Spidertaker23

Hello,

I recently got my 06 mazda 3 hatch. I was thinking about what I was going to do the car to add some performance. My car has 30k miles on it right now.

From what I understand if I don't install mazdaspeed parts ... the dealership could say tough **** on the warranty if they try and say the part caused it. From what I have gathered this more of a concern when it comes to intakes. Are they like this with exhausts too or no?

Also ... what are some other parts that I could put in the car to increase it's performance ... short of spending my life's savings on a hiboost kit lol.

Oh and one last question. I was going to get some new rims in the summer time with a nice set of summer tires. Would you guys suggest that I keep the stock 17 inch size ... or would moving up to 18's be ok. Would that make the fender gap look bad...or cause any problems.

_Kansei_

They have to prove that the part caused the damage. I can't think of any way they could blame an exhaust for any damage unless it was positioned wrong and
melted your rear bumper or something. With an intake, they can always make the silly claim that the intake design sucked up something bad into the engine. Intakes basically just make noise anyhow, an intake alone doesn't really add much power at all.

You really can't get a lot of power without the hiboost kit. You'd spend as much as the kit to get like 25whp probably. --if even that.

Moving to 18s would look fine if you lowered the car. If you don't plan on lowering it, I'd stick to 17s and maybe go one size wider on the tires. The 3 comes with 205 width tires if I recall correctly, so maybe get 215

I'd look into cosworth parts. I know they made stuff that works with your engine, and it's nice stuff. Not sure where to buy the stuff in North America, but I'm sure there's an importer somewhere.

Spidertaker23

Ok that makes sense.

What about a header ... would that be a no no? I saw that the header for the mazda 3 ... eliminates a cat. Is that going to cause problems. I currently don't live in a emissions testing area...lucky me ... but I don't want to do anything that will cause me problems down the road.

I am basically looking to put some nice parts in the car but not waste my money.

From what I have seen I like the borla kit the most. I like the sound the best. Anyone have other suggestions.

If I did an intake I would probably just do the mazdaspeed one ... to avoid the warranty issues. It is bassically an AEM intake from what I understand. If I were to choose what intake I wanted I would probably get an Injen.

That makes sense I think I will stick with the 17's and get wider tires like you suggested. I am going to get new rims though ... want gunmetal ones ... and I want to use my stock rims for winter tires ... easier that way.

From what I understand the main mods I could get would be exhaust ... intake ... maybe header. Is there anything else that would be helpful? What do you have to do to your car to get it ready for a hiboost kit? Is there anything special you would have to do? I wouldn't forsee that until a while after my warranty expires obviously...if at all.

JoshP5

When shopping for new rims, pay attention to weight as well as size, offset, and style. The lighter the better. Payoffs in improved acceleration, fuel economy, and transient suspension response.

Racing Beat also makes a catback exhaust for your car. Top-notch stuff right there.

Any suspension mods planned?

J-Protege

Josh and his suspension mods

The car would look very sweet lowered a bit onto some good springs, and you should think about slapping a rear sway bar upgrade on. Guaranteed you'd have more fun with that bar than with what a Cold Air Intake will give you.

Hey Josh, since when did your 'sub name' thing change back to "Registered User"?

JoshP5

Hmm, I don't know. I just noticed it now that you pointed it out. I'll post an inquiry.

It's true $1K will make a bigger impact if you invest it in your suspension rather than your engine. My motor is bone stock, save for the MSP axleback. +1hp on a good day.

Spidertaker23

Yea I live very close to a good shop here in in oconomowoc, wi (big bear tire) that does alot of performance suspension and stuff. Can I get lowering springs without getting new shocks... or do I have to get new shocks if I get lowering springs?

Do any of you know of a sound or video clip of the racing beat exhaust system? Or no anyone on the board that has one. I would never buy an exhaust system in todays day and age without hearing it a little bit at least.

Also you mentioned something about a rear sway bar. Would you suggest just a rear sway bar ... or both front and back and why?....Sorry I am new to all this stuff and I am just trying to absorb as much as I possibly can. You guys are so nice on this forum.

Also it it true that protege garage ships parts without shipping costs? If so that is incredible. Has everyone had good experience with them?

I will be buying my rims from big bear tire here in o-town. Here is there website: http://www.bigbeartire.com/main.htm
Is there any specific wheel manufacturer that you guys would suggest that are lighter that might make some cool gunmetal rims. I want gunmetal because it would look pretty sweet with my carbon red mica car.

_Kansei_

Borla exhaust for the 3 sounds great. It's a bit loud for just a catback in my opinion, but it's a ncie size. The header will eliminate the first cat, but you'll still have the primary cat. The one it eliminates is a 'warm up cat' or 'pre-cat' that is for reducing cold start emissions. I live in an emissions testing state (a strict one) and I passed with a turbo, no pre-cat, and a high flow primary cat.

A header will fail you on the visual inspection if they open the hood. You could always get it and then tack weld the heat shield from your original exhaust manifold over it. It isn't hugely visible since it's on the back side of the engine anyway.

There's really nothing you need to do to get ready for the hiboost kit. You can make the 240whp they claim no problem. The only thing I don't recall them including in the kit is an oil cooler, so that is something that you could do before you get the turbo kit if you wanted to. Also, the hiboost kit would mean you'd have to sell your intake, but that's no biggie.

Yes, the Mazdaspeed intake is just a rebranded AEM for a big $$ premium. --but if it keeps you safe with the warranty I see nothing wrong with that.

_Kansei_

I really doubt any 'tire shop' is going to carry lightweight wheels. hell, they probably have spinners and crap like that haha.

Check out http://www.autornd.com/catalog/index...b5125ba21d14d0

they have a bunch of lightweight wheels. If you want anything slightly afforable check out Rota.

Edit: I stand corrected, they have Rays/Volk, Enkei, etc at that shop. Cool!

Spidertaker23

Thanks for the advice and information.

Well I will have to seriously consider the hiboost kit down the road if you don't have to do any internal engine modifications to use it.

But I am going to concentrate on the simple things first. Like exhaust system ... wheels and tires ... suspension ... maybe brakes first. Then worry about the hipower stuff later on.

So I looked up a racing beat clips ... that is a really nice looking nice sounding kit. Has anyone actually bought it and can atest to its quality? It is basically between the borla and the racing beat system.

If I were to get a header .... what brand or type would you recommend.

Also I want to get new brake pads ... because I hate brake dust. What brake pad brands and types to you guys trust?

Spidertaker23

Actually if you look at the website for big bear ... they sell alot of performance wheels. I live in oconomowoc ... out in the suburbs ... so it isn't like the city with all the SUVs and garbage with spinners.

I know they sell motegi ... which makes light wheels I believe .. they also sell gram lights I think. I do business there because they always treat me right and are really nice.

Edit: I saw your edit ... see I told ya! ha ha

_Kansei_

Racing Beat has CRAZY good quality, I've never seen better for exhaust. I have their catback on my Protege5

The lightweight wheels that shop has are going to really cost you, because they are authentic JDM brand wheels. Volk isn't cheap .. prepare for like 400-500 per wheel.

That's why I still recommend Rota. Not all of them are lightweight, but the info on each wheel is online somewhere. You can get some nice wheels for 150-175 per wheel

JoshP5

If you get Motegi wheels get forged ones, i.e. Traklite. They're a little spendy but very light and sexy in gunmetal.

I'd buy any Racing Beat product sight unseen--that outfit is for mature tuners only, no corners cut and no rice. Go to racingbeat.com.

If you want a decent suspension upgrade you could probably find some MazdaSpeed3 owner who has recently redone their suspension and is looking to sell their stock stuff. You could probably get the springs, shocks, and the camber plates from said MS3 for a decent price. Racing Beat also makes suspension goodies for your car. Ideally if you use stiffer aftermarket springs, you should match them to some more aggressive shocks.

Spidertaker23

Well if you guys say the racing beat stuff is good stuff I will look into that stuff. I like the sound of the exhaust they make ... it has a nice growl to it ... and doesn't sound raspy or bumble beeish. It sounds just right from what I have heard.

150 or so a wheel would be amazing. I didn't realize that you could get good quality wheels for that cheap. Do you know what size ... offset etc that I would need for my mazda 3? Also where would be a good place to buy those?

I will have to look into suspension stuff after awhile. I will probably start with the exhaust ... then in the summer after winter is over ... move onto rims and tires ... and go from there.

Does anyone know where to get license plate frames ... like mazda ones or something ... that don't suck...but don't cost as much as the cool looking mazdaspeed ones. he he

JoshP5

Benchmark: your stock rims are offset 55mm.