Shifting and HP??

[DrumnBassDriver]

Okay..just got a few questions about the Mazda3 which I plan on getting in a few months (I have to pay off a totalled car and pay some things off)...First in the auto trans, is it okay to let the rev go up to like 6000 or 7000 and then hit it in to the next gear or is that going to be bad for the car? Second, I was wondering if the 3 will slowly lose hp over the course of thousands of miles put on it...I swear my old car went faster for a while and then after gunning it so many times it didn't seem to have the same hp it used to...maybe it was just me or it needed tuned up or something. Third, isn't the rear-view mirror in the 3 a lil' bit small? I test drove the HB and it seemed TINY (you can always replace that but I was just wondering). And finally can the 6-disk changer and system be boosted up just by adding an amp and some better speakers? I don't have to try to make a custom install just to fit in there...I can just get an amp and some better speakers right? Thanks and can't wait to have the 3 in my driveway....Brett

 

[TheMirror]

In regards to revving the engine, as long as you keep it under redline, you're fine.

New engines generally loosen up and run better for several tens of thousands of miles. Once the engine has a lot of miles on it, simple wear on things like piston rings, carbon deposits on valves, etc. can rob it of some horsepower. All of my long term cars had that happen, especially my 2.0L Golf and 2.2L Subaru Legacy.

Rear view mirror seems standard size to me.

Yes you can boost the stock system with better speakers and an amp, while still using the stock headunit. What you will need to do is use a Line Out Converter, which splices into the speaker wires and turns them into RCA outputs. You then run the RCA outputs into your amp, and run new speaker wires from your amp to your speakers. See here for info on good Line Out Converters:

www.davidnavone.com

Cheers,
-Mirror

 

[DrumnBassDriver]

Thanks and I'll definately look into upgrading the stock system!!