Best Intake and Springs?

[m1ndless]

I am getting an 06 or 07 mazda 3 in the next month, and I am looking into parts now as well.

The first mods I plan on doing are the throttle body grounf ( nice write up!), some new springs, and a new intake.

For Springs, I dont want a really big drop, not sure what looks good on the 3. Anyone have pics with what car and springs they have?

For Intake, Should I do CAI or SRI? I live in AZ it rarley rains, and I never encoutner big puddles, but when it does rain, it rains HARD. So I wasnt sure if I should do CAI or SRI.

What intake should I go with? I plan on spending around 250ish, less if possible but I want the most performance and sound for the buck.

And my last question, how hard is the CAI install? Is there a nice write up anywhere?

Thanks!

EDIT - Any other cheapish performance upgrades I should do?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

visit our mazda3 section; http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/index.php?cPath=22

keep in mind all new members get a first time discount from us. we like progress suspension and racing beat as far as springs and suspension parts go. the AEM and K&N make some fine intakes as does Mazdaspeed. cold air intake is as straightforward as they come and K&N includes good install directions.

headers also do well to increase power on this car.

 

[m1ndless]

What kind of discount do I get for being a first time customer?

 

[Captain KRM P5]

What kind of discount do I get for being a first time customer?

PM sent

 

[ag bullet]

I have had an AEM CAI on my 04 hatch since about 1500 miles. No issues and I have been very pleased with it.

Drop will be subjective, but mine is lowered on the Tein H-Tech springs. If I remember right it brings things down about 1.1 in the front and .9 in the back. In my opinion, just enough to eliminate wheel gap but keep it up enough to not have issue over speed bumps or into most driveways. The ride wsa firmed up but not bouncy. I will be adding the Koni Yellows to these later this winter.

I just posted a bunch of pics of my car in the appearance section, so check them out.

 

[m1ndless]

How does the intake sound and perform?

 

[ag bullet]

How does the intake sound and perform?

The intake sounds fine. I don't really hear it over my header and exhaust now. Perform? I never really felt any gains in the seat of my pants, but it is pretty rare that you would from one anyway.

 

[m1ndless]

The intake sounds fine. I don't really hear it over my header and exhaust now. Perform? I never really felt any gains in the seat of my pants, but it is pretty rare that you would from one anyway.

What headers and exaust do you have? How much did they run you? Got any sound clips?

 

[ag bullet]

What headers and exaust do you have? How much did they run you? Got any sound clips?

I have the Draxas header, high-flow cat and cat back exhaust. The exhaust was around $400 if I remember. The header and cat I got used off of a member on the ************ for $340 shipped. Not a bad deal...

Reving in the driveway:
<embed width="430" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s113.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/ecujeb/Header007.flv"></embed>

Autocross run:
<embed width="430" height="355" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" src="http://s113.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid113.photobucket.com/albums/n227/ecujeb/Firstrun.flv"></embed>

 

[m1ndless]

Hmm Nice. I dont like the exhaust, but I think ill do headers and cai to start. I heard the borla, now that sounds nice!!

 

[ag bullet]

Hmm Nice. I dont like the exhaust, but I think ill do headers and cai to start. I heard the borla, now that sounds nice!!

Keep in mind that the exhaust in both clips is with the header. It got really loud after the header. It was nice and mellow before. Originally I was going to get the Magnaflow system, but this one was stainless and less$. The borla is a good system but a lot of what you pay for is that name.

 

[thebeansoldier]

ag, does the exhaust still resonate in the cabin at around 3K?

 

[ag bullet]

At cruising speeds, somewhat. Maybe I am just used to it now.

 

[m1ndless]

Sounds okay, but too high for me, I like low and deep sounding ones. I might not change out the exaust, maybe just headers and CAI to start.

 

[ag bullet]

Sounds okay, but too high for me, I like low and deep sounding ones. I might not change out the exaust, maybe just headers and CAI to start.

The headers is what gave the exhaust the high pitch. It was low and pretty mellow before that...

 

[m1ndless]

Hmm. Then I might skip the headers and do the exaust. I need some sound clips before I make my final decision. Ill check youtube.

I havent even bought my 3 yet, hopefully before christmas

I want to drop it an inch, but no more, I just want better handling. I like at least an inch of space between the tire and fender, there is alot of speed bumps at work

 

[AgSubmariner]

I have Eibach Sportline Springs. Eibach Pro-kit springs are half the drop. I do have to be careful when pulling in and out of sloped driveways, but the handling is great. I got the Mazdaspeed rear camber links to adjust for the excess camber angle. Before the camber links, I wore my stock Toyo Proxes in about a month. I was wearing out the inside edge pretty bad.
My girlfriend's 3 sits stock for comparison.

 

[BKK Jack]

I was bumping around Protege Garage the other day, and I happened upon the Eiback Pro Kit springs. I was looking to get the Racing Beat, because I don't want too much of a drop, either. I also will probably change the shocks sometime in the future, so I find it very interesting that the Koni FSD dampers are approved for use with the Eibachs.

I don't have my car either, so this is all speculation, but it does make for fun surfing. If I combine the Eibachs and the Konis, It is still cheaper than a set of coilovers, but not that much. Hmmm....

 

[m1ndless]

Yeah I dont want too much of a drop, I am mainly looking for performance.

Anyone have the racing beat springs? How do they look and perform?