Mazdaspeed vs. Dodge SRT-4!

[andersb7]

Hey, I am new to Mazda(actually haven't even bought one yet but am considering) and have some questions.

Mainly I want to know 2 things:

1) How strong are the stock internals on the 2003.5 Mazdaspeed?

2) How much boost can the Garrett T25 Turbo handle?

I wonder about these 2 things because the SRT-4 blows away the Mazdaspeed in the 1/4, however, I have read REALLY good things about the suspension in the Mazdaspeed and like the way it looks! So I want to know IF I buy Mazda, will I be able to up the boost via boost controller and get a good amount of extra power without risking the engine/turbo?

Thanks everyone and if anyone knows of any good links and such please feel free to post them and try to sell me into Mazda!

 

[LinuxRacr]

Welcome to the site. Most of your questions can be answered in the Mazdaspeed section. There is quite a bit of this info there.

 

[perfworks]

i hope that people wont start this into a flame war again!!

 

[low_psi]

Hey, I am new to Mazda(actually haven't even bought one yet but am considering) and have some questions.

Mainly I want to know 2 things:

1) How strong are the stock internals on the 2003.5 Mazdaspeed?

2) How much boost can the Garrett T25 Turbo handle?

I wonder about these 2 things because the SRT-4 blows away the Mazdaspeed in the 1/4, however, I have read REALLY good things about the suspension in the Mazdaspeed and like the way it looks! So I want to know IF I buy Mazda, will I be able to up the boost via boost controller and get a good amount of extra power without risking the engine/turbo?

Thanks everyone and if anyone knows of any good links and such please feel free to post them and try to sell me into Mazda!

1) you can prob run 9-10psi with no major long term problems, but some ppl are running 12psi right now. you'll wanna start to build the engine once you hit ~11+ just to be safe.

2) i'm not sure of THIS t25 since its ball bearing, but my friend's non-BB t25 is efficient up to 18psi. i assume the MSP's BBt25 can handle around the same before you lose eff.

 

[Little Beavis]

Let the flames begin. . .
SRT sucks! Mazdaspeed rules!

I'm just kidding, I couldn't resist.

 

[redrims]

get forged internals...

 

[boostisgood]

Do a search on this topic, andersb.


Mods lock this thread before it gets outta hand.

 

[andersb7]

Do a search on this topic, andersb.


Mods lock this thread before it gets outta hand.

Why would this thread get out of hand? I wasn't starting a war or something - I just wanted to know if Mazda prepared the engine to handle more boost so all I had to do was buy a boost controller instead of spending crazy money on forged internals!

At any rate, you guys can do what you want with the thread now because I have made my decision - SRT-4 all the way! It is MUCH faster and almost as good suspension and every comparison with these 2 cars I have read gives the SRT-4 the upper hand. And since I can't up the boost much on the Mazdaspeed there is no reason to buy it. Hell, my Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V has the same power and almost as good suspension with NO turbo!

The Mazdaspeed's output is just plain sad for a turbo'd car! PERIOD! :wtf:

 

[redrims]

At any rate, you guys can do what you want with the thread now because I have made my decision - SRT-4 all the way! It is MUCH faster and almost as good suspension and every comparison with these 2 cars I have read gives the SRT-4 the upper hand. And since I can't up the boost much on the Mazdaspeed there is no reason to buy it. Hell, my Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V has the same power and almost as good suspension with NO turbo!

The Mazdaspeed's output is just plain sad for a turbo'd car! PERIOD! :wtf:

I thinks that's the better choice anyway. Have fun with your SRT-4

 

[soundbombing]

Well if you want to go straight really fast and handle decently go with the srt4. Mopar already has a turbo upgrade with along with lsd, coilovers, valve covers, and plenty of upcoming aftermarket support. Most are throwing on mbc and getting around 250 whp and a bunch of torque easily throwing them into mid 13's range.

If you want a bad ass all around package car then get msp. I doubt there will be mazdaspeed support but there are plenty of good and helping community memebers with connections to get you what you will need. I could go on about all the good stuff but stick around and see.

Oh, if I could do it all over again. I would of saved more money and get the new sti. but you have to think about payment, the registration costs, and most importantly the freakin insurance cost.

good luck.

 

[buttons]

hmm

For me it would be a really hard choice. I think though, id go with the MSP. I haven't drive either. I have sat in the MSP, hopefully get to drive at "rev it up" The neon doesn't appeal much to me because its domestic. I feel like im getting an import knock off, know what i mean? Sure the car is really fast and will embarrass, wrx's, 350z's, camaro's, mustangs, long long long list. Mopar is offering 300+whp with warranty, that little bugger would fly. It just wont have the class of an MSP (in my opinion)

 

[SuperSpud]

when its all said and done,, its still a neon.... and I couldnt live with that lol s*** yeah its fast.. its insanly fast.. but you cant even begin to compare the handling/suspension to the MSP.. I havnt seen one in person (are they even out yet) but I would be willing to bet, judging from previous neons, that the interior will totally lack compared to the MSP.....

from what I hear, Dodge focused on the motor only.. everything else,, is still just a neon..

 

[REMillers]

Different design focus, different design focus.
Think of it this way you are a car company designing a car in the 20,000 price range.
Now the requirements are it be either insanely fast or handle extremely well.
Now in order to do these things you often have to forgo other areas.
Example in the insanely fast design you may have to let go in some interior pieces or suspension work. Yet in the end the car will be what it was designed for in the 20k range. Good job.

Other example you may have to let go in the power department. But in the end you came through and have a car that handles nicely. Good Job.

Actually accomplishing these is not easily, but here we have two companies who took different designs and came out with two good cars in the 20k range.

 

[boostisgood]

Different design focus, different design focus.
Think of it this way you are a car company designing a car in the 20,000 price range.
Now the requirements are it be either insanely fast or handle extremely well.
Now in order to do these things you often have to forgo other areas.
Example in the insanely fast design you may have to let go in some interior pieces or suspension work. Yet in the end the car will be what it was designed for in the 20k range. Good job.

Other example you may have to let go in the power department. But in the end you came through and have a car that handles nicely. Good Job.

Actually accomplishing these is not easily, but here we have two companies who took different designs and came out with two good cars in the 20k range.

This is probably the BEST DAMN explanation of the 2. I couldnt agree more. I was lookin at gettin an srt-4, but dodges inability to give accurate info, and the MSP more refined interior, and other factors, made my decision. I have driven the SRT-4 and it is fast as hell, smokes mustangs and camaro's with ease, but I needed more then stright line performance. I can build that cheaper then makin the SRT-4 a better handler.

 

[freekwonder]

its still a neon

I dont know if your joking around at all, but I hate to tell you but the MSP is still just a Protege. the whole its still a neon comments are getting older then dirt .

REMillers explination is great, good job man (thumb) (boobs). If i wants straight line speed from/and support by the factory i would get the SRT-4 (even though the interior doesnt excite me). If i wanted one of the top handling front wheels drive stock from the factory (no support, mazdaspeed?) i would get a MSP. but you chose the SRT4 so enjoy your car man. have fun with some V8s on the track. take the spoiler off, take off the badges get the Mopar stage three package and make some money at the races.

 

[Stealth5]

YES, FIRE FIRE FIRE FLAMES FLAMES FIRE

im sure youll find people with exremely strong anti-srt-4 opinions

 

[AGR]

blah,,,,,,,,blah.......(chair) (chair) (chair)

.........A base Protege is a hell of a lot better than any base Neon.
One tiny example: My wife's ES has power windows on all windows (as does my MAZDASPEED), and I know the Neons only have front power windows w/rear cranks. I still say that is some silly bulls***. Chrysler is cheap! There is no good excuse not to have power windows on all windows.

I could go on,,,,,,,but it's all been covered before.

In the end; it's all about personal choice.

 

[SuperSpud]

I dont know if your joking around at all, but I hate to tell you but the MSP is still just a Protege. the whole its still a neon comments are getting older then dirt .

I'd rather have a protege than a neon.....

 

[Stealth5]

id rather have an 88 protege than a new neon

 

[QwikSRT4]

OH MY GOD...someone's using the crank windows argument again. Also the "it's just a Neon" saying...will you people get some originality or something??

Dodge did have to cut a few corners to make this car below $20K. And you know what? Big friggin' deal. The interior cheap looking? Fine. Noone's gonna be looking at my interior when I'm racing or at the track, so who cares? If you want a nice interior, fine that's cool. I'd rather save the what...$600? between the SRT-4 and the MSP's MSRP and put it in mods. Then you all can laugh at my rear crank windows...while looking at the "huge cheap ugly wing" on the highway.


Yeah the MSP may be a better candidate all around, but here's a question...what are you gonna be doing more? Racing in a straight line or dodging cones/driving through twisties? My bet's on the straight line. Sorry I'll take great acceleration and speed with mild handling over superb handling and average acceleration and speed.