Turbocharging a 2010 Mz3

[ms10]

It wasn't clear in the article whether the SEMA car got upgraded engine internals. The 2.5's 9.7:1 compression ratio is close enough the the MS3's 9.5:1, but the MS3 has a forged crank, forged rods and forged pistons. Seems like these are necessities when pumping 15 psi, but it's unclear whether or not the 2.5 uses them. Having to replace the engine internals seems like a deal killer. I agree that it would probably be easier to find a MS3 drive train and swap it in. The article also speculates that "If, on the other hand, you call up Tri-Point and have them work up a Garrett turbo kit and Mazdaspeed suspension/brake package with appropriate wheels, you might get out of there for about $5,000". I wonder how accurate that price is and what it would include. Perhaps you should give them a call and let us know what they say

 

[skatethesea]

Well as far as the 250-300whp goal. Definitely attainable. As far as using it in autocross without the LSD, pointless. The "solid axel" wont let you turn like you should and will greatly inhibit your goals of autocross action. Let me be the first to say I have had fun in a saturn wagon. Autocross can be more enjoyable in that Saturn than a porche 911 given the course layout. But I would much rather know I have the ability to keep speed while turning to do so.

Though I am sure this whole thread is just a theoretical mess at this point, I would like to say again that the best bet is to just trade it in on a MS3 or vehicle to the liking. It will save you thousands in the long run and is already fast, fun, and turns like a champ right out of the gate.

Cheers

 

[f2t]

sorry wasnt trying to either. i was just stating that it might cause more problems in the long run, but 5psi shouldnt hurt the block or internals.

 

[ToNeZ90]

honestly it might be cheaper after doing everything right, depending on what you financed for the car. Now i'm not sure what the total finance amount would have been for a 2.5L but in my case after forged internals and a custom kit and a propper tune and install by a professional shop, i would be around 5-6k for the whole dark side shibang my 2.0L.

(Since i'm such a dumbass, correct me if i'm wrong on this next part)

Example would be i financed 14k and paid for the 6k project out of pocket. its still 20k but i wouldnt have to even finance the last 6k, so i'm saving the interest and another 5k of financing versus getting a ms3 for 25K after financing. In contrast it's always better to just avoid the risks and buy the ms3.

MY POST IS UP FOR DISSAGE NOW!

 

[skatethesea]

Your plan is sound. It does save money in that aspect. But you are factoring in that he can do all the work himself. Just the parts will fall in to around $6k. The labor, especially if internals or a clutch got involved, would run easily into the 3k range with a good DYNO tune. Now the last question to ask is how long will the car run like that for compared to the stock MS3?

I personally am completely against buying "upgrade" models. I would never own a NISMO 370z, or a S2000 CR, or anything to that aspect. If the engine is the same and only the interior and aero features along with the suspension are tweaked, well I am going to replace all that anyways. No use paying for it twice. That is where your theory cones into play.

 

[fateexceeds]

It wasn't clear in the article whether the SEMA car got upgraded engine internals. The 2.5's 9.7:1 compression ratio is close enough the the MS3's 9.5:1, but the MS3 has a forged crank, forged rods and forged pistons. Seems like these are necessities when pumping 15 psi, but it's unclear whether or not the 2.5 uses them. Having to replace the engine internals seems like a deal killer. I agree that it would probably be easier to find a MS3 drive train and swap it in. The article also speculates that "If, on the other hand, you call up Tri-Point and have them work up a Garrett turbo kit and Mazdaspeed suspension/brake package with appropriate wheels, you might get out of there for about $5,000". I wonder how accurate that price is and what it would include. Perhaps you should give them a call and let us know what they say

I talked to Nicole from Tri-Point on these forums about a year ago, and she replied that they had no plans to offer turbo kits for the 2.5L engine; more recently, Mark from Tri-Point supposedly told someone on another forum that they will start developing a kit this summer. Their kit for the last gen. 3 costs $4,300 but doesn't include brakes, so that $5,000 estimate is a bit on the low side.

 

[fateexceeds]

Well as far as the 250-300whp goal. Definitely attainable. As far as using it in autocross without the LSD, pointless. The "solid axel" wont let you turn like you should and will greatly inhibit your goals of autocross action. Let me be the first to say I have had fun in a saturn wagon. Autocross can be more enjoyable in that Saturn than a porche 911 given the course layout. But I would much rather know I have the ability to keep speed while turning to do so.

Though I am sure this whole thread is just a theoretical mess at this point, I would like to say again that the best bet is to just trade it in on a MS3 or vehicle to the liking. It will save you thousands in the long run and is already fast, fun, and turns like a champ right out of the gate.

Cheers

I'm pretty sure I mentioned this earlier in this thread, but I did try to buy an MS3. Long story short, the sales guy said that 0.0% financing was available on the MS3, but literally as I was about to sign the paperwork, the sales manager came in and said it wasn't possible; the best they could do was 4.99% for 72 mos., which was too much for me. I ended up with an Mz3 at 0.0% for 60 mos. And if Mazda made an MS3 sedan, I'd want that more than the hatch anyway; thus, the idea of turbo'ing the Mz3 (and I'm sure others out there have done or will do this).

Anyway, I definitely appreciate your input. Again, I'm not sure I'd want to tackle this project, but if I did, it's nice to consider all the angles about everything. It sounds like most people agree that an LSD is not required but is highly recommended, along with upgraded internals and fuel pump.

Obviously, this would be an expensive project; a Brembo big brake kit runs about $1500-1600 (although it would be cheaper to do the MS3/Mz5 brake upgrade), a Quaife Helical LSD runs about $1200-1500, a high pressure fuel pump is about $600, the Tri-Point turbo kit is $4300 (assuming the price is the same when they make the new gen. kit), not to mention whatever it would cost for forged internals. Supposing I were to do the labor myself, and did the MS3/Mz5 brake upgrade instead of a StopTech or Brembo kit, I'd say $8,000 is a realistic number. I paid $15,000 for my Mz3, so about $23,000 would not be excessive for a custom "MS3" sedan, in my opinion.

 

[chromal]

One thing nobody seems to be bringing up in all this is insurance. I've heard the MS3 is typically significantly more expensive to insure; is this true, and what kind of split are we talking vs the MZ3 2.5l? Aaaaand... legally speaking, would it be shady in any way to use insurance savings to help subsidize boost for MZ3 over, say, 5 years? It's either fraud or shrewd, not sure which.

 

[MS3 GT]

turbocharging the mz3, u probably boosting 6psi on stock internals maybe 50 whps gained, not worth the money.....just my 02

 

[ToNeZ90]

One thing nobody seems to be bringing up in all this is insurance. I've heard the MS3 is typically significantly more expensive to insure; is this true, and what kind of split are we talking vs the MZ3 2.5l? Aaaaand... legally speaking, would it be shady in any way to use insurance savings to help subsidize boost for MZ3 over, say, 5 years? It's either fraud or shrewd, not sure which.

Well idk about where you live but geico doesnt check my cars cuz they go by their books. I told them i installed an alarm system and they told me that it doesnt make a difference.
plus no emmisions testing here.(evil)

 

[djthom]

fmic
garret
LSD

shoulda bought a speed3

/close thread

 

[Remspeed3]

^^ Yep, cause theres nothing like alittle BOOST!!!