your avatar..

 

 

I actually like it.

Comparing the picture without eyelids, the MS3 looks like an eager beaver,

WITH the eyelids it looks like a pissed off beaver

(still don't like the big smiley on front, but that can't be changed).

 

This is the look that I really want to achieve eventually, hence I was thinking about this eyelids. I really want to have that evilish smile on the front end, and I think it's pretty doable with that ridiculous looking front grille.

But if it's going to look too flashy in any sort of way, I wouldn't do it.

I'm going to chop the eyelid onto my black front end tonight to see how it would look like.

 

Your car can't be and at the same time!

 

Just sharing a new pic.

 

I saw some MS3s race at Mid-Ohio on Saturday. Forgot my camera at home unfortunately.

Surprisingly, they were not really that dominant. For all the HP they have I really thought they'd be in the top-5. Three BMW 328is finished in the top five. A VW GTI (MkV) came second.

The GS class had Mustangs, Camaros, E93 M3s, 911 Carreras, Caymans, and some other cars. The Roush Mustang, the Cayman S, and the M3s were by far the quickest around the track. The Camaros couldn't keep up.

That Cayman S was sneaky fast around the track.

Not a bad showing (two top-20s) but I think that Mazda has some work to do yet to make it dominant.

 

Yeah, there's just no way to hack into the ECU to get rid of that sensor that's closing the throttle plate early in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear. CP-E and Cobb are working on the ECU solution for us, so hopefully that will get rid of that and flatten the powerband.

Also, the 2nd Gen MS3 basically gotten a little bit heavier than the 1st gen with the same engine set up, so it's slightly slower than the 1st Gens.

 

 

Lids look cool, any dyno'ng yet?

 

JS + MS3, where in SoCal are you located? A couple weeks ago I was going up a hill in my Mazda 6 and an MS3 was approaching quickly to my right. I needed to get over to turn up ahead, stepped on it, and he thought I was racing. He did some sort of FWD burn-out at the light, I was LOL.

I know it's a shot in the dark, but was that you? ...it was at night but looked like your color...I was in Anaheim Hills in a black 6 (with wife and baby on board ). Don't mess with the 3.7L V6 (if it was you)

 

I almost bought a previous model MS3, not too crazy about the new body style, but it may grow on me with time

 

Ordered Jbarone RSB for my MS3 last night! Can't wait to install it! I'm just gonna put it on the stiffest setting from Day 1

Specifications Simulating 1" of body roll:
Stock Sway Bar setting:
MAZDASPEED 3 is 479 lbs/in

JBR 3-Way Adjustable Sway Bar Settings:
Stiff setting is 593 lbs/in
Stiffer Setting is 718 lbs/in
Stiffest Setting is 901 lbs/in

 

Next up is Cobb Accessport! I'll probably keep it on Stage 1 til I sell my car though. Although the Stage 2 will give us almost 50% increase in HP and TQ, I don't want to invest too much money on cars right now. And, as far as performance is concerned, I'm perfectly satisfied with current set up.

It's been almost 1.5 years since I got my car, but it still has less than 9k miles.. Love it! I have zero complaints regarding my car, and I fully recommend it to anyone!

You just can't go wrong with either Mazdaspeed3 or GTI. Affordable, 2.0T, Hatchback...

 

I wouldn't go all the way to the stiffest setting though.... unless you have a stiffer FSB to compensate as well. Chances are with the stock FSB and that RSB at the stiffest setting it's going to oversteer a little too much.

 

why no FSB?

 

Thanks for the advice. Yeah, you are right, I think I'll just keep it in the middle since I'm not thinking of getting the FSB.

If I was into tracking or auto-Xing, I would have definitely gone for both RSB and FSB to balance it out and try to find the sweet spot set up. But I just want to have more fun DD-ing.. so getting the FSB would be just a waste.

The addition of this RSB would get rid of the understeer by noticeable amount and that's just what I want!

It sucks though because I don't have time to get to tracks or auto-x.

 

If you're into tracking or autox, you DON'T need to upgrade the FSB. Upgrading the FSB in a FWD car induces more understeer.

 

^ Very True. However, with a much stiffer RSB coupled with a set of stiff coilovers, even FWD vehicles tend to oversteer, that's why you have to add a stiffer FSB to balance it out.

This is what I've learned on AZ, so please correct me if I'm wrong!

 

Depends on your driving style and setup. In my Prelude, I once had coilovers with spring rates at 671 lbs front/782 lbs rear, then coupled with a solid 27mm RSB on softest setting. The first time I was on autox, I had a hard time keeping the tail behind me. But after getting used to it, I kept wanting more. I eventually ended up with a solid 32mm RSB (still stock FSB).

 

^ Gotcha.

btw, I Prelude. What color was it?

 

I prefer the ass end to get loose (or rotate). Ive contemplated removing the front sway bar completely to get more. Its all personal preference though. One persons setup may not be ideal for another.

 

Can you guess by looking at my sig?

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V

 

black.

 

lol

pearl white prelude

 

Just installed my RSB! the back end feels so much tighter..... omg love it

the stock RSB fking fails... my thumb is thicker than the bar seriously...

 

I remember the day I installed the Comptech RSB on my 3G TL.. it was awesome

The improvement seems more noticeable on ms3 though.

 

Good to hear

The title of this thread is misleading...how many miles do you have on the car now?

 

still less than 9,000! it's still pretty new!

 

Dang! Is it your DD or do you have another car?

 

It's my DD!

I used to drive a lot back when I was in school with my 3G TL.

Now my daily commute is less than 15 miles back to back from home to work.... so yeah.... I don't get to drive my car much these days. Work FTL...

 

At least you don't have to gas up as often! Speaking of gas, what kind of MPG do you usually get?

Sorry for all of the questions, I just love these little cars

 

No worries man, you can ask me anything.

I usually drive 80% Local / 20% HWY, and I average 19 mpg combined. I filled up my tank twice every month. It's pretty good on gas, if you don't get on the turbo range. But if you decide to go psssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhh every stop light, it can get messy.

 

i get better mpg than you.

 

arrrrrrggggg lol

don't you drive hwy a lot though? i'm literally 90% local in traffic... its ghey! i rarely feel my ppssssssshhhhhh

how many times do you fill up per month?? just curious!

 

haha. well.. LA traffic mostly and thats IF I do have to drive it for that week.

I used to fill up once a month and a half or so when i don't have to take it to work..

but when i do take it to work.. its every 1.5 week i fill up.

both including 12 miles to church every wed and sun.

 

man we both suck up putting up miles on our cars... lol

 

ahha.. im at high 13k. nearing 14k soon..

probably cuz of SEMA and visiting all the SoCal Hyundai dealerships.. haha

 

I usually give my pssssshhhh a good scratch every morning when I wake up. I still get good mileage

MOAR PICS!

 

Dang, I would have thought your car averaged a higher mpg...


on the rsb install!