Hello Peoples

[arsin225]

Hello. I'm a 2011, Mazda 3 2.0 (4-door) owner with a bare bones stock car.

I googled and found this site, works for me because I'm a Mississauganite. I'm mostly here to look up how to work on my car, trying to get familiar with everything involving common car fixes. I haven't done any performance mods to my car besides a remote starter which I half botched.

For those interested, the botch was from me using crimp connectors that ended up shorting the ignition line to the frame of steering column. So every now and then my dash will flicker and one time it turned off permanently and I had to reseat the battery connections to get the immobilizer to stop yelling at me. Before that, my dome & parking lights used to flicker when the car was off, because there was a shitty joint where it was shorted. I guess the resistance was too much so the car started freaking out, solved that by cutting that connection.

Right now I drive with a nice view of all my wires and no centre column, it's pretty roomy if you ask me. I'm just waiting till the suns out and no more chilly winds for me to do my inspection. Somewhere the harness is screwed on the ignition or surrounding pins, just haven't looked. I'm 90% sure it's from a harness in the engine bay due to that good ol' burned wire smell that happens every now and then.

I know my car sounds like a clown car, but it ain't so bad.

Anyways, hello all.

[FD22]

Welcome aboard!

[greaves82]

welcome

[Jackal]

Bring your car to Lockdown (a sponsor) if you need help with your starter. If not, have at it and good luck! Welcome!!

[MickiWasHere]

Welcome!

[MS3_]

welcome!

[thirdgen3]

welcome.

[nigvlb_]

welcome!

[arsin225]

I have one question that I've been asking myself about this car I bought. 99% of Mazda 3's that I see that are tuned are Mazdaspeed 3's. Are the sedans a money sink if you were to try to put performance mods? Not simple things such as an cold air intake or calipers, but I'm talking significant gains in WHP. I'm not familiar with how much I can 'overload' from stock till my car will blow up. In contrast I feel like the speeds would have stronger components so that those who tweak, wont have to replace everything in order to do so.

So can someone enlighten me if it's worth adding performance mods or if I should just wait till I get a car that's worth upgrading.

[Mr Wilson]

Speeds were only sold as hatches and have a vastly differing drive train from 2, 2.3 and 2.5 litres. You can see improvements with intake exhaust but they'll be minimal on those cars. More then anything else you'll get the additional sound they create. Whether that's enough for you or hold off is your decision.

[b3phillip]

Welcome and great question. I always wanted to know if you could do like forge items to a 2.0 and it rips? Or just rip a whole in your pocket. I recently purchased a speed I know it will be a lot of work, before I have it on the road. But that smile she will put on my face. Will be worth it.

[nigvlb_]

I have one question that I've been asking myself about this car I bought. 99% of Mazda 3's that I see that are tuned are Mazdaspeed 3's. Are the sedans a money sink if you were to try to put performance mods? Not simple things such as an cold air intake or calipers, but I'm talking significant gains in WHP. I'm not familiar with how much I can 'overload' from stock till my car will blow up. In contrast I feel like the speeds would have stronger components so that those who tweak, wont have to replace everything in order to do so.

So can someone enlighten me if it's worth adding performance mods or if I should just wait till I get a car that's worth upgrading.

The Speed3 has a 2.3 Direct Injection turbocharged engine and a specific drivetrain for this platform. You usually see them making power because they are made to make power lol. With a 3 and bolt-ons you can probably max it out at maybe 220whp? Speeds can handle upto 400wtq before the rods give out and you need to build the block. Hope this helps..

[S.F.W.]

There are some members here that have various bolt on and have tuned the mz3. I think @Canadianbacon can chime in.

[ottoyu34]

Welcome!

Personally, I took a different approach to improving my Mazda3; rather than trying to spend loads of money to get more hp. I spend money on suspension and handling mods.

[arsin225]

The Speed3 has a 2.3 Direct Injection turbocharged engine and a specific drivetrain for this platform. You usually see them making power because they are made to make power lol. With a 3 and bolt-ons you can probably max it out at maybe 220whp? Speeds can handle upto 400wtq before the rods give out and you need to build the block. Hope this helps..

As long as I have a clear number of 'where to stop' that's helpful. More likely than not it will stay as an econobox.

Welcome!

Personally, I took a different approach to improving my Mazda3; rather than trying to spend loads of money to get more hp. I spend money on suspension and handling mods.

Not a bad idea. I plan on going to wreckers, any suggestions on things I should look out for? I'm trying to figure out what I can take from non-Mazda 3's and toss it into my car.

[_NRVOUS]

Welcome !!