2 Quick Questions

[IBAUCLAPla]

I am new to the whole MP3 modding I have a wrx which is completely different but my dad has a MP3. He wants to spend under 400 dollars on it for something to make it perform a little better. I guessed an intake so what do you guys recommend. Please be specific. Also he needs new tires for the stock wheels and he is looking to spend between 100-120 on them. He has winter wheels and tires already so he just needs pure performance.

1. What performance mod should he do for under $400 and be specific. As to what type of intake and what make if the answer is intake. No ebay intake, he wants some sort of bling factor and easy to do.

2. What type of tires are recommended for the stock wheels? Summer only and performance for under 120 a piece.

Thanks in advance.
Matt

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

for $400 he could easily get either an aem short ram intake or if he wants bling go with a polished injen cai and still be able to afford a short shifter.

as far as tires everyone is going to have there own opinion but i have mastercraft avenger zhp made by goodyear that are $127 a tire and have lasted me 18k miles (which is a long ass time for me to wear out tires) just be forwarned that if he goes up to a 215/45/17 instead of a 205/45/17 he may rub.

 

[scott42]

don't worry about the 245/45/17's, I've got them and there is plenty of room, and no rubbing. I actually prefer the ride quality too; they look meatier as well (if you like that)...I've got Falken Azenis ST115. I got them from discount tire direct for $99 a piece shipped and they perform just as well as teh stock Dunlops that sell for god knows what these days...Biggest feature on them that I LOVE is the quiet ride. Some special compound reduces noise which killed me with the dunlops as they were hella loud. they stick VERY well, and they also have a crazy treadlife rating that makes me smile...

Best of luck.


Oh yeah, performance mod under $400....hmmmmm...I like my Injen CAI; but don't expect much from it other than improved throttle response and a cool hissing sound (read; no real hp gains) Without getting into crazy money, there is not much to do with this car performance wise; I went the route of just making the stock stuff better to make the car "healthier"...new plug wires, new (1stmp3inNH brand) grounding kit, and that's about it for "performance". If he's really into it, I'd suggest putting that money in a piggy bank till you get to $3-4k and put a wagner turbo kit in

Enjoy

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

don't worry about the 245/45/17's, I've got them and there is plenty of room, and no rubbing. I actually prefer the ride quality too; they look meatier as well (if you like that)...I've got Falken Azenis ST115. I got them from discount tire direct for $99 a piece shipped and they perform just as well as teh stock Dunlops that sell for god knows what these days...Biggest feature on them that I LOVE is the quiet ride. Some special compound reduces noise which killed me with the dunlops as they were hella loud. they stick VERY well, and they also have a crazy treadlife rating that makes me smile...

Best of luck.


Oh yeah, performance mod under $400....hmmmmm...I like my Injen CAI; but don't expect much from it other than improved throttle response and a cool hissing sound (read; no real hp gains) Without getting into crazy money, there is not much to do with this car performance wise; I went the route of just making the stock stuff better to make the car "healthier"...new plug wires, new (1stmp3inNH brand) grounding kit, and that's about it for "performance". If he's really into it, I'd suggest putting that money in a piggy bank till you get to $3-4k and put a wagner turbo kit in

Enjoy

diff company's 215/45's are diff width's and heights, my 215/45/17 mastercrafts rub

 

[PhreakV]

you might be able to get a decent gain (~5 crank hp) by getting the AEM from www.protegegarage.com and getting the spacers from Outlaw Engineering. the spacers will help to reduce your engine bay temps enough to get a decent gain from the SRI. I would think that the Kartboy www.kartboy.com shifter/bushings combo would make the daily commute a bit more enjoyable for him and that would leave you with about ~$75 to save up for the next mod.

 

[IBAUCLAPla]

So should I get a Short ram or CAI? Which is easier to install?

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I'd say he should get a header and a cone filter... For a little more, an intake off Ebay would be fine. People have gotten an extra 9-11whp with a header (usually have some kind of intake as well).

Chris

 

[charles]

Do you go to UCLA?

 

[IBAUCLAPla]

Do you go to UCLA?

Haha not yet, I graduate HS in 2006 then I will go there. Why?

 

[DirtySid]

don't worry about the 245/45/17's, I've got them and there is plenty of room, and no rubbing. I actually prefer the ride quality too; they look meatier as well (if you like that)...I've got Falken Azenis ST115. I got them from discount tire direct for $99 a piece shipped and they perform just as well as teh stock Dunlops that sell for god knows what these days...Biggest feature on them that I LOVE is the quiet ride. Some special compound reduces noise which killed me with the dunlops as they were hella loud. they stick VERY well, and they also have a crazy treadlife rating that makes me smile...

Best of luck.


Oh yeah, performance mod under $400....hmmmmm...I like my Injen CAI; but don't expect much from it other than improved throttle response and a cool hissing sound (read; no real hp gains) Without getting into crazy money, there is not much to do with this car performance wise; I went the route of just making the stock stuff better to make the car "healthier"...new plug wires, new (1stmp3inNH brand) grounding kit, and that's about it for "performance". If he's really into it, I'd suggest putting that money in a piggy bank till you get to $3-4k and put a wagner turbo kit in

Enjoy

I actually had Kumho 215 45Z 17 on my MP3, which is lowered with Tein S-Tech springs and I had MAJOR rubbing and bitting issues If he is looking to lower his ride, get a smaller tire. If you are planning to stay with the factory rim and factory springs a 215 should be fine. Also, I found out the the Mazda is a fickle beast when dealing with aftermarket rim offsets. This could also cause problems with lowering his ride on 215s. Anyway, thought I'd throw in my 2 cents and tell you about the drama I had to deal with when I put on my Motegi DP5's.

 

[charles]

Haha not yet, I graduate HS in 2006 then I will go there. Why?

Well, it's just that I know another member who goes to UCLA. Good luck.

 

[Dexter]

and the whole I B A UCLA PLA(ya?) username might be giving somethin away.

 

[TX Speed Demon]

Here's a review of the Toyo Proxes 4 done by SCC. I've had them on my MSP for about 3000 miles and so far they've met or exceeded the stock Bridgestone RE040s in every aspect. Plus with a Silca based compound, rather than the carbon compound found in most summer tires, these will last a lot longer too. Got mine for $105 a piece.

And like the article says, don't let the all season title fool you. Thats a designation of tread pattern, this is really a Dry Weather tire that performes better than the stockers when wet. You'll want snow tires if you get more than 3-5 days of snow a year or more than 1 inch ever.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=13298