Well I just my car back from the dealer, had them install the MS CAI, MS exhaust, and MS flywheel. Man what a difference in sound and feel I know it probably didn’t make it any faster but it sure sounds like it. Most of you probably thinking I should of installed them myself. Well I am not mechanically inclined; don’t have the tools and the time to do so. I’ll rather pay someone a few bucks and know it got done right (peace of mind). They only charged me $500 for the whole install not bad I think. Anyway my next question is what’s next? I caught the modification bug, my wife hates it but oh well. I’m looking to improve the overall performance and fun factor of the car, looks will come after this. It’s my daily driver but it will be going to the track this spring, summer, and fall (as much as I can afford to) I'm learning and having fun doing so I will have about 2K to spend by the time mid January roles around. I know there are two things I don’t want to do that is FI and mid pipe, FI to complicated and expensive, not to mention bye bye warranty. Mid pipe to loud for my wife (maybe later on). I already have the agency pulley, just need to install it. So any ideas? I can think of two:

Option 1: MS suspension. Dealer said they can get me the whole kit for $1,400 that includes F&R shocks, 4 springs, F&R sway bars, and F&R struts. That’s cheaper than any other site is selling the MS kit. They said install would probably run $400. That puts me close to 2K including tax.

Option 2: Upgrade brake rotors, pads and lines. Haven’t done too much research on this though.

I think I want to stick with MS due warranty issues and I know I’m getting quality along with a 1 year warranty on the parts “MAZDASPEED "Blue" Performance Accessories must be installed by a MAZDASPEED Dealer on a US specification vehicle and be specifically approved by Mazda for the particular application. These parts are covered under the Mazda Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty and are warranted for the first 12 months/12,000 miles from the date of installation or the duration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, whichever is longer. Should the parts be purchased but not installed by a MAZDASPEED Dealer, they will be covered for the first 12-months/12,000 miles from the date of purchase”. No MS coil overs for me because they come with no warranty and more $$.

So what do you guys think? Any other Ideas? Thanks for the help in advance.

One more thing I got to give a shout out to Don Miller Mazda in Madison WI. I highly recommend them.

 

If you're interested in increasing the performance I would say the RB flash.

 

Yea, Ithought of that but I need my car at all times and its only $300 so I can get that done afterwards. Plus I want to hear some feedback regarding the flash for the 05's first. Thanks though

 

MS suspension

 

OK, so thats 1 for the suspension. Thanx

 

^ +2 for ms suspension

 

axial flow short shifter and suspension.

beers

 

Actualy I was just reading up on that. It seems like something I can do on my own and make the 8 more fun. Thanx

 

Kind of illogical that you want only MS parts because they will retain your warranty, and yet the second the car steps on a track the entire warranty is gone, read the fine print.

Not to mention there is no insurance while on a track, and if your company finds out you track your car say bye-bye to your plan.

 

bummer

 

I hear what you’re saying. Warranty book states and I quote “misuse of the Mazda vehicle such as driving over curbs, overloading, racing, snowplowing, etc.” Racing is defined as a contest of speed, any contest or competition to achieve superiority, to engage in a contest of speed. I don’t race my car in competitions, they are non timed events, no winner is declared hence no racing, thus warranty is still good. Believe me I did my research before I started the modifications and track events (my wife made me). My extended warranty reads as follows "If your vehicle is used for racing on or offroad, competition or speed contest". So you see I am good to go. I even e-mailed MNAO to ask them about that type of situation. They explained that the Warranty on my vehicle would be void if it was determined that my driving on a track was the cause of the malfunction. For instance I rev the car and blow the engine, I’m screwed same as regular street driving. It’s all about misuse and abuse. Driving on a track is not misuse. Also you need to have a cool dealer as well. It also would help to make sure they never find out the mishap happened on a track. I went on a track a while back and warranty is still good. The insurance is a good point, I know of a guy who wrecked his 8 at a track event, insurance covered the whole thing. Just got to make sure you keep mum about were the accident happened. Thanx for the concern though.

 

it is the same for all aftermarket parts.

beers

 

I know, even though they are MS they only have 1 year warranty on them except for blue warranty parts. Thats OK, I'm more concerned with the actual vehicle bumper to bumper.

 

Not really read on.

 

Swaybars! Very happy with Whiteline sways here. Also drove a car with RB sways and was also very happy with that.

 

I think I'm leaning towards the suspension set. I can always do the brakes in April before track season

 

Suspension. I have ms springs, shocks and sways and i like it. Sways will make the biggest difference in driving fyi.

 

I think suspension and brakes are a must but which one will be more beneficial at the track? I'm thinking brakes. With a little research I figure 1K for rotors, pads, and new lines (non braided). Calipers would boost this to about 1.7K so I think stock are fine.

 

From what I've read, going to a better set of pads makes a big difference (search for braking/pads threads in the racing/competition forum). The stock brake rotors are fine, you don't need to change those. The stainless steel lines could make a difference, so maybe all you need are pads + lines.

I thinK the suspension will make a bigger difference than a full brake overhaul. So suspension + brake pads.

 

Great thanx, i'll look into the brakes and lines. I'll do more research on thr rotors, if theyare not needed that a few hundred I can save. thanx

 

Id get the suspension package if I were you. It sounds like you've got a very fair deal on the parts, and some of them (Strut bars, sway bars) are very easy to install yourself with just a torque wrench and some jack stands.
I put full coilovers on my car about 4 months ago, and recently added strut bars. Id say modifying my suspension has been the best upgrade Ive done yet.
Obviously it doesnt make the car any faster, but it allows you to drive it much faster while maintining controll.

My vote is you get the whole MS suspension, install the sways and strut bars yourself, then have the dealership install the springs and shocks. It will probably save you $100 or so on labor, and both installtions can be done together in a matter of 30-60 minutes.

Good luck, and I hope you enjoy whatever you decide on!

 

Get the short shifter.

Its cheap, easy to install and makes a great diference.

Save 2k on the suspension unless you really think the normal package isnt cutting it for you when you get to the track. The handling on the normal car is good anyway, and you might be a bit more uncomfortable (and your wife too!) if you change up the suspension etc when on normal roads.

If you think after your track excursions you need tauter handling go for it!

 

Someone else brought up a good point about spending money on driving classes first, I never thought about that option. Maybe that would be the way to go, better brakes, tires and classes. Should be lots of fun to, it would make the track days more fun. I think that might just be the way I go classes, brakes, tires. The one day I went to the track the car seemed to handle great for me, and took a ride with another 8 owner who really new the track and had much more track time than me. He was definitely faster than me and the car seemed to handle just fine for him. I think he was all stock except for tires, brakes and lines. Maybe I'll hold of on the suspension until my driving skills require a better suspension. Damn I like the way the car looks lowered though Thank you all for the help Keep the options coming, I'm learning allot here. Short shifter may squeeze its way in there.

 

Thanks, how much did the coil overs lower your car?

 

Hey devildog, I met you at the chicago meet and we talked about the AFE short shifter a little bit.
I received it Monday and installed it that night.....I highly recommend it! I highly doubt you would have a hard time installing it yourself. If you get one read through the install guide on the forum, it will tell you what you need to do.
Makes drving a little bit more enjoyable for me. There is a slight increase in noise, but it hasn't bothered me yet.