Getting power out of the 2.3l Mazda 3

[TheFa1isOutdone]

Right now I'm choosing between three cars I'm potentially going to get. One is a used 2006 Civic SI, which is my favorite of the three, but my family is trying to push away from foreign cars to help out the us auto makers a bit. The second and third are the 2.3l manual sedan mazda3, and a chevy cobalt ss /sc.

I like the SI and the 'balt because they're both sitting right around 180-200whp, which is perfect imo. Not overly fast that I could kill myself, but definitely room for fun.

However, I really like the mazda3, I normally hate sedans and this one looks great. Interior is amazing, and the engine isn't too bad for only ~155 hp. I just want a little more out of it.

SO my question is.. how difficult is it to make power on these things? I don't want to go F/I because I'm not really experienced enough to be dealing with boost I put in myself. I'm aiming for anywhere around 180-200 WHP, is that feasible without doing anything major?

Thanks a lot

 

[aintnomyth]

Here's an article that compares several cars in that class...

http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=117762/pageNumber=1

Search around on the Cobalt SS forums to get a feel for what their aftermarket is like, I think it is coming along fairly well though.

Of course, the Mazdaspeed3 came in 1st place...(drinks)

 

[msp35]

If the MS3 is not on your lista @ all......and among those choices IMO you should get the Cobalt.

 

[jhowey]

I agree with the Support America trip, but out of those options I would take the Mazda 3 with the gas price predictions and the pending war in Iran. I say if your not getting a Speed 3, go for more economy, plus I use to own a plain 2.3L 3 and it was a blast.

 

[nondual]

Speed3 or Civic Si.

 

[abun24]

It doesn't do american automakers any good if americans keep supporting sub par cars. Make 'em compete, that's the american way.

You should feel good about buying the best car available.

That said, the MS3 should join your list.

 

[$inCitySpeed3]

you have to drive a ms3 you will buy it

 

[orlandomsp]

Forcing yourself to buy a sub-par product because you want to help an American company is stupid. Take that as you will, it's my honest opinion.

That being said, I don't think you could get close to 200whp out of the regular 2.3 without major work. (internals/turbo) If you want power consider the ms3, you're already paying around 22k for the Si, might as well shell out another grand for an ms3.

 

[TheFa1isOutdone]

I agree supporting American cars is stupid if they aren't competing with foreign cars. It's pressures from my family that are kind of veering me away from the foreign cars.

The speed3 will, sadly, never join that list. 260 hp turbocharged + 18 year old = horrific, brutal, nasty, disgusting accident that I would like to avoid. Plus insurance

Also that and I'm not a fan of it. I think they made it far too heavy to ever be a real contender to modified cars. That and there seem to be too many problems - nondual's threads don't exactly entice me to buy one ;D

 

[aintnomyth]

Mazda is owned by Ford, btw...Along with all of these other brands:
http://www.ford.com/en/default.htm

I say buy a MS3 and feel good about doing your part as an American!

[edit] Ford owns about 33% of Mazda - close enough for me.(usa)

 

[TheFa1isOutdone]

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I'm gonna go with the SI, and then the mazda3 if the SI doesn't work out. Shame it can't make more power =( I had hopes since it was a 2.3l engine with DOHC. Guess not.

And ford only owns 33%? I was hoping it was more like 2/3s, as that is what I'd heard =(

 

[jhowey]

Its only 33% but it is by far the controlling share, so they have the decision power in Mazdas future ultimately

 

[ptperformance]

I have to agree with getting a MS version of the 3. It is very easy to get additional power out of the MS3. There is a bit of a premium on them but well worth it. I didnt see the SRT4 as an option, they can be had with very low miles on them for steal right now. They are a good car that make a ton of HP and modding them is very easy as well. I really dont like the Cobalt because the supercharger is being run right at the point of failure so getting more out of it will not happen unless you get a bigger unit for it. My bet would be the MS3 or a used SRT4, I have both and love the way both handle and the power that they put down.

 

[TheFa1isOutdone]

^^ good ideas, sadly I'm only 18 years old though. A highly-powered turbo-charged car just isn't gonna fly with the parents. That and I'm not a fan of the srt-4, I don't think a neon was ever meant to be turbo'd. They do run quite well.. but I still think it should of been a new platform to build upon. I just can't get the notion of a "crappy neon" out of my head when I think srt-4, even though I know it's much improved upon the base car.

 

[Chibana]

I don't know where the 200 whp figure is coming from. The SI doesn't make 200 whp, either--nowhere near it. And it is relatively easy to get some pretty decent power out of the Mazda3 2.3L. It won't be 200 (flywheel) without a good amount of work, but then again, the Honda only makes that much power because it revs very high. Down low, the torque of the 3 will make for a better daily driver, in my opinion.

Also, Ford owns 34.x% of Mazda, which is the controlling share, and Mazda is considered a Ford company. The Mazda3 is based on the Ford C1 (second generation Focus) platform, which was developed by Ford, Mazda, and Volvo as a team effort. I don't feel the least bit guilty about buying my 3, and it's been far and away the most reliable car I've ever owned (and far and away the best looking, inside and out). Our 2005 Honda Odyssey has been a disaster (even needing a new engine). My 3 has not had a single significant problem in 85,000 miles. It's had only two check engine lights, one right after the other, when it was brand new, and neither were any inconvenience to me, and easily fixed under warranty (emissions control equipment, as usual).

I'm biased, but I'd say go with the 3. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of the new SI (I'd shoot myself if I had to look at that interior every day).

 

[TheFa1isOutdone]

I don't know where the 200 whp figure is coming from. The SI doesn't make 200 whp, either--nowhere near it. And it is relatively easy to get some pretty decent power out of the Mazda3 2.3L. It won't be 200 (flywheel) without a good amount of work, but then again, the Honda only makes that much power because it revs very high. Down low, the torque of the 3 will make for a better daily driver, in my opinion.

Also, Ford owns 34.x% of Mazda, which is the controlling share, and Mazda is considered a Ford company. The Mazda3 is based on the Ford C1 (second generation Focus) platform, which was developed by Ford, Mazda, and Volvo as a team effort. I don't feel the least bit guilty about buying my 3, and it's been far and away the most reliable car I've ever owned (and far and away the best looking, inside and out). Our 2005 Honda Odyssey has been a disaster (even needing a new engine). My 3 has not had a single significant problem in 85,000 miles. It's had only two check engine lights, one right after the other, when it was brand new, and neither were any inconvenience to me, and easily fixed under warranty (emissions control equipment, as usual).

I'm biased, but I'd say go with the 3. Then again, I'm not a huge fan of the new SI (I'd shoot myself if I had to look at that interior every day).

I was just saying how I'd LIKE 200 whp. And the SI DOES make close to that.. dynoing at 180-185 whp stock. That's pretty ******* impressive from an N/A 2 liter engine... no? I/E/H/ and they dyno at around 200/150 whp/wtq respectively.

The interior does grow on you.. the mazda has it beat, but the civic is no slouch in that area. Mine has definitely grown on me. I think you got a lemon of an Oddssey, don't let that foul your image of honda. My mom owns a 2000 Oddyssey and it has performed flawlessly from day one, even after having the whole front end being rebuilt after sliding on ice into another car.

That being said.. I'm most likely going to attempt to buy the SI, if that doesn't fly, possibly a mazda3. I'm just a bit concerned about the low hp.. I almost feel like I'm moving from one low HP car (my current civic) to another with just a nicer look to it.