Build Ideas, Help Needed

[StickintheSix]

Hey everybody, I have some questions about how to get the best tune for my 2003 Mazda 6i MTX I4 2.3L. I did a little research and need some advice from some advanced mazda 6 owners on how exactly to do this or do it at all. This is what I am planning, feedback on all these ideas is my desired goal.

Step one: AEM SHORT RAM INTAKE.
Apparently this is a very good price. And also I am a newbie to cars and I would very much like to learn as much as I can. I am familiar with the SRI VS CAI discussion however the research I did showed that the SRI was the best overall HP/$ Ratio and I am on a budget of about 1000 tops(id like to spend the least on the intake because although they do result in gains its apparently not that important). Good/Bad ?


Step two: Scan Gauge Digital Gauges
I like the idea of seeing everything going on for reassurance and the digital gauges functional purposes. I know this probably isn't necessary but I thought it might be a cool addition more for interior apparence than function probably but what do i know. What do you experts think? Good?/Bad?





Step three: Magnaflow Exhaust
Apparently the gains on the magnaflow for my I4 6i are under 10hp and 10 ft/lbs of torque but Is there a better option for hp+torque/$ ? I dont want to spend 800 on an exhaust that only adds 10 hp. Also I thought about purchasing alternate mufflers for the end that might sound better but I'm not sure about that at all. So Magnaflow? Good/Bad?


Step Four: TMW Short Shifter
I'm not a fan of the shifter on my car, however its not by any means terrible or unbearable, at the least I do want to change my shift knob, Suggestions needed on this most definatly. Could the short shifter improve upon acceleration? Theoretically if it shortens the throw then wouldn't it technically take time off shifting? Short Shifter? Good/Bad?

 

[bobby0283]

I'm pretty new too, but this is what I have gathered so far:

Intake: They make bigger differences on turbo'd cars because they are more sensitive to temperature changes. As far as an intake on an NA car, I'd be more inclined to just put a K&N filter in the stock box, it's cheaper and from what I've read produces the same gains as a CAI/SRI on the NA engine.

Shifter: I have the TWM installed on my MS6. It shortens the height of the shaft by about 1", but more importantly shortens the throw by about 33%. You'll definitely notice a difference between stock and the short shifter the first time out. It feels much smoother and quicker, so to me it feels like I get a bit quicker through them. I wouldn't take much stock in it until I get some track times.

As for exhaust, I'm still researching and debating. Most of the exhaust systems I've seen are around $700, so unless you can find a custom shop to do one cheaper, be prepared to spend a bunch. Gauges, I have none yet, but when the turbo upgrade comes, so does the boost gauge/controller. Good luck with your project.

 

[Igve2shtz]

Save money on all the other stuff and go turbo.

When you add up everything bolt-on wise, you will already have spent 1/2 the price of a turbo, but only gained 10 hp, compared to 70 hp for a turbo kit.

 

[bobby0283]

I've seen some turbo kits for the 2.3 I4 show about a 60% increase in HP, so that means going from 160 (stock HP I believe) to about 250. Check out HiBoost.

 

[StickintheSix]

Thanks for the input guys, however as much as I would like to go Turbo I just don't want to. I Love my 6 but im 16 and i dont have that kind of money, I just want to give my car a little bump as I'm planning on buying a real project car in the near future(1-8 years hahah) or as soon as i can afford to do so

 

[TX Speed 6]

On an N/A your not going to see anything over a 10 hp increase from anything. N/A is expensive to build up if you really want to see a difference. If you don't want to go turbo, you might as well stick your money in savings account and hold on to it for the car you REALLY want to put money into. Trust me, I've spent ALOT of money on other cars and never really made a big difference, only to regret all the money i threw into those things.

 

[StickintheSix]

hah that sounds like good advice but your sig says never leave em stock.. however i was considering not doing any mods and sasving it all for maybe an rx-7 one day, but those will probably be too old once i have the money

 

[TX Speed 6]

hah that sounds like good advice but your sig says never leave em stock.. however i was considering not doing any mods and sasving it all for maybe an rx-7 one day, but those will probably be too old once i have the money

good point sir... that is my sig, a quote from Tim Allen by the way, but that is how I feel, so thats probably why I keep wasting so much money!!! But on the other part, an rx7 will be harder to find (the good ones already are) and probably start to go up in value, but old isn't a problem. My father in law has a 1929 Ford Coupe that would SMOKE ME!

 

[StickintheSix]

does his Ford have airbags? age is a problem for me and i dont just want a track car that is a pain to drive on the streets i want a weekend/summer car and i plan to keep the 6 as a Daily Driver for a while. But it looks like i'll be saving the money, thanks for the input

 

[Igve2shtz]

If you are serious about modifying your car, but dont want to go turbo, the only advice I can give is to start messing with the cylinder head. I am not an expert on this engine, so someone let me know if I am wrong, but the head is the secret to big gains ... A port/polish and a more aggressive cam will do the trick.

Also, if you do exhaust, make sure you do a header back ... there are no gains to be found in a cat-back.

 

[StickintheSix]

thanks i wasn't looking into the cylinder port/polish etc because I am by no means advanced into modding yet. Any idea on a ballpark price for the better cams and port polish? and for the catback I was thinking more towards better sound, but hp is important and i have looked into the headers and the downpipe? (i think) pre cat?