First Mod

[xSkyDrAx]

Been thinking about doing my first mod on my car in the coming months. I originally wanted to do an SRI but was wary on potential issues it could cause.

After doing some browsing on forums, people have had great results with an upgraded rear sway bar saying that it pretty much eliminates the understeer and body roll.

Now I know I gotta to that with a grain of salt but the general consensus is that it handles much better with the RSB.

Now my question is what are the drawbacks of a stiffer RSB? Some people mentioned that you have to grease the bushings more often. Does anyone know what it does to ride quality?

My main concern before any mods is that I don't want to ruin the ride quality since it's fairly (but good) stiff stock.

 

[punjabiplaya]

You won't notice a difference in the ride from a RSB. If it starts creaking or squeaking, just add more grease. If you get a decent one, it will come with a nipple to connect to a grease gun and is super easy to add more grease.

 

[deadken]

I'm not sure why you didn't bother listing what kind of car you have. Then I got to wondering why you wouldn't explain what a SRI is. So, I'm wondering if you are trolling, or just never considered that not everyone is familiar with your abbreviations. Also, not everyone assumes that you are talking about the car in your signature. Some people don't even care to have to dig that far. Of course, I'm the type of guy who goes a bit overboard in my details, but I feel that more detail helps the likelihood of a more accurate answer.
/rant

Now, onto your question... Regarding a Rear Sway Bar, typically they don't degrade the ride of a car any noticeable amount. What they basically do is lift the inner wheel as the outer wheel is loaded. Remember seeing the 1980's VW commercial showing the GTI lifting its inner wheel while rounding a corner? That is basically what a sway bar does. Uses torsional forces to spread the load of the outer wheel onto the inner wheel. In doing so it helps the car corner flatter.

Some cars benefit little to none with the addition of a rear sway bar.

There is no reason that I know of for a rear sway bar to make noise. Can any sway bar make noise? Sure. Dry bushings can cause a creak. Not entirely common, but probably the most common noise a sway bar would make. A spray can of lube or liberal application of a quality grease during installation would go a long way towards eliminating any likely noise.

I just wanted to ask... What makes you want a rear sway bar? Do you corner so much and so hard that you feel the car doesn't handle well? From what I see it looks like you are just itching to do something to your car. While there isn't anything terribly wrong with that, I don't think it is really the best reason to start messing with things. Most roads where I live are laid out so straight / flat that you rarely get the chance to load the suspension. I certainly can be deemed 'aggressive' on entrance / exit ramps. But other than that, I look forward to auto crossing my car. So, I'm wondering why you want modify your car. Maybe the best course of action is to auto-cross your car. That way you'd learn about suspension, see how it handles, and even get to decide if your car benefited from your 'upgrade'.

Bottom line: It's really easy to spend money on a car. It's not always so easy not to waste money on a car. Tread carefully...

 

[punjabiplaya]

His car is in his signature.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I'm not sure why you didn't bother listing what kind of car you have. Then I got to wondering why you wouldn't explain what a SRI is. So, I'm wondering if you are trolling, or just never considered that not everyone is familiar with your abbreviations. Also, not everyone assumes that you are talking about the car in your signature. Some people don't even care to have to dig that far. Of course, I'm the type of guy who goes a bit overboard in my details, but I feel that more detail helps the likelihood of a more accurate answer.
/rant

Now, onto your question... Regarding a Rear Sway Bar, typically they don't degrade the ride of a car any noticeable amount. What they basically do is lift the inner wheel as the outer wheel is loaded. Remember seeing the 1980's VW commercial showing the GTI lifting its inner wheel while rounding a corner? That is basically what a sway bar does. Uses torsional forces to spread the load of the outer wheel onto the inner wheel. In doing so it helps the car corner flatter.

Some cars benefit little to none with the addition of a rear sway bar.

There is no reason that I know of for a rear sway bar to make noise. Can any sway bar make noise? Sure. Dry bushings can cause a creak. Not entirely common, but probably the most common noise a sway bar would make. A spray can of lube or liberal application of a quality grease during installation would go a long way towards eliminating any likely noise.

I just wanted to ask... What makes you want a rear sway bar? Do you corner so much and so hard that you feel the car doesn't handle well? From what I see it looks like you are just itching to do something to your car. While there isn't anything terribly wrong with that, I don't think it is really the best reason to start messing with things. Most roads where I live are laid out so straight / flat that you rarely get the chance to load the suspension. I certainly can be deemed 'aggressive' on entrance / exit ramps. But other than that, I look forward to auto crossing my car. So, I'm wondering why you want modify your car. Maybe the best course of action is to auto-cross your car. That way you'd learn about suspension, see how it handles, and even get to decide if your car benefited from your 'upgrade'.

Bottom line: It's really easy to spend money on a car. It's not always so easy not to waste money on a car. Tread carefully...

Not sure how my post would be perceived as trolling. My post was more directed towards the regulars in ATG as I know a few members here have the same car and/or experience with this car (Mazdaspeed 3) and seeing if they had anything to say.

Usually those familiar with the car are familiar with the usual upgrade path that one takes such as the SRI (short ram intake). None of this was meant to troll anyone, just more like I was making assumptions as to those who were going to answer.

As for why I feel like modding, you are right, I am itching to do something with it as I know this is one of those cars that you could get some bang for your buck through a few simple mods. Not that there's anything wrong with the car as it is, I do love it in its current form but the tinkerer part of me knows that with a little more work it could be even more fun.

Also, no I'm not auto-x-ing this car any time soon though I would love to, just not with my DD-er. That being said it is not like a person could not enjoy the benefits of some improvements while daily driving. Luckily there are a few good corners through my commute and the on/off ramps here have a nice curve on them that allows you to appreciate a decrease in under steer and body roll.

Also it's about a $200 mod so it's no hair off my back if I don't like it. I can always put the stock one back on and sell it off. Thanks though for that description of the RSB.

 

[deadken]

Ohh, Cool. I'm sorry for my misunderstanding.

I didn't realize that it is a common car with the regulars here. Though, I did recently read cr2250's thread.

Hmmm... I'd say it largely depends on your style of driving and what you are looking to get out of the car. IE: Nothing is going to make a large difference in HP in my MKII Jetta without an engine swap. Fortunately, my style of driving and the area I live in make the stock engine fine for me. Of course, I'd like more HP. So, I'll grab the low lying fruit (do the easy cost efficient things) and then leave it alone for a long while until I'm totally willing to make the sacrifices needed for the swap. In the meanwhile, I am sorting out the suspension bits so that I can keep enjoying everything I love about that car.

I'd suggest a similar path. Identify what things are keeping you from getting the most out of it and follow a logical path to getting each thing done. Spring is in the air and it is time for men to work on cars (insert Tim Allen 'grunt' here).

Have you joined any owners groups? I find that they can be a wonderful resource and that some guys on them give incredibly valuable advice for free. Of course, you sometimes have to separate the wheat from the chaff, but since you are used to internet forums, you'll likely pick up quickly who to listen to and who to ignore.

I can totally identify with the tinkerer in you. Sometimes an itch just really needs to be scratched. I think you are right in starting with the rear sway bar. Even if things go horribly wrong, the car will remain drivable after a half hour or so to rip everything off. If you start with the Short Ram Intake, if something goes wrong, the car could be unusable. Since you said it's your DD, why not build confidence with the simpler project.

Best of luck with whatever you choose. Enjoy your car. Too many people don't.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Yep, your reasons are why I am probably not starting with the SRI. Originally I had my reservations about messing with suspension/handling bits because I don't want to end up with a car that will break your back over a speed bump.

Power is easy to make on this car but there are a few caveats that I've heard people talk about mainly related to stronger internals before certain mods otherwise the fuel pumps wont keep up with the demands of the increased power and then you're screwed.

Hopefully the RSB will satisfy my itch for a little while and not aggravate it :awe:

 

[JCH13]

Highly recommend getting a real CAI (cold air intake) and not the SRI (short ram intake). Measurably more power (10-15hp), and a way cooler sound IMO.

I only hear good things about adding a stiffer RSB. About the only complaint of the MS3 is understeer (duh) and the RSB will help to correct that without much, if any, impact to ride quality. I need to get an RSB one of these days...

 

[halik]

I would stay away from aftermarket intakes, a) you'll be sucking in hot air b)you'll be sucking in a ton of dirt.

I've swapped out swaybars for an upgraded version on two cars I've owned (RS6 bars on my A6 and twin turbo sway bars on a 300zx). Both times the results were very good - minimal degradation of ride quality (couldn't really tell) and the cars were noticeably more flat in turns.

 

[punjabiplaya]

I would highly suggest not getting an intake until you get an Accessport.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Highly recommend getting a real CAI (cold air intake) and not the SRI (short ram intake). Measurably more power (10-15hp), and a way cooler sound IMO.

Only bad thing about CAI's that I heard was that if you ever hit a puddle it's going to be bad news. I see that Corksport does have a SRI to CAI upgrade kit so I may look into go SRI -> CAI at some point in the future.

I would stay away from aftermarket intakes, a) you'll be sucking in hot air b)you'll be sucking in a ton of dirt.

Usually the aftermarket intakes are the starting point when you want to start making more power. If not that then where would you start?

I would highly suggest not getting an intake until you get an Accessport.

Are there any gains or improvements with the accessport mappings when the rest of the car is stock? I know subies see a good benefit from it but I haven't heard too much from an accessport on a stock car. It was in my upgrade path though.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Are there any gains or improvements with the accessport mappings when the rest of the car is stock? I know subies see a good benefit from it but I haven't heard too much from an accessport on a stock car. It was in my upgrade path though.

Yeah. A MAF calibration, upping the boost, leaning out the AFRs, and turning up the timing will help a lot, even on stock parts. You'll even get better mileage. You just won't be able to push the values too much without running into issues like knock/knock retard.

 

[JCH13]

Only bad thing about CAI's that I heard was that if you ever hit a puddle it's going to be bad news. I see that Corksport does have a SRI to CAI upgrade kit so I may look into go SRI -> CAI at some point in the future.




Usually the aftermarket intakes are the starting point when you want to start making more power. If not that then where would you start?



Are there any gains or improvements with the accessport mappings when the rest of the car is stock? I know subies see a good benefit from it but I haven't heard too much from an accessport on a stock car. It was in my upgrade path though.

Good CAI kits come with a splash guard (mine did anyway). I've never had a single issue hitting puddles and ingesting water. There's only a handful of people with confirmed problems from it given what I've read.

Other mod points to start at: bigger TMIC or FMIC setup (I went with an ETS TMIC given snowfall in NH), turbo inlet pipe (I like Cobb's TIP the best and got one), an upgraded BPV (I got a 1st gen Forge, makes a really fun sound and improves between-shift boost response), or an AP/Hypertech tune.

My understanding is that the Cobb AP is great for more heavily modified cars that might need/want a custom tune and the Hyptertech is great for lightly modified or stock cars that won't get a custom tune. The AP will bump up performance on a stock car, but what I've researched suggests that Hypertech does a better job of improving all-stock performance/smoothness/drive-ability.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Good CAI kits come with a splash guard (mine did anyway). I've never had a single issue hitting puddles and ingesting water. There's only a handful of people with confirmed problems from it given what I've read.

Other mod points to start at: bigger TMIC or FMIC setup (I went with an ETS TMIC given snowfall in NH), turbo inlet pipe (I like Cobb's TIP the best and got one), an upgraded BPV (I got a 1st gen Forge, makes a really fun sound and improves between-shift boost response), or an AP/Hypertech tune.

My understanding is that the Cobb AP is great for more heavily modified cars that might need/want a custom tune and the Hyptertech is great for lightly modified or stock cars that won't get a custom tune. The AP will bump up performance on a stock car, but what I've researched suggests that Hypertech does a better job of improving all-stock performance/smoothness/drive-ability.

noooo, HT is a piece of crap. Don't skimp out and get an HT. Just get an Accessport.

 

[JCH13]

noooo, HT is a piece of crap. Don't skimp out and get an HT. Just get an Accessport.

You're the first person I've heard who thinks that. Why is it bad?

 

[punjabiplaya]

Unless they've changed the maps, there were people getting less power and tons of knock/knock retard from it. It's cheap, but you get what you pay for.

 

[JCH13]

Unless they've changed the maps, there were people getting less power and tons of knock/knock retard from it. It's cheap, but you get what you pay for.

There are a couple caveats to the Hypertech:

-Limited mods are supported (i.e. no downpipe)
-Takes some time for the tune to adjust to a particular car/modification, including the AP
-Step-colder plugs are good idea when upping the boost at all, including the AP
-MS3s with certain mod combinations are prone to knock with stock plugs without careful gap control
-PCV catch tanks are recommended to prevent knocking, especially with higher boost tunes, including the AP

If I were to put a Hypertech tune (or AP tune for that matter) on my MS3 I would use step-colder plugs that I gapped carefully and I would install a PCV catch tank after a good seafoam treatment on the intake.

Slapping any tune on an MS3 without a few basic preparations is a bad idea. Perhaps my original post was a little too simplistic...

 

[Stryker124]

This is where I jump in and say "I'll sell you my Hypertech!"

Good information JCH13, thanks, I had been looking into what support mods were "recommended" for my transition to the AccessPort.

 

[xSkyDrAx]

Thanks for the info guys. Interesting info about the accessport/hypertech that I didn't know about before.

I think I will be going for the RSB. Should be ordering it sometime in July. Pics should follow

 

[punjabiplaya]

Thanks for the info guys. Interesting info about the accessport/hypertech that I didn't know about before.

I think I will be going for the RSB. Should be ordering it sometime in July. Pics should follow

It's a really easy install. Had to use a breaker bar on the few that I helped/installed. Just a warning to have a breaker bar to help get those damn endlink bolts off.

 

[JCH13]

It's a really easy install. Had to use a breaker bar on the few that I helped/installed. Just a warning to have a breaker bar to help get those damn endlink bolts off.

Breaker bar for sway bar end-links?! I just used an allen key and a 6-point box wrench. I may have hit the wrench with a hammer to free a stubborn nut though...

 

[punjabiplaya]

Breaker bar for sway bar end-links?! I just used an allen key and a 6-point box wrench. I may have hit the wrench with a hammer to free a stubborn nut though...

it was a woman's car, so who knows what had been done to it