Noobie help =p

[Vulcanon]

First of all, this is my first post and I'm a car noobie (but willing to learn!). I just got my first car, a 2001 mp3 and I was wondering what mods should be done first, last, etc....I installed the AEM intake myself as my first project but I've found that mazda performance shopping is quite difficult I'm a student so my budget is tight but I want to make this car into a beast some day. Any advice on parts I should consider would be appreciated.

Possibilities:
Unorthodox Racing Underdrive Crank pulleys
Lighter Flywheel (Mazdaspeed?)
TWM shortshifter
New Exhaust System
Sport Clutch of some sort
Anything else you can come up with =)

 

[R2Di2Dc2Do]

It depends. Do you wanna stay NA or go turbo.

 

[Vulcanon]

as much as I'd love to, turbo is a little out of budget. NA is the plan for now anyway

 

[R2Di2Dc2Do]

I was just saying b/c if you go NA now and then later decide to go turbo. Hlaf of the stuff you bought for NA probably wont work for a turbo set-up. Which means a lot of money down the drain.
But first of all i would say to work on your tranny first. Those mods you listed seem alright except i've heard bad things about that underdrive pulley.

 

[1sty]

First of all, this is my first post and I'm a car noobie (but willing to learn!). I just got my first car, a 2001 mp3 and I was wondering what mods should be done first, last, etc....I installed the AEM intake myself as my first project but I've found that mazda performance shopping is quite difficult I'm a student so my budget is tight but I want to make this car into a beast some day. Any advice on parts I should consider would be appreciated.

Possibilities:
Unorthodox Racing Underdrive Crank pulleys
Lighter Flywheel (Mazdaspeed?)
TWM shortshifter
New Exhaust System
Sport Clutch of some sort
Anything else you can come up with =)

A clutch/flywheel combo will be about $1000 installed so not exactly cheap.

The shifter is cheap and easy.

The only things i would do in your postion is the exhuast when you can afford it and maybe the shifter.

 

[1sty]

Sure, we all know getting the tools and lift to that are less expensive

To aviod the $400-$500 installed you had better have a well equipt shop and a hoist to do this yourself.

 

[Vulcanon]

well, it's not my own, but I do have free access to a lift and a knowledgable guy (my friends father repairs trucks for hostess YUM YUM!) So basically anything doable with a few instructions and some hand tools is game with me =)

 

[melicha8]

I've done everything you are thinking about except the pulley. I would say go with the clutch and flywheel first. It cost me 500.00 for both parts at rr-racing.com <----good place add it to favorites. Install for me was 180.00 so it wasn't too bad. I'm very happy with it too. You will definitely feel an improvement over the stock and I know you will like the results. Intalling these two parts are not so bad as long as you have the service manual(definitely buy).

 

[Sir Nuke]

Hi Vulcanon and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

ahhhh your user name wouldn't have any specific relation to the VULCAN CANNON would it? one bad ass piece of hardware....

anyway....seeing as how you just got your MP3.....drive and enjoy for a bit....a few fairly inexpensive mods you could do is to change out the intake....to either any of the short rams or a CAI....a decent Catback exhaust....will give you a little and certainly give the car a better sound. in the handling department you pretty much have the best set up stock...unless you want to ride a little lower, then I would just recommend getting a new set of springs....seeing as how the car has the best struts we can get at the moment on it already.....

Have fun.....you got a great car.

 

[Vulcanon]

thanks for the awesome welcome =D! I feel at home already.

I just bought the TWM short shifter today, after I get that installed, we'll see what's next on the list (rockon)

 

[Little Beavis]

I vote for the exhaust as well.

 

[1sty]

I was told you could use a jack but for only the $400 install charge and a dealership having to own any problems after that I let them do it.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I think the tranny would be the one thing I wouldn't even want to try and work on myself .

Chris