amazing it CAN tell you boost, AFRs, IAT, BAT, Fuel Pressure, Knock Retard and a slew of other things. It CANNOT tell you Oil Pressure readings and Oil Temp readings. I personally went with having a Dashhawk and 3 Gauges (Boost, Oil Pressure and Water Temp, although I am thinking to switch the water temp to Oil Temp).

Make sure you READ READ READ! Lots of information to know on the car. Also as stupid as it sounds, read up on how to drive the car (I.E no WOT in 6th gear, dont go full boost/WOT unless your above ~3000rpms, etc etc).

Yes I agree there's still alot for me to learn about the car. When you say to drive easy as I am approaching my destination, do you mean to stay out of boost? Just for a piece of mind I always find myself still sitting around for a bit after I stopped.

Is there any articles you can refer about the car? I was searching and found nothing useful except for car reviews and such. Thanks

[TriniFyah7]

Oh yeah the short shifter is another thing I was looking into to get started. So far I think i'm gonna start off with the gauges, shifter, and intake. Thanks everyone for your input so far.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

...Also as stupid as it sounds, read up on how to drive the car (I.E no WOT in 6th gear, dont go full boost/WOT unless your above ~3000rpms, etc etc).

No offence Starscream, but you're right, it does sound that way. I go to full boost regularly from below 3,000rpm and on the highway, I'm WOT in 6th gear on a very regular basis since I bought this car. The engine runs beautiful, the turbo doesn't smoke, my stock mounts are solid, I don't have wheel hop (just wheel spin) and the car runs perfectly. I'd take anything you read from the guys on the Mazdaspeed forums with a grain of salt. A lot of knowledge there to be sure, but a lot of OCD crap too. This car enjoys a regular Italian tune-up. Don't baby it. If you're not in full WOT and full vacuum, you're not doing it justice.

To the OP, I'd recommend gauges as your first mod and then lighter rims and better/wider tires. The gauges will get you a lot more familiar with what your turbo and engine are doing at various moments in time, temperature, throttle etc. I'd recommend boost, oil pressure and EGT or AFR gauge. You don't really need an oil temp gauge unless you plan on tracking the car regularly. The lighter rims will decrease your sprung weight and better and wider tires will greatly increase the handling characteristics of the car.

As useful as the Dashhawk or Cobb AP might be, unless you really want to dig deep into what your car is doing and truly understand what all the info means and what is real data vs. suspect data, I wouldn't bother. In the end, you'll probably only end up more stressed about this reading, or that reading and it will turn you totally OCD about your car. It's not for me, but everyone's different.

An intake (I run the COBB SF) is also a good mod on this car with a noticeable increase in throttle response and of course, it sounds great too as you will hear the turbo spooling and BPV. Note that an intake will add about 2-3psi to your boost and if you add the turbo inlet too, it is more like 4-6 psi.

For street use, I think an aftermarket mount is overkill and really not required on the MS3, but again, I think the same way about a lot of aftermarket mods. All non-OEM mounts will vibrate and sound significantly louder than stock so be aware of that.

I had the chance to drive an MS3 with the TWM STS. The throws are definitely shorter, but the reduction of shifter height bugged me. I also found it made finding the gears more difficult due to the shorter throw. The caveat here is that I probably just didn't have enough seat time to get used to it and it takes a while to adjust. Unlike many, I don't have much of a problem with the stock shifter feel. Other than 3rd gear being quirky when cold and a hard 1st to 2nd shift when cold, the gearbox is fine.

In the end, decide what is most important to you and what you want out of the car and start out there.

Good luck.

[TriniFyah7]

No offence Starscream, but you're right, it does sound that way. I go to full boost regularly from below 3,000rpm and on the highway, I'm WOT in 6th gear on a very regular basis since I bought this car. The engine runs beautiful, the turbo doesn't smoke, my stock mounts are solid, I don't have wheel hop (just wheel spin) and the car runs perfectly. I'd take anything you read from the guys on the Mazdaspeed forums with a grain of salt. A lot of knowledge there to be sure, but a lot of OCD crap too. This car enjoys a regular Italian tune-up. Don't baby it. If you're not in full WOT and full vacuum, you're not doing it justice.

To the OP, I'd recommend gauges as your first mod and then lighter rims and better/wider tires. The gauges will get you a lot more familiar with what your turbo and engine are doing at various moments in time, temperature, throttle etc. I'd recommend boost, oil pressure and EGT or AFR gauge. You don't really need an oil temp gauge unless you plan on tracking the car regularly. The lighter rims will decrease your sprung weight and better and wider tires will greatly increase the handling characteristics of the car.

As useful as the Dashhawk or Cobb AP might be, unless you really want to dig deep into what your car is doing and truly understand what all the info means and what is real data vs. suspect data, I wouldn't bother. In the end, you'll probably only end up more stressed about this reading, or that reading and it will turn you totally OCD about your car. It's not for me, but everyone's different.

An intake (I run the COBB SF) is also a good mod on this car with a noticeable increase in throttle response and of course, it sounds great too as you will hear the turbo spooling and BPV. Note that an intake will add about 2-3psi to your boost and if you add the turbo inlet too, it is more like 4-6 psi.

For street use, I think an aftermarket mount is overkill and really not required on the MS3, but again, I think the same way about a lot of aftermarket mods. All non-OEM mounts will vibrate and sound significantly louder than stock so be aware of that.

I had the chance to drive an MS3 with the TWM STS. The throws are definitely shorter, but the reduction of shifter height bugged me. I also found it made finding the gears more difficult due to the shorter throw. The caveat here is that I probably just didn't have enough seat time to get used to it and it takes a while to adjust. Unlike many, I don't have much of a problem with the stock shifter feel. Other than 3rd gear being quirky when cold and a hard 1st to 2nd shift when cold, the gearbox is fine.

In the end, decide what is most important to you and what you want out of the car and start out there.

Good luck.

Thanks alot man that really cleared up some things for me!

[horto]

My $0.02:

1. intake (it sounds awesome, and so is the increased throttle response)
2. rear motor mount (made a WORLD of difference - the car is so much more planted, much better power delivery)
2b. synthetic tranny fluid (optional. red line or that ford stuff everyone is gushing over)
3. gauges (boost and oil pressure are important)
4. turbo inlet

come out to fobio's next meet and talk to us all... we'll show you the merits of each mod and why we chose em

[Jon2000]

So far I've done:
1) Ford Full Synthetic tranny fluid
2) aluminum shifter bushings (makes shifter slot into gears more solid) and JBarone short-throw shift plate (gives you a short throw shifter without changing the height on the stick).
3) Cobb short ram intake - makes the car feel faster and makes a really loud sucking noise and allows you to hear the turbo
4) If your shifter is having difficulty slotting into the gears there's a how-to for fine-tuning the position of the shifter (left or right) - makes a world of difference as mine used to pop out of 2nd but is no longer an issue.
see: http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?31554-MS3-Shifter-Adjusting

I wouldn't mind getting a Cobb AP for tuning and adjusting the throttle sensitivity so 1st and 2nd isn't so jerky when creeping along in traffic.

[TriniFyah7]

My $0.02:

1. intake (it sounds awesome, and so is the increased throttle response)
2. rear motor mount (made a WORLD of difference - the car is so much more planted, much better power delivery)
2b. synthetic tranny fluid (optional. red line or that ford stuff everyone is gushing over)
3. gauges (boost and oil pressure are important)
4. turbo inlet

come out to fobio's next meet and talk to us all... we'll show you the merits of each mod and why we chose em

How often are the meets? I have yet to go to one. What kind of rear motor mount do you have? I have read somewhere that CPE makes the best but since the installation of one...don't you find the car vibrates alot more?

[horto]

How often are the meets? I have yet to go to one. What kind of rear motor mount do you have? I have read somewhere that CPE makes the best but since the installation of one...don't you find the car vibrates alot more?

I've got the streetunit mount. Zero issues. Love it. A bunch of guys here prefer the CP-e, though. The vibes are not really noticeable to me, especially after it's broken in. This is a required mod after you put an intake on :) trust me. you'll love it.