Question

[Speed_Demon]

I am so confused as to what mod I want to do first with my money. I don't
have a lot of cash right now.

But if you were me and you had say $300 - $400 to spend on (a) mod(s), what would you do / recommend?

Springs (COBB / Eibach)?
CAI (or SRI Which I still don't know what one has more benefits, so many different opinions)
SU Rear MM and new shifter bushings?
Anything else I failed to mention.

Any help would be awesome cause I'm at a stand still.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I'd vote for a CAI or a short throw shifter and bushings. That said, the 2007 MS3 engine mounts are shite, so you might want to go stiffer if you can put up with increased vibration and suspect reliability. Another option is to get the modified (strengthened) OEM mounts they 'apparently' started putting in the 08.5's and 09's.

[Mazda3X2]

I would do the TWM Short Throw Shifter with bushings. Nice difference and it's something you use everytime you drive the car.

Other than that I really like the boost gauge / ventpod. My favourite mod.

You could do either of these for under your budget.

[spd frk]

Depends on what kind of performance you want from your car.

Mount - increased vibration, smoother shifting, better dragstrip launches thus better 1/4mile times

CAI/SRI - increased noise, some fun turbo sounds resulting, more power, faster 1/4mile times

short throw and bushings - smoother shifting

Springs - better handling, no noticeable ride harshness increase

If it was me I would probably go with the CAI. You can get the CPE CAI from JRP in mississauga for about $325 cash.

[Fobio]

this time of the year, I'd be thinking about snow tires.

[optiklenz13]

^what he said, beat me to it. LOL.

[Mazda3X2]

this time of the year, I'd be thinking about snow tires.

I figured this was a given.

[SKYMP3]

I will do the following.....auto tints, Short shifter, Intake, Suspension....or comestic mods....

I have the first 3 done, hehe

[JashiK]

I'd say CAI, but like fobio has said winter tires if you don't already have and haven't set a budget.

[Speed_Demon]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'll decide between CAI, Springs or Shortshifter/bushings as my first real Mod.

I already have tints, rain visors, blacked out emblems and my stock MS3 rims powder coated black (I have a TR MS3)

And yes, I've had the vehicle for a year and a half so I already have winter rims/tires. =]

[Unoriginalusername]

At one point I had Cobb Springs, Sway Bars (FR/RR), Cobb FMIC, Mazdaspeed CAI followed by a Cobb SRI, HKS BPV, CPE turbo back exhaust, Cobb AP, SU motor mount, twm shifter bushings etc.

The intake is a great mod for the money, but honestly you won't notice a big difference before and after. It shows up on the dyno as 14whp or so but on the but dyno you'd be surprised how little difference you feel. As such, I recommend the Cobb SRI (got mine from CTA Pat) since it is cheaper, easier to clean/maintain especially for year round cars, no hydro lock and offers no less performance than a CAI (if we were NA it would be a different story)

The shifter bushings are ok if you've got 30 bucks that you have to spend on something, but there isn't a night and day difference. I got some redline diff fluid (also from CTA pat) and found that made more of a difference in how the car shifts.

The CPE catted DP by far is the single most noticable gain you can make on your MS3 by all accounts. Sure the AP adds powers, and the FMIC adds power and all these things work together to add more power but the one that will make the largest leap forward and by far is the best bang for your buck is the CPE catted DP. If i could only have two mods, the cobb sri and cpe dp would be them. everything else is just spending money because you have it for slightly better performance

For suspension, the Cobb sway bars by far are a tremendous improvement in how the car handles, i would buy them again in a heart beat... i would pass on the springs, they are too firm for year round/cold weather driving and snow clearance even though they do perform well. Eibach's might be a better choice if you want to be lower given they are progressive and not as firm of a spring rate.

I had some maddad gauges, i think they are beautiful and make the car/cabin feel more special and would buy them again ahead of things like a short shifter/lowering springs etc. zoomzoomboy has this setup and i am sure has some pics handy

The motor mount helps but isn't a night and day improvement... if you aren't launching your regularly and don't have a wheel hop problem i would wait until you do vs. getting it now. Before i parted my car out on stock MS3 rims and tires i would spin from a roll at 80kmph in third gear and wheel hop wasn't a problem since the car had enough power... when i removed powermods wheel hop came back, so i would get the sri and the dp first and see if you still have it before getting a mount

Edit: although i prefer a sri, you won't find a better deal on a cai then this fs thread fyi http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=37103

[alhope34]

Buy my Mazdaspeed CAI!!

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=37103


Edit: Just saw James had linked my thread, thanks!!

[lasersocks]

CAI has always been my first mod of choice. I have no regrets at all with doing so on my MS3.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Buy my Mazdaspeed CAI!!

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=37103


Edit: Just saw James had linked my thread, thanks!!

+1. Awesome deal.