Hello Everyone

[BLAZEONE]

Well after lurking the forum for about a month, I got out of my S40, and into an 08 speed3. It is truly night and day. This is my first manual tran/turbo vehicle, and I have a few questions.

1. Is a turbo timer recomended?
2. What are good motor "break in" practices?
3. When can I run synthetic?
4. What upgrades provide the biggest bang for the buck?
5. How long should I expect to smell the clutch? (I drive fairly easy on it, and its at about 280 miles)


Also, I am noticing a small humming noise from what sounds like the clutch. I have read some posts about a similar noise possibly coming from the breaks, but I usually notice it when I am feathering the clutch (low RPM's while engaging/disengaging)

If their is Anything else I should be aware of, please do not hesitate to call me a noob and bring it to my attention. Thanks in advance

 

[AutoXRacer]

1. The manual says to let the engine idle for at least 30 seconds before shutting it down. I spoke with a Mazda tech and he told me yes and no. Yes, let it idle for 30-60 seconds if you were boosting, no if you were just driving easy and not going into boost. Basically Mazda does not want you to boost the engine to 15 psi and then shut it down immediately. As a rule I let me engine idle for 30 secs every chance I get... I just get my stuff out of the car, etc... If you are always in a hurry and don't have time to let the turbo spool down for 30-60 seconds, then get a timer...also, most high-end alarms have timers built in...thats what I'm doing.

2. The motor is basically broken in. Just drive it normal with varying speeds. DO NOT just drive on the highway at constant speed. The engine needs varying loads. The manual has instructions on how to break in the engine...its a good balance between both schools of thought.

3. I ran synthetic at 1,000 miles. I wanted to change my oil at 750, but I didn't get a chance... Like I said before, the engine is pretty much broken in for the factory...just wait till +750, then your golden.

4. So far the biggest bang for the buck has been the Mazdaspeed CAI (Cold Air Intake), TRZ Motor Mount (warning: Vibes), TBE (turbo back exhaust): a down-pipe, getting rid of one catalytic converters (pending on where you live), and the PG (Protege Garage) Fuel Pump.

5. Smell the clutch...? I had no clutch smell and I got my car with 10 miles on it. I have noticed Mazda makes so very noisy clutches. My Miata hummed and now my MS3 hums also... Its normal...

Enjoy the car and welcome to the forum!!

 

[Bravnik]

Maybe what you're smelling the the exhaust. When I would stop and get out I could smell my exhaust and its normal. It stopped about 50 - 100 miles for me.

If you run the crap out of her, then let her sit for about 1m before you shut her down as stated above. Just don't shut her down quickly after running her hard.

The mod that will give you the biggest change is the motor mount. If you have not already done so, this car will scrare the crap out of you due to the torque stear. The MM will really help this and make the car more predictable at WOT take off. I did the cheap epoxy method and I could not be happier (there is a DIY on it in the forum). I don't have much wheel hop or torgue stear now and I don't have any vibrations at all.

Power wise. Intake and CBE or Test Pipe will make nice changes.

Most of all, just have fun. This is a car that can impress you with its power and handling all while transporting christmas presents in the hatch

 

[BLAZEONE]

Thanks guys!! Great info

I try to baby it, but once you feel the pull that s**** hard! But yea, I will definetley let her cool down after each time I get on it.

As far as the Motor mount is concernded, where can I pick one up for a good price?

Thanks again!

 

[clos561]

protegegarage.com is good on prices and you can prolly get a discount if u buy a bunch of things at once

 

[BLAZEONE]

Thanks bud, ill check that out

 

[ZooMIN3]

If you're smelling the clutch, you're probably riding it when you change gears...? Just a guess.

Best bang for your hard earned bux has got to be the CAI. There are a few different brands you can go with.

Injen; MazdaSpeed;Fujita;Cobb, and a few others.

Then just go crazy with whatever you feel like doing.

Motor Mount (Helps keep engine from rocking, causing loss of power through-out the powerband to actually get to the wheels, if that makes any sense?) Lol

- Turbo back/CatBack exhaust. Turboback gets you the most gain over the Catback exhaust system.

Whatever you decide to go with, you can't go wrong!

By the way, congrats on the new car, and have fun with it!

-J

 

[BLAZEONE]

Thanks Zoomin

You are probably correct. This is my first manual, and I am definently still getting use to it. I am thinkin the Cobb intake (just to save some duckets.) Are the install on these intakes and rear motor mount complex or fairly simple for someone mechanically inclinded?

Can someone tell me when the turbo starts to spool and peak. I looked it up, and someone said 2.5k - 5.5k. Anyone else heard different.. or know different. And what can I expect from the sound of the Cobb intake? And will I need to adjust anything else after installing the intake?

 

[ZooMIN3]

Blaze,

The install on both the intake, and the motor mount are pretty easy. You can do the install for the intake in about an hour and half or less. Depending on your knowledge around cars. The motormount takes about 30 minutes or so to install. I kid you not! lol


As for your turbo questions, I'll let someone else with a little more know how touch on that subject.

Where's SwampAss with is comments? lol

-J

 

[SwampAss]

Heh, I am on the bottom end for turbo knowledge in this forum. I have to print out a lot of what is said here and sit down with a dictionary and turbos for dummies book to get half of it to sink in.


Turbo timers are not really needed on the speed3s. As mentioned previously, 30 seconds is what the manual says for cool down. You can do the rear motor mount in 10 minutes if you do the 3 19mm bolts on the trans vs. the wedge and wiggle method.

 

[ZooMIN3]

I was expecting a noob drawing response..lol but that'll work!

 

[SwampAss]

haha. I don't want to wear that one out.

 

[ZooMIN3]

haha. I don't want to wear that one out.

i don't think you could... its hilarious, and I think a lot of us would appreciate a laugh here and there!! lol(dance)