HardHitter's 2012 Mazdaspeed3 with Tech Package Build

[HardHitter]

I thought I'd start a thread to document the building of my 2012 Mazdaspeed3 that I bought on November 3, 2012 with 20 miles.

I come from a list of the following cars:

1996 Chevy Blazer
2004 Mazda RX-8 - High flow cat + exhaust
1994 Mazda RX-7 - Stock twins with bolt ons and 12psi ~300rwhp
2005 Pontiac GTO - Headers/cam/exhaust 423rwhp
2000 Stage 3 Audi S4 - K04 turbo updates, exhaust - 371awhp
1994 Mazda RX-7 - Streetport, Aspec 500r single turbo - 405rwhp

And now my garage consists of:

2000 Mazda Miata
2012 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

In the 6 days that I've owned the car so far, I've done the following mods:

Tint all around
Ordered Cobb Short Ram Intake
Ordered Cobb Turbo Inlet Pipes
Ordered James Baron Racing Rear Motor Mount Chromoly 88 Durometer

The new parts will get in Thursday so I'll do updates once I am working on the install and when I'm done.

For now, here are some pictures:

First picture in the garage:


Removed the front plate within minutes:




The morning after, the car went into the shop to get tint:



That's it for now!

[surebOOst]

Cool shit man! Keep up the good work

[Dmurray06]

What year did they change the exhaust tips. My 2010 looks different.

Either way, keep it up!

[Spec]

Should mods consisted of ap and internals first before inlet and Sri?

[HardHitter]

From what I've heard, you can have inlet and SRI without the AP and Internals. It's once you flash to a Stage 2 (once you have the AP) that you'll want to make sure you have your internals. But that is based upon my research.

Here were some better pictures I was able to take today:

[Hush]

Bellisimo! Be prepared to wash it every week. That is why us WCP MS3 owners smirk at you.

Not trying to be a dick, but I would avoid the word 'build'...unless you are pulling the motor and doing an engine 'build'. I could be wrong, but a better description of what you have now is 'modding' or 'bolt-ons'. This may be a 'build' thread in the Honda community, MSF kids play harder. Most 'build' threads here are because the owner pushed a tune of a perfectly good motor too far, ZZB.

Take your time on mods, enjoy the car, learn it, love it. Mods are fun, but if you can't drive it like you stole it, it is just a trophy. As you will repeatedly be told and read, AP + CDFP internals...as soon as you can. AP opens the world to you.

Your car past is pretty awesome, I would be happy with any of those. That Miata NB has got to be a blast, just have to put up with the gay jokes. Roll bar takes care of that.

[Dr. Speed]

^^ More like every day.

[HardHitter]

Originally Posted by Hush Bellisimo! Be prepared to wash it every week. That is why us WCP MS3 owners smirk at you. Not trying to be a dick, but I would avoid the word 'build'...unless you are pulling the motor and doing an engine 'build'. I could be wrong, but a better description of what you have now is 'modding' or 'bolt-ons'. This may be a 'build' thread in the Honda community, MSF kids play harder. Most 'build' threads here are because the owner pushed a tune of a perfectly good motor too far, ZZB. Take your time on mods, enjoy the car, learn it, love it. Mods are fun, but if you can't drive it like you stole it, it is just a trophy. As you will repeatedly be told and read, AP + CDFP internals...as soon as you can. AP opens the world to you. Your car past is pretty awesome, I would be happy with any of those. That Miata NB has got to be a blast, just have to put up with the gay jokes. Roll bar takes care of that.

Here is what the Miata looks like



And don't worry, I started this build thread now with just "bolt ons" but you know that a true car enthusiast isn't going to stop at that.

This is what my last "build" ended up as

[Dr. Speed]

It's BEAUTIFUL! I've always loved that car. That was the best color too... it looks soooo nice in person.

[jack_hammer]

You sound interested in doing things right. I would advocate getting a way to monitor fuel pressure to go with your intake, because some people do lose pressure with just an intake. Also, an oil catch can will hook you up long term by helping keep your valves clean.

Probably sent from a toilet

Also, to make sure all the short timers in here know, you can run upgraded fuel pump internals on stock tune.

Probably sent from a toilet

[HardHitter]

Big things will happen with this car seeing how "simple" and cheaper it is to go big turbo.

I just have to remember that I've owned this brand new car for a week as of today, and I've already modded it haha. I'm hoping the SRI/TIP/RMM will hold me over for at least a couple of months.

[Hush]

And don't worry, I started this build thread now with just "bolt ons" but you know that a true car enthusiast isn't going to stop at that. This is what my last "build" ended up as

Ha, got me! - was waiting for the potential burn on that one. Tricky devil. The hook was the picture of MS3 with front plate on, and picture without front plate. That likely would have got me crucified if I posted that on a 'build' thread.

Your still going to have to wash it alot.

Will watch, and learn.

[HardHitter]

Originally Posted by Hush Ha, got me! - was waiting for the potential burn on that one. Tricky devil. The hook was the picture of MS3 with front plate on, and picture without front plate. That likely would have got me crucified if I posted that on a 'build' thread. Your still going to have to wash it alot. Will watch, and learn.

Yep, I know about black cars. My second GTO was black



Luckily, I have the Miata too so I will be driving that if it rains here so I can try to keep the Speed clean.

[Hush]

Big things will happen with this car seeing how "simple" and cheaper it is to go big turbo. I just have to remember that I've owned this brand new car for a week as of today, and I've already modded it haha. I'm hoping the SRI/TIP/RMM will hold me over for at least a couple of months.

Nice! What are your long term goals for this car? Dyno queen? Track beast? AutoX? DD? Do you have a HP number in mind? Not bustin balls, just curious.

I am basically at same spot you are with 3 month old '12 MS3 SRI/TIP/RMM/RSB/SSP/AP (except I have no experience)...but I have the (maybe false) comfort of an AP, and I log a few times a week, with an eye on the hpfp pressures. Little peace of mind. I have my Autotech hpfp internals sitting ready to go in, just need to get my tool/bench vise/backup situation figured out, and build up the guts to just dooo it.

You may already know, but avoid any WOTs starting from less than 3500 RPM, that is where the pooch gets screwed.

[Dr. Speed]

I think the general consensus is 3000rpm... not 3500.

[HardHitter]

Originally Posted by Hush Nice! What are your long term goals for this car? Dyno queen? Track beast? AutoX? DD? Do you have a HP number in mind? Not bustin balls, just curious. I am basically at same spot you are with 3 month old '12 MS3 SRI/TIP/RMM/RSB/SSP/AP (except I have no experience)...but I have the (maybe false) comfort of an AP, and I log a few times a week, with an eye on the hpfp pressures. Little peace of mind. I have my Autotech hpfp internals sitting ready to go in, just need to get my tool/bench vise/backup situation figured out, and build up the guts to just dooo it. You may already know, but avoid any WOTs starting from less than 3500 RPM, that is where the pooch gets screwed.

The plans with my cars is really just to DD them and/or weekend car. I got rid of the GTO because once I got the Miata, I never drove it because I was just so worried about putting miles on it and/or dents/dings.

I didn't want that with my next car so that's why I picked up the Mazdaspeed. It is a nice car, but I'm going to be using my Miata and Speed3 as my DD, just depends on which one I feel like driving that day I guess.

As far as plans, I'll end up going BT sooner or later, but again, I only have now 120 or so miles on the car haha.

[Hush]

I think the general consensus is 3000rpm... not 3500.

Agree, If everything looked good at 3k, go at 3k. I was using my own judgement call, based on my logs. I usually use 3,200 to 3,400, not sure I trust my tack or AP to jump on throttle within 500 RPM, though. Plus, I has a jumpy uncoordinated right foot. Another nice thing about AP or at least an Ultragauge - you find out your tack is off - mine reads low on low end, and reads high on high end.

[Hush]

The plans with my cars is really just to DD them and/or weekend car. I got rid of the GTO because once I got the Miata, I never drove it because I was just so worried about putting miles on it and/or dents/dings. I didn't want that with my next car so that's why I picked up the Mazdaspeed. It is a nice car, but I'm going to be using my Miata and Speed3 as my DD, just depends on which one I feel like driving that day I guess. As far as plans, I'll end up going BT sooner or later, but again, I only have now 120 or so miles on the car haha.

Cool, plus having the two cars frees up time and stress of working on either.

I agree totally on the GTO worry part, I do not want to have to baby a car and stress about where I park and who parks next to me. Well I do now, just because it is new, but not like I would stress over a $40k car, or a vintage.

[HardHitter]

I'm on a downward spiral...

Cobb AccessPort just purchased

[Spec]

Sounds upward to me.

[Hush]

Originally Posted by HardHitter I'm on a downward spiral... Cobb AccessPort just purchased

Downward spiral to...WINNING!

You will not regret it!

[HardHitter]

Wondering if I should install these mods coming in on stages to really see what the affect they have on the car.

For example, everyone says the RMM makes a world of difference. Then I could install my SRI/TIP and then the AP with pre-loaded tune.

But at the same time, I don't know if I could really be that patient with all the parts just sitting there staring at me waiting to be installed.

[Hush]

Originally Posted by HardHitter Wondering if I should install these mods coming in on stages to really see what the affect they have on the car. For example, everyone says the RMM makes a world of difference. Then I could install my SRI/TIP and then the AP with pre-loaded tune. But at the same time, I don't know if I could really be that patient with all the parts just sitting there staring at me waiting to be installed.

If it was me:

Install RMM, easy and you will feel the difference in shifts and traction.
Hide SRI/TIP in box on top shelf, wait for the AP, Mate AP to ECU and use COBBs OTS stock tune map, just to see where you are starting from.
Take some base WOT logs, reference for later so you can compare as you add parts and change maps. Note that you should get at least a hundred miles after any map or part change before logging, so you ECU adapts to changes.
Then, say a week later, SRI/TIP, flash OTS stage 1 Map with SRI/TIP setup.

But, like you may be, I was impatient and did AP after intake. I regret, because I did not get to see the benefit of intake or compare to stock setup. I don't think you can do it wrong, either way.

[jack_hammer]

Installing too many miss at once can make life difficult if your car runs into problems after install. But seeing how unrelated a rmm is to an intake, you can do both at the same time. Or don't. Who the fuck cares? Lol... It's nothing worth debating. monitor fuel pressure until you get the internals installed. The rest is just ground work.

Probably sent from a toilet

[galens47]

Hardhitter,

Congrats on your purchase and mods so far. Good to have another local(ish) MSF freak around.

I liked adding the parts a bit at a time, but agree that RMM should be 1st. It is an excellent and easy mod that changes shit. SRI/TIP are pretty much combined. AP is priceless. WOT logs for baseline FTW!

Cheers,

G

[3dpilot]

Originally Posted by jack_hammer You sound interested in doing things right. I would advocate getting a way to monitor fuel pressure to go with your intake, because some people do lose pressure with just an intake. Also, an oil catch can will hook you up long term by helping keep your valves clean. Probably sent from a toilet Also, to make sure all the short timers in here know, you can run upgraded fuel pump internals on stock tune. Probably sent from a toilet

This^^^ My stock internal could'nt keep up with CS intake+TIP Stage 1 tune, it started to dip somewhere in the 1300 on wot Hit up jp@edgeautosport; they haz best deal on autotechs!!

[HardHitter]

So the intake/tip/rmm should be getting here today and I wanted to take some precautions.

If I install the intake/tip and just drive the car normally without WOT pulls, will I run into FP issues? The other thing is, once I get my AP (comes in on the 20th) if I keep my stock tune, won't it be safer to stay on the stock tune until I get internals than the flash to a stage 1?

[jack_hammer]

Originally Posted by HardHitter If I install the intake/tip and just drive the car normally without WOT pulls, will I run into FP issues?

probably would be completely fine, but you'll never know if you can't monitor.

Originally Posted by HardHitter The other thing is, once I get my AP (comes in on the 20th) if I keep my stock tune, won't it be safer to stay on the stock tune until I get internals than the flash to a stage 1?

the AP has a "safe" map. if you're trying to be cautious, that would be your best bet.

or you could just wait...

[HardHitter]

Haha but who wants to wait when there are mods sitting on the shelf?!?

Anyway, my only concern is how everyone is just up and arms over internals. I can see getting mods and putting them on without an AP to log and see how your car is reacting to them, but I would hope that even something as minor as a SRI/TIP combo wouldn't lead to problems.

I'm thinking the problems are coming where the User is loading Stage 1 maps for these mods and the internals can't hold up to it. If the car sticks on the stock map, then I don't see how the stock internals would have trouble unless Mazda has tuned it to be faulty from the beginning.

Basically, in short, I want to install my mods and not flash to a Stage 1 tune. I will not be going WOT until my AP comes in next week so I can log and check how the FP looks like with these mods.

[HardHitter]

It's like Christmas in November!

[Hush]

Originally Posted by HardHitter Haha but who wants to wait when there are mods sitting on the shelf?!? Anyway, my only concern is how everyone is just up and arms over internals. I can see getting mods and putting them on without an AP to log and see how your car is reacting to them, but I would hope that even something as minor as a SRI/TIP combo wouldn't lead to problems. I'm thinking the problems are coming where the User is loading Stage 1 maps for these mods and the internals can't hold up to it. If the car sticks on the stock map, then I don't see how the stock internals would have trouble unless Mazda has tuned it to be faulty from the beginning. Basically, in short, I want to install my mods and not flash to a Stage 1 tune. I will not be going WOT until my AP comes in next week so I can log and check how the FP looks like with these mods.

Nice!

Re: hpfp and AP, comes down to how comfortable you are with unknowns. Hpfp is a known issue, all you can do is educate yourself and use best judgement. I bet most have done intakes before hpfp or AP without issue. Keeping out of boost, you are safe. Horse beaten.

Someone should be able to chime in, but I have read of COBB's intakes tend to throw a code on stock ECU (handy that they make the AP, eh?). In other words, COBB intakes only like COBB AP maps.

[HardHitter]

AP just got delivered.

I think I'm going to install the SRI/TIP/RMM tomorrow and log my FP with the stock map and see what everything looks like.

[Dr. Speed]

Originally Posted by HardHitter AP just got delivered. I think I'm going to install the SRI/TIP/RMM tomorrow and log my FP with the stock map and see what everything looks like.

Damn it, I'm so jealous.

[Hush]

If you install your intake stuff first then AP, you should flash the stage 1 SRI/TIP, and not the stock map. You want to load the map that matches your setup, or ECU will not know why it is getting so much dang air.

Have fun, post pics!

[HardHitter]

Took the time to install the SRI/TIP today.

Taking everything out was a big PITA, but then once everything was out, it literally took minutes putting everything on and then back together again.

Anyway, I haven't flashed a Stage 1 map yet, but will do that before I start driving the car more. I'll make sure to log and see how everything is looking.

Something I noticed though is that my auto up/down on my window doesn't work anymore. Anyone else have the same problem?

Didn't have any "during" pictures so the end result will have to do.

[HardHitter]

Just flashed the 'Stage1 + SF + TIH 91 v210'

[Jhornbrook]

The windows is because your battery was unhooked. Give it some miles and they will work again. Looks good. I would suggest getting internals next. But you should be fine without them for now. You can step on the gas a little before 3k the car is fine. Have fun and enjoy the new mods. I give it until Tuesday, you'll probably buy some mods from edge considering they have a huge blowout Black Friday sale.

[Hush]

Originally Posted by HardHitter Took the time to install the SRI/TIP today. Taking everything out was a big PITA, but then once everything was out, it literally took minutes putting everything on and then back together again. Anyway, I haven't flashed a Stage 1 map yet, but will do that before I start driving the car more. I'll make sure to log and see how everything is looking. Something I noticed though is that my auto up/down on my window doesn't work anymore. Anyone else have the same problem? Didn't have any "during" pictures so the end result will have to do.

Sweet!

Window motor out is weird - loose or blown fuse?

[eb2292]

Originally Posted by HardHitter Something I noticed though is that my auto up/down on my window doesn't work anymore. Anyone else have the same problem?

Every time you unhook the battery you have to reteach the auto down function. To do so just hold the window up button for 5 seconds with the window up, then roll it down and hold the button down for 5 seconds and that should do it.

[Hush]

Originally Posted by HardHitter Just flashed the 'Stage1 + SF + TIH 91 v210'

Note that there is a newer version 2.31 (v231) that you can DL from COBB.

From what I have read on MSF, COBB improved some things on the OTS maps.