Speed 3 issues
 

Well, I've had my Speed 3 for just under a week and I love it, but a couple intermittent issues are worrying me a bit.

First, occasionally when I slow down to a crawl when I'm stuck in traffic, it will sometimes (not always) make a howling/rubbing type noise that sounds a bit like when you blow across the top of a beer bottle, just REALLY loud. It sounds like the driver's side front brake, but I'm not sure, as it will cause the clutch to vibrate as well.

Second, I'm either getting some boost spikes or the clutch is slipping. Occasionally (again, this is intermittent) when I slow down at street or interstate speeds and pick back up again in 3rd or 4th, the car will engage, rev like it's just barely engaged, catch boost and lurch forward real quick, then drop to where the revs should normally be. This all happens very quickly - within probably a second or two.

Each of these happen about once every day going to or from work (45 minute drive each way), so I know there's no chance either will occur if I take it in to the dealership.

I hate that intermittent shit, cuz the repair guy always looks at you like you're smoking crack.

First thing I'd do if I got one is put a decent boost gauge on it, try that ... see what you get. It's stupid not having a boost gauge stock.

Yeah, I've been wanting to do that and a turbo timer. Are there any warranty issues with either one?

No way could they cause a warranty issue ... just get a nice gauge, turbo timers are a waste if you ask me.

Okay, I'll look into it. I think I'm going to take it in this weekend, hopefully at least one of the problems will manifest itself on their quick drive they take.

Good luck with it, I know all these problems I keep hearing about with Speed3's is a bit disconcerting though.

sounds to me like the clutch is slipping. The roaring noise may be tire/brake issues. I have a roaring in the rear diff of my speed6 but yours is only fwd. Could be anything really...

I think it's the clutch slipping as well. I've never really experienced a slipping clutch first hand, but it seems to fit what I've heard about other people's problems. As far as the rubbing/howling noise, I'm pretty sure it's either the brakes or the clutch. If it were a tire, it would have to be locking up to make a noise anywhere close to the noise it's making, plus I would feel a locked up tire. Sticky caliper, perhaps?

very possible....mazda is notorious for crap brakes. If you feel like checking it yourself I'd pull the caliper off and check the slide pins for lubricant or signs of unusual rotor wear.

i HATE the brakes on my speed6. The work very well but they are 100% rusty and dust like crazy. new pads and rotors and a gallon of caliper paint is on order.

Uhm, Mazda is notorious for killer brakes actually ... or maybe it's just you non-rotary guys who get the shit brakes :cool:

yup...well no, theRX8 sucks ass as well in the brakes department. Mine work well but they dust like crazy and squeal something awefull on the rx8. If it weren't for Hawk HPS I would've sold the car 3 months sooner.

I have read that some people have had issues with one of the engine mounts on the Speed3 (as in mounting bolt backing out). Might want to check if yours is loose, allowing something to bind up under certain conditions causing your noise.

i love my speed3.
it is fast as hell, and makes no noise.

anyone here have any reference to ebc brakes? i wanted to go hawk pads but they dont make track pads for it yet, the hp plus sound good, but the temp on the pads seems a little low (850F).

anyone?