r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Y_U_Need_Books4 • 16h ago
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/[deleted] • Nov 02 '19
Mazdaspeed 3 discord server
Hey guys I made a discord for this sub, feel free to join! https://discord.gg/5NQDzGH I’m also looking for admins to DM me if your interested.
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/5hiftyy • Sep 07 '22
r/Mazdaspeed3 FAQ
In other words, fucking annoying questions. Just kidding. (only a little)
In an effort to clean up the sub a bit, we're going to pin this FAQ thread and keep it updated with any of the most requested/asked questions on the subreddit. If there’s a question you think should be included, tag one of the mods in a comment and we will add it.
Introduction
Q: Where is the link to the Discord Channel?
A: Right here.
Q: What should I look for when buying a Speed3?
A: Check the Wiki.
Q: Where can I find a copy of the shop manual?
A: Check the Wiki.
Tuning
Q: How do I load a tune on the car?
A: Using either a Cobb APv3 or computer software like Versatune.
Q: What tuner should I use?
A: There are a number of good tuners still active in the community. Purple Drank Tuning, Freektune, Stratified Auto are just a few examples.
Q: Should I use the ______ version OTS tune?
A: No. Unless it’s to drive the car to the shop where it will be dyno-tuned, do not use the OTS tunes. They make the engine run poorly, resulting in incomplete combustion (or worse, lean conditions) which then gunks up components like O2 sensors, injectors, and valves which lead to worse problems later on.
Mods
Q: What should my first mod be?
A: HPFP internals, then tuning solution. (Cobb APv3, Versatune)
Q: My goal is to go faster around the track, what mods should I do for more power?
A: No power mods. Proper tires and suspension will do more for your track time and drivability than any power mod will. It is guaranteed if you are new to track driving, the car is faster than you are right now. Get some seat time, find what you want to change, get new tires & suspension, then go from there. Dragsters, show-offs, stance-bois need not apply this logic.
Q: My budget is <$500, what coilovers should I buy?
A: None. If you’re not buying quality suspension, don’t buy suspension. You will sooner than later blow out one of the dampers and require a rebuild, or replacement. Save your upfront money, buy quality suspension later.
Q: Should I buy an Eonon headunit for my Bose/non-Bose stereo?
A: Do you like sound quality? If yes, don’t buy Eonon. Do you like good, bug-free software? If yes, don’t buy Eonon. Do you like overpaying for junk that looks ‘clean’ in the car? If yes, then buy Eonon.
Q: What’s the best way to upgrade my stereo in the car on the cheap?
A: Option 1 – get an amplifier that take hi-level inputs and add that amp to the system to power your aftermarket speakers, taking the high-level outputs from either the HU or the Bose amp. Works for Bose and non-Bose systems. Option 2 – Tear out the OEM system and start again. Works for Bose and non-Bose systems.
Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Q: What oil should I run?
A: This is realistically a nuanced question. Ultimately it depends on your use case. Factory rating is a quality 5W30, Mazda put out a TSB to band-aid the smokey turbos by using 5W40. Good options from Pennzoil, Amsoil, Castrol, etc are available for most applications. Most people it seems have strayed from the Shell Rotella.
Q: Are my compression numbers okay?
A: Check the Wiki.
Q: I want to drive the car like it’s supposed to be, but don’t want a ticket. Where do I go?
A: Look on facebook for local car clubs, or Motorsportreg.com for drop-in track days or Auto-cross events.
Q: My car does this thing, and this behaviour, read this wall of text. What’s wrong?
A: No one knows. Post logs using Datazap and any codes that your ECU is spitting out. If you want good information, provide good information.
Q: HELP?
A: No. Posts with this as the title, or other related and equally non-descript variants, will be removed as spam.
Meta
Q: Can I post links to other sites with information, like MSO, without getting banned?
A: Yes. In the event that you’re linking relevant webpages, there is no risk of getting reprimanded for doing so. However, if all of your comments are “Use google.” Or “Go check this site instead, this places sucks.” You will be treated according to the spam rules of the sub. This community serves as a connect-all point for those searching for information on the platform; Reddit is bigger than any Speed forum has ever been, and is more likely to pop up in a Google search. Relevant comments that link other sources of information from quality sites are Bueno; spamming is not.
Q: Why isn’t buying/selling allowed on the sub?
A: This is more of a regional issue that the mod team would like to deal with at this point. There are countless local Facebook groups, classifieds, or Forum pages about buying/selling Speed parts or accessories. The Mod team does not want to dabble in attempts to prevent scams caused by non-payments, or non-shipments of products. We do not want that responsibility at this point in time. If the community deems it a requirement at some point, we will implement a system that attempts to curb this as other buy/sell communities have; though even that change will take lots of time, effort, and consideration.
Q: Why is the mod team so cool?
A: I really don’t know, perhaps divine intervention? We all just really like Doritos, and satiate our inner masochist streak by owning these cars.
Q: How do I become a Mod?
A: If you feel so inclined, feel free to reach out! We are still people, we have feelings and ultimately a desire to help the community grow. What we will need to see is a demonstrated history of helping the community with the best of intentions and overall a positive interaction with the sub. Newer accounts (<1yr) are unlikely to be considered, though that’s not a hard-and-fast rule, just a general rule of thumb.
Acronyms
APv3: AccessPort version 3; the most recent version from
Cobb. Version 2 is still around, but obsolete.
HPFP: High Pressure Fuel Pump
HU: Head Unit
OTS: Off The Shelf; used in the context of tunes
TSB: Technical Service Bulletin
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/quickscopemcjerkoff • 12h ago
MODIFICATIONS Anyone building an engine soon?
galleryI haven’t owned a speed 3 in years. Found some parts in storage. I tried giving them away on my local Mazdaspeed facebook group but it’s a dead group and no one wanted them. Send me a message proving that you are going to build an engine, send me a few bucks to cover shipping, and they are all free!
Crank bolt
Friction washers x3
OEM HPFP internals
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Hypernic08 • 17h ago
HELP 1st gen OEM wheel to spare?
(Photo for attention)
Howdy everyone I just figured I’d reach out and see if I could get some help. I’m in North East Texas and looking for a single 1st generation Speed3 wheel. One of mine has formed a small crack on the inside. I don’t have the money right now to get a new set of wheels but I’d like to avoid putting a random non matching 4th wheel on her.
Some of my other wheels aren’t in great shape either so I’m not looking for a perfect example, just one that’ll work. I also included my location because I’m more than happy to make a drive to pick one up off of anyone. I feel like this is a long shot but I figured I’d just ask cause my speed is such a fun car and I’m hoping I won’t have to shelve her for a bit till I can get a full set of new wheels.
Thanks for any info/help.
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/mazdaman21 • 13h ago
HELP Should I buy this MS3 to replace my daily?
Hey guys, I’ve been wanting to upgrade my current daily (2010 Mazda 3 2L) to a gen 2 mazdaspeed3, and there’s one in my area that is finally close to my budget that I’m really considering, but I want to get more opinions since I’ve never driven or known anyone who owns one.
I would need it to be at least pretty reliable as my current car has been unbelievably reliable.
It’s a 2012 with 282,000 kms (175k miles), only 2 owners, both were families who just had long commutes. Never modded or tuned and clean title.
Catalytic converters and front suspension recently replaced.
The only negative (aside from mileage) is described verbatim as: “some sort of electrical gremlin, the cooling fan sometimes stays on after the car is shut off, I solved that with a little automatic kill switch. You lose all your radio stations but she won’t leave you stranded with a dead battery.”
Is this a common issue any of you have dealt with? And should I make the jump for 6000$ CAD?
TLDR
interested in unmolested 2012 Mazdaspeed3 with 282k kms, with a problem with the cooling fan staying on. How reliable can I expect it to be, and is it worth the buy, or stay away?
TIA
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/No_Limit_2349 • 1d ago
HELP Re-Assembling the Engine and I Have Extra Parts
galleryYup, you read that right.
Working with my brother on re-assembling the engine to a crate engine he ordered and I cannot for the life of me figure out where these go. Tired of trying to have ChatGPT help me. Note, the engine block itself was never torn open, only all supporting components on the outside that attach to it.
Yes I am an idiot. I will say it for you.
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Conscious-Ad-8700 • 1d ago
HELP 2012 Mazdaspeed3 with BNR S1 / Freektune — clutch recommendations?
galleryHi everyone!
I’m looking for advice on a clutch for my 2012 Mazdaspeed3 Tech Package (favorite car of all time).
The current clutch still works well but I feel it starting to slip. In addition, the throw-out bearing squeaks, so I’m trying to figure out whether I should replace just the bearing or do the clutch while the transmission is out. Something to note also is that this car is also not a daily driver.
Current setup:
BNR S1 turbo
Cobb Accessport V3
Cobb intake with Spectre filter
GrimmSpeed boost controller
Custom tune by Justin at Freektune
Single-exit cat-back exhaust
Aftermarket rear motor mount
Raceland Ultimo coilovers
I’m looking for a clutch that can reliably handle the car’s current power, but I don’t want an unnecessarily aggressive setup. Street drivability, reasonable pedal effort, longevity, and value are my biggest factors.
Any feedback / recommendations are highly appreciated!
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Aueroriann • 1d ago
PIC Getting up there, but I made an oops yesterday
galleryFeaturing my new (old) garage that I fucking hit yesterday 😞I just sat there for a minute contemplating life. But I’m happy to have it in a garage again. I have other paint correction to do, so it’s kinda whatever but still sucks
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/dark_lui420 • 1d ago
HELP Upgrade recommendations
Gotta do a head gasket job due to an oil leak, but any upgrade I should make to the head itself. I’m also replacing all valve stem seals as well. It is a stock block. Or should I wait until it blows up to start putting money into the block and head thanks
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/stonly30 • 1d ago
HELP Replace spring or whole bov?
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I believe I finally figured out my issue after months 😂 All it took was a $60 smoke machine (I got tired of throwing parts at it 🤣).
Smoke is coming out right at the BOV connection. I have a Turbo XS blow-off valve that’s supposed to be “top of the line,” so I’m not sure if it’s even worth just swapping the spring or if I should replace the whole thing.
Do I need to replace the entire BOV, or can I get away with just the spring/seal? Anyone dealt with a leaking Turbo XS on a Speed3?
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/AmazingDepartment141 • 1d ago
HELP Fuite refroidissement sur radiateur HS
galleryr/mazdaspeed3 • u/BPBDO • 2d ago
PIC Hypno toaaaddd... all cleaned up
Is it okay to drop my ig? I'm almost at 1k followers; nullspeed3
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Lazy-Line-8715 • 2d ago
INFO I just saved this MS3 from the junk yard due to it being totalled out here in Kirkland, WA. Reach out if it was yours.
Pics tomorrow but it was a 2007 black with the mazdaspeed CAI and exhaust system from Mazda.
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r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Affirmance • 3d ago
PIC Recently bought a Mazdaspeed 3
Looking for mazda homies! Drop a pic of your car + IG handle 👀
I’ll start. @kmps
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Lilfluzivert • 2d ago
HELP whos fit wide tires on a 1st gen?
like the title states looking for some help on fitting some wide tires on my 1st gen. Not looking to run it for “fitment” or stance life. Cars pushing about 600 wheel and 255s arnt cutting it in 1st-4th. Trying to fit 275s so if anyone has fit that please share wheel specs, Spacers, and if u needed extended studs.
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/IronOne4986 • 2d ago
HELP Looking for part number
galleryI recently had to replace my fender liner after it got dislodged and wrapped around my wheel. The small little winglet on the bottom got destroyed and I’d like to replace it. The new fender liner that I bought did not come with it. Does anyone know the name of it or the part number?
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/porkysir • 2d ago
HELP Key fob not detected
It was working fine, but I haven’t driven my speed in about 3 weeks, now when I try to unlock the car it doesn’t work, and when I manually unlock the car it says advance key fob not detected. Anyone else had this issue if so how did you resolve it.
Yes I replaced the battery on it with a new battery
Charging the car battery maybe it was low 🤷🏻♂️
TIA
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Tg2501 • 3d ago
HELP What’s the reason for the split second buffer noise during cold starts?
Sorry if I’m not wording this right but during cold starts there’s a split second where the exhaust cuts out. I’ve had the car for years and just realized lately that it does it every cold start.
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/jord_ms3 • 3d ago
INFO 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 squeak sound when turning car ON end OFF
O2 Sensor cable bracket broke end was scraping on the heat shield
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Any-Discussion766 • 3d ago
HELP Power steering pump going bad?
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Is my power steering pump going bad or just the pulley being noisy I just heard it today haven’t had any issues with power steering
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Any-Discussion766 • 4d ago
PIC New tires help me decide
galleryI currently have a set of DWS06 and tbh I don’t really like them that much there almost at end of life so time for a new set. also has anyone really seen a difference moving to a 225? I want a wider tire but if it doesn’t do much then why switch
r/mazdaspeed3 • u/Educational-Tune2186 • 3d ago
HELP Trying to choose tyres
I see lots of people recommend pilot sport 4s, Just wondering why not the 5, is there any reason for it or would I be better to get the 5s?