have P5? manual? CAI? then.. can you answer some questions for me?

[jlcartoon]

thanks for reading.. i appreciate it.

i own a 03' P5 manual.
came across some new issues on my car and would like to ask others of some feed backs.

3 questions.

1) i don't know if you could relate to me, but when driving manual on P5. max speed i could reach on 1st gear is only about 20mph reving around 4k. also, for some odd reason, gear transition between 1st to 2nd is most stiff and uncomfy.

what are some pro's and con's if i just start off on the second gear from a rest??

2)installed a generic CAI intake bought from Ebay about 5 months ago. i was told that i need to clean the filter every so often. how often do i have to clean them? and if so, anyone know HOW? or know a link to a HOWTO?

also, i kept my filter that came with my generic intake. i heard that they are usually poor quality, and that i should just change to K&N or something.. if this is the case, i would just get a new filter instead of washing the generic filter. any suggestions?

3) i am starting to have some lower back pain. and one of my theory is that it's from driving my stick shift.
personally, i feel that CLUTCH on my P5 is somewhat too far away compared to my GAS and BRAKE pedals. anyone else feel the same? or am i just being stupid?
this seem to have my hip placed slanted when sitting down(not good posture) i know luxury cars like volvo and etc.. have a automatic adjustment of pedals and such. do you know if mazda dealer can/would adjust them for you if you want? anyone with similar experience out there?

THANKS ALOT! PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISDOM!

 

[Douggie]

1) Starting from 2nd will involve a lot of clutch slipping to prevent it from stalling, so that's increased clutch wear. And it requires a bit of torque, so that may place increased stress on the crankshaft. I'd recommend feathering the clutch release when shifting from 1st to 2nd (sorta like a start from stop in 1st, but with less slipping).

But in slippery conditions (snow), starting in 2nd would reduce wheel spin and would allow a better start.

2) As for cleaning the filter, u can get a K&N filter cleaning kit from autozone/pepboys (contains a cleaner and filter oil). But i'm not sure if those ebay ones can be cleaned (if they're just paper filters). The K&N filters NEED oil to work. So you spray on the cleaner, wash it, then re-oil it.

I have no comment on 3, except that I do know people who are forced to drive automatics because of back problems.