Safest way to mod?
 

I have done a fair amount of research into different ways to gain power for the MS3, and i wanted a few opinions before i decided to go for anything more than what i have. I started with a cobb SRI which i have loved from day 1, then i chickened out from anything more due to fear of blowing a motor like so many, and i stuck to appearance mods. Short of improving traction, im basically looking for a car that would keep pace with most of your v8s of today (around a 12.9-13.1 1/4) Figure would need to be around 280-290 fwhp.

So, if i were to mod, is there any safer bet mods to avoid breaking things. If not, are there mods that wont leave a scar (evidence), and stock parts be tied back in for dealership issues. I was considering looking into a DP, cat delete pipe, or ETS TMIC. Other suggestions would be appreciated, but for $500 -1k total buying used, these seem like some of the better bang for buck items. I consider anything that could be removed and not leave a trail of evidence within 2 hours reinstall time reasonable, thus the SRI was my first mod. Thanks for your patience, i would be dissapointed in my purchase if i can never mod it, and have already started considering a weekend project car or saving for something as practical with a v8.

Race pipe (second cat delete).. easily swapped back.. 30 mins
ETS TMIC .. easilly swapped back.. 30 mins
RSB.. easilly swapped back.. 30 mins

The first 2 added a good kick to the car, and the RSB stiffened it up a bit too..

Downpipe.. not easily swapped back

Good luck, and try the search function.. lots of usefull info out there looking to be found

Slicks, mm's, driver mod. I dont know about 12.9's on "safe" mods. Your missing out if you dont get a dp but its not quickly swapped.

concur w/ doc & ms3jake. also, bpv is a 10 min swap out. i have the trz tranny and rear motor mounts. depending on the warranty issue, i'd maybe only swap out the rear motor mount (another 10 min) and cobb rsb (30 min) and leave the tranny mount hidden under the battery.

I've read (not sure on truth) that its pretty easy to add an intake, exhaust, gt20 something turbo, boost controller, turbo timer and make somewhere between 350-450hp on pump gas and the engine still take it easily.

Well.. thats my route.. :)

than you might as well save up for a new motor....cause your fucked, and your motor will blow. If you wanted a car to mod the piss outta of and have it stay together, this isn't your platform... We are yet to even hit 400 whp with built motors, big turbos, and meth... so good luck and we'll look foward to your parting out sale when you blow your motor

So how far is too far with this car? would you measure it bu whp, torque, boost, or just the type of mods in gen. I am by no means looking to break any records with this car I just want a good looking above average DD. I love the MS3 and already have mazdaspeed cai, cp-e downpipe, mazdaspeed exhaust, and su rear motor mount. So again where would you draw the line and not have to worry about serious engine damage???

one more thing with the mods I have now (motor mount is tech in the mail but i counted it anyways ha) I took it to the track just a few days ago and my best time was a 14.78 with the mods i have now. Yes it was my first time and inexperiance played a big roll in my times BUT i dont see shaving almost 2 secs off my time with simple mods. Now with simple "safe" mods would breaking the 13secs be reachable???

what was your 60' because stock MS3 can do about 14.0 flat, i feel you have too much power to the wheels and the wheelspin killing your ET. I expect those mods has your trap much higher unless your shifting is poor.

idk off the top of my head. and yes wheel spin / wheel hop was terrible at the start and from 1st to 2nd... I'd like to think my shifting was par never missed and seemed like i was shifting quick sooo idk... when i do get that motor mount install i will take it to the track again and see what she'll do then and what do you mean "trap much higher"

07 ms3 have blown there motors with the mods you have..
i had to do it again:
i'd do sri/inlet, exhaust manifold,fuel pump, and a tune. That should net you over 300 whp. Modding this car is a gamble,.....you really do roll the dice. i don't care what any body says: 280-310 whp i think is the safe spot for longevity.

I think for performance upgrades I'm about done I want a STS, MAYBE a BPV, and down the road a upgraded TMIC. And then i want to begin visual and suspension upgrades. Which ive never heard of any blown engines with eye lids and a sub in the trunk, and a lil splash of carbon fiber here and there

If you really want a safe way to mod you need to get a full body condom with a nitrile coating, it'll protect you from MTD's (mechanically transmitted diseases). Just be sure the car is cooled down before you start working on it. Also take a shower immediately after use because latex and sweat is not a good smell.

lulz

Get an intake, TMIC, and fuel pump internals. The intake and TMIC are easily reversed and yield excellent power.

Jeff at PG

Add a test pipe and call it quits for power mods. Go ape-shit on the suspension. I doubt you'll have very many suspension related issues with the car that Mazda would void your warranty for.

huh?

You tell him that people have blown with only SRI.... and then you go on to say that adding the inlet, exhaust mani, fuel pump, and tune makes it SAFE?

Safest way to mod is to keep the car away from me. Every F-ing plastic piece I touch breaks.

I know I know. So now we are talking how to make it better. If the engine can't hold 300whp, then wtf.

what blows. are we talking rods, pistons, top end, rockers, seals, turbo.. what?

who has the stock integrity stats?
:sigh1::damnit1::popcorn::grumble::censored:

hey ive have a cobb sri and a forge bpv. would i be safe to add a cobb inlet? and would it halp any at all with power

I will soon be doing my Balance Shaft Delete, thanks PG for the best price around!

If you want to make power, I would forget the warranty especially if you are looking for a 12 second car.

Should also be mentioned, that doing the BSD results in an instant warranty void.

If anything happens to the engine, they'll point right at it missing and blame that on it. Kinda of ironic since there is a growing concern that the Balance shaft might have something to do with engine troubles...or at least, removing the balance shaft and increasing the oil supply and oil pressure helps to prevent such engine issues from occuring.

Void or not, everyone I know that has done it are running their cars hard as hell and have every mod and meth and are still going strong.
I have yet to see in any forums of someone doing it and having blown their engine.

I hardly ever run my car hard (just at the track) but I am taking all the precautions.
I have my Meth waiting on my FMIC to arrive and also internals to be sent back to me that were recalled.

What internals were recalled? Stock stuff?

ok so what does meth do? how does it work? I dont understand this stuff

use the search button, or google

no1 has made a ms3 with more than 400 on a built motor...so if you build a block and head you will still blow it??? I dont understand that