The Mazdaspeed 3 is only a bit less tricky to launch than a space shuttle. Most of the runs up the drag strip vanished in excessive tire smoke. Or they deflated when the driver, trying to stanch the wheelspin, inadvertently cued the waste gate. Or grabbed the wrong gear with the spongy shifter. Calls to Mazda yielded tips: Pop the clutch at 2900 rpm, upshift at 6000 redline is 6700 and flat-shift through second and third (which means don't lift at all the mechanical equivalent of dropping a Steinway on the clutch and half-shafts and violating our test procedure).
"Don't worry," the engineers said, "it won't break."
Launching our MS3s can be a joy but you have to earn it. I have my own thoughts on it but here is Car and Driver's take from their 2007 review:
- Be sure to hold down the traction control button when you are starting her, to disable the assists and regain some boost in 1st and 2nd.
- Your tires will slip, if you're doing it right, but if it's too much just barely ease off the gas until they can find traction. If you come off too much you'll lug and have to wait for the turbo to spool again.
- On shifts, be very mindful of actual gear engagement before letting the clutch out. Grinding a gear when you're being timed makes it an even worse experience.
And you know, have fun (headbang) Good luck!!
Is everyone here assuming SKY doesn't know that driving his car hard might result in something breaking? So many threads in this forum get derailed by killjoys feeling the need to constantly repeat "If you do that, something might break."
We bought the car to drive it I presume. SKY is talking about taking it to the local drag strip not ragging it out at a track week. Go take it down the drag a couple times and have fun. I'll be so bold as to say the worst you'll come away with is a little clutch and tire wear.
launching and 1/4 mile the MS3 is just ******* stupid. enjoy the high performance car but don't try to make it something that it's not. it's never gonna break 12 seconds without massive mods. IMO the MS3 is a great daily driver. Making it something that it's not will only end in pain and expensive repairs.
This thread was started by someone who simply wanted to go to the local drag strip for an evening. So the "reality" is the engineers at Mazda designed the Mazdaspeed3 to not be able to handle that? I think that's ridiculous. But, of course, do what you want. Me, I'll enjoy my car. She's awesome.No, the point is that drag racing is especially damaging to this car. This has nothing to do with being a “killjoy” it’s called “reality”. If you want to race enter events this car was more designed for like road racing or autocross. The motor mounts, axles, transmission and other components on the MS3 aren’t designed to withstand the stresses drag racing puts on them.
This thread was started by someone who simply wanted to go to the local drag strip for an evening. So the "reality" is the engineers at Mazda designed the Mazdaspeed3 to not be able to handle that? I think that's ridiculous. But, of course, do what you want. Me, I'll enjoy my car. She's awesome.
With some drag tires, intake, MM, FMIC, plugs, boost controller, Cobb AP you can hit 12's. You make it sound like this is alot???
Drive around the water box
Do a quick rolling burn out in the rubber just past the water box to clean the tires off.
Leave at about 2,500 to 3,000 RPM quickly let the clutch out and bring the gas in.
Let off for the 1-2 shift, flat shifting this one will just blow the stock tires off.
2-3, 3-4, 4-5, should all be shifted flat. This is worth almost .5 sec with the drive by wire throttle in this car.
DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH WHEEL HOP! Let out and get back on it later, your just gonna break stuff. The run is shot anyway so your not gonna prove anything.
With a CAI, Bov and stock tires you should be in the high 13s and trap just over 100 in the summer air.
If you want to run a tire GET A MOTOR MOUNT! (Driver's side) Thats how I broke mine.
+1 except for the burnout, burnouts are simply unnecessary with street tires IMO. Also try some runs with the traction control on, it will do most of the work for you. Ya you may lose some horse power but its less wear and tear on the car if it prevents some wheel hop and tire spin.
He did not say just sit there and do a burn out. He said to clean the tires off. meaning just spin them over.
So the "reality" is the engineers at Mazda designed the Mazdaspeed3 to not be able to handle that?
I have made many passes and have found my best times are with all controls on. No water, just a quick spin to clean the tires. Launch smoothly to avoid wheel hop and don't go WOT til the top of 2nd, flat shift all the way down. Unless you are racing someone then don't worry about your reaction time, camp out if it helps you with a better time.