View Full Version : Used and modded MS3, easiest way to know if the fuel pump has been upgraded?
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 12:33 AM
Hey everyone, just picked up a 2011 MS3 just over a week ago. I knew it had a few mods when I purchased, but the used dealer didn't even know exactly what was done to it. So now that I've had it home for a week and done some spelunking myself I've realized it's had most of the typical things done.
As far as engine goes it has...
COBB SRI
COBB Turbo Inlet Pipe
Forge BPV
CP-E FMIC
Magnaflow cat-back exhaust (w/ possible down-pipe upgrade – not sure what the stock pipe looks like).
Side note, also came with Koni Yellow's and Prokits.
From doing some of my own research I realized that the fuel pump should have been upgraded or at least had the internals upgraded to accommodate these mods. I would assume this would have been done, but I would obviously like to be sure.
If I connect to an ODB, what should I be looking at in terms of fuel pressure to know if this has been done? The pump looks stock, but also appears somewhat cleaner than other components in the engine bay.
Any help would be appreciated. Cheers.
mickey_g
06-08-2015, 02:11 AM
The only way to know for sure that the car has upgraded internals is to open up the fuel pump. As far as the DP goes take a picture of it and we can tell you...What tune is it running? Do you have an accessport?
what about a Cobb AP to manage the tune for all these mods?
Upgraded internals or cp-e pump will flow well over 1800 psi at WOT
jwoods_24
06-08-2015, 09:48 AM
^ As mentioned, the only sure way is to pull them and check. It's not worth the ZZB.
cp-e pump will have a cp-e sticker on it and serial number
SomeGuy
06-08-2015, 10:20 AM
cp-e pump will have a cp-e sticker on it and serial number
This.
Upgraded internals or cp-e pump will flow well over 1800 psi at WOT
But not this. It depends what the target fuel pressure is in the map. Technically you can ask a stock pump to do 1800+ psi if you really wanted to (not that it will always be able to do this or last very long).
From experience it doesn't seem to matter what you're asking it to target, it will be higher
My car is around 2000psi at WOT
I've spoken to Fobio on many occasions about this, as you'll see in most of the OTS maps the target is all set at 1749psi
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 11:53 AM
Thanks guys, I tried looking for the cp-e sticker but didn't look too hard as I couldn't easily see underneath of it. If I open the pump what am I looking for exactly?
No AP yet, so who knows what tune it might be running...looking to get one. Anyone know best prices and where to buy? Shipping from COBB with exchange/duty will be killer.
SomeGuy
06-08-2015, 11:53 AM
From experience it doesn't seem to matter what you're asking it to target, it will be higher
My car is around 2000psi at WOT
I've spoken to Fobio on many occasions about this, as you'll see in most of the OTS maps the target is all set at 1749psi
Yup...mine varies but stays fairly close to target actually. I'm not sure if the 2nd gen has better fuel control though? Another thing could be the condition of your spill valve?
jwoods_24
06-08-2015, 01:33 PM
Thanks guys, I tried looking for the cp-e sticker but didn't look too hard as I couldn't easily see underneath of it. If I open the pump what am I looking for exactly?
No AP yet, so who knows what tune it might be running...looking to get one. Anyone know best prices and where to buy? Shipping from COBB with exchange/duty will be killer.
This is the Auto Tech Internals laser etch.. http://elbobbo.net/gti/DSC05438%20%5B640x480%5D.JPG
Also some good information in this article.. http://www.corksport.com/blog/fuel-pump-comparison-part-2/
Fack_Dude
06-08-2015, 01:38 PM
Welcome to the fail boat show.
Thanks guys, I tried looking for the cp-e sticker but didn't look too hard as I couldn't easily see underneath of it. If I open the pump what am I looking for exactly?
No AP yet, so who knows what tune it might be running...looking to get one. Anyone know best prices and where to buy? Shipping from COBB with exchange/duty will be killer.
cost of new engine would be killer
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 02:41 PM
This is the Auto Tech Internals laser etch.. http://elbobbo.net/gti/DSC05438%20%5B640x480%5D.JPG
Also some good information in this article.. http://www.corksport.com/blog/fuel-pump-comparison-part-2/
Thanks, this is actually of help.
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 02:43 PM
cost of new engine would be killer
Very true, AP is on the list.
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 02:45 PM
Welcome to the fail boat show.
Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but seeing as I bought the car without knowing and I'm inquiring about it here obviously means I'm trying to do the right thing. But thanks for the encouragement!
Aitch
06-08-2015, 03:06 PM
Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but seeing as I bought the car without knowing and I'm inquiring about it here obviously means I'm trying to do the right thing. But thanks for the encouragement!
Ignore him, hasn't had a good thing to say about Mazdas or MS3 ownership for a long time.
betterthansx
06-08-2015, 03:16 PM
Not sure what that is supposed to mean, but seeing as I bought the car without knowing and I'm inquiring about it here obviously means I'm trying to do the right thing. But thanks for the encouragement!
Research is your best friend. That way you would have known that pretty much any mods NEED to be tuned for. Lessons you learn I guess. What is likely is that the person who had it must have sold it, but unmarried the AccessPort before they traded it in. Not too many people will be that extensive with mods and NOT tune it.
Im not sure how much damage can happen without a tune and all of those parts, but I would assume staying out of boost is a definite until you get it tuned.
Fack_Dude
06-08-2015, 03:36 PM
OP, let me guess the speed you bought is white??? Hope you did a compression test on the engine. :D
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 04:31 PM
Exactly what I assumed (about it having a tune), only had it a week...I'm sure I can get an AP pretty quick.
I totally get what your saying, but it's also easy to say that had I done my research I would have known. Honestly I'm not into tuning cars. I have a general interest in cars, used to own a lowered vehicle with rims etc. in my youthful years, but I just like Mazda 3's the way that they are.
Now on my second 3, I decided to go for a used Speed because I like the body style, features and the turbo was a bonus. This one showed up at a well-known used dealer in the area, I spoke to some people about their reputation and everyone had good things to say. I talked with them about the car and they mentioned it had an intake and the suspension done. So I felt that was pretty moderate and went for it, I actually wanted a stock vehicle, but thought I could live with a couple of modest mods. Fast-forward to now...damn it also has x,y,z...I asked the dealer after the purchase and they said they didn't know what was stock and what wasn't – which is somewhat understandable. So long story long, now I'm in research mode and exactly why I'm on this forum again. Sure, I know now, that if I was to look at another 3 or any other enthusiast car I would do my due diligence but many others could have made the same mistake, most vehicle owners could care less about modding and have no idea what an FMIC is or where to look for one.
As for the comment about the car being white, yeah it is, and if you know anything about it the helpful thing to do would be to share some information. But I could really care less, I actually have all of the info for the guy who owned previously but I didn't want to bother him.
Funny though, I just spoke with a guy the other day telling me not to bother with TM3 because of stuff just like this...starting to understand now...
mickey_g
06-08-2015, 04:42 PM
You dont have to bother with TM3 if you dont want to but how else are you going to research about a vehicle that you clearly dont know the MOD path to? May be you should try MSF and see how well that goes...
I think most replies have been very helpful with members giving you advice on how not to ZZB your engine. You can get an AP ASAP through nextmod I believe as they should have them in stock, open up the fuel pump internals and check to see if they have been upgraded. Also take a picture of your downpipe to confirm if it is indeed an aftermarket one.
betterthansx
06-08-2015, 04:46 PM
Exactly what I assumed (about it having a tune), only had it a week...I'm sure I can get an AP pretty quick.
I totally get what your saying, but it's also easy to say that had I done my research I would have known. Honestly I'm not into tuning cars. I have a general interest in cars, used to own a lowered vehicle with rims etc. in my youthful years, but I just like Mazda 3's the way that they are.
Now on my second 3, I decided to go for a used Speed because I like the body style, features and the turbo was a bonus. This one showed up at a well-known used dealer in the area, I spoke to some people about their reputation and everyone had good things to say. I talked with them about the car and they mentioned it had and intake and the suspension done. So I felt that was pretty moderate and went for it, I actually wanted a stock vehicle, but thought I could live with a couple of modest mods. Fast-forward to now...damn it also has x,y,z...I asked the dealer after the purchase and they said they didn't know what was stock and what wasn't – which is somewhat understandable. So long story long, now I'm in research mode and exactly why I'm on this forum again. Sure, I know now, that if I was to look at another 3 or any other enthusiast car I would do my due diligence but many others could have made the same mistake, most vehicle owners could care less about modding and have no idea what and FMIC is or where to look for one.
As for the comment about the car being white, yeah it is, and if you know anything about it the helpful thing to do would be to share some information. But I could really care less, I actually have all of the info from the guy who owned it but I didn't want to bother him and couldn't find him on the forum.
Funny I just spoke with a guy the other day, telling me not to bother with TM3 because of stuff just like this...starting to understand now...
I wasn't trying to jump down your throat at all. It just a shitty predicament to be in, so hopefully you can get it sorted quickly and as painless as possible.
Most forums have their great people, and their hell raisers. Just don't let them get under your skin. There is a lot of good information found on this forum, just have the patience.
For the downpipe, if you can get under the car, the stock downpipe has 2 cats. An aftermarket DP will have either no cat or 1 high flow cat and will likely be 3" where the stock is 2.5"
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 05:08 PM
Yeah sorry, I don't want to be misunderstood. Most posts have been helpful (it's obvious which posts I did not appreciate). I've just watched other threads on here turn from helpful to bashing people in the blink of an eye because another user "didn't know" something. Sure, I get that when you share anything in a public place you open yourself up to criticism but I'm not interested in bs posts, one of the major purposes of any forum is to share knowledge because other's "didn't know" something. I'm happy to share and gain knowledge but I don't need to be shamed for buying a car regardless if it was a poor decision or not.
Anyway, thanks mickey_g I'll see if NextMod has them in stock. And thanks betterthansx, I'll have to take a closer look at the DP.
mickey_g
06-08-2015, 05:36 PM
dont need to go under the car to check for DP...you can check in the engine bay
Google pic of a stock ms3 downpipe
It is pretty obvious if you have the stock downpipe or an aftermarket
Fack_Dude
06-08-2015, 07:47 PM
It doesn't have a downpipe. It's stock.
It doesn't have a downpipe. It's stock.
Who's car was this before?
Thrice08
06-08-2015, 08:25 PM
Who's car was this before?
Wondering the same thing now...pm sent.
McGuyver_3
06-12-2015, 08:21 PM
My question is how the heck did you get the previous owners info? The last I heard that is not supposed to be released.
But another way you MAY be able to tell if your car has an upgraded HPFP would be to take the car in to high RPM ranges in 1st&2nd gear. Before I had my pump and just had an AP OTS stock tune with an intake in the high RPM ranges in 1st&2nd it would stutter really badly above 4k rpm. Installed the pump and stutter went away. With your list of mods I would expect it to be similar to my conditions.
Thrice08
06-12-2015, 08:58 PM
I have the info because the used dealer had left all previous paperwork and service records in the car. Lucky for that because I needed to order a new lug key from McGard, and sure enough the code was there.
And thanks for the info, I haven't driven it insanely hard but I've pushed it a bit and it hasn't missed a beat. But I haven't been able to pick up my ap yet either. (Going tomorrow).
Been monitoring FP on a crappy app and Bluetooth obd and the highest I've seen is 1800psi or so but I can't log data for drops so I really don't know. I'm not feeling any stutters.
I'm not brave enough to take the pump apart, nor do I have the tools so I'll be bringing the car in next week to get a performance shop to take a look for me.
As for the comment about the other member thinking he knew my car, I don't think he does. It in fact does have an aftermarket downpipe installed but we never confirmed the origin either way.
Car runs great, car proof was clean and I'm confident it's solid. But hell you never know!
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