The MazdaSpeed 3 has been a staple in the tuner community for many years. The MazdaSpeed 3 is a very good car, however it is very picky when it comes to tuning. If it is not done properly, the results can be very negative. In this article, we provide suggestions based on over 10 years of experience within the automotive performance industry about how to properly set up and tune your MazdaSpeed 3. As always, if you have any questions or concerns about your personal MazdaSpeed 3 project (or any other car for that matter) please don’t hesitate to contact us for free advice and support on what is best for you. Our shop phone number is: 561-395-5700. we are open Mondays-Fridays 10:00am – 6:00pm, and Saturdays 11:00am – 4:00pm.
- MazdaSpeed 3 Strengths
- 2.3L direct-injected high-torque engine
- Turbo Charged
- Provides great potential for increased power
- Great handling potential
- Large established community
- Lots of information and past data available
- Lots of ECU maps available
- MazdaSpeed 3 Weaknesses
- Weak factory turbo charger
- Turbo-swap upgrades available if power over 300-350whp is desired
- Weak connecting rods
- Upgrades available if power over 300-350whp is desired.
Listed below is our suggested upgrade path for the MazdaSpeed 3 for the various levels of power that you would like to achieve.
When adding upgrade parts to the MazdaSpeed 3, it is especially important to pick the right brands, particularly when replacing the intake and downpipe. The ECU on the MazdaSpeed 3 is very sensitive, and if the part is not properly designed, it will throw off the calibration. After over 10 years of experience tuning the MazdaSpeed 3, Velocity Factor has seen the best and worst performance parts. The ones the do and don’t work. The ones that do and don’t make power. Continue reading for our suggestions and advice.
- Stage 1: ≈20-30whp
- MazdaSpeed 3 Intake and ECU Flash
- The first step in upgrading your MazdaSpeed 3 should be the intak
e and an ECU flash. For your intake, Velocity Factor recommends the Cobb MazdaSpeed 3 Intake because of its safety, reliability, high quality. The Cobb intake for the MazdaSpeed 3 incorporates an air straightening grid, which helps maintain the proper airflow into your engine and reduces turbulence. Fitting the Cobb i
ntake onto your MazdaSpeed 3 will make the engine sound louder and more aggressive and will actually give a power increase that you will be able to feel. By adding a Blitz Stainless Steel Filter onto your Cobb Intake will improve airflow even more and will give you a maintenance free setup. For your convenience, Velocity Factor offers this combination in the form of an all-inclusive kit as part of our line of VFR Performance Products.
Click on pictures for larger image. - To fully maximize the potential of your Cobb intake, as well as any future mods, we also recommend investing in the Cobb AccessPort for your MazdaSpeed 3. The Cobb Accessport is currently the b
est, simplest, and most comprehensive solution for MazdaSpeed 3 ECU tuning. When you purchase the Cobb AccessPort, Cobb provides the maps for Stage 1 and stage 2 free of charge. In addition, there are many user-made maps available within the Cobb AccessPort community for the majority of the bolt-on mods available. Because the Cobb AccessPort is the industry standard for tuning the MazdaSpeed 3, if you ever get to a point in your build that the available maps are not suitable for you specific application, any reputable tuner will be able to provide a custom tune that is perfect for your specific setup. As an experienced Cobb authorized dealer, Velocity Factor is well qualified to create custom tunes. If you are interested in a custom tune for your specific car, please give us a call and we would be happy to help you with your project. In addition to providing tuning functionality, the Cobb AccessPort has many more features. For example, it can measure 0-60 and 1/4 mile times, estimate horsepower and torque, display current and averaged fuel economy, provide drag race simulation with reaction time and “time slip” data, adjustable on-screen Shift Light functionality, and more. If you get only one performance product for your MazdaSpeed 3, the Cobb AccessPort should be it. - Inlet Hose and Cat Back Exhaust
- The next recommended step in adding power to a MazdaSpeed 3 would be a high performance cat-back exhaust and turbo inlet hose. For your MazdaSpeed 3, we recommend the Cobb MS3 Turbo Inlet Hose.
The Cobb MS3 Turbo Inlet Hose is made from high-quality steel reinforced high temp silicone. It is thick enough and stiff enough to resist collapse under high vacuum, while still being flexible enough to compensate for engine vibration. The Cobb MS3 Turbo Inlet Hose increases performance by insulating the incoming air from engine bay heat, as well as providing a true taper from the intake to the turbo inlet. This taper eliminates any sudden steps that the stock inlet pipe has, thus increasing power and responsiveness. The stock inlet pipe is made out of plastic, and is significantly more restrictive. It has a pancaked profile, and is made from thin plastic, which allows significantly more heat to seep into the incoming air. The Cobb MS3 Turbo Inlet Hose is available in blue and black to match your engine bay color scheme. In our shop, we have seen as much as a 9hp increase with this mod. - After increasing airflow on the intake side, it is also important to match that by reducing restriction on the exhaust side. For the MazdaSpeed 3, we recommend the Greddy Ti-C Cat-Back Exhaust.
The Greddy Ti-C Cat-Back Exhaust is designed to reduce backpressure and increase exhaust flow for greater peak power and a broader torque band. This is achieved by using a specifically designed muffler and properly sized piping. The exhaust is comprised of a Titanium heat-treated tip, polished stainless steel muffler, and unpolished stainless steel piping. It improves high and mid-range performance while still allowing for suitable sound levels when used with the included tuned Tri-mounted Silencer. - Oil Catch Can, Spark Plugs, Boost Gauge
- The next steps are aimed at improving engine safety and reliability. This is especially important when increasing power and performance. The three main components for this are upgraded spark plugs, oil catch can, and boost gauge. The MazdaSpeed 3 is particularly susceptible to developing positive pressure in the crank case, which has a detrimental effect on power production. This pressure is relieved through a one-way valve into the intake manifold. However, this introduces oil and combustion gasses into the intake. This leads to introduction of oil into the combustion process, decreased engine efficiency, increased
likelihood of detonation, and eventual damage to the engine. The solution to this problem in the MazdaSpeed 3 is an oil catch can. The oil catch can is installed between the crank case and the intake manifold. When the vented air passes through the oil catch can, the contaminates drop off into the can, and the air that passes on into the intake manifold is significantly cleaner. Velocity factor has put together a VFR MazdaSpeed 3 Oval Oil Catch Tank kit, which features a Greddy polished aluminum oil catch can. - The stock spark plugs that come with the MazdaSpeed 3
are optimized for lower price, as opposed to maximum performance. As a result, there is a higher chance of detonation and engine power is negatively affected. To solve this, Velocity Factor recommends NGK Iridium IX Spark Plugs for the MazdaSpeed 3. When installing these Iridium IX spark plugs, we recommend they be gapped to 0.030”. - When modifying your MazdaSpeed 3 and increasing power, it is very important to monitor the state of your engine to make sure it is operating safely.
This is accomplished by installing gauges which tell you critical engine parameters while it is operating. The first gauge that should be installed is the boost gauge. This gauge shows how much boost the turbo is producing at any given time. For the MazdaSpeed 3, Velocity Factor recommends the Defi Red Racer Boost Gauge. This gauge is a high precision digital boost gauge with a red LED face that matches the factory instrument cluster for a clean and professional look. The gauge can be mounted using 
the VFR Defi Red Racer Boost Gauge kit. Alternatively, if you are planning on a higher level build with multiple gauges, we recommend the CPE MazdaSpeed 3 Gauge Pod. It is made from high quality plastic, holds 3 gauges at the optimum angle, and matches the OEM dash texture exactly for a factory quality install and appearance. - Lower Motor Mounts
- Now that the engine is producing more power and torque, it is important to support it within the chassis. To do this, upgraded engine mounts are needed. The purpose of these engine mounts is to minimize how much the engine twists while producing power. In addition, since the MazdaSpeed 3 is a front wheel drive car, these engine mounts will reduce torque steer when accelerating. For the MazdaSpeed 3, velocity Factor recommends the CPE Billit Aluminum Engine Mounts. These high-quality mounts are made from a single piece of 6061 billet
aluminum, with an EPDM bushing. This particular mount comes with the option of two different stiffness settings for the bushing. It is available in 60A and 75A durometer options. 60A is ideal for those who have a high-performance car that is mostly driven on the street. 75A provides for a stiffer mount, with a slight compromise in ride comfort. It is better for those cars that are primarily driven hard on the track.
This guide has shown you our reccomended Stage 1 upgrade procedure for the MazdaSpeed 3. To learn more, be sure to read our MazdaSpeed 3 Stage 2 Upgrade Guide.
Velocity Factor Auto Blog 
Pingback: what parts should I buy - Mazdaspeed Forums
Quick ? I’m debating between the Cobb sri intake and k&n intake…according to k&n they claim more horsepower gain…which would you guys recommend and why..?
Thanks In advance
Mark
We are authorized dealers for both Cobb and K&N, but for this specific application, we recommend going with the Cobb intake.
For this application, the Cobb intake is better because it incorporates an air-straightener grid for better air flow, and more importantly, it is specifically tuned to work with the Cobb AccessPort flash.
I hope that helps you make your decision. When you are ready, we invite you to go to our shop website, http://www.VelocityFactor.net to make your purchase. If you are located in the South Florida region, we also provide professional install services in our Boca Raton shop.
If you would like some more information, we are always happy to provide free advice and support over the phone. Our hours are Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00 and Saturday 12:00-4:00. Our number is: 561-395-5700.
How “loud” is the Cobb SRI? Is there any way to dampen or at least not accentuate the noise? I live in a very quiet neighborhood and plan on keeping the factory exhaust for that reason but would like to upgrade the intake. Thanks!
The Cobb Intake is very well engineered and is very quiet under normal conditions. It starts to get loud only when you really step on it. When you are driving it hard, you will hear a nice aggressive turbo spool-up sound. We have installed many of these intakes, and have had no complaints.
If you want to keep the noise low when you are in your neighborhood, we recommend you just drive slow, keep the RPM’s at a minimum, and don’t accelerate suddenly. All of these things you are probably doing already, so you shouldn’t have an issue with this intake.
If you have any more questions, we are always happy to provide free advice and support. We also have some specials on Cobb products right now. Feel free to call us 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00, and Saturday 12:00 – 4:00.
Good information. That being said, the Greddy exhaust is not available for the Gen2. What would you recommend? I’ve personally been looking at the Ark Performance exhaust as well as the offerings from Cobb, cp-e, and Corksport. I have the Corksport intake/TIP and am pretty satisfied with that company. I don’t think I’d be willing to drop it down to a single tip exhaust even if the Greddy would fit….
Thank you for your comment.
We suggest you go with the ARK exhaust for this one. The sound fitment, and performance that it gives is very nice. We have installed a few of them for customers, and they have all been very satisfied.
Give us a call for special pricing on MazdaSpeed3 exhaust options. 561-395-5700.
Thanks again. I’ll be in contact soon.
Pingback: Velocity Factor – 2012 MazdaSpeed3 | Velocity Factor
Pingback: Next Mod - Downpipe or Accessport? - Page 2
Why not the Cobb exhaust with the Cobb tuner?
Quick question from a novice:
I was hoping to make a few upgrades but am still keeping my Ms3 as a daily driver. I’d prefer the most power gains while maintaining something that isn’t obnoxiously loud and staying reliable.
What would you guys recommend? I’ve heard that switching out the downpipe is one of the biggest power gains available along with a new intake.
Thanks for any help that you can offer.
EDIT: Probably should mention that I am currently driving a stock 2011 Ms3. As far as I am aware, most if not all of the engine and suspension parts are the same going from a gen1 to a gen2 but I would imagine that any detail I can give would be helpful.
The first thing that we always recommend for the MazdaSpeed3 (especially if it is a daily driver) is to get the Cobb AccessPort.
First and foremost, the AccessPort gives you the best bang for your buck in terms of increased performance. By itself, it gives you a significant increase in power without making any compromises on every day driveability and reliability.
What you are saying about the downpipe is true. The greatest restriction is the factory downpipe. Replacing it will give you a very nice increase in power. However, there is a catch. Replacing the downpipe will only give you a benefit if you also tune the car to take advantage of the increased air flow. In fact, just installing a performance downpipe without a tune can actually cause damage to your engine because it creates an overly lean air mixture. This is another reason why we recommend getting the CobbAccessPort first, because without it it, the upgraded downpipe wont do you any good anyway.
The intake is good too, but you would still need to tune the engine to maximize the benefit that the intake would give you.
I hope that helps you decide. As always, if you would like to discuss your upgrade plans in more detail, please feel free to give us a call for some free advice and support. Our number is 561-395-5700.
Hi, I want to install the Cobb intake and the Inlet hose plus the spark plugs, but the thing is that my engine has 111,000 miles, it will improve the life of my engine, or is better to leave stock, I just want to make my engine live longer.
Thanks.
Thanks for reading our blog, I’m glad you are finding the information useful and interesting.
Regarding your engine, as long as it is running fine, is well maintained, has had timely oil changes, and is in overall good condition, then the mods you mentioned should be fine and will help your engine run more efficiently. The Cobb intake, and all supporting mods are all perfectly safe, even on high-mileage engines.
If you would like some more information, please feel free to give us a call. We can give you more personalized support in picking out what would be best for your specific situation. And if you decide you would like to go through with these mods, we will be able to give you a great price.
Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 6:00pm EST, and Saturday 12:00 – 4:00 EST. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
does anyone know if the blitz fiter will fit on my mazdaspeed sri? or is it only for the cobb?
Yes it will fit, but it needs an adapter. We have these in stock, they are $20.
Give us a call, our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Thanks.
Is the Cobb MS3 Intake only available in blue? I drive a red MS3 and would much prefer to match the color setup.
The Cobb Tuning MS3 intake is available in blue and black. We suggest you get the upgraded version that is available on our website. It comes with the stainless steel Blitz filter. You can get it here:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=4183
Will the stage 1 and stage 2 build work with the Gen 2 Mazdaspeed 3 Mine is a 2012, and What exhaust should I get for it….Also is the ECU any different from previous Gen
Yes, the ECU is different.
For exhaust, we would suggest the HKS Legamax Premium. You can find it on our site here:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=4471
Will the Blitz Stainless Steel Filter work with an Airbox?
The Blitz Stainless Filter will work with an airbox, but not the stock one. You would need a custom airbox. Lots of people choose to do this to isolate the intake from the hot engine bay air. We have a good deal of experience with custom intakes for the Mazdapeed3. If you would like to get one for your car, please feel free to contact us. Give us a call, our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
I want to purchase just your Cobb Intake for a quick power boost and more aggressive sound. Problem is, I can’t afford the ECU tuner so I wanted to find out if just intake requires a mandatory retuning of the ECU?
Thank you!
The intake may be installed without a flash. It will be safe and will give you added performance, but you just won’t get the full potential of the intake until you install the flash as well.
For someone in your situation, where budget is a prime concern, what you are suggesting is actually exactly what we recommend. You can get the intake for your MazdaSpeed 3 now for the instant satisfaction, then when you are able to afford it, you can get the Cobb AccessPort which will optimize your ECU to take full advantage of the added airflow.
Here is the link to the Cobb MazdaSpeed 3 Intake on our site:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=3567
If you are interested in getting a little bit extra performance, we have also put together our own kit based on the Cobb MazdaSpeed 3 Intake which features a Blitz Stainless Steel Air Filter. This filter flows better than the standard one that comes with the Cobb Intake, and it will also last you much longer.
Here is the link to our VFR Upgraded Cobb Intake for MazdaSpeed 3 with Blitz Stainless Steel Air Filter:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=4183
We look forward to helping you build up your MazdaSpeed3. If you like, you can also give us a call to let us know that you are from the blog and we will take care of you. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
I was wondering if fuel pump internals would be needed for the cobb intake, cobb tip, corksport race pipe, and ecu reflash. And also if the NGK plugs would be necessary for these mods. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Because you are not replacing your downpipe, you may be able to get away with the stock fuel pump if you keep your revs low. HOWEVER, since you are replacing the Turbo Inlet Pipe, removing one of the cats, and reflashing the ECU, I would suggest that you go with the High Performance Fuel Pump just to be safe. Judging from the mods you listed, I anticipate you will most likely wind up upgrading your downpipe eventually anyway. So you might as well err on the side of caution and get the upgraded fuel pump now. The NGK plugs would definitely be a good idea. You can find them on our site here:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=4482
I hope that helps you out. We are always happy to provide free advice on our blog or over the phone. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Will the blitz filter work with a corksport intake?
Yes, it will work, but you will need a few supporting pieces to make it fit. You will need a Velocity stack 3″ adapter, silicone hose, and a bracket to make it secure.
We actually sell a kit with all the parts needed to fit a Blitz filter to your intake. If you are interested, give us a call and ask for Felipe. Let him know you are from the blog and we will take care of you. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
If you are in the South-Florida region, we can even install it for you at our shop.
Hi, I was planning on purchasing your cobb intake kit with the blitz stainless steel filter today. Just wondering if you have a discount codes i could use. Im a student a need to save a bit.
Hi Sean,
Thank you for reading our blog. Unfortunately, our Cobb sale ended on March 31st. However, If you are interested, give us a call and ask for Felipe. Let him know you are from the blog and we will take care of you. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
If you are in the South-Florida region, we can even install it for you at our shop.
Alot of people talk about changing my fuel internal.at least from autotech. Can I get the same performance from an aem fuel pump?
When upgrading the fuel pump on your MazdaSpeed 3, we actually recommend going with the cPe High Performance Fuel Pump. We find their model to be the most reliable and consistent one out there. If yo are in the market for an upgraded fuel pump, you can find it on our site here:
http://www.velocityfactor.net/scripts/prodview.asp?idproduct=4368
However, you don’t need to upgrade your fuel pump until you start doing more advanced mods that significantly increase airflow. Specifically, you need to upgrade the fuel pump once you replace your downpipe and/or intercooler.
For more information regarding the fuel pump and other more advanced mods, I suggest you read through our stage-2 MazdaSpeed3 post. Here is the link for that:
If you have any other questions, please feel free to post them, or give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support over the phone. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
I stumbled on this page and is the best thing that happened. I just recently bought my MS3 2012 and I have no idea what I got myself in to. I love to learn about my car and suitable upgrades and this websiteis helping me a lot. Thanks guys. Wish ya were closer to home tho (New Jersey)
Quick question ;
Are these upgrades (above this comment ) good for my Mazdaspeed3 2012 ?
I’m glad that you have found this blog helpful, that is exactly our intention. The 07-11 cars and the 12+ cars are very similar. The mods and all information in this blog post are relevant to your car as well.
When you are ready to start shopping around for parts for your car, feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support over the phone. When you call, let us know that you are from the blog, we usually have special pricing available. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST. We ship nation wide, even to New Jersey ;-).
Thanks again for your interest in our blog. I’m glad you have found it informative.
Hello, I’m a proud owner of my MazdaS3 2011 and really appreciate the help and information plus products you offer.
To my point, I’m somewhat on a budget and would love to purchase your parts but I would like to know if maybe a payment plan is possible l, saying that meaning once I finish my payment I receive my part? I understand that this would be best talked over the phone or in email but I just don’t have $1, 000+ to spend all at once but if I could get 2 Weeks or x amount of data or weeks to pay for parts I’d be tasks biggest customer and I can’t speak for everyone but I garrentee you that alone will bring more customers because you d be offering what No one else is doing on the market!!! I thank you for the time in reading my post and hope I will be able to purchase your products to make mymazda top dog in corpus Christi Texas! Hope you reciece an email from you. Matt
Hi Mathew,
Thanks for following our blog, I’m glad that you are finding it informative and useful.
We do have payment plans for some of our local customers. Like you said, they give a deposit up front, then make payments either weekly or monthly. Once the full bill is paid, the customer get his parts or we install it, or whatever is needed. However, we have never done this for any of our out of state customers, but that’s not to say we wouldn’t under the right circumstances.
Even for our in-state customers, this type of arrangement is handled on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in setting up some sort of payment plan like this, I would recommend you call us up and discuss what you are looking for with Felipe. He is the shop owner, and he would be the one who ultimately makes the decision either way.
When you call, ask for Felipe, and let him know you are from the Blog, he will take care of you. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Thanks again for your interest in our blog and we look forward to hearing from you.
I’ve just purchased a new 2013 MS3 and was wondering if these upgrades still apply, seeing as how the heading says 2007-2011?
Hi Chris,
Yes, the suggestions in this article are all relevant to your car as well. The only possible difference is that for your car, we suggest going with the ARK exhaust, as apposed to the Greddy that was discussed in the blog post.
I hope that helps to clear things up. If you have any questions, please feel free to post in here or give us a call. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hi,
I really enjoy reading your blog, its solid and the info is there no doubt!
my question is, can you ship all the way to Canada(montreal)?
thank you
Hi Eli,
Yes, we absolutely can ship to Canada. Depending on what it is, there may be some extra charge for shipping. Give us a call, and we will let you know exactly what the cost would be for whatever it is that you are looking for. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
When you call, make sure to mention that you are from the blog, and we will make sure to take great care of you.
My 08 speed 3 is stock and I am thinking of sprucing it up. After reading this article which was awesome by the way I think I am sold on the Cobb intake but can I have your opinion on the Corksport Power Series Turbo back exhaust? I know you said to go with the Greddy cat back but wouldn’t it be better to get rid of the stock cat? And with your set up that you have put together above ….does one not have to upgrade the fuel pump? Cobb told me that I would need to with the turbo back exhaust but since you did not mention anything about it does the setup with the cat back not need fuel pump upgrade?
I should have read a little bit closer before asking my question about the fuel pump. But I do want your educated opinion on the Corksport TBE because it is quite a bit cheaper to go that route which I’m sure many others have looked into as well.
My 08 Speed 3 is stock and I want to begin upgrading. Can you give me some good info on the Corksport TBE? It is quite a bit cheaper then piecing together greddy and cobb and I’m also wondering about greddy connecting to cobb. Corksport talks about three pieces to there TBE. Down pipe, Race pipe and the power series exhaust. If one were to go greddy CBE and then Cobb Down pipe, do they connect together or is there another piece that is used from stock exhaust or one more piece that needs ordered? Also Corksport offers race pipe with high flow cat and also down pipe with high flow cat. Do you need both to pass emissions? There Power series TBE only comes with cat on race pipe not the down pipe, at least that’s what it seems looking on there website. I have not been able to look under my car yet so I’m just a bit curious. I may sound illiterate because I am about all this stuff. I’m diving into another hobby and fast.
Thanks for your time and from all the forums and blogs I have been reading this one is by far the most professional and provides very good information.
Hi Brandon,
Thank you for reading our blog. I’m glad that you are finding it useful in your research.
Regarding your question, we strongly advise all our customers against going with a catless downpipe. This is specific to the MazdaSpeed3. We have installed exhausts and downpipes on many many MazdaSpeed3 cars over the years, and in our experience we have found that the stock turbo needs to have the catalytic converter in order to function properly and reliably over the long term. If you are building a car for the track or want to upgrade the turbo as well, you can go either way. However, if this is your daily driver and you are sticking with the stock turbo, we highly recommend the Cobb downpipe. We have not been able to determine exactly why this is, but whenever a customer insists on going with a catless downpipe on his Speed3, the stock turbo tends to overheat and eventually fail. The Cobb downpie has been design with this in mind. The high-flow cat on the Cobb downpipe was custom developed specifically for this application. That is why we use it, and have had great success with it. Any savings you get by skimping on the downpipe will not be enough to get a new turbo when the stock one dies.
The Cobb Downpipe is designed to fit with the stock exhaust, so any cat-back that advertises itself as compatible with the stock downpipe should be compatible with the Cobb Downpipe. If you are on a tight budget and need to squeeze in some budget parts, this is where I would suggest trying to squeeze out savings. despite what they say in the advertisements, all cat-backs deliver more or less similar power. The differentiating factors among the catbacks that you should look into is build quality, fitment, materials, sound, and cost. We have not used Corksport too much, so I cant really comment on them too much. We generally go with Greddy or Ultimate Racing exhaust systems because they have great build quality, fitment, materials, and people tend to really like the sound.
Regarding emissions, that is highly dependent on your local and state regulations. We cant really comment on that, it is something you would need to look into yourself with your local or state authorities.
Of course, don’t forget that the Cobb AccessPort is critical when upgrading the downpipe. Without proper tuning, the increased airflow will cause a dangerously lean condition and could lead to engine damage.
Generally I tell people to call in if you have any questions, but I’m sitting next to Adam right now, and I see you are talking to him as I type 🙂 .
Thanks again for reading our blog, and I look forward to helping you with your car.
Your a bit luckier being that you have a gen 1. Where as for a gen 2 like me, getting hpfp internals can be around the (so call) “stage 1” area. The gen 1s fuel pumps are slightly more genorus then a gen 2. Is this the only mods your getting? Or you feel that by just having the 2 mods you’ll need your internals? Either way you look at it i say no you wont, also greddys been eating.and.sleeping turbo since ever i believe its a sound and tone difference but either way your going to notice that feeling of pulling a heavy trailer feel is gone. If you want to save money run straight pipe and split it for the duel exaust. If you want to feel the best bang for ye buck with your mods tut gotta go Cobb acessport (3) that just came out.
Hi, I have an 07 ms3 and am looking to make only minor upgrades to make daily driving a little more enjoyable. I installed just an aem drop in filter, and will be adding a test pipe soon. I tuned with max energy sport. Question is will I have to worry about my fuel pump and rods if I ever run it hard? Thanks
Hi Roland,
Thanks for reading our blog. In our experience, we have found that putting in just a test pipe without upgrading the entire downpipe gives minor to moderate gains. If that’s all you are looking for, then you should be fine. With just the test, you shouldn’t need to install an upgraded fuel pump.
Running a car “hard” can mean different things to different people. Are you going to be taking the car to the track on a regular basis, or just running autocross once in a blue moon? For specific questions like that, I would suggest you give us a call. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
When you call, make sure to mention that you are from the blog, and we will make sure to take great care of you.
Hey their been awhile since 1st walked into my mazdaspeed3 2nd gen and well 6months later here i am stuck in need of hpfp internals and i asked about payment plans and i wasnt sure if their is a minium or something or however but forsure internals, if theirs a higher amount i need to qualify for im more then ready to get something set up. Hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Matt,
Sorry for the delay in getting back to your post. I’ve been really swamped with updating our website for the release of the new Cobb AccessPort V3, and am just now getting caught up with our blog posts.
We do offer payment plans to some of our custoemrs, but it is determined on a case-by-case basis. I recommend you cal in and speak with the shop owner. His name is Felipe. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
When you call, make sure to mention that you are from the blog, and we will make sure to take great care of you.
ok so i have a few friends that have speeds and i joined the group i have a 2013 speed i wanted to do sri with apv3 and a ti and ark exhuast is it true i need a hpfp before i do my exhuast?
Hi Mike,
Thanks for reading our blog.
With just an intake and cat-back exhaust, the stock fuel pump will be sufficient.
You will only need to upgrade your fuel pump once you significantly increase your airflow with more major mods, such as a downpipe.
Hey guys, this one’s coming all the way from western Washington State. I have a fully stock 2011 MS3 and I’m looking at some of the basic stage 1 upgrades, specifically the Cobb intake w/ Blitz steel filter and the Cobb access port that you have links to at the top of the page. I’m also looking into getting a new downpipe but I’m not sure what kind is best (although I’m assuming Cobb would be preferred). Any help on this one??
-Josh
Hi Josh,
Thanks for reading our blog, I’m glad you are finding it useful.
The Cobb intake, blitz filter, and Cobb AccessPort are definitely a good start. You will be happy with that.
You are also right on about the downpipe. We recommend people go with the Cobb Downpipe for the MazdaSpeed 3. We have found it to be the best in terms of power, and most importantly, reliability and safety. However there are a few things that you need to remember if you intend to get the downpipe. First and foremost, if you plan on keeping the stock turbo, we HIGHLY suggest going with the catted downpipe. For whatever reason, we have found that the specific stock turbo on the MazdaSpeed 3 cars tends to burn out when it is paired with a catless downpipe. Wehave seen it many times.
Secondly, once you decide to go with the upgraded downpipe, you will also need to upgrade your fuel pump. The stock fuel pump in the MazdaSpeed 3 is unable to keep up with the fuel demands once you add that much flow. If you keep your stock fuel pump, it will not be able to deliver enough fuel and you will experience a dangerously lean condition that can seriously damage your engine. We recommend going with the cp-e HPFpump.
Thanks again for reading our blog. When you are ready to make your purchase, please give us a call. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
When you call, make sure to mention that you are from the blog, and we will make sure to take great care of you.
I have a 2013 Speed 3, So this are or will only be the mods I’m planning next summer COBB Intake, Catback Exhaust & COBB Access port. My question is everywhere I go or search they always say I need to change my Internals for this mods, I this true?
Hi Rod,
Thanks for reading our blog. Cobb Intake, Cobb Exhaust, and Cobb AccessPort are pretty basic entry level mods. You will not need to upgrade your engine internals until you seriously start to add a lot of boost or significantly upgrade your turbo.
For reliable day-to-day driving you are good with what you have. If the added power you got from your mods is sufficient for you, then don’t feel obligated to start ripping your engine apart.
I hope that helps. If you have any other questions, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy o give free advice and support. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hey I own an 2012 stock mazdaspeed 3 and i just ordered my intake from Cobb
what do you think should be my next step?
Hi Peter,
Thanks for reading our blog. The Cobb Intake is a great start. To get the most out of it, I would suggest getting the Cobb AccessPort. This will significantly improve your performance.
When you are ready to make your purchase, please give us a call. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
When you call, make sure to mention that you are from the blog, and we will make sure to take great care of you.
This is helpful info. With minimal mods (stage one JBR intake and JBR 80 duro RMM) Should I be replacing the OEM plugs with OEM or a plug like the NGK Iridium IX?
Hi Dan,
Thanks for reading our blog.
You don’t really need to replace your plugs specifically for the intake you have. However, If you need to replace your plugs anyway for another reason (maybe your OEM plugs have gone bad or something like that) then you might as well go with the better NGK Iridium plugs.
Feel free to give us a call if you have any other specific questions. Be sure to mention that you are from the blog and we may have some pricing specials available, depending on when you call. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hi there, thanks for all the awesome info and collection of parts!
Quick question, i don’t know if this has already been asked but i also have a 2011 ms3 and i am looking for minor tunes. Is the air intake a good option for a start (to be honest i’m on a beer budget not a wine budget lol) without a big degradation in longevity seeing as its a daily driver. will this trip up the air/petrol mixture?
Regards.
Hi Dillon,
Thank you for reading our blog. I’m glad that you have found it useful.
The short answer to your question is that the intake is a fine first mod. It will not degrade your motor and will keep your reliability as good as it is now.
The long answer is that with just an intake, you will feel some improvement, but the full potential of the intake will only be realized with a proper tune. If you are on a tight budget, the best thing I can recommend for you is to go with a tune before you do anything else. The Cobb AccessPort is most definitely the best bang for your buck when it comes to adding true power to your car. Once you get your MazdaSpeed3 flashed with the Cobb AccessPort, you wil have instant power and torque improvement. You can then start saving up for other mods such as intake and exhaust. The great thing about the Cobb AccessPort is that it allows you to keep adjusting your tune as you add more mods to your car. This will let you optimize your engine calibration for whatever you decide to install and will give you maximum benefit from all your components.
I hope that answered your question. If you would like to discuss your plans for your car in further detail, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to give free advice, and can work with whatever budget you have. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST. When you call, let us know you are from the blog, and we will be sure to take care of you.
Hey I have a quick question, I just recently bought a 2011 Mazda speed 3. It have intake, bov, and cobb access port map flash sp intake. If I were to buy a cobb downpipie with catt, Is it still goning to be carb legal in ca
Hi Bee,
Thank you for reading our blog. Unfortunately there are no CARB approved downpipes available that we have been able to find. We do not advise customers to get a downpipe for the MazdaSpeed 3 if they are selling their car or subject to emission testing.
If you would like to discuss further how to maximize the power in your MazdaSpeed 3, while working within the restrictions of California Law, give us a call. We are always happy to give free advice and support over the phone. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hey, I just bought a 2008 mazdaspeed 3 and it has a cobb Sri installed but it hesitates when I try to accelerate faster. I checked everything and it seems to be fine but than I realized that both resonators and mufflers have been taken off. It is just a straight pipe exhaust and I was wondering if this could be the reason it is hesitating. Nico
Hi Nico,
Thank you for reading our blog.When you say that both resonators and mufflers were removed, I also begin to suspect that the downpipe was messed with as well. Make sure you check the downpipe, this is very important. The stock turbo in the MazdaSpeed3 is particularly sensitive to downpipe modifications. When installing a high-performance downpipe on a MazdaSpeed3 with a stock turbo it is CRITICAL that it have a high-flow cat. This specific turbo will burn out if it does not have a catalytic converter in the downpipe. Make sure to check on your downpipe to see if it is either stock or an aftermarket catted downpipe.
If you would like some more help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support to our blog readers. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
The downpipe is stock and so everything else besides the intake but there is a low whistle when accelerating and I’m wondering if I should get a new turbo or not. If so, which turbo would be best to replace mine on 2008 mazdaspeed 3.
A turbo swap is a big upgrade. We would need to get more information from you about your car, your goals, and how you use the car before giving a suggestion on that. It’s not a simple bolt-on or one-size-fits-all type of deal.
Feel free to give us a call, and we would be happy to discuss it with you. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hey, first off I want to say this article is awesome and extremely helpful! I know this may be irrelevant, but you guys know what you’re talking about so i’m gonna ask. Can you recommend a set of coilovers that would allow me to drop the ms3 gen 1 tastefully, like not slammed, and also improve handling? Also would you recommend any Invidia exhaust systems? Or is the Greddy hands down the best?
Thanks for reading our blog.
Coilovers are great for cars that see track time or for autocross. For spirited daily driving, springs are sufficient. For coilovers, Tein is always a safe bet. For springs, we like to go with H&R Springs.
Regarding exhaust, if you are talking about catbacks, as long as you stick with a well known brand the performance will be pretty similar all around. The major diferentiation between the different options has to do with build quality, sound, and cost. Both Greddy and Invidia have great quality. We have had success with both. Basically it comes down to personal preference. Some people like the sound of Greddy better, some people like the sound of Invidia better. I suggest you listen to both before deciding on what you want.
If you would like some more help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support to our blog readers. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hey I have a quick question. I noticed in your article you didn’t mention anything about high-pressure fuel pump internals. Why is that and where do they come into play in the list of upgrades. I have read many places where high-pressure fuel pump internals seem to be one of the first mods you should do to Mazdaspeed 3. Thanks!
Hi Nic,
You are right that upgrading the fuel pump is important, but for the entry-level mods discussed in this article it is not required. At this point, the stock fuel pump is pushing it, but can still keep up. Once you start to upgrade your car further with parts such as a performance downpipe, then an upgraded fuel pump becomes critical because it will no longer be able to supply enough fuel for the significantly increased airflow. However, that is beyond the scope of this introductory article. I have another more advanced article up on our blog that discusses the fuel pump in more detail. I encourage you to read through it if you are interested in stage-2 level power gains. It can be found here: https://velocityfactor.wordpress.com/2011/09/02/2007-2011-mazdaspeed-3-performance-upgrade-guide-stage-2/
Thank you for reading our blog and for contributing your comments. If you would like some more help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support to our blog readers. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST.
Hay, thanks for the grate info. I am from south afrika so i strugle to get al the stuf you mension. I have a 2008 mazda 3 mps and just did the downpipe with no other mods, the cats are out on the exhaust and the downpipe is catles.. Is this bad because i dont feel the boost so much anymore? What should i be looking to do next? Thanks for the grate forum!
Hi Adrian,
First I want to say thank you for reading our blog. I am glad that you are finding it informative and hopefully entertaining.
Regarding your question, short answer, yes it’s bad. Very bad. For two reasons.
First is a general case. Whenever you install a mod that significantly increases airflow (such as a downpipe), it is important to also tune your engine for this increased airflow. If you don’t, the ECU will still think that it has the stock downpipe and will inject fuel accordingly. This means that there is not enough fuel being injected to match with the increased airflow that is actually going into your engine. This causes a very lean condition, which can be very damaging to the engine because it increases the likelihood of detonation. If the ping sensor picks up on the detonation, it will cause the ECU to lower your boost in order to avoid further damage. You don’t want to flirt with overly lean conditions, this is how engines blow up.
The second is specific to the Mazda3. For some reason, the stock turbo on the Mazda3 does not like having a catless downpipe. When there is a catless downpipe installed onto a Mazda3 or MazdaSpeed 3, the stock turbo tends to overheat and eventually experiences performance degradation and possibly complete failure. We haven’t been able to identify exactly why the Mazda3 behaves in this peculiar way, but it is something we have observed on many many MazdaSpeed 3 cars that have come into our shop over the years. As a result, we HIGHLY discourage our customers from installing a catless downpipe onto their Mazda3 cars unless they are also putting in a different turbo as well.
OK, so that’s the bad news. It’s not all doom and gloom though. Depending on how long you have been driving around with the catless downpipe, your oil-change habits, your driving style, and your ambient heat levels; the stock turbo may still be in good working order.
The first thing I would suggest is to take off the catless downpipe and replace the stock downpipe. Then reset your ecu (disconnect your battery for a few minutes to an hour). Then drive it around for a while. This will allow the ECU to recalibrate itself back to the stock airflow levels. If you notice your performance improving, that means the turbo itself is probably still fine. If not, then you may need to rebuild or replace it.
Once you determine that your turbo is good (or replace it if it’s not), you can start adding power. To safely build power, the first thing we recommend is to do a tune. For the Mazda3, MazdaSpeed3, or Mazda3 MPS, we suggest the Cobb AccessPort. This is really the best bang for the buck. You can get around 9% increase in safe reliable daily-drivable power with just the stock car. The AccessPort is nice also because it acts as a diagnostic device, gauge cluster, and will help you to continually optimize your car’s tune as you add more upgrades. The Cobb AccessPort really is a wonderful tool and should be the first thing someone buys when they are looking to make power or increase efficiency.
If you want to add even more power, you can install a performance downpipe with a high-flow cat. You will also want to upgrade the fuel pump since the stock fuel pump will not be able to keep up with the increased demand for fuel. We recommend the Cobb high-flow-cat downpipe and cp-e high performance fuel pump. Once those parts are installed, be sure to reflash your ECU fuel map with the Cobb AccessPort.
You can also look at some supporting mods such as upgraded intake, intercooler, turbo inlet pipe, and engine mounts. These will all serve to give you increased performance or reliability.
Another thing to consider when driving a car tuned for performance is your fuel. We suggest using 93-octane gasoline. If you do not have 93-octane available in your area, then use whatever the best available grade of gasoline you have and adjust your tune accordingly. Better fuel reduces detonation and keeps your engine cleaner longer.
If you would like some more help, please feel free to give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support to our blog readers. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Monday-Friday 10:00-6:00EST, and Saturday 12:00-4:00EST. If it is easier for you, we can also discuss your issue over email or through facebook at http://www.facebook.com/velocity.factor
We routinely ship performance parts internationally, so we can probably help you build your car into what you want it to be. I look forward to helping you more with your project.
Love the article. I have been following these steps and it’s been very helpful. Only question I have is relating to the hpfp. I have read in some areas that switching the fuel internals out with auto tech or corksport will do just fine on stage 2 but this article recommends switching the pump. Could you explain I guess what is truly required/recommended first?
Hi Derrick,
Thank you for reading our blog. I’m glad you are finding it useful and informative.
You are correct that switching out the internals is the way to go. However, we prefer to use cp-e for this, over any other company. We send them the stock fuel pump, and they upgrade it with high-performance internals. The reason we choose to go with cp-e for this particular item over corksport or any other brand is because cp-e has the most advanced internals. More importantly, cp-e has the best quality control procedures and standards for their high performance fuel pumps. Before they release an upgraded fuel pump from their facility, they run it through an extensive testing process that makes sure the pump is flowing accurately, delivers sufficient quantity of fuel, and that it wont fail.
If you have any other questions, please give us a call. We are always happy to provide free advice and support over the phone. Our number is 561-395-5700. We are open Mondays to Fridays from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm EST, and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm EST.
Your spark plung link is out of date and so is your greddy exhaust link. Also,I searched for the spark plugs online a it said they wouldn’t fit my vehicle. My car is a 2008 mazdaspeed.