what performance upgrades are worth while on the n/a 2.3 hatchback

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kms1990

Member

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2011 mazda 3 hatchback GT

• Jul 4, 2015

• #1

as the title says, i wanna know what mods are worth it to do to the n/a 2.3L as i cannot afford to turbo. i want more umph and do realize ill never be "the fastest car on the block" with this car without a turbo or a limitless pocket book. i am already planning on doing some suspension upgrades such as upgraded struts/springs and tower bar. maybe speed 3 or corksport swaybars. however what engine mods are worth my time/money and effort for this car?

 

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goldwing2000

Turd in the punch bowl

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2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 269,000 miles

• Aug 18, 2015

• #2

Cold air intake is about the only thing that will make any difference at all. Increased power (on the unofficial butt dyno) and improved fuel economy. The computer "unlearns" any other mods.

 

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avidballer

Member

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2007 Mazda MAZDA3 s Sport

• Aug 25, 2015

• #3

A cold air intake definitely made a big difference on my Mazda 3's performance. K&N is a good brand.

 

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thzpcs

Member

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Speed3

• Aug 25, 2015

• #4

Does anyone have any actual dyno runs to back this up? I've always heard that a CAI on a car with no tune or anything will do nothing at best, and actually make it worse in some cases.

 

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goldwing2000

Turd in the punch bowl

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2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 269,000 miles

• Sep 2, 2015

• #5

Made a big difference on mine. Improved driving feel and also improved fuel economy.

 

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thzpcs

Member

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Speed3

• Sep 11, 2015

• #6

On NA cars, I always suggest a swaybar kit. While it doesn't add any power obviously, they make a huge difference in the way the car handles without sacrificing much ride quality.

 

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goldwing2000

Turd in the punch bowl

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2004 Mazda3s Hatch; 269,000 miles

• Sep 11, 2015

• #7

Honestly, I never found any deficiencies in the stock suspension, even after dozens of "fun runs" with my local driving club. Unless you're wanting to do full-on track days or just want to lower the car for aesthetics, Mazda did a great job of setting up the 1st gen 3.

Sent from my Z932L using Tapatalk

 

concept

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San Diego, CA

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2014 Mazda3 S GT auto, 2008 MX5 6-speed

• Sep 11, 2015

• #8

It's not how much you gain, it's how much you don't lose. Heatsoak from built up engine bay heat after shutting down a warmed up engine, can cause intake air through the OEM intake to reach 120- 140 degrees F. That heated intake air causes your ecu to retard timing enough to reduce HP by 5+ wheel horsepower.
Having a true CAI will cause that super hot intake air to cool off, rapidly - much faster than could the OEM intake. Dyno plots won't show you this reduction in power if the hood is open and a fan is blowing on the engine. Nonetheless, it is real and happens all the time (if you don't have CAI).