AT upgrade path
 

I'm looking on suggestions on ways to upgrade/mod my car. My ultimate goal is a 300HP, automatic autocrosser. My initial goal is to start somewhere?

My first thought is to get straight to the point and get a turbo kit and see where that puts me at. But lately I've been thinking it might be wiser to prep the car for FI first, meaning. Upgraded cooling, ignition, even an EMS, to help reduce potential problems before they start.

So my question is, with enough money to get a FI kit, including EMS and proper tunning should I jump right in and get it?

Or would the money be more wisley spent buying, EMS, Radiator, ignition, and things like that and wait maybe another year to go FI?

Also since I just started autocrossing, Should I not do any of the above yet, but instead, learn how to drive, then do the legal mods to stay in B-Stock, and once I feel that I have maxed out on the driveability of the car, then start looking for major HP increases?

Disclaimer:
Sorry if there is a similar thread somewhere I could not find it, also the intent of this thread was to have a specific upgrade path for the automatic, and to be a little more specific then, "trade it for a MT" or FI is your only option.

Even though its a lot at one time, I think you'd get more bang for your buck by going FI right off the bat if you have the money. There's kits out there that come with EMU, so that should come with it. BHR has the radiator and I was told by Charles Hill it should be safe to use in NA form if you choose to buy that before the turbo kit. I dont think its out yet, but I'd recommend the BHR kit. ( same people as the AT radiator) You'll get the Cobb AP with that for tuning and maps and whatnot. Hopefully others chime in if I'm wrong, but that's my opinion. If you have the cash I'd go for the kit, but wait for the BHR kit. Theres a huge thread out there on it for further details.

you should jump on board and get an FI. i am planning the same thing also on my AT as soon as I get enough fund. I would get the complete kit from Mazdmaniac/CRH themselves.

In case you're wondering that is the kit I was talking about as well. Maybe I'm wrong for calling it the BHR kit? But I thought they were one in the same.

I have been loosely keeping up with the progress of their kit, and if everything pans out right that might be the direction I'm heading. Really the only thing that might deter me from getting that kit is if I can get a deal on another used kit or prepurchased one.

Well I do not autocross (have friends that do) but I have all the mods. My suggestion would be to take your time. Upgrade the suspension and ignition. Get a Cobb AP and a good tune. Hold off on the FI until your comfortable with what you have. You need to do your due diligence on finding the correct order of mods that can be done for SCCA or the autocross sponsor and your driving ability.

yeah, make sure you do lots of research like what Phil said. What you can do will all depend on what class you want to compete in.

If you think you want a turbo setup and have the money, I'd look at the Mazsport 300 series kit. It will allow you to upgrade it quite a bit as your desire for power increases. Plus you get all the upgraded components with Mazsport that you need to run safely.

I think many of the other kits are pretty well maxed out from the start, but if you think their power levels will be enough for you, then you should be fine. Just don't run a kit harder than it was intended. For example, it seems that people that keep the Greddy kit at the designed PSI do ok with it, but have problems when they try to exceed its limitations.

You may not need to do extensive cooling upgrades. You may be able to do something that turns the fans on sooner (mazsport cooling mod or cobb AP), Run a different coolant mix, Mazmart water pump, etc. I picked up an oil cooler from a parts car, but if you have to buy new I'd look at the BHR radiator before the oil cooler, just because of cost.

I haven't done autocross, so i'm not sure what the cooling demands are. But I wouldn't think they would be too great since the runs are short. With my setup I have no cooling issues on the street at all in the midwest. However, my last time at the track my oil and water temps were getting a little high. Before I go back I'm going to change the coolant mix and add the second oil cooler.

is your car a 4 port or 6 port?

Get a mazsport 300 series turbo installed the basic type 1 turbo will give you around 275 at the wheels and can easily hit 300 with a few other things

I'll chime in later.

4 port

If its you're first time tracking the car i'd say max out your driving skills on stock first. Bad driver+fast car is still a bad driver :squint: . It will only make you that much better once you go forced induction , and if theres any damage from tracking the car , atleast u will have the money to fix it. Thats just my opinion though , good luck. And next time buy a manual car , would you? lol :rant: