I'm afraid I've done a terrible thing...

[The_Silencer]

So I've been reading around the forums and I've seen a lot of guys get s*** for having a body kit and such on an MX-3. Well, I really don't know very much about cars AT ALL, and I put a body kit on mine and I'm afraid that it is very ricey... So first off, I'd like to apologize and now I would like to ask for some help in cleaning up my act. I want to add horsepower to my car, but I really don't even know where to start. An intake? exhaust? what? like I said I really don't know what I'm doing all that much but am very eager and willing to learn. So, guys, I don't have a bunch of money sitting around and I would like to add some horsepower. Whats the best way to do that? Thanks so much guys.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

step one.. find a bunch of money
step 2. http://www.mx-3.com/phpBB3/search.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[wytbishop]

There are really only a few ways to make significant HP gains from any engine. Increase displacement, increase compression or increase volumetric efficiency. That means bigger engine, different pistons/heads or stuff more air/fuel in...i.e. Turbocharging (I'm totally oversimplifying).

There's really no such thing as free or even cheap horsepower. Putting a Cool Air Intake will give you a small but noticeable improvement in throttle response but no real HP gains to speak of. Installing a larger diameter exhaust system will change the rpm at which your peak HP occurs, but again won't really ADD a lot of power. Maybe 10-15 and that's seriously stretching it and in the process you can wind up with a really stupid sounding car.

The good news is that in the world of engine swaps the MX-3 is one of the easiest and BP engines are fairly common. Going up to 1.8L from your 1.6L stock engine is pretty easy to do compared to most other cars and can be done inexpensively. It's not something you want to try on your own yet probably, but reading and asking questions you can learn a lot and when the time comes that you can afford to do something you'll be surprised how easy it is.

[projectzemx3]

you know those nos energy drinks? pour one of those in your gas tank.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

you know those nos energy drinks? pour one of those in your gas tank.

Not one. TWO!!!

To add to what everyone already said, I want to make something clear:

There are only 2 ways you can add power to your car: knowing how to do it, or paying somebody to do it for you.
That means if, as you said, you know nothing about mechanics, I agree with RS, your first step should be finding a bunch of money.
Meanwhile, you should read as much as you can. Not to be able to do the job yourself (unless you can find somebody to help you), but to know exactly what you want, what you need (to get what you want), and what you have to do to get there.

[Ryan]

Hey hey hey now.

I came into the car world not knowing how ANYTHING worked. Not a freakin' clue what a coilover or control arm, or subframe was. Od the difference between a ball joint and a CV joint.

I read my face blue (or red, in this case) on this site for a few months, and I manged to do a BP swap and rebuild.

To date now I've pulled 80% of the car entirely apart and can rattle off what everything is and how it works and about how much it costs.....

And now I'm starting on the V6's.

Just because you don't know anything, doesn't mean you can't learn. If you're the slightest bit mechanically inclined as well as curious or determined, you'll do absolutely fine. If you're one of those people who would dissassemble a transmission into a box, shake it, and then use a large hammer and a pipe to cram everythign back onto the shafts in the order that "looked right" then get prepared to pay someone...


Just be careful, use your brain, and ask lots of questions.

And learn how to use the search feature. Oh, and the location of the shop manuals.

[Limegreen mx-3]

Not a year to what make and model u have but since u posted on this section its either a sohc or dohc what a shame newbie.

If ryan can learn so can you just takes time and the heart to be true to a mazda MX-3 a dying breed that few are up to the challenge.

[Ryan]

Haha, ouch.

[Dark_Rider2k3]

Hey hey hey now.

I came into the car world not knowing how ANYTHING worked. Not a freakin' clue what a coilover or control arm, or subframe was. Od the difference between a ball joint and a CV joint.

I read my face blue (or red, in this case) on this site for a few months, and I manged to do a BP swap and rebuild.

To date now I've pulled 80% of the car entirely apart and can rattle off what everything is and how it works and about how much it costs.....

And now I'm starting on the V6's.

Just because you don't know anything, doesn't mean you can't learn. If you're the slightest bit mechanically inclined as well as curious or determined, you'll do absolutely fine. If you're one of those people who would dissassemble a transmission into a box, shake it, and then use a large hammer and a pipe to cram everythign back onto the shafts in the order that "looked right" then get prepared to pay someone...


Just be careful, use your brain, and ask lots of questions.

And learn how to use the search feature. Oh, and the location of the shop manuals.

gotta agree with this. I came hear not knowing crap about cars. But now I know a good bit. And even now, I'm learning (learning about engine internals). And I feel confident in swapping an engine.

Just read up on the forums the various posts, use the search engine, and make the online manual/guide your best friend.

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Whoa...
Looks like what I said came out wrong (not surprising, given my daily struggle withe the language), so I think an 'splanation is in order...

I agree you CAN learn from an internet forum, especially from this one. That's what we're all doing here, and the willingness to help each other most everybody on this forum shows is second to none, at least in my experience.
I said what I said because I had the impression, from The_silencer's post, that he wanted to add HP NOW.
Now, I agree, if he decides to take his time to read and ask questions (and learn), he can do whatever he wants...as long as he gets rid of the body kit...

D_R: how's your thing going?

[pox]

Pics?

[The_Silencer]

Pics?

Heh, alright I'll show you guys what I've done, but I would just like to say that I actually don't think the car turned out too bad and I'm proud of myself for doing all the work with just the help of my uncle ( as i said many times I know NOTHING about cars and some stuff was pretty difficult for me). I mean, I bought this car for $900 and it was in horrible shape and was white with rust spots on it, the interior was all ripped and so many things needed replacing.

So, anyway, here's what I've done:

[Inodoro Pereyra]

Pics?

Heh, alright I'll show you guys what I've done, but I would just like to say that I actually don't think the car turned out too bad and I'm proud of myself for doing all the work with just the help of my uncle ( as i said many times I know NOTHING about cars and some stuff was pretty difficult for me). I mean, I bought this car for $900 and it was in horrible shape and was white with rust spots on it, the interior was all ripped and so many things needed replacing.

So, anyway, here's what I've done:

OMG, SILENCER, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!!!
WE'RE GONNA HAVE YOU BANNED!!!

Just kidding...

Actually that looks pretty good (with the exception of the big fog lights ). You're right to be proud.

[pox]

I like the sides and rear if you want to sell them? =]

Id say keep those and get a nice OEM front bumper or mazdaspeed front.

[RS_OBD'oh_2]

I like the fade. I don't think I've seen one done on an mx before. Not a fan of the evo style (or whatever it is) front.. other than that.. good work. Not my style but cool.