2007-2011 MazdaSpeed 3 Performance Upgrade Guide – Stage 2

Once you achieve the initial level of power gains with your MazdaSpeed 3 that we discussed in our MazdaSpeed 3 Stage 1 Upgrade Guide, it is likely that you will be interested in getting even more.  However, proceeding onto stage 2 requires a significantly higher level of caution and skill to accomplish safely and successfully.  In addition, component choice at this point is even more important, since it is that much easier for something to go wrong.

• Stage 2: ≈60-100whp
• High Pressure Fuel Pump
• Because the MazdaSpeed 3 has a direct injected engine, it has two fuel pumps, a high pressure pump that supplies the injectors and a low pressure feeder pump.  When aiming for significant power over 300whp, the stock high pressure fuel pump is unable to supply enough fuel at a high enough pressure.  This has the effect of making the fuel injectors stay open for too long, and may even cause dangerously lean conditions due to fuel starvation.  If the injectors are kept open for too long, they are more likely to burn out and will need to be replaced.  To solve this problem, Velocity Factor recommends an upgraded high-performance fuel pump.  The one that we have had the most success with is the CPE MZR DISI HPFpump for the MazdaSpeed 3.  This pump utilizes the stock pump core, and completely replaces the internal components with high-performance grade parts.  Each pump is then tested and precisely broken in on CPE’s test rig and is shipped to you with a complete report which shows exactly what the newly upgraded pump is capable of.  Because it utilized the stock pump core, installation is simple.  Because this pump is of such high quality, CPE is able to offer it with a lifetime warranty.
• High-Flow Cat and Downpipe
• The downpipe and factory catalytic converter is the most restrictive portion of the exhaust, and has a lot of potential for power increase when replaced with a quality MazdaSpeed 3 performance downpipe.  When dealing with the MazdaSpeed 3 specifically, the downpipe is one of the most sensitive components.  When replacing the downpipe on the MazdaSpeed 3, it is very important to pick the right brand.  In our experience, we have actually seen the turbo get damaged when the proper downpipe wasn’t used.  We have found that the Cobb 3” Downpipe for the MazdaSpeed 3 is the best option.  One of the main things that sets Cobb downpipe for the MazdaSpeed 3 apart from the others is the positioning of the O2 sensor.  Other downpipes do not have the O2 sensor properly positioned, and this results in calibration problems within the ECU.  Over time, this can lead to significant damage to the turbo.  The Cobb Downpipe also has a custom high-flow cat that is specially designed for this application and works very well.  We have found that the MazdaSpeed 3 engine needs to have a cat installed on the downpipe.  If it does not have one, the turbo tends to fail over time.
• Upgraded Intercooler
• Just as the downpipe is the most restrictive part on the exhaust side, the factory intercooler can be the most restrictive component on the inlet side.  Furthermore, because the factory intercooler is top-mount, it is more prone to heat-soak.  The restriction in the factory intercooler reduces flow.  The heat-soak and inherent inefficiency of the intercooler increase the charge temperature of the incoming air.  The higher temperature reduces the density of the air, which reduces how much oxygen gets into your engine.  The lower flow reduces this even further.  The solution to this problem is to install an upgraded performance intercooler.  This can sometimes be an expensive proposition, so Velocity Factor has a couple suggestions that can fit various budgets.  We have had very good success with the ETS TMIC MazdaSpeed 3 Top-mount Intercooler.  The ETS Top-mount Intercooler features an efficient bar-and-plate intercooler core and has a bolt-on design which utilizes the factory mounting points.  This makes for a significantly simpler installation.  It is available in 5 anodized colors to fit your specific color scheme.  For those who have a larger budget to work with, we highly recommend upgrading to a front mount intercooler kit.  The advantage of this type of design is that it significantly reduces the amount of heat-soak that the intercooler will be exposed to.  We recommend the CPE MazdaSpeed 3 Delta-Core Front Mount Intercooler kit.  This kit features CPE’s own Delta-Core intercooler, custom silicone upper radiator hose, and a new larger capacity power steering cooler.  CPE has put a lot of time and money into the design and testing of this kit.  They have published a very detailed white-paper about their intercooler kit.  We recommend you read it before investing any of your money into an intercooler upgrade.  Another good option that has given us good results is the Cobb Front Mount Intercooler Kit for the MazdaSpeed 3.

Hyundai Genesis 2009 – 2012 performance upgrade guide

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is Hyundai’s first attempt at making a proper rear wheel drive (RWD) sports car.  While it is certainly a good car, it does have some significant negative drawbacks.  In this article, we provide suggestions based on over 10 years of experience within the automotive performance industry about how to compensate for the negatives and maximize the positives of this vehicle.

• Hyundai Genesis Strengths:
• Rear wheel drive
• Factory limited-slip differential
• Good Value
• Impressive and sleek looks

• Hyundai Genesis Weaknesses:
• Factory tune is sluggish and overly rich.
• Big improvement is made with the mods and tuning options listed below
• Cast internals
• Limited power potential on stock internals.  Approximately 250-300WHP before the stock internals need upgrading
• Clutch
• Limited power potential on stock clutch.  Approximately 250-300WHP before the  clutch needs upgrading
• Small Intercooler
• May be upgraded with high-performance aftermarket intercooler.  However some models are not compatible with the stock front crash bar.

       
Click on thumbnails for larger image.

Listed below is our suggested upgrade path for this vehicle for the various levels of power that you would like to achieve:

• Step1: Tuning, Intake, Exhaust, Wheels
• These are the simplest modifications that will give you the best bang for your buck.  Tuning requires no physical modifications to the Genesis.  It optimizes the computer (ECU) to better utilize the components that are already there.  Adding an intake and exhaust will allow your engine to breath better and will generally give your car a more aggressive and powerful sound.  Lighter wheels give the car a unique and stylish look as well as reducing weight.  Weight reduction increases your Genesis’s acceleration and braking performance.
• Component Suggestions:
• For fast and simple tuning, a flash is ideal.  However, if you plan on adding more modifications in the future and anticipate the need for further tuning, we suggest going with a DynoJet CMD.
• Velocity Factor has developed our own in-house intake that we recommend.  It features a stainless steel Blitz cone filter and utilizes the factory ram-air funnel.
• Exhaust is a matter of preference.  Most cat-back exhausts for the Hyundai Genesis provide similar performance with build quality and appearance being the major differences.  For those who prefer a single-exit exhaust, we recommend the Greddy Ti-C Exhaust for 2010+ Hyundai Genesis 2.0T.  For those who prefer a dual-exhaust, we recommend the CPE Genesis 2.0T Cat Back Exhaust System catback exhaust.
• Wheels are a very personal choice.  Velocity Factor is a factory authorized dealer for the top wheel brands including Volk, Advan, VMR, Vossen, and Work.
• Step 2: Brakes and Suspension
• With more power comes the need for better handling.  Before any additional power over what is achieved in step 1 can be added, Your Genesis needs a braking and suspension upgrade so that the power can be controlled safely.  Replacing the brake lines is an economical way to improve brake performance, however, for optimal braking performance, we recommend a big brake kit.  Adding performance springs is a cost effective way of improve handling.  However for maximum adjustability and performance, we recommend going with coilovers.
• Component Suggestions:
• Top-of-the-line braking performance can be found in Brembo’s 15″ big brake kit.  However, for those on a budget, we recommend the StopTech 14″ big brake kit or the K-Sport 14″ big brake kit.
• If choosing to go with performance springs, we recommend H&R Sport Lowering Springs – 2010+ Hyundai Genesis
• If choosing to go with coilovers, Tein is a brand known for quality and provides a basic coilover package at an affordable price.  BR Racing, Meagen, and K-sport offer coilover packages with significantly more options at a similar price-point.  For all-out track quality suspension, Stance offers multiple high-end and professional grade coilover options.
• Step 3: Forced Induction Upgrades
• Once the handling is optimized to handle more performance out of the engine, we can start turning up the power some more.  One of the biggest bottlenecks in the Genesis Coupe is the intercooler and downpipe.  We recommend changing these out with larger high performance aftermarket parts.  When changing out these components, please be advised that retuning the ECU is vital.  Because you are flowing significantly more air through the engine, this may cause a dangerously lean condition without the proper tune.  If you are not sure, please contact us and we will be happy to provide you with free help and advice.  When tuning for this level of performance, it is also recommended to have a wideband air-to-fuel ratio (AFR) gauge as well.  This gauge will help you dial in the optimal settings and let you know when to dial it back before it’s too late.  At This point, we also recommend upgrading to a Forge Blow Off Valve for Hyundai Genesis or Forge recirculation valve.  The Forge direct replacement valve is designed to be a more durable and performance oriented valve than the OEM unit. The OEM valve is suitable for stock boost levels for a period of time, however, once boost pressure is raised, and after prolonged use, the stock valve will no longer be adequate. Raising the boost output of the vehicle will have a number of effects on the OEM valve. First and foremost, the additional boost pressure will quickly exceed the capacity of the OEM spring to keep the valve closed under higher boost levels. Since you cannot change the springs in the OEM valve, it cannot be adjusted for higher boost levels. Secondly, the additional heat generated by the increased boost will quickly deteriorate the OEM rubber valve diaphragm, which will also lose strength with repeated oscillations. The Forge valve uses full billet aluminum construction and Viton silicone o-rings that will withstand the highest boost levels and repeated abuse. It is also tunable for varying boost levels with the included spring tuning kit.  At this stage, it is also time to start considering upgrading the stock engine mounts in order to better handle the added torque and horsepower.
• Component Suggestions:
• When choosing an intercooler for the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, its important to remember that some of the aftermarket options are not compatible with the factory crash bar.  For those who want to retain the factory crash bar and bumper we recommend either the Mishimoto, Synapse, or AEM option.  For those willing to sacrifice the factory crash bar for better performance, we recommend going with the CP-E option.  Of all the intercooler kits that are not compatible with the factory crash bar, the CP-e Core Front Mount Intercooler for Genesis 2.0T is the only one that includes a replacement crash bar.  Greddy and HKS also make an intercooler kit for the Genesis Coupe, but you will have to fabricate your own replacement crash bar.
• For the downpipe, we recommend going with one of the CPE Hyundai Genesis 2.0T 3 SS Downpipe w/cat or CPE Hyundai Genesis 2.0T 3 SS Catless Downpipe. CP-E offers their downpipe either with a high-flow catalytic converter (“cat”) or with no cat.  For cars that will be driven primarily on the street, we recommend going with the cat option since it will reduce the likelihood of check engine lights and issues with emissions.
• If you choose to install a wideband AFR gauge at this point, we recommend the DynoJet WideBand2 add-on for CMD.  One very nice feature of this system is that, when paired with the DynoJet CMD, it is capable of auto-tuning the fuel maps to match your desired AFR values.  Caution, if you are not absolutely sure about how to properly tune a vehicle, please contact us.  It is possible to permanently damage your engine when not done properly.
• Because the Genesis Coupe 2.0T does not use a MAF (mass air flow) sensor, there is no reason that the residual boost pressure at throttle lift cannot be vented to the atmosphere such as with a Blow-off-valve (BOV). The BOV vents excess boost into the atmosphere, as apposed to the recirculation valve, which recirculates it back into the intake.  This is a choice that is based on user preference.  For those who prefer a louder turbo sound, we recommend the Forge BOV.  For those who prefer a more discreet or “sleeper style” sound, we recommend the Forge recirculation valve.
• For engine mounts we recommend going with the CP-e Engine Mounts For 2010+ 3.8L Hyundai Genesis.  They come with bushings in 60 and 50 durometer.  For cars that are primarily used on the street, we would suggest going with the 50 durometer.  The 60 durometer option is intended for cars tha will see significant track time.
• Step 4: MORE POWER!!
• By following our suggestions in the first 3 steps, it is possible to achieve up to 250-300 WHP.  For those who want more power above this, significant modifications are required to the stock drive-train components in order to safely produce more power.  The stock clutch will not be capable of handling more power and will need to be replaced.  The stock turbo and fuel injectors will also have to be replaced in order to achieve more performance.  This will require an aftermarket turbo manifold as well.  Depending on how much fuel is being requested by the ECU, an aftermarket performance fuel pump may also be needed.  Because the stock engine comes with cast internals, they will need to be replaced with high-performance forged rods and pistons.  Performance motor-mounts will also be needed in order to harness the added torque.  Significantly more skill and experience and access to a dyno is also needed when tuning a car at this level.  If you are not absolutely sure of your skills and do not have access to a dyno, we HIGHLY suggest you contact us before proceeding down this road.
• Component Suggestions:
• Because this level of modification is so highly dependent on the individual setup, it is almost impossible to provide broad recommendations for specific components.  The best recommendation that we can provide at this stage is to contact us and we will be happy to help you plan your custom high-performance build.  We are available to provide free advice and support Monday through Friday 10:00am – 6:00pm and Saturday 11:00am – 4:00pm.

2007-2011 MazdaSpeed 3 Performance Upgrade Guide – Stage 1

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 intake 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 intake 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 best, 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.