noob alert

[sleeper3]

hi I just bought my mazdaspeed 3 today! cosmic blue GT with navigation. I'm so stoked. This isn't my first car with some zip, so I know the forum deal. just wanted to say what's up and see what everyone's first mod was.

[GreyMan]

welcome to the forums(nana)

[sleeper3]

thanks man!

[Vindikacione]

Cobb SRI and Forge BPV.

[Vindikacione]

oh, and welcome to a great, peaceful, non-flaming forum. Even the non-MS3 owners love us. Seriously...

[Nutari]

1st mod was the tmic/motor mount/shift boot.

2ns was xede.

(drunk)

[Sacrilicious]

welcome...and what great taste you have in colors! (cabpatch)

the first mods i did to my car were TWM shifter bushings followed shortly by the cobb SRI. i just wanted to make a few minor changes to my car, and those were just shift feel and being able to hear the turbo...=D

[sleeper3]

yeah I was thinking about the shifter bushings... did they make a big difference?

also, you guys like the short ram better than the cold air huh? how come?

[sleeper3]

I was also thinking about doing the tmic... did you notice any difference in heat soak or better power? the only one I saw claimed 20 hp... that seems kind of extreme to me but I am new to forced induction.


and thanks for the props on the color. I wasnt big on it at first, but it grew on me and I freaking love it now!

[Mocoso]

Welcome onboard... Blue is the second fastest color tied with Red and Black

[Bravnik]

Welcome man! First for me was Epoxy Motor Mount, 20% Tint all around and MS CAI.

[redspeed]

First mod was the SU motor mount, then a custom cai. I don't think you will get 20 hp from the sri, but you will get about 25 from a cai. Read aroud, it's been dyno like a million times.
Welcome to the boards!

[jalaan1]

welcome.

[BlackJack]

Welcome! First mod will be the MS CAI, which will be installed this weekend! Can't wait!

[sleeper3]

I'm trying to read as much as possible about the air intakes for this car because it seems like easy power. I have to say, I don't like the fact that the mazdaspeed cold air system has a bigger mass air housing. down the road, incorrect mass air readings are going to hurt the tuning process I think. the upstream o2 sensor and the maf sensor work together to calculate a mixture of fuel and air. creating an incorrect reading by increasing the housing diameter for one of these sensors just seems like a bad thing. any comments?

[Sacrilicious]

the bushings will help to make the shifting feel a lot less "mushy". that is one of the main issues that i have with our car, so i took care of that first.

you are definitely correct about the bitter mass air housing. this is why i like the cobb sri, because cobb took some time to make sure that their MAF housing mirrors stock A/F.

[sleeper3]

a guy I work with got the CP-E one. anyone here have those? It looks pretty nice and well made. plus it's cold air, which I like.

[Vindikacione]

In the winter, SRIs will run ambient temps at speed (18mph or faster). I know this because my Dashhawk says so. I drive at 30kph around most of my installation (base/post/camp/you get the picture) and when AAT says 41 and IAT says 41, that means they are both equal. Of course if its summer time, it might read 70 and 73 or 95 and 99, but that I wouldn't know since I got my Dashhawk during the winter. With that said- I don't see the advantage of getting a CAI. Does a CAI somehow reduce the Ambient Air Temp? IF it does that, which I doubt, then buy it because that would be a cool thing to have (pun intended). Otherwise get an SRI because it does the same darn thing. Somebody is going to throw out their Dyno experience and numbers and know-how, but guess what- A fan can't replicate at speed temps. But listen to them anyway, because they are smarter than everyone else on this awesome, beloved forum...

[fourthmeal]

You're right about that, Sleeper3. The Cobb SRI and CP-E CAI both are very well engineered to O.E. MAF specs. I think it is a matter of opinion as to which one is best for you. The SRI is what I'll be going for due to the high water possibility here in Vegas.

[sleeper3]

winter in west palm? lol. we don't really have winter. also, you're kind of on edge about something... too much coffee this morning? I'm jealous, we're on boil water restriction, so I can't have coffee. anyway, I am of the opinion that the farther from the engine you can get your air, the better. at speed, I agree, it probably doesn't make a huge difference, but I drive around town mostly, and we have TONS of stop lights. Anyway, I'm not 100% yet on which I'll be getting. I like the cobb for the price, and the cp-e for the power and technology. we'll see. thanks for all the super input!

[Vindikacione]

Nah- Not postal, just a preemptive haiku-like strike against would-be smacktalkers. Looks like it worked, for now...

Like 4th Meal said- Get the best for your car. Given your traffic conditions, get a CAI. Mazdaspeed CAI is worth looking into due to the warranty. But, as many have said, -aftermarket intakes don't mess w/ your warranty. Don't know how true that is, but maybe a smart, all-knowing person will chime in.

[Powerslave]

if i was you i would go with cp-e intake i went witht the mazdaspeed intake, i get really bad boost spike from the mazdaspeed version. cp-e has a seperate engineered maf houseing so you get much less boost spike and more drivability

[Sacrilicious]

oh, and the main reason i got the SRI is simply because it was easiest to install and maintain. you can't really beat having the filter right there in your face when you pop the hood...^^;

[Vindikacione]

if i was you i would go with cp-e intake i went witht the mazdaspeed intake, i get really bad boost spike from the mazdaspeed version. cp-e has a seperate engineered maf houseing so you get much less boost spike and more drivability

Not doubting your statement- but how does MAF readings cause boost spike? Boost spike sounds bad, so I'd like to what can cause it. I'm sure the new guy might want to know too. Thx.

Exchanged the word "wisdom" with "statement." In the previous context Redspeed was insulted. I sincerely apologize if you were insulted as well. I will attempt to tread more carefully when making my comments. There are a few very sensitive people that utilize this medium.

[redspeed]

Nah- Not postal, just a preemptive haiku-like strike against would-be smacktalkers. Looks like it worked, for now...


Fans, Smarter than anyone else, Smacktalkers, not doubting you "wisdom". What is your deal man! Do you really think that everybody has to agree with you?

The cai is gona be the best option for performance. It is sucking outside air, all the time. The sri is almost directly behind the radiator. When your car is hot and you open the hood, ever feel that rush of hot air? That is what the sri is sucking most of the time. Granted, when you get to certain speed, it is probably more efficient.

[Vindikacione]

Hook, line, and sinker. That didn't take long...

Thx TR for responding. You're a great and diligent gentleman. Have a nice day. I wish you and your family the best. Be safe. No need to agree with me though, probably not worth your time. eh?

And PS, it was a serious question. I'd really like to know about boost spike.

[chaos4]

I'm trying to read as much as possible about the air intakes for this car because it seems like easy power. I have to say, I don't like the fact that the mazdaspeed cold air system has a bigger mass air housing. down the road, incorrect mass air readings are going to hurt the tuning process I think. the upstream o2 sensor and the maf sensor work together to calculate a mixture of fuel and air. creating an incorrect reading by increasing the housing diameter for one of these sensors just seems like a bad thing. any comments?

Works fine for me. Mazda engineered them to run together.

[redspeed]

Hook, line, and sinker. That didn't take long...

Thx TR for responding. You're a great and diligent gentleman. Have a nice day. I wish you and your family the best. Be safe. No need to agree with me though, probably not worth your time. eh?

And PS, it was a serious question. I'd really like to know about boost spike.

No, Thank YOU! (laugh)

[Vindikacione]

[QUOTE=sleeper3;3493728]yeah I was thinking about the shifter bushings... did they make a big difference? QUOTE]

Enormous difference, worth every penny. But go with the entire shifter! Install is easier than it looks, just be careful with dropping screws between carpet and floor panel. Might want to have a magnet stick handy just in case. And it wouldn't hurt to apply some locktite to the bushing bolts. TWM gives you a discount if your military! Canadians rule.

[sleeper3]

I've done a short throw shifter on a fwd before... it's pretty straight forward... I was a tech at a land rover dealer, so I know how to spin a wrench. I loved the short throw, but on this car, the shifter feels really nice stock. I think I'll leave it that way for now. but thanks for the input, I think I'll go ahead and get the complete shifter when I do it... I'll get the bushings too.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the cpe now... I'm thinking about going with their engine management too. group buys ftw!

[flipstylex]

i got a ms3 sport so my first mods were..... as listed on my sig ;)

i'm still debating wether to put cai and downpipe....wife don't like the car too loud :-)...

getting a shortshifter soon...or maybe bushings

[Vindikacione]

i got a ms3 sport so my first mods were..... as listed on my sig ;)

i'm still debating wether to put cai and downpipe....wife don't like the car too loud :-)...

getting a shortshifter soon...or maybe bushings

My wife had the same problem with my Honda, when I put my Magnaflow CBE in. She refused to ride in it, so I got her some earplugs...

With that said, I didn't remove the stock exhaust until the road salt ate big holes in it (8 years later). I figured I'd get my money worth out of the stock system.

MS3's exhaust ain't terrible, has a hard time breathing for some, and CEL lights for others. I'd leave it alone alone unless you plan on racing at the track every weekend (at least until it rusts through). If its a daily driver like the 75-85% of the other folks on this forum, then I'd recommend you go with CAI and STS w/ bushings. Of course you're talking about CAIs & downpipes and not CBEs so I'm probably way off base. But I'm generalizing your sound issues and your wife's sensitivity to them. ...the downpipe won't be enough, you'll then have to get a test pipe, remove a Cat and/or resonator, and eventually pony up for a CBE. The Mod Bug sucks to have sometime...

Oh, the STS w/ bushing mod can be a family event. Your wife can actually help you install it. Of course the TWM instructions don't say it, but for her to help, she would have to be in the Driver's seat, while you do most of the work in the Passenger's seat. Alright, enough said. I'll go get more coffee now.

[sleeper3]

I love coffee <3

so I was reading some more, and it seems that the air intake is going to make wayyyyyy more horsepower than a cat back system. plus, when coming to a light in second gear, the car is just loud anyway. I'm sure you guys have noticed that. I'm not worrying about the exhaust until I think it's creating a bottle neck in the flow. obviously, getting rid of the cats will make a difference but I'm not ready to do that yet. I'm thinking cold air, bigger intercooler and a piggy back computer system will keep me happy for a good while. all of that should put me just under 300 ponies to the ground I am thinking and maybe a hair over 300 tq to the ground. and of course, nothing will be noticable from the outside, thus sticking to the sleeper theme. (i love it)

we'll see.

[sleeper3]

oh yeah and when I got in the car to go to work today, there was a silver ms3 sport parked next to me. I think they're dating... or reproducing asexually.

[BluMicaR]

oh yeah and when I got in the car to go to work today, there was a silver ms3 sport parked next to me. I think they're dating... or reproducing asexually.

Gawd I wish mine would asexually reproduce lol, I'd have twice as much fun, like dating twins!

[sleeper3]

Gawd I wish mine would asexually reproduce lol, I'd have twice as much fun, like dating twins!



I've done that too ;)

[chufa]

I just did my first mod! Velcro for the iPod!! Weeee!!!

[Aaron2112]

If you get a CAI or a SRI wrap it in insualting cloth that will pretty much kill the heat issue(which at this point the CAI is better), Also if you can wrap the headers in the same stuff it totally kills the heat inside the engine bay, I have a friend with a TC thats supercharged and his headers are wraped tehy stay cool enough after driving for an hour to not get burnt by placing your hand on the pipe. Doing these things will help this car a lot since it is a top mount intercooler.

[sleeper3]

congrats on the velcro ipod thingy!!!

yeah I keep reading threads about people whose intercoolers stay "ice cold"... wtf man after I drive, the stock one is like a jillion degrees. are these people full of crap or are they doing something different? I mean, the insulated manifold thing might help a teeny bit, but the intercooler is pretty well shielded from engine bay heat. there is heat shielding and ducting going all over the place in there. not sure, anyway, 150 miles on the OD today!!! 10% of the way through my break in. I can't wait to romp on her.

[redspeed]

but the intercooler is pretty well shielded from engine bay heat. there is heat shielding and ducting going all over the place in there.

No, the intercooler is not shielded from engine heat. The plastic cover on top is to seal the ram air ducts against the IC. There is nothing under the IC to stop the heat.

[Aaron2112]

which is why the insulation wrap is so good im not kidding ive put my hand the header to that TC and it was mighty hot but then if i were to touch that thing without the wrap on it i would get a serious serious burn, engine bay temps stay pretty low with that which means your intercooler will cool better and the intake will take in colder air all are absolutly required for a turbo.

[sleeper3]

I haven't looked extremely closely yet, but it really looks like the only engine part that would create heat for the intercooler is the upper intake manifold and the head cover. I'll take a closer look tonight. eventually I'm sure I'll spring for a ceramic coated exhaust manifold, but for right now, I'm sure it's fine. I'm getting a better tmic as soon as I can anyway.