New MS3 Owner: Lots of Questions

[ndedomin]

I am a proud new mazdaspeed 3 owner. (2008.5 Black Mica GT). I love the car, and I am interested in adding some things to it down the line. I'm sure these questions have been asked before, but I couldn't find a specific answer for what I was looking for, so here are my questions:

1) Has anyone heard anything about the stop-sale on the mazdaspeed CAI? I was interested in buying one to stay under warranty, but heard that they aren't being sold anymore.

2) Any opinions of the mazdaspeed upgraded cat-back exhaust? I was looking at it for the same reason as the CAI (staying in warranty), but don't know if its worth it or not for the money.

The next questions aren't related to this section of the forum directly, but any help is appreciated:

3) Opinions on upgraded suspension systems? Particularly the mazdaspeed coil over suspension? I am interested more in overall performance and handling than ride height.

3) I live in Maine...50% tint is the maximum legally...Is 50% worth it for the amount of protection it provides to the interior of the car?

4) I have been looking at boost gauges and am drawn to the Prosport electronic gauge. Is it worth the money? Should I get a gauge from a different company?

 

[mordant80]

I throw my opinions at ya, I'm sure you'll get more with different responses.

1) From my understanding, the MS CAI has been discontinued. I have the Cobb intake and love it. As for warranty some dealers may give you a hard time. You may have to take it back to stock for warranty work which isnt that big of a deal with the Cobb.

2) I heard that most the restriction of the MS3 exhaust isn't in the catback. So you probably won't see "that much" of a gain with just a catback.

3) I have no experiece with this at all.

4) 50%!!! wow thats light. The limit here in WV is 35% which was still too light for me so I went with 22%. Shouldn't be too hard to find a place to pass it here in WV. I don't know if 50% would even be worth the money for me. Totally up to you.

5) I'm cheap, so I got the autometer mechanical gauge. Works great for me. But I've heard good things about the prosport as well. IMO a boost gauge is a boost gauge. I'd say it's a matter of personal opinion.

 

[ndedomin]

thanks for the response mordant...very helpful answers. I am interested in the Cobb SRI. Its cheaper than a lot of the CAI's out there too...I would be interested to hear what kinds of issues people had with their dealers relating to the SRI.


Keep the answers to the questions coming people

Thanks for everyone's help in advance!

 

[Kain]

Get a Mazdaspeed license plate frame. (lol2)

As for tint, if you're not going to go below 50%, I wouldn't even bother. Sure it'll offer some UV protection, but I had 35% all around on my last car and regretted it. Got 20% this time around (VA legal is 50%/35%) and haven't looked back.

 

[ndedomin]

Well, I have the mazdaspeed license plate frame taken care of, thanks to you, Kain (cool) Thanks again by the way.

I guess I'll just hold off on the tint then. I'll be moving to Georgia next year, and the restrictions are much lighter there than in Maine so I may be able to get away with darker windows.


Everyone else, keep the responses coming. (nana)

 

[Kain]

You're welcome.

I've only had my MS3 for a month, but I'll throw in my opinions from years of wrenching:

1) Has anyone heard anything about the stop-sale on the mazdaspeed CAI? I was interested in buying one to stay under warranty, but heard that they aren't being sold anymore.

Last I heard, Mazda USA recalled all of the unsold Mazdaspeed CAIs, so all of the dealerships/vendors had to send them back. If that means they are permanently off the market or awaiting a redesign, I don't think anyone here honestly knows.

2) Any opinions of the mazdaspeed upgraded cat-back exhaust? I was looking at it for the same reason as the CAI (staying in warranty), but don't know if its worth it or not for the money.

During my research, I keep hearing that the big gains are in the downpipe, not from a CBE. But I have no firsthand experience.

3) Opinions on upgraded suspension systems? Particularly the mazdaspeed coil over suspension? I am interested more in overall performance and handling than ride height.

Not sure if you're going to be tracking your car, but I had adjustable coilovers, lower tie bar and rear sway bar on my last car. Handled great and the drop was eye candy, but the ride was harsh (someone two counties over could fart the wrong way and I'd hit the bumpstops). I'm actually enjoying the stock handling of this car. Might just get a COBB rear sway bar and call it a day.

4) I have been looking at boost gauges and am drawn to the Prosport electronic gauge. Is it worth the money? Should I get a gauge from a different company?

From what I gather, people are getting the Prosport because it matches the stock gauges and it's cheap. But I heard there are issues with rattling and how precise the readings are. I'm probably going to spring for a Defi red racer boost gauge.

Those are my $0.02, FWIW (roughly 2 cents).

 

[ndedomin]

Great answers, kain. Thanks again. I will definitely keep all of this in mind.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

1) current rumor says the intake will be re-released, but i am betting against it. if you are looking for a full cold air intake, i have Fujitas in stock and will do a price so low i cannot type it here this is the intake i run on my personal vehicle and love it

2) honestly, i sell these and think they fit awful and offer not enough gain for the money spent. you will be happier with a system from HKS, Corksport or CP-e and the quality of each.

3) BC Coilovers are cheaper, more adjustable and provide more aggressive handling than the the Mazdaspeed setup in my humble opinion

3) 50%?? damn all we are allowed is 35%

4) the prosport electric and electronic are fine gauges. any electronic boost gauge driven by a sending unit should provide accurate and smooth readings. the mechanical gauges work well, but are not as smooth.

 

[DKo5]

1) current rumor says the intake will be re-released, but i am betting against it. if you are looking for a full cold air intake, i have Fujitas in stock and will do a price so low i cannot type it here this is the intake i run on my personal vehicle and love it

Would you recommend the Fujita over a Cobb SRI?

After I've got some funds I was looking at the Cobb SRI, a new BPV (haven't decided which), and possibly an ETS TMIC. Would you consider those to be decently "easy" installs without lengthy removals? Not wanting to spend a day putting my MS3 back to stock whenever I have to take it in to the dealership.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

Would you recommend the Fujita over a Cobb SRI?

After I've got some funds I was looking at the Cobb SRI, a new BPV (haven't decided which), and possibly an ETS TMIC. Would you consider those to be decently "easy" installs without lengthy removals? Not wanting to spend a day putting my MS3 back to stock whenever I have to take it in to the dealership.

those three parts are easy installs and are easily removed for dealer trips. i do prefer CAI over the SRI and feel that there are better results to be had with it, even if they are just slightly better.

 

[Moultese]

I don't want to steal the thread, but I am in the same position as the original poster and there is some good info in here. I would like to add some questions that maybe the original poster would like to know as well.

Is there a problem with hydrolock with CAIs on the MS3?

Where can I read more about the Mazdaspeed Intake?

 

[mordant80]

I don't want to steal the thread, but I am in the same position as the original poster and there is some good info in here. I would like to add some questions that maybe the original poster would like to know as well.

Is there a problem with hydrolock with CAIs on the MS3?

Where can I read more about the Mazdaspeed Intake?

With any CAI there is always a chance of hydrolock if you're gonna be driving through standing water. It just takes common sense, stay out of standing water and if it's raining very hard, slow down. Not sure where more information about the MS CAI can be found other than searching the forum. I've seen alot of disccussion on it.

 

[Moultese]

Yeah, I do a lot of driving, and there is a good chance I will drive through heavy rain and snow, so I dunno about a CAI. I think I may go Cobb.

 

[mordant80]

Hehe, driving through heavy snow just reminded me of my buddy that had a camaro with a CAI on it. It had a large plastic scoop type of thing that went down under the car in the middle to pick up fresh air. He was driving it through snow and the scoop got packed with snow and stalled out the car. No hydrolock or anything, but I thought it was halarious when it happened. Might of had to been there though.