I have a 2006 MS6, which I bought two years ago. It currently has about 10,000 miles on it. Id like to do a few upgrades but I am unclear on where I should start. I want to lower the car (1.25?) as well as add a few upgrades to get more power out of it but after reading some of the threads I am completely confused on where to begin. Id like to maintain my warranty if at all possible. So, if anyone has a few ideas Id appreciate it. Springs? Cold Air intake etc? I have about 3K to spend at once. Thanks.
Need a bit of upgrade help (MS6)
- Thread starter jbradley
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Bleh your lucky ive been studying all day and need a break. First off you will want to do a bunch of searching / learning on these forums. Look up the parts you are interested in to see how hard they are to install / potential problems.
Now the best way to mod (especially if your a first timer) is to start small in my opinion. Ill give you a list of a bunch of easy to install bolt on mods that form a good foundation to add "bigger" / more expensive parts.
Intake - easy install, 2 options: SRI / CAI. I recommend the SRI but look them up to learn about each one.
BOV / BPV - 5 min install. You will want to have a bypass valve or a bov running in recirc mode. This will hold boost better than the stock valve. Once again you can look those up on here.
Test pipe - Cheap / easy / 30 min install - Replaces 2nd cat converter on your exhaust. Pipe itself is like a foot and a half long and its easy to install. Gives deeper exhaust tone and 5-6 horsies.
Springs - Kind of annoying to install but you can have a shop do it. Any brand for the mazdaspeed 6 would be fine.
Short shifter / bushings - Improve feeling of shifter. Kind of an annoying install but once you have it in you dont have to remove it. Dealers (warranty) wont mind it.
Motor mount - Cheap / 45 min install. Eliminates those nasty hard shifts that the speed 6 can have when your on it hard.
Catback exhaust - expensive but if you like the sound than go for it. Doesn't yield any power . . . just sound mod. not hard to install
Those are all basic mods that you can start with or think about. Intercoolers and tunes you might want to look into as well. Everything I listed is "easily" removed if you ever need warranty work.
Now the best way to mod (especially if your a first timer) is to start small in my opinion. Ill give you a list of a bunch of easy to install bolt on mods that form a good foundation to add "bigger" / more expensive parts.
Intake - easy install, 2 options: SRI / CAI. I recommend the SRI but look them up to learn about each one.
BOV / BPV - 5 min install. You will want to have a bypass valve or a bov running in recirc mode. This will hold boost better than the stock valve. Once again you can look those up on here.
Test pipe - Cheap / easy / 30 min install - Replaces 2nd cat converter on your exhaust. Pipe itself is like a foot and a half long and its easy to install. Gives deeper exhaust tone and 5-6 horsies.
Springs - Kind of annoying to install but you can have a shop do it. Any brand for the mazdaspeed 6 would be fine.
Short shifter / bushings - Improve feeling of shifter. Kind of an annoying install but once you have it in you dont have to remove it. Dealers (warranty) wont mind it.
Motor mount - Cheap / 45 min install. Eliminates those nasty hard shifts that the speed 6 can have when your on it hard.
Catback exhaust - expensive but if you like the sound than go for it. Doesn't yield any power . . . just sound mod. not hard to install
Those are all basic mods that you can start with or think about. Intercoolers and tunes you might want to look into as well. Everything I listed is "easily" removed if you ever need warranty work.
if you got 3k to play with you could consider some engine management along with an intake, and maybe a tmic upgrade.
the EMU would make the most of those mods and there all easily removable.
cpe makes a plug and play harnes for their standback.
and he cobb access port flashes your stock ecu with a new tune and can flash back to stock and be removed for stealership visits.
as you can see if you want to avoid warranty violation really you just need to be able to remove stuff quickly. exhaust parts arent so easily removed.
the EMU would make the most of those mods and there all easily removable.
cpe makes a plug and play harnes for their standback.
and he cobb access port flashes your stock ecu with a new tune and can flash back to stock and be removed for stealership visits.
as you can see if you want to avoid warranty violation really you just need to be able to remove stuff quickly. exhaust parts arent so easily removed.
Sigh I hate these remarks.
I wouldn't get an ECU tune unless your knowledgable about the implications. Dealers "can" scan your car to check past ECU data. Not to mention tunes, expecially the COBB AP, can lead to problems like wacky A/F ratios and knock. Unless your experienced I wouldn't advise it. Yes there are people with 0 problems but not everyones car reacts the same way. The CPE standback isn't for the faint of heart either. You should know what your doing before you tune your own car.
As for the exhaust. The only part of it that takes a long time to install is the downpipe. The test pipe / catback are very easy installs. Undo bolts on the pipe and stick in the new one. . . Took me 20 minutes to install my GHL catback when I had it. Test pipe is even easier.
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- 2011 Mustang GT
I see you've been doing your homework coyfish. I remember when you first posted these threads.
I'll agree with him on what he's said. Stick with bolt-ons to enjoy the car. If you're still craving more power, get a tune, bigger turbo, and a downpipe. Otherwise you should enjoy what you've got with the first round of mods.
Basic things I'd look at would be: rear motor mount, CAI/SRI, test pipe, turbo inlet, bypass valve, springs (H&R), rear sway bar, and a short shifter.
I'll agree with him on what he's said. Stick with bolt-ons to enjoy the car. If you're still craving more power, get a tune, bigger turbo, and a downpipe. Otherwise you should enjoy what you've got with the first round of mods.
Basic things I'd look at would be: rear motor mount, CAI/SRI, test pipe, turbo inlet, bypass valve, springs (H&R), rear sway bar, and a short shifter.
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- 2011 Mustang GT
I don't think you've ever posted pics, how's it running?
I really need to sit down and figure out a definitive set of my 'Stage 1' bolt-ons, then keep them saved so I can just copy and paste with pricing for the question when it pops up.
I really need to sit down and figure out a definitive set of my 'Stage 1' bolt-ons, then keep them saved so I can just copy and paste with pricing for the question when it pops up.
Yeah tell me about it. Ive made a bunch of those 1st timer bolt on posts.
So far running great. As for pics mine looks pretty much stock /:. Only changes are window tint, blue calipers, mazdaspeed badge removed, blacked out rear flying m. If I ever manage to get springs / rims Ill definately throw some pics on here.
So far running great. As for pics mine looks pretty much stock /:. Only changes are window tint, blue calipers, mazdaspeed badge removed, blacked out rear flying m. If I ever manage to get springs / rims Ill definately throw some pics on here.
TX Speed 6
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- Mazdaspeed 6
Just make a thread and see if it can be stickied of "MS6 first mods" or "beginners mods" or something like that... I'm not very creative so I'm sure you can think of a better name
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- 2011 Mustang GT
Thats a good idea. I'll talk to the section mods and see if we can get that taken care of.
Yeah anything can void your warranty. Most people stick to bolt on mods like the ones I listed. That way if you need to visit the dealer you just swap them out. Lots of people seem to think springs are safe but . . . they are just like any other mod.
someone made a complaint about your suspension? if so, that's the first that I've heard that. every car i've had, had at least springs. my protege had racing beat springs and tokico shocks, and the dealer didn't even say anything about it.
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- 2011 Mustang GT
I'll make sure to put springs, strut tower brace, and several other things on my list. I'm gonna work on it later tonight when I get back from the gym.
Just a suggestion, dont get your panties in a wad.
A pointless one
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- 2011 Mustang GT
Investing or saving isn't an upgrade, last time I checked.
To each his own, but that's not the point of this thread.
To each his own, but that's not the point of this thread.
Come on... saving and investing is not pointless.
I realize that, but sinking 3k into a car in the current economic times isnt exactly the best idea though. In the end, not my decision and only my 2 cents.
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