Race pipe Installed- No 20whp !!

speedi3

Member
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07 MS3 GT - Silver
Need your help. I just installed the race pipe and engine mount today. The Mount is awesome no vibrations, no wheel hop just torque to the road. NOW my question is on the race pipe. When I installed the ETS TMIC they claimed 20whp and I felt every bit of it. After the race pipe was put in I intended to feel that as well. I got nothing. I fact it feels like I have less power. Did I do something wrong? Am I supposed to unplug the battery to get something to register? I need help!! Thanks all.
 
I would un-plug the neg. on the battery for a few minutes and reset the ecu.You would think that you dont need to but it cant hurt.
 
Hmmm, interesting. As SharkDiver said, I would reset the ECU. To ensure all the energy is removed, I would disconnect both positive and negative wires and press the brake pedal until your tail lights no longer light. Sometimes the wires store energy bla bla bla.

Now, I'm with you on what your doing to your car however, I decided not to purchase the race pipe for that very reason. There's not much if anything to gain. Turbo XS states they obtain 22+ HP and 30+ ft/lbs of torque on the race pipe but, that's with a CAI and Bypass Valve. So after seeing what most are resulting on the dyno with just the Mazdaspeed CAI, I would venture to say your either maintaining or lossing if anything. The average MS3 is receiving 25HP and 25+ ft/lbs of torque with just the CAI.

I know this probably isn't what you want to hear but, I hope it helps you out a little bit.
 
Ok. Doing as recommended.

I don't recall seeing 25 on the CAI.... so maybe this reset will work for it as well.
 
speedi3 said:
Ok. Doing as recommended.

I don't recall seeing 25 on the CAI.... so maybe this reset will work for it as well.


There are posted dyno's on this forum with MS3's obtaining 25 HP gains with the Mazdaspeed CAI alone and that's just an average.

Good luck!
 
im seeing more and more about ms3 exhaust changes and heres what ive gathered. it seems mazda did a pretty good job designing the stock exhaust and any changes result in either no change or some claims have been less power.
 
it could also be that you are loosing the back pressure, and that will definitely make the car feel slower, or less torquey.
 
only way to ensure accuracy is dyno b4 and after every mod. BTW, that is quite amazing to hear the CAI is bringing in so much HP for the MS3. The MSP was all turkey.
 
Ok did the battery deal. Same performance. I lost major torque. I will be going back to the old setup on Monday. Anyone want to buy a "like new" race pipe?

That said what is the next KNOWN good step to make. I may hit the dyno before and see if it just my imagination. ANYone know of a dyno near Nashville, TN?
 
210_ZOOM said:
only way to ensure accuracy is dyno b4 and after every mod. BTW, that is quite amazing to hear the CAI is bringing in so much HP for the MS3. The MSP was all turkey.


Right on! Pre and post dyno's certainly help. Also the intake on the MS3 is extremely restrictive in design. When you first look at it you think it's just the normal intake box by design and expect the usual small gains with a CAI intake however, that's obviously not the case. Like I said the average gain with dyno'd proof appears to be 25HP & 25ft/lbs of torque. Someone posted a dyno sheet that showed a 30HP gain. As we all know, it depends on the conditions in which the car was dyno'd, but the MS3 really responds to the CAI.
 
MSP608 said:
im seeing more and more about ms3 exhaust changes and heres what ive gathered. it seems mazda did a pretty good job designing the stock exhaust and any changes result in either no change or some claims have been less power.

That's why I'm going to wait until aftermarket parts for the MS3 become plentiful and dyno proven. With the same research I've completed on the exhaust, I cannot see spending a grand for only a handful of HP. Maybe when the day comes when folks go with larger turbo's etc. it will make a difference but then again maybe it won't. The OEM MS3 exhaust through research appears to be a fantastic design. My wallet thanks them for that for sure. At this point and in my opinion, the only reason I can see purchasing a new exhaust is if you want a different sound. Also I'm waiting to see the results of the Corksport turboback exhaust and the Mazdaspeed catback. Time will tell...
 
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MSP608 said:
im seeing more and more about ms3 exhaust changes and heres what ive gathered. it seems mazda did a pretty good job designing the stock exhaust and any changes result in either no change or some claims have been less power.

If this where true then Mazda really is trying to steal our money with the Mazdaspeed version of the CBE for the MS3. There is more info out there.
 
maestro said:
If this where true then Mazda really is trying to steal our money with the Mazdaspeed version of the CBE for the MS3. There is more info out there.

well i have yet to hear anyones experience with the mazdaspeed exhaust yet. im mainly seeing this trend with custom exhaust or deleting cats/resonators.
 
maestro said:
If this where true then Mazda really is trying to steal our money with the Mazdaspeed version of the CBE for the MS3. There is more info out there.


maestro, not necessarily! Who knows our cars best? Also the exhaust could flow better, but that doesnt mean it makes more than a handful of dynod proven horse power. From what I understand Mazdaspeed is having issues with the midpipe on the catback and thats why it hasnt been released as of yet. Now, if its like any other Mazdaspeed exhaust, it will certainly be hard to beat, catback wise, for fit, finish, performance etc. Im patiently waiting for it to be released with dynod results as well as the Corksport. They are both about the same price and if they both yield the same gains, hands down I will purchase the Mazdaspeed. Who wants warranty issues? I certainly dont.
 
M3_Zoom said:
maestro, not necessarily! Who knows our cars best? Also the exhaust could flow better, but that doesnt mean it makes more than a handful of dynod proven horse power. From what I understand Mazdaspeed is having issues with the midpipe on the catback and thats why it hasnt been released as of yet. Now, if its like any other Mazdaspeed exhaust, it will certainly be hard to beat, catback wise, for fit, finish, performance etc. Im patiently waiting for it to be released with dynod results as well as the Corksport. They are both about the same price and if they both yield the same gains, hands down I will purchase the Mazdaspeed. Who wants warranty issues? I certainly dont.

I was just pointing out a generalization. Parts should be purchased as part of an end result. The MS parts are part of a factory tuned package, and end result in itself. Different owners have different desired power levels, a 3" exhaust is not going to show much gain until the engine output falls into optimal range to utilize said exhaust. For most folks 30-40 HP gain over showroom level is plenty, they may not need a larger exhaust.

Anyway a little more context to clarify my statement. Your statement about warranty issues gives me an indication that excessive mods may not be in your future, which is OK. I just wouldn't try to sell you on parts that overtly void warranties.
 
Whats going to be the estimated price on that ms exhaust? I actually am pleased with the stock one.
 
maestro said:
I was just pointing out a generalization. Parts should be purchased as part of an end result. The MS parts are part of a factory tuned package, and end result in itself. Different owners have different desired power levels, a 3" exhaust is not going to show much gain until the engine output falls into optimal range to utilize said exhaust. For most folks 30-40 HP gain over showroom level is plenty, they may not need a larger exhaust.

Anyway a little more context to clarify my statement. Your statement about warranty issues gives me an indication that excessive mods may not be in your future, which is OK. I just wouldn't try to sell you on parts that overtly void warranties.


Maestro, I agree and I hope I wasn't coming across the wrong way. Actually I'm a very big fan of aftermarket parts however, if a manufacture is going to produce there own line of products that perform well, I'm a buyer. I have witnessed first hand the whole "your performance part just voided your warranty and we will not cover the repair" but, I also witnessed the entire court case that was filed against the dealer and manufacture. Fact is, by law you can install any aftermarket part on your car and the dealership must prove the aftermarket part caused said name part(s) to fail. This particular case had a manufacture engineer called upon and well, the end result was the dealership lost. This was only on this particular case so I don't want to be called out for being that guy that said xyz...if you know what I mean.
 
I installed the BOV as to complete the race pipe installation. There was a diiference from the stock BOV. There was some felt power. I will still dyno but again gonig on feelings right now. Turns out I was sent the Hybrid rather than the Race BOV...

I should have a dyno for all mods my the end of the week. Granted this won't show were I started but you can see where I am today.

As for the lost power. IF the exhaust is loose I imagine that could cause the loss in power? I hit a hard bump i here something loose down below. But it just started today. I will obviously be at the shop in the morning to review. I hope thats what it is and I can write rav reviews on these products for others.
 
One more thing to consider. When doing exhaust upgrades, you start from the tailpipe and go forward. I'm also an Evo owner and it has been shown that downpipe upgrades only increase power minimally. The better flowing DP is choked by the stock exhaust pieces downstream (cat, catback). Mazdaspeed will be no different. To see good race pipe gains, you need to open up the catback. And I agree with the other posters on the intake gains. I have a CX7 and my AEM intake made a night and day difference off the line power. Like dropping a second off 0-60 times. So 20+ whp gains are totally believable.
 
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