mazdaspeed 3 owner thinking about X GSR
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Canada
mazdaspeed 3 owner thinking about X GSR
Hi all,
As the title says, I currently own a speed 3. I've had the car for a year and really like it, but am starting to think about maybe moving to an evo x gsr.
I'm starting to get the mod itch (just have an sri right now) and while the ms3 responds quite well to downpipe (or tbe), intake, and such, I can't help but feel a little scared to do anything else; it seems like there are potential issues for everything.
A dp may make you smoke due to exposing sub par turbo seals. There are work arounds (heavier oil, turbo inlet) that seem to resolve the issue, but still it doesn't give me warm fuzzies. Even my intake has caused a 'surging' or 'bucking' with wide open throttle runs in 5th and 6th gear even when I am well into the power band.
Cobb has ap maps for the ms3 and after months of sub par results (apparently the ms3 ecu is quite the pain to solve) the v1.03 maps seem to be pretty good, but again, while the maps work fine for some, other are having issues. The custom tune software is supposedly coming soon, so that should help.
There are fueling issues once you hit intake, dp, and cobb 1.03, so need a new fuel pump or to at least replace the internals. Not to mention the tiny turbo runs out of steam at about 5500 rpm (though the 1.03 map supposedly helps with that).
I guess at the end of the day I just don't have a lot of confidence that a given mod is not going to cause me more grief than it is worth.
So, while I've been doing a bit of snooping in this forum, I'm wondering if there are the same concerns with modding the evo (I appreciate any mod potentiall brings with it certain inherent risks/problems) or if things are a little more 'reliable'.
It really looks like for a small amount of dough you can get some serious hp numbers out of this car. Are there any weak points that need to be addressed? What are the stock engine internals (this is another questionable point on the ms3) like? Fueling?
Mods aside, the awd would be a plus for winters here. I also rally like the fact the car pulls to 7000rpm. Question, do you have to wind it out to make decent power or does it pull pretty good when driving 'normal'? I would imagine once you mod 'er the power is pretty crazy throughout the rpm range?
Lastly, I'd love to hear from those of you who have driven both and get your thoughts on the two cars.
As the title says, I currently own a speed 3. I've had the car for a year and really like it, but am starting to think about maybe moving to an evo x gsr.
I'm starting to get the mod itch (just have an sri right now) and while the ms3 responds quite well to downpipe (or tbe), intake, and such, I can't help but feel a little scared to do anything else; it seems like there are potential issues for everything.
A dp may make you smoke due to exposing sub par turbo seals. There are work arounds (heavier oil, turbo inlet) that seem to resolve the issue, but still it doesn't give me warm fuzzies. Even my intake has caused a 'surging' or 'bucking' with wide open throttle runs in 5th and 6th gear even when I am well into the power band.
Cobb has ap maps for the ms3 and after months of sub par results (apparently the ms3 ecu is quite the pain to solve) the v1.03 maps seem to be pretty good, but again, while the maps work fine for some, other are having issues. The custom tune software is supposedly coming soon, so that should help.
There are fueling issues once you hit intake, dp, and cobb 1.03, so need a new fuel pump or to at least replace the internals. Not to mention the tiny turbo runs out of steam at about 5500 rpm (though the 1.03 map supposedly helps with that).
I guess at the end of the day I just don't have a lot of confidence that a given mod is not going to cause me more grief than it is worth.
So, while I've been doing a bit of snooping in this forum, I'm wondering if there are the same concerns with modding the evo (I appreciate any mod potentiall brings with it certain inherent risks/problems) or if things are a little more 'reliable'.
It really looks like for a small amount of dough you can get some serious hp numbers out of this car. Are there any weak points that need to be addressed? What are the stock engine internals (this is another questionable point on the ms3) like? Fueling?
Mods aside, the awd would be a plus for winters here. I also rally like the fact the car pulls to 7000rpm. Question, do you have to wind it out to make decent power or does it pull pretty good when driving 'normal'? I would imagine once you mod 'er the power is pretty crazy throughout the rpm range?
Lastly, I'd love to hear from those of you who have driven both and get your thoughts on the two cars.
A friend of mine owns an 07 ms3, and I really really like the car. Quality interior, great stock exhaust sound, roomy, prety quick top end. Of the few times I've driven the car I really had to work on feathering the throttle to put the power down. Other than that its an awesome fwd turbo car. The owner of the ms3 wins out over his brother's STI at higher speeds.
Like I said I really like the ms3 but its always a better feeling to jump back in my X. The solid feeling of AWD is obviously great. with an 'off the shelf' map, the car has usable power for daily driving. I dont 'wind it out' to make power, it seems prety good around 3,000 rpms +.
My buddy's ms3 has an upgraded intercooler, motor mount i think, and CAI and his dealership doesn't car, in fact they were like "sweet mods" according to him. They even replaced his wipers for free because they were worn out after 6 months for free....I'm still prety new to Mitsubishi but word on the street dealerships aren't cool with many mods, if any at all.
Like I said I really like the ms3 but its always a better feeling to jump back in my X. The solid feeling of AWD is obviously great. with an 'off the shelf' map, the car has usable power for daily driving. I dont 'wind it out' to make power, it seems prety good around 3,000 rpms +.
My buddy's ms3 has an upgraded intercooler, motor mount i think, and CAI and his dealership doesn't car, in fact they were like "sweet mods" according to him. They even replaced his wipers for free because they were worn out after 6 months for free....I'm still prety new to Mitsubishi but word on the street dealerships aren't cool with many mods, if any at all.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara
Hi, i used to have a 08 MS3 which I traded after a few months for the Evo X gsr. I'm definetly happy with the switch. Not a big expert in tuning but it seems it's pretty easy to get extra 40-50whp with just simple and inexpensive mods on the Evo (i just got a Works drop-in filter and a custom AP map it gives over 280whp on a low reading Mustang dyno).
ECU tune is a must for the Evo, first time i drove it stock just seemed less punch than MS3.
What I like more in Evo vs MS3:
- handles and grips way better
- higher reving engine (MS3 running out of breath at 5500rpm)
- feeling of driving a sports car not just a hot hatch
What I miss from the MS3:
- the 6th gear (highway cruising is now quite loud)
- practicality (hatch!) and the trunk
ECU tune is a must for the Evo, first time i drove it stock just seemed less punch than MS3.
What I like more in Evo vs MS3:
- handles and grips way better
- higher reving engine (MS3 running out of breath at 5500rpm)
- feeling of driving a sports car not just a hot hatch
What I miss from the MS3:
- the 6th gear (highway cruising is now quite loud)
- practicality (hatch!) and the trunk
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Canada
^^ How do you find the 'punch' now that you've got the filter and custom map?
In this day and age, the lack of a six speed kind of puzzles me. I drive about 30 miles a day at highway speeds - is it really annoying/loud?
In this day and age, the lack of a six speed kind of puzzles me. I drive about 30 miles a day at highway speeds - is it really annoying/loud?
