MSP owners, I have a question for you.

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San Diego, CA
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2014 Mazda3 S GT auto, 2008 MX5 6-speed
How reliable is your turbocharged engine? I'm particularly interested in stock MSPs or those with minor mods. If you answer, please indicate your car's mileage and how long you've had it.

Thanks!
 
i would imagine its no more reliable than a N/A fs engine since it has more things on it that could fail. An engine is only going to be reliable based on the owner. If you regularly maintain the vehicle and keep a close eye on things, the fs motor will last a while. I have 215,xxx on the probe and im still on the first engine, but third tranny. haha
 
Thanks, guys. The reason why I ask is that some guys have told me that the MSP factory tune is not "right" and that many owners have had their engines blow up. My guess is that the engine may not be strong enough to withstand higher boost, but I'm not sure where their info is coming from. If engines were blowing up all the time, I would think that I'd read about them, here in this forum. I'm considering replacing my MX6 GT some day and the MSP may be just as fast but with more room and better handling. (The MX6 is stock with 195/60/15 tires).

Spiced, how much did the LSD swap cost? Is it welded or riveted? I saw a post that recommended welding the LSD vs. riveting like the factory setup.
 
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i have one and my engine did blow, but if you got one and spent about a grand on forged internals it would be an awesome car(not saying that sarcastically) and then you could do anything to it and make it an awesome car i freaking loved mine.
 
Thanks, guys. The reason why I ask is that some guys have told me that the MSP factory tune is not "right" and that many owners have had their engines blow up. My guess is that the engine may not be strong enough to withstand higher boost, but I'm not sure where their info is coming from. If engines were blowing up all the time, I would think that I'd read about them, here in this forum. I'm considering replacing my MX6 GT some day and the MSP may be just as fast but with more room and better handling. (The MX6 is stock with 195/60/15 tires).

Spiced, how much did the LSD swap cost? Is it welded or riveted? I saw a post that recommended welding the LSD vs. riveting like the factory setup.


well, luckily my car was still under warranty when my LSD went. So, I only paid a $100 deductible. But you can get the revised welded OEM replacement or get a Mfactory or Quaife. But it all depends on how much the shops in your area will charge for removing the transmission from the car and disassembling it to replace the diff. I believe the stock diff is riveted to the gear but that is not the issue. The issue is where the diff meets the gear. It is weak and that is where they get welded at to keep from snapping. Here is a pic of what Im talking about.
 

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I would say if you didn't mod it at all and drove it like a normal person, it is a reliable car. Possibly to 200k, there's a thread on that. If you are on this forum, you probably don't drive it like a normal person lol and are more likely to blow your engine because you mod it. Hardcore modding without forged is not very reliable, but daily driver is fine.
 
One question I have to ask. What are your plans for if you got an MSP? I bought mine with the intension of being a DD and also take it on spirited driving, Mt Driving, etc. Also knew about the problems our motors have and the reason I picked up mine so cheap ( blown motor - rod went through the block ). What you were told is true but who ever told you knows nothing about these cars. Many of the members have already explained what may happen. The tune is ok and there is a reflash available from Mazda to cure some of the problems.

The person I bought mine from threw a rod because he was boosting 10 PSI with only a CAI and no other mods or tune. I expect to do the same but later up to 14 PSI because I am going forged Pistons and Rods on my new motor as well as the External Oil PRV to help with lubrication. If you search around you will find picks of how thin the rods are on the FSDE motors.

If you are serious about getting an MSP, get it. They are wonderful cars and handle great stock. There is always room for improvement though.
 
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One question I have to ask. What are your plans for if you got an MSP? I bought mine with the intension of being a DD and also take it on spirited driving, Mt Driving, etc. Also knew about the problems our motors have and the reason I picked up mine so cheap ( blown motor - rod went through the block ). What you were told is true but who ever told you knows nothing about these cars. Many of the members have already explained what may happen. The tune is ok and there is a reflash available from Mazda to cure some of the problems.

The person I bought mine from threw a rod because he was boosting 10 PSI with only a CAI and no other mods or tune. I expect to do the same but later up to 14 PSI because I am going forged Pistons and Rods on my new motor as well as the External Oil PRV to help with lubrication. If you search around you will find picks of how thin the rods are on the FSDE motors.

If you are serious about getting an MSP, get it. They are wonderful cars and handle great stock. There is always room for improvement though.

what is this oil prv u talk about?
i am forged and would lke to help the lubrication sys
 
One question I have to ask. What are your plans for if you got an MSP? I bought mine with the intension of being a DD and also take it on spirited driving, Mt Driving, etc. Also knew about the problems our motors have and the reason I picked up mine so cheap ( blown motor - rod went through the block ). What you were told is true but who ever told you knows nothing about these cars. Many of the members have already explained what may happen. The tune is ok and there is a reflash available from Mazda to cure some of the problems.

The person I bought mine from threw a rod because he was boosting 10 PSI with only a CAI and no other mods or tune. I expect to do the same but later up to 14 PSI because I am going forged Pistons and Rods on my new motor as well as the External Oil PRV to help with lubrication. If you search around you will find picks of how thin the rods are on the FSDE motors.

If you are serious about getting an MSP, get it. They are wonderful cars and handle great stock. There is always room for improvement though.

I have an 89 MX6 GT Turbo (and have had it for the last 13 years) that may last a long time, since the factory long block has only about 60K miles on it (previous owner overheated the engine). The auto tranny has 150K but some MX6 GT guys have 250K on their auto trannies, so it's possible that thing will last a while longer. The Protege ES in my sig is used primarily by my daughter.

However, it has no air bags and I really like the much faster steering response that the newer Mazdas have, so eventually I'd like to upgrade. Ideally, the replacement will be as fast/faster and get better gas mileage (currently 24 MPG average) My choices may be:
a) MS Protege
b) MS MX5 (04-05)
c) 2000-2004 Celica GTS (possibly TRD version)
d) Acura RSX-S

I don't plan to mod the car just as I haven't with my MX6 GT.

Thanks for all the responses, everyone.
 
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I have an 89 MX6 GT Turbo (and have had it for the last 13 years) that may last a long time, since the factory long block has only about 60K miles on it (previous owner overheated the engine). The auto tranny has 150K but some MX6 GT guys have 250K on their auto trannies, so it's possible that thing will last a while longer.

However, it has no air bags and I really like the much faster steering response that the newer Mazdas have, so eventually I'd like to upgrade. Ideally, the replacement will be as fast/faster and get better gas mileage (currently 24 MPG average) My choices may be:
a) MS Protege
b) MS MX5 (04-05)
c) 2000-2004 Celica GTS (possibly TRD version)
d) Acura RSX-S

I don't plan to mod the car just as I haven't with my MX6 GT.

Thanks for all the responses, everyone.

in my opninion
you will not get much faster in a MSP than on the mx6gt.
i know guys pushing 20PSI on stock internals with a fuel pump and a pressure regulator...things are FAST.
celica is a ghey car RSX-S are slow unless you do some major mods to them. no torque there either.
the MSP is the better of the list, but it is also slow.
u haven't had a car in 13 years, why not buy new?
get a MS3 if you wish to stay in the family....
the MSP is not worth it for you since u talk about reliability, and believe, the MSP is anything but reliable.

my list on the MSP:
1.broken lsd
2.broken manifold
3.broken motor mounts
4.broken swaybar bushings
6.broken endlinks
7.bad brakes
8.broken wheel hubs
9.broken A/C twice
10.3 bad transmissions

all this time boosting 10psi with an AFC.
 
Remember that the MX6 GT is an auto and the MSP is a manual so the MSP may be a bit quicker. I've seen MSP 0-60 times that range from 6.5-7.4. I'm sure if my MX6 GT can match that - probably not.

Why not buy new? well, I have a couple of reasons:

1. 2 kids going to college, one with the Honda, the other with the MP (insurance is way up there)
2. With people losing their jobs left and right, not having car payments is a big plus.

Therefore, I may have to wait a while before I buy, but most likely, I'll buy used. I also have a slightly modified 01 Corvette that is fast enough so I don't need something else that is as fast. Still, I don't want to get destroyed by moms in SUVs, either.

Thanks for the info.
 
even if auto, up the boost and your are done...

i would never get rid of that mx-6GT

wheneve ru need to get rid of it, i'll come and pick it up
Remember that the MX6 GT is an auto and the MSP is a manual so the MSP may be a bit quicker. I've seen MSP 0-60 times that range from 6.5-7.4. I'm sure if my MX6 GT can match that - probably not.

Why not buy new? well, I have a couple of reasons:

1. 2 kids going to college, one with the Honda, the other with the MP (insurance is way up there)
2. With people losing their jobs left and right, not having car payments is a big plus.

Therefore, I may have to wait a while before I buy, but most likely, I'll buy used. I also have a slightly modified 01 Corvette that is fast enough so I don't need something else that is as fast. Still, I don't want to get destroyed by moms in SUVs, either.

Thanks for the info.
 
Now you got me thinking.....maybe larger, yet lighter wheels and tires, along with some springs to lower it, a boost valve and maybe a gauge.......!
 

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