what are some ways to up the horsepower for under 650

 

A mild Nitrous kit (50 hp) would probably be the biggest bang for the buck under $650.

Exhaust kits will run you around that and only yield 10-12 hp (if that)

 

i dont think i would want nitrous do to the fact that id be tempted to use and get in a wreck and it and its illegal where i am
but exhaust is great is there headers that i can get even though they are out of my price range

 

I have the Mazda 3 Thunder header in stock right now for $295.00 shipped. The regular price is $375.00 PLUS shipping. I have four left and after they are gone the price goes back up.
I also have Simota CAIs in stock and ready to ship for $80.00 plus $15.00 shipping. If you buy both I'll throw in the shipping free.

Check out my sponsorship section. Also, KrazyKaz is a member here whom I have met personally -- he has the Simota CAI and has seen the header in person and I am sure he will vouch for its quality.

 

How about some dyno information....what are the real gains by this?

The Mazda computer learns around any mods that are done (assuming you leave the ECM stock)

 

The computer does have a learning curve, and it changes its curve to protect the engine. It doesn't "learn around" modifications though. With a cold air intake the ECM recognizes that there is more air entering the cylinder and adds more fuel. It won't intentionally run lean or rich just to keep the same horsepower.

I've had the Simota intake installed for several months now and I still have the same gains as the day I put it on; faster and smoother acceleration, better throttle response, and a nice growl. Even if it did "learn around" though, you could always reset once a month and have the same gains.

The Simota intake and Thunder headers are quality pieces. IMO they are the best bang for your buck. AEM and Injen are extremely overpriced, and I wouldn't trust any BOMZ or Ebay intake on my brand new work of art (Mazda 3 S). The headers are solidly built as well. They seem to be of much better build quality then the OBX headers.

Speaking of which, Gary I call one of those last 4 headers. PM me so we can talk (I'm pretty sure you know my question).

[IMG]local://upfiles/4465/B558678AB6FA4311AFA5D974D62D1D80.jpg[/IMG]

 

So how much were your gains.

I'm certainly not saying they aren't quality pieces...I would want to see dyno #'s (other than butt dyno) before investing heavily in any kind of engine modification.

 

To answer your original question, I would start with these mods:

CAI (Cold air intake) $50 - $250
Exhaust $400 - $750
Headers $200 - $400
--------------------------------------------------
Total $650 - $1400

Your total net HP gain will be based on the products you choose. I would guess somewhere between 8 - 20 wheel HP. The car comes stock with 160 BHP and somewhere around 130 - 134 wheel HP. So a 13 HP increase is 10%. Unless you're dead, you should feel it.

 

KrazyKAZ..do you have 0-60 or 1/4 mile times before/after with your modifications?

$650-1400 seems real steep for 13 hp....

 

If you are looking for 'cheap' horsepower, there is no such thing, especially not if you add 'reliable' to it.

One way or another you will have to pay to play. Either by paying for good parts once, or bad parts twice.

And Kaz...PM will be sent...

BTW, I need to shrink the dyno I have as it is too big for the forum requirements, but the header gain was 7whp on a car with stock exhaust.