Looking for more power, what would you do?

[black_ninja23]

Hey guys,
Looking to do my next mod, cause my butt's gotten used to the power of the MS3. I currently have a COBB SRI. I'm budgeting myself around $1200. And so far i've thought of getting either a COBB FMIC or a combo of the ETS TMIC and an HKS CBE. Which do you guys think is the better route to go as far as gaining more power. And if I do go with the TMIC, is there any way to put a heat shield at the back of the intercooler? I've noticed that most of the heatsoak occurs at the back of the intercooler since it's sitting right over the exhaust manifold.

[mazdaspeedster3]

Fmic Ftw! Imo

[RelliMS3]

If you're willing to spend over a grand then i think FMIC is the way to go. From what i've read it seems like a CBE will do almost nothing for power by itself and the FMIC is much better than the TMIC. Plus the FMIC looks sooooooo bad ass.

[wisniaPl]

turbo upgrade hahah

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Bpv, Turbo inlet and Exhaust is the next mods I'm thinking about. I was thinking about hks bpv, and hks cbe, and then maybe some gauges aloso. Can't get the complete exhaust because I'm moving to cali the beginning of next year which sucks because I really wanted to get a tbe

[cageyvet]

for $1200, I'd get the following, exhaust depot fmic, txs dp, txs rp

[arkenzo]

for $1200, I'd get the following, exhaust depot fmic, txs dp, txs rp

If heatsoak really is an issue for you (should only be an issue during summer time and stop n' go traffic), then go FMIC, if it isn't much of an issue, I suggest the ETS TMIC 3.25" and the TurboXS Downpipe + Midpipe (make sure you get the newest revision of the DP/MP), RKM SSQV from dabears2k.com and you should be golden!

What's wrong with cali and no cats? I'm completely catless and if you need to get the car inspected, get it done when you move to cali, then get the downpipe + midpipe :)

[black_ninja23]

i live in cali, what's wrong with going with turboback? is it cause of the cat?

hmm, you know i think for now I'm gonna go for the ETS, the RKM BPV from dabears2k.com, and MAYBE a STS and motor mounts. I wanna be able to switch back to stock in case of warranty works...maybe after the warranty is done i'll go FMIC.

BTW, is it hard to install motor mounts? I'm planning on doing the installs with my friend, both of us have only had the experience of installing the COBB SRI.

also for the motor mounts i'm thinking of getting the CPEs

[Bonafide_Spd3]

I was stationed out in cali a couple of years ago. My buddy and I got back from a deployment and he bought a catless exhaust system. A couple weeks later he was driving through santa barbara and got pulled over because his exhaust was too loud and the cop checked out his exhaust and gave him a fine and he had to get it taken off in so many days. I just don't want that crap to happen to me

[techspeak]

Fuel Pump!!

[ndedomin]

I say forget power and put it towards upgrading the brakes/suspension. You could get a set of BC coil overs for $1000, or you could get some new brake rotors/brake pads.

However, if you really want one of the two options you listed, I would say get the FMIC. After I finish upgrading the suspension on my speed3, an FMIC will be one of my first mods to the engine bay.

[Frisco speed3]

I live in cali and cp-e said their catted down pipe would pass the sniffer,not the visual becauese it doesn't have the C.A.R.B sticker. Im debating it myself.

[arkenzo]

I live in cali and cp-e said their catted down pipe would pass the sniffer,not the visual becauese it doesn't have the C.A.R.B sticker. Im debating it myself.

It's a double edged sword....Not passing the visual will still get you a fail...Either way, getting the Catted version is still an emissions violation, you have to absolutely leave everything emissions related, stock.

[racersir]

ETS TMIC and CPE DP will be my choices, 2 upgrades are better than 1 lol!!

[black_ninja23]

Disregarding heatsoak problems, what kind of HP/tq gains can I expect from TMIC upgrade vs FMIC?

[amnestia]

disregarding heatsoak i believe the gains for both will be rather similar (fmic just a few points more), main point of a fmic is to prevent heatsoak which is the tmic's greatest problem.

[Bonafide_Spd3]

But with a fmic don't you get more turbo lag?

[arkenzo]

But with a fmic don't you get more turbo lag?

I believe so, yes. Just look at the tubing lengths and tell me there isn't a single difference in turbo lag. TMIC is effective method, but has it's draw backs. I think they should have done the hood like the WRX, that would have helped somewhat.

[cageyvet]

Turbo lag is virtually non-existent with the stock KO4.Why would you still want an intercooler that sits above the engine, and costs nearly $600? If your going to spend good money on an intercooler upgrade go with the optimal intercooler(fmic).

[SSMS3]

I can't comment on a FMIC, but I have the ETS top mount and it makes a good improvement through the entire powerband

[black_ninja23]

I can't comment on a FMIC, but I have the ETS top mount and it makes a good improvement through the entire powerband

do you feel the improvement? I couldn't tell any difference with my COBB sri when everyone was saying there is improvement

[wisniaPl]

do you feel the improvement? I couldn't tell any difference with my COBB sri when everyone was saying there is improvement

return to stock as i have to do any you will fell difference you will be disapointed

[truredspeed3]

any tmic=fail. Go fmic...little to no heatsoak. I run my car hard in South Florida and I touch my cp-e fmic after 3 hard hard runs and its still cold!

[Bonafide_Spd3]

Mazdaspeed3's should come stock with a fmic. Or they shouldn't void your warrenty if you install it

[3.slow]

Which do you guys think is the better route to go as far as gaining more power.

Get a DSM!

[phillyb]

any tmic=fail. Go fmic...little to no heatsoak. I run my car hard in South Florida and I touch my cp-e fmic after 3 hard hard runs and its still cold!

that's actually really impressive. i've read other people claiming very similar things as well.

[FrequentFlyer]

do you feel the improvement? I couldn't tell any difference with my COBB sri when everyone was saying there is improvement

The difference I felt and I'm sure most people will agree, was night and day with my Cobb SRI. You must have a numb butt dyno. :)

[93mx6]

id say get a really efficient turbo, upgrading the intercooler, will net you more horsepower but will do so by freeing up the already restrictive flow, i would say a turbo is your best bet there, and then you can gain even more power and it would be reliable power with a better flowing turbo

[SSMS3]

do you feel the improvement? I couldn't tell any difference with my COBB sri when everyone was saying there is improvement

Yes noticeable improvement from the ETS, but I felt a noticeable improvement from the MS cai as well

[CoolWhip]

If you want power gains go with a TBE.

FMIC is good but I only see the FMIC as a reason for turning up the boost.

[cageyvet]

$1200 isn't enough to buy a turbo and run it efficiently or without the risk of destroying your car

[techspeak]

$1200 isn't enough to buy a turbo and run it efficiently or without the risk of destroying your car

exactly! Fuel Pump!!!

[BCM_SonicDNA]

I was in the same boat as you and I decided to go with a fmic. After installing i didn't have a doubt in my mind that I made the right choice.

[black_ninja23]

Ok, well I've decided to go with the TMIC, and upgrade to an ETS. This way it'll be easier for me to go back to stock just incase...do you guys know about how much more hp/tq i'll be getting with an ETS, is the power upgrade equivalent to getting an upgraded sri? thanks

[AutoXRacer]

Ok, well I've decided to go with the TMIC, and upgrade to an ETS. This way it'll be easier for me to go back to stock just incase...do you guys know about how much more hp/tq i'll be getting with an ETS, is the power upgrade equivalent to getting an upgraded sri? thanks

Supposedly, the gains are 20HP/20TQ... At least thats whats advertised; there is a dyno out there claiming it.

[wisniaPl]

$1200 isn't enough to buy a turbo and run it efficiently or without the risk of destroying your car

it was a joke can you imagine a turbo upgrade to be
first mod??(friday)

[Speed3Rookie]

Supposedly, the gains are 20HP/20TQ... At least thats whats advertised; there is a dyno out there claiming it.

And comparing the FMIC with the same mods the gains are?

[ericrapp]

Ok, well I've decided to go with the TMIC, and upgrade to an ETS. This way it'll be easier for me to go back to stock just incase...do you guys know about how much more hp/tq i'll be getting with an ETS, is the power upgrade equivalent to getting an upgraded sri? thanks hey, I purchased the top mounted EtS to reduce temps in a car that ran hot imo, the exhaust TIP would sizzle water after a good run or two. Replaced stock TmIC for safety reasons. Also increased flow and cooling area ++. Which supported performance. I also got tbe to keep the hot air/exhaust moving quickly out of the motor. get some boost tubes while you are in there!

[lestat13]

But with a fmic don't you get more turbo lag?

look at the cobb and cp-e FMIC kits. cp-e claim close to zero extra lag, if any at all and this is partially due to using 2.25 inch pipes. cobb uses 2.50 but claims almost no pressure drop. they also use properly sized intercoolers. I have heard that you won't make as much power with a turbo xs kit because the intercooler is too large.

so you are correct that MOST people get more lag when they install a FMIC.... but if you were to install a cp-e or cobb FMIC, chances are you would feel absolutely no difference at all.

[714ms3]

I only just picked up my MS3, but i did a shit tonne of research prior. From what I have read, the mazda engineers did an excellent job wit the TMIC and air delivery system. For me, I do not see any reason to upgrade to a new top mount, on a system that is already pretty efficient. Heat soak will always be an issue with a top mount system.
As far as the FMIC goes, there are multiple threads arguing for and against it. 1000 is a lot to drop for such a small increase in HP/TQ.
I mean, correct me if I am wrong by any means, but I feel as though the money could def be better spent i.e. fuel management, BPV, TBE. Hell, I was even considering adding a small scoop to the top of the hood for the TMIC.

[bacarl]

I read a really interesting article about air flow and hood scoops... The short version is, a guy cut a scoop into the front corner of his hood, because he had a TMIC mounted kinda where our battery is (this was on a 90-something Nissan). He did some testing with pressure sensors, and due to the aerodynamics of his car, air flowed out of his forward facing scoop at ~50mph, hence his intercooler was being heated by engine bay air instead of cooled by ambient air. Sounds crazy, I know. I'll try to post up the link.

Basically, the MS3 is set up from the factory with the hood induction and underbody tray; that's probably the optimal system for cooling the TMIC. I'd be cautious with cutting or adding scoops.

edit, found the article. Hopefully it should be attached as a .pdf. Check out this quote:

So if you’ve added a bonnet scoop to pick up air – or you have enlarged the standard scoop – it’s quite possible that there’s a pressure build-up under the bonnet which is dropping the efficiency of your radiator, intercooler, oil cooler and/or air-conditioning condenser. Get rid of that pressure build-up and all of the above will work better...

[ericrapp]

The ram air system for our car is pretty cool. ha. but the stock mounted unit seemed to run hot to me. after upgrading, all better. But a properly sized front mount is surely the best solution.