HC pistons for the MP3

[Tanginamo425]

Hey I was just wonderin if anybody picked up the Mazdaspeed HC Pistons? Do you guys like them if you have them? are they worth it or what? The Ratio for them is about 10.7 to 1. I'm not sure what the ratio is for the stock FS on the MP3 is. So if you could reply back that would be kool.

 

[Dexter]

IIRC stock compression is 9.1:1

 

[mp3moose]

I've got them. Nice improvement over stock though I wouldn't suggest that you get them unless you are totally committed with the NA route. That is, they definately need some agressive cams and headers, perhaps a polished head and fuel management to make real power. There is someone on this forum, I believe he is in aussieland, that is building a nice NA setup with higher compression and cams and new fuel maps and is shooting for a 50hp increase. Just don't get them if you have any plans of going turbo, unless of course when you go turbo you replace the pistons with lower compression,forged goodies first.
Moose

 

[DooMer_MP3]

mp3moose,
Did you notice a difference with them in there without any tuning? I would think if I go NA (which I'm leaning towards once I get some funds) I would get some HC Pistons and maybe get a port/polish job while the head is cracked open. Tuning will be the biggest power gains along with the header and custom cams! I think there is more power to be had than people thought NA on these motors.

Chris

 

[Tanginamo425]

Well honestly, i'm really not a big fan of turbo. Don't get me wrong, turbo makes really good power and all, but it's really not me. Besides I'm planning to use my MP3 as a project for my senior year in WWU. I'm right now trying to get into my VRI (Vehicle Research Institute) program and to be honest this car would be perfect for it. I just love the sound of all motor. I'm planning to get some cams too. Even though I'm going to end up paying a good penny for my parts, I'm trying to go all JDM, but then again we will see what happens. But yes I am totally commited to going all motor.

 

[nocar]

how much total total whp do you think is realistically possible n/a on the mp3..

mp3 is around 111 whp stock?
id say my guess is 70 whp for all the internals, management and bolt ons done... therefor giving around 180 whp which isnt that bad.. agian this is just wat i think, i would like to kno wat you other n\a builders are apraoching or think is possible on the mp3

 

[Big-J]

with intake header and exhaust alone you will gain about 20whp according to some posts. combine that with HC pistons, cams and better fuel managemant and those numbers are very resonable. the main problem will be the ecu but a couple of guys like spoolin and perfworks are working on that.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I think realisitcally you could achieve about 180-190 HP at the crank (144-152whp) with intake, header, exhaust, *custom* cams, HC pistons and standalone/piggyback. Which would be fine for me.

 

[nocar]

i wonder if theres anything else that could be done besides a nitrous system and modified ecu.

 

[mp3moose]

NA is a good way to go if you aren't craving gobbs of power. It allows you to build as you go rather than forking out 4K right up front. My car is deffinately faster with the High compression, but not nearly as dramatic as a turbo would up the power. I am looking into getting Spool's microtech and tinker with it in my NA form. I know there is some power to be had with the FS-DE. Also, the AWR header and custom cams as the Jspec cams aren't worth getting. However, cams worry me with the advance timing of the mp3 ecu. I can't afford to knock.
Nitrous would be too dangerous to run with a port and polished head. Perhaps a 30-50shot max.

If your looking for more power than that in NA form, I suggest you look into an engine swap.
Moose

 

[nocar]

an engine swap as the fe ze? i heard its useless unless you can find the ecu to go with it. Can there be a regular protege ecu programmed to run with the fe ze if the one that comes stock is not available.. 170 hp with the fe ze and ecu isnt bad, im assuming the engine is alraedy set up for high compression. Do you think the awr headers would be worth it for the ze.

 

[mp3moose]

I was actually referring to putting another engine in like the V6 from the mx6. The FS-ZE has higher compression (10.4:1)and cams for its power. And you are correct that you need the OBD-I to use it. So if you are going to build up your fs-de start with more agressive cams and the slightly higher compression MS pistons (10.7:1). Then add the AWR header that eleminates the pre cat and exhuast if you don't already have it. Run very moderate nitrous if you like, port and polish, and go with a larger intake manifold.

With all this, and perhaps a small 30 shot from the bottle and you could see 220hp. I stress "could" as it hasn't been done before and no one yet makes agressive cams for this engine.
Moose

 

[Tanginamo425]

Thing is NOS isn't a big issue for me, i'm really not plannin on doing it. However, what I am really trying to build is an SCCA car, however, knowing that its going to be quite expensive, NA is the way for and lets just say right now going to do the basic upgrades, intake, header and some mazdaspeed springs which I just placed an order for.