Modifying my Speed3
 

I would like to modify my car. I bought a Mazdaspeed cold air intake and have ordered a turbo back exhaust system with large diameter catalytic converter and muffler.

I am looking at a new more efficient after market intercooler.

I want to put on the coil over suspension and drop the car an inch.

Unfortunately I cannot find anyone who has done these things and I would like to learn from others before I move ahead with each of the items above:

1. Is the power difference with the cold air intake and exhaust noticable and worth the effort?
2. Has anyone tried an aftermarket intercooler. According to the propaganda you pick up about 15 horsepower. Don't know whether to believe it or not.
3. Does the suspension upgrade make that much of a difference and is the ride suddenly rock hard.

All comments welcome.

Penniless1

1. yes.
2. I dunno about 15hp, but a bigger intercooler will do nothing but good.
3. Yes and unless you do some homework, yes.

Welcome to the club! Post a pic of your car when you get a chance.. :)

I have a friend local with a few upgrades on his MS3, basic bolt on stuff ... and yes you can definately notice the extra power. Intake and exhaust will do a lot, but it'll end up making you want MORE! Haha, but that's just the way it goes.

If you get an Intercooler with your intake/exhaust, get an ECU to up the boost and take full advantage of what the IC can do.

I don't know about rock-hard, that's a very subjective term. Rock hard to me was my FC with coil-overs and 500+ lb/inch springs, full cage, and all urethane bushings. My friend has springs on his MS3 and it doesn't feel much different than stock to me, but it does decrease the nose squat under braking - which is a very welcome improvement.

thanks for the information. just trying to fulfill a wish of many years to have a fast little car. i am still learning about turbos. what is an ecu and how does it work.

as to the coil over suspension it has a range of adjustments so i guess i could start out soft and play with it. i think there is a range of about an inch or so in total lowering.

good information. may wait to find someone with the coil over suspension, ride in the car, and then decide.

about your suspension, it won't be rock hard, its just depends which coil over you put in your car, i had a skunkworks coil over and it's pretty stiff, and if you want a softer ride, try ground control because they use eibach springs, but if you're willing to pay for suspension, get the whole kit from TEIN

Speed 3 Suspension
 

Mazdaspeed offers a camber link kit and a coil over suspension kit for the car which they recommend to do at the same time. It is adjustable regarding hardness. Ride height is dropped between 25 mm and 40 mm depending I suppose on how tight you m ake the ride. That is the kit I want to get but I have not been able to find anyone who has actually used these components. I like the car b ut would like to reduce some of the body roll and nose dive under heavy breaking.

I was told by a salesman at Mazdaspeed that it makes the car turn significantly better than stock. I asked him if he knew anyone who had actually installed the items and he said he did not. I asked him how he knew and he said he needed to go. I have been very disappointed with the lack of technical knowledge at Mazdaspeed regarding their cars. To find real information you have to call around and find someone who has actually done it.

Thanks for the reply. Hope you have a good New Years.