cosmic_spd3
Member
- :
- 08 Speed3..Cosmic Blue Mica
i guess u guys do alot of highway driving..i have on the cobb sri..
400 miles on MS 3
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- Start date
Natedog_37
Member
Ahh man I hate you so much!!!!
That is suck a HOT COLOR. I can't wait for mine to come in now!!!
That is suck a HOT COLOR. I can't wait for mine to come in now!!!
Just turned 600 miles. I gave it a wash and detailing. Overall impressions, I like this car. Average 24 mpg, almost as good as an econo-civic. Fit, finish, and quality, are first rate. Performance is way beyond the competition, downright shocking. Brakes are really good, handling is very good too. The CAI was a performance bargain, and improved mileage too. I've gotten used to the shifter, and I think I'll leave it alone. The CAI sheild rattle has been nearly eliminated from loosening the CAI clamps, moveing the CAI to different positions, and re-tightening. The check engine light, went on 3 times, said it had a high rpm lean stumble. Dealer cleared it and said it would take 200 miles for computer to adjust to CAI. He was right, no light, good mileage, and terrific performance, instant throttle response, no lag. So I guess I'm done, I'll leave it alone and enjoy the car.
Pics of MS CAI installed:
Pics of MS CAI installed:
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fourthmeal
Banned
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Silver Ecstasy
Member
- :
- 11 MS3 Sport
Still waiting on pictures!!
Turned 850 miles today. Learned a lot since I got MS3 a month ago. First, there is no shifter kit from Mazda for 08 6-speed MS3. Nothing at all available to improve shifting, except motor mount.
Finally found cause of repeated Check Engine Light, some 08 MS3's came with wrong sparkplugs from the factory. New plugs are in short supply now but, finally got 4, installed them, and no more misfire/check engine light.
Solved the mystery high frequency rattle/noise. It wasn't the new aluminum shield on the factory CAI. Took the sheild off, still had noise. Turns out that the CAI flows so much more air, that when the wastegate opens at 3-4000 rpm, it sucks so much air through the screen, it makes the screen vibrate, causing a vibration noise.
With 800 miles, the car got more HP/Torque. Combination of break-in, and correct sparkplugs, gave serious boost in power. When wastgate opens in 3d-4th gear it's hard to go straight, torque steer is ferocious!
All in all, mileage is 25mpg, power is really strong, and it's a quality piece.
Finally found cause of repeated Check Engine Light, some 08 MS3's came with wrong sparkplugs from the factory. New plugs are in short supply now but, finally got 4, installed them, and no more misfire/check engine light.
Solved the mystery high frequency rattle/noise. It wasn't the new aluminum shield on the factory CAI. Took the sheild off, still had noise. Turns out that the CAI flows so much more air, that when the wastegate opens at 3-4000 rpm, it sucks so much air through the screen, it makes the screen vibrate, causing a vibration noise.
With 800 miles, the car got more HP/Torque. Combination of break-in, and correct sparkplugs, gave serious boost in power. When wastgate opens in 3d-4th gear it's hard to go straight, torque steer is ferocious!
All in all, mileage is 25mpg, power is really strong, and it's a quality piece.
builthatch
Member
i have rear motor mount insert from CS, TWM shifter and their bushings. i put them in very early in my time with the car and now that i'm at 4k, i have to say the shifting is wonderful. i've not been a particular fan of cable actuated transmissions since honda decided to go that route with the h-series engines in the 90's, however with the mods i listed it's more than excellent. some report a change to a quality 'yellow metal compatible' synchromesh and/or synth tranny oil can even further improve things, but i have no complaints at this point. when i drive an ms3 with the stock equipment it's frustrating because i know how much better it can be...
the claim about feeling a gain from the motor oil change is laughable, especially in a modern turbo 4 cyl vs. a pushrod V8. just run what the factory recommends for your climate and don't worry about eeking out a potential 1-2 crank horsepower with some thinner weight synthetic- that is just silly and not worth the energy required to process the idea. i know magazines and oil brands have done countless things on this and it's just not worth the energy.
on a final note, i am pleased that you are happy with the car. it's a wonderful piece, and though it's not perfect, nothing is, but it's at the top of the heap in and even above the price range!
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Agreed about the HP gains but I wouldn't say that changing to synthetic oil is pointless however. I did without a doubt notice a pretty decent improvement in shifting and my clutch was smoother to operate.
builthatch
Member
unless i misread it, he was claiming gains from changing the engine oil, not the trans oil. but, no, changing to synth in these cars, for the crankcase, is ideal! i did on mine and i think everyone should. but changing to a different weight of synth in the crankcase, in hopes of gaining power....silly IMO. and like i mentioned, some promote changing the tranny oil, and while it surely can improve things, i'm so pleased with the shifting, etc now that i don't see the need at this time.
I know this is off topic but..
You are a very large man (6'4 325lbs), you are over twice my size lol!
The MS3 isn't too small for you?
builthatch
Member
it's perfect for me. believe it or not, i actually got this car w/o driving one first. i based my decision on the work rental of a base 3 a few times and i figured it can't be any worse than that, even with the more aggressive seat style. i did a bit of research and noticed there were a few large people here and there who owned them so i figured if they fit, i will too. over the course of the past 9 years, i've stuffed myself week after week into a '97 honda civic hatchback and have gotten very accustomed to fitting in and being comfortable in all kinds of cars on the small end of the spectrum ('04 si, '07 si). i think if i was obese in some way it might be uncomfortable, but then again being obese can make just wearing clothes, sleeping and general living tough, so i guess there goes that rationale...
sorry to continue OT : )
