Just your base model with the 2.3L... I was actually looking at the 3, but they wouldent deal at all on those and since this one was pretty basic on the outside they droped the price of this to under what the 3's were. So I went with the 6. It had the donut spares with plastic caps on it, so those had to go! Other than that.. I think I am going to leave it pretty well stock other than maybe some basic things.

Here are a few pics:





Looking at window tint, maybe lowering springs (after the 18s wi/ lower profile tires I think it needs it).. and if there is anything available maybe something to come up with a little more power. (Any ideas?)

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs001.jpg

Not sure why the first links didnt work, but the above can be copied and pasted into the address bar.

 

How about: getting a performance chip that also removes the governor, a cold air intake, cat back exhaust. I am doing the same thing to my car, getting new rims, lowering it, and want more power. Look into Injen for a c/a intake and catback exhaust and Eibach for springs. As for the chip, i have no clue yet.

 

I wouldn't recommend slapping a chip in your car unless you have the money to fix up the disasters that are going to occur with the engine due to strain and tension. Before working on making your car faster, you need to lower it and get some spoilers to keep your car sticking to the road instead of going airborn. Maybe get some wider tires if you wanna keep to the road.

 

wing/spoiler has no effect at all really, regarding make it "more stable". i've had mine up to 140 and had no issue except running out of room.

there is no "chip" out for the car, so that's and easy answer. you can have Jetchip flash it (no confirmed gains or effects on gov), Unichip can set you up (said it removes gov, but not confirmed my owners) or you can go with an standalone FMU like the Haltech (i have) or the Greddy E-Manage.

looks like you aren't too worried about major performance, so stick to intake. Injen and AEM can potentially set off CEL's. there's a company called CP-E (cp-e.com) that has good gains, no CEL...but come at a cost.

for exhaust, unless you do headers and change out the mid-pipe there's no gains to be had with exhaust really. so look for some mufflers you like, or some axlebacks as it's all about sound and style for the 6i exhaust...not power. (you actually loose bottom end)

suspension mods are all over, and just make things better. after dyno'ing at 140hp i was on the track passing subi's and M3's (ok, the drivers weren't that great, but still fun) because i upgraded the suspension and tires.

just watch your wheels, some 18's will require rolling the rear fenders, so make sure you look into that before buying and throwing them on if you lower the car.

enjoy, it's a great car!!

 

Hi! I just bought a Mazda6 this weekend like the original poster. I'm looking at doing possible wheel/tire/suspension upgrades in the future. I had a Mustang GT and had it lowered it with sport springs but left the shocks/struts stock. I lost smooth ride quality, but gained handling.

What I'd like to do is retain the great ride quality but attain awesome handling. I'm much more into the handling and stability than the engine performance. The car has enough power for me with the Triptronic transmission.

I'm completely new to Mazda, so what are good brands for sport shocks/struts I should look into? Also, will just replacing the shocks and not the springs have much of an effect, or does it need to be both, other way around, etc.

Thanks! I hope to frequent this board and enjoy my car with other Mazda6 enthusiasts.

 

some things you might wanna look into are the Racing Beat sways along with the GT Spec bracing. swap out to some better tires and see how that suites you. should tighten things up enought to suite your needs. though lower the car is what makes a big impact on cornering as well, but if you don't wanna do that, then start with what i said and go from there.

 

here something to keep in mind regarding spoiler. A spoiler has some advantages and some disadvantages:

Adavantages: Creates more Aero Downforce- will increase stability. Essentially, it will make the car have more grip. You will be able to take turns a little bit easier

Disadvantages: increases drag-which will slow your speed of you car
This will also hurt gas mileage slightly.


While you may add downforce, too much downforce can be a bad thing too. It may cause your car to have understeer(Tight). THis means the car will be difficult to turn. You turn the wheel, but she keeps going straight. You can compensate this aerodynamic imbalance by getting a spoiler that allows you to adjust it. You can change the angle of the spoiler (in degrees) Basically, the higher the angle the more downforce you will get. and vice versa. If you are at a track with long straightway, keep the angle low. But if your on winding roads. Put the spoiler around 60 or 70 degrees! Just my 2 cents!

 

the_grey_mazda...........................what disasters are u actually talking aout when u say chipping a car puts strain on the engine................i have chip 7 cars and have had no issue whatsoever, make and model if it means anything to you was........95 acura legend coupe(352HP w/spray), 98 ford escort(307hp), nissan sentra ser(not dynoed), 2002 honda accord(not dynoed), 2003 SVt focus and mustang(supercharged stang at 400HP), and a civic SI 2001(217hp)

im not sure what problems u have had but maybe a bad tune caused it.......i dropped a valve seat in my escort and had to replace the engine because it shattered a piston on its way down, but that was due to ford's bad valve seat design

 

You guys kill me with the spoiler talk... [sm=gobble.gif] ahahahaha

Anyway- this is just a DD, nothing crazy on the performance end. If they realeased a real nice chip that everyone loved, I might be inclined to buy it; but Ive never been impressed with chips/ mail order tunes etc. It has a nice throaty sound for a 4cyl as of now, and I like the looks of the stock exhaust tips.. so I wont be changing that either. Mostly just looking at a good CAI on the performance end.

Now call me ignorat, but what are you guys referring to when you say "roll the fenders"? As you can see, I already have the 18s on and installed:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...er/MSRs001.jpg

They are no taller than the original wheel/tire combination... Im not sure I see why anything is necessary? (I am not getting and drag or rub)

I just ordered EIBACHs sportlines.. and I dont see those droping the stance eneough to need anything there either.

The wheels, springs and some window tint maybe a CAI at some point will be the extent of its mods.