I'm new to the forum (and the Mazda community for that matter) and would like some feedback on some upgrades I was considering. Just purchased the car a couple of months ago (04 Mazda 3 S 5dr) and love it so far. I'm looking to make some mild performance/appearance upgrades. The only things I've done to this point is a short anteanna and tint. I've been doing some research and have somewhat narrowed my next upgrades to lowering springs, strut brace, and SRI.My goal is to improve handling/performance,and minimize wheel gap/improve appearance. I'm open to suggestions and feedback (positive or negative) on the items listed below. Part of the reason I selected these items is affordability, but I don't want to sacrifice reliabilty either. Also any information regarding camber would be helpful. How much can I drop without exceeding factory specs? Will I need a camber kit? (according to Progress tech support I don't and should be fine with just an alignment) Are there any other SRI systems available? (only other one I've found is Weapon)

Thanks in advance.

Springs
http://www.neverenoughauto.com/index...roduct_id=2030
Strut Bar
http://www.neverenoughauto.com/index...roduct_id=1896
Short Ram Intake
http://www.cosmoracing.com/productin...3&pid=1098

 

hi and welcome to the forum. ive also got a 2004 mazda3s wagon of which i had the same goals as yours, mostly. my 3s is a daily driver and i also use it to auto-x as frequently as i may. check out my cardomain page through the link in my signature for pictures and list of modifications ive made.

 

why are you choosing SRI over CAI

 

Pretty cool. Mods look good. I actually have a silver wagon too. I'll have to some post some pics and we can to a side by side. Even funnier - I"m a musisican as well. I'm a drummer first, but playing bass for a solo artist. It's definitely a great looking and performing car but very practical too. good for the bass gear!!

 

partially cost , safer (no chance of hydrolocK), easier install. But I'm open to suggestions. I don't have a ton of money for mods. That's what married life andbabies on the way does to the budget.

 

OK. To actually answer your questions: Yes, I have an '04 HB too, but it's white not silver, and I have been/am a drummer and guitar player that has played in garage as well as working bands. Is that OK? j/k

I have the strut bar you are looking at.



It's nice, and nice looking, and not terribly expensive. Frankly I don't know why one should be? But as far as actual performance increase is concerned.... eh, hard to say. I "think" I feel an improvement in hard cornering, but it could just as easily be the "butt" dyno talking. Modern car chassis are made pretty stiffly already, remember, far better than the old days.

I also have the Progress rear sway bar, but not their springs. Suffice it to say that they are a reputable company and I highly doubt that reliability would be an issue. Ride and lowering specs are the only questions here, imo.
And yes,I would say a camber kit is in order for any drop approaching or greater than an inch, or live with really bad inside rear tire wear.

I also looked at the Cosmo Racing SRI when I was researching. What worries me the most is, what experience do these guys have w/Mazda's, what research have they done using their SRI vs. stock vs. others, and is that connecting hose reinforced silicone, or just neoprene rubber? I don't see any reinforcement in it and would be concerned about it's quality/reliability (i.e. dry rotting & cracking.)
If money is really an issue (I know, musician. Always broke,)don't waste it on an intake. That's my .02.

 

virgin1

I think I've seen a videopost from you with the Vibrant Exhaust! Sounds awesome!! That will definitely be added to the modlist for sometimedown the road.
I felt the same way about the brace when I saw it. I guess one of the many great things about he Mazda3 (if my research is accurate) Volvo actually developed the chasis, so as you mentioned it's probably fairly rigid as it is.
I contacted a rep from Progress via e-mail and asked them about camber, and they said that the drop would still be within the factory limits without a kit - and that an alignment would be sufficient. That being said, I'd like to hear that from someone who has actually installed these springs. I like the idea of an even drop front to back.
I felt the same way about the Cosmo intake. I couldn't find enough support info about the company or consumers so........I'll take your .02 and hold off for now.

Thanks for the input!!!

Between you, me and Lupae3s, we canput a band together....