hey guys. i'm a big fan of the mazda3 hatch. i really wanna know how i would go about putting a turbo in an automatic one. like please tell me everything i would have to do. and everyone keeps telling me it will like blow up or something lol. thanks

 

It all depends upon how much extra power you're looking for. If you want to just at a nice little punch and keep the boost down to just three or four pounds, there probably won't be any "blow up" events, certainly not with the engine or the transmission. That said, if you're looking for a more aggressive turbo application and start turning the dial up on the boost that slushbox tranny of yours ain't gonna be real pleased, especially so if you play too much with the happy pedal.

Long story short, if you really want a faster Mazda3 Hatch, sell your car and buy a MazdaSpeed3, it will probably cost you less in the long run. On the off chance that you can't drive a stick, then this will be your opportunity to learn.

 

I agree with everything he said, and add that if you do up the boost past about 5 psi, consider rebuilding the 2.3L w/forged internals first. Then at least you would only have the tranny to rebuild later.
It's a lotta' money and work to do what you are proposing to do. Consider the MS3 as the cheaper alternative.

 

ms3 is the cheaper alt if you have an auto. auto trans cannot take much more power than what little is being put through them now, you would probably get away with 4psi max but it wont (not wouldnt) WONT last long, not even because of the extra power but the excessive heat generated because its moving much faster shortens the life of the trans by (no joke) 90%. The auto trans are just not able to handle power, period. Ive done extensive research into this because i too made the mistake of getting an auto, after months of research i found ONE guy who had his turboed, his words: "Yea i managed to throw 7psi at it, after two passes, one medium and the second full throttle the trans let go. The trans had new torque converter with a higher stall, but i didnt ride it that much, just got it up to rpm as fast as i could, i also had the upgraded valvebodies. It was driven daily but not over long distances, had little miles on it and it was tuned correctly." Upgrading an auto trans is way more expensive than doing a manual one

 

okay thanks guys. and idk how to drive stick. that was why its auto lmao. so yeah thanks for all the info. speed3 it is

 

ummm a speed 3 is not the best choice to learn how to drive stick in, the pedal is the MOST touchy ive even driven (your gonna stall it alot), ive had an easier time driving my friends 97 cobra with a staged clutch vs my friends stock spd3

 

I unfortunately have auto and learned stick a few years back. I learned stick on my brother's GTI and 3-series. He taught me before I started to actually drive. I got very comfortable with both cars, but loved the GTI's clutch. I test drove a Speed3 a little bit after i learned the basics. I thought I was comfortable with stick. I go to the dealer and of course it's located in a very hilly area. I kept stalling the 3 and got very frustrated with the clutch. It was nothing like the GTI's. What I'm getting at here is maybe you should look into a GTI instead. It was easy for me to learn on that car. You can opt for DSG if you don't want to learn stick. It's a hatchback with a turbo. It's about the same price. It has a nice exhaust note. I could always tell when it was coming down the road. I loved the GTI more than my car, and I love my car very much. I was really upset, and still hold a grudge, when my brother gave it up at the end of the lease. It has less horsepower, but 263hp and 280 lb ft of torque to the front wheels, in my opinion, is excessive. When i do need a new car, it will be a toss up between a new GTI or an 07-09 Speed3. I don't like the new style.