Thinking of a modest turbo kit...

[bastard]

Well, I've been contemplating it for awhile now, and I think I'm going to boost the 3 this summer. Nothing TOO crazy, just another 30 - 40 additional HP or so.

Problem is, there are a few different options. For some reason I'm fond of the HiBoost system, but what would you all suggest? ANother thing I'm half worried about is wear on the drivetrain, which I know with an aftermarket turbo will increase a bit - but I don't want to be looking for a new engine/car really soon either lol. I know LSD's can be pricey, which is why I wanted to keep this sytem modest.

What do you think?

[MazdaTom]

I think if you add boost, even small boost, you'll want to keep going bigger and bigger.

[GR-8]

I agree with Tom. You'll never be happy. It's addicting. You'll want more and more.

[bastard]

Oh I know I'm walking on thin ice with wanting to do this lol. If the funds allow, I may want to continue to upgrade the performance... But I'm going to try and refrain from going balls out lol.

[SpeedRacer]

Bastard please don't go with Hiboost. Please don't. If you do want to get turbo'd go to a local shop and have it done.


I can pull 20 threads from mazda3forums on how horrible peoples experience have been with them.

Seriously if you want to boost it sell it and get a speed. The cost and everything plus having a factory warranty still ugh... just please be careful.

[MazdaTom]

Yeah, I've also heard HiBoost can be a pain to work with. Pay your money, wait for your parts, wait for your parts, wait for your parts. Try to call them to find out what is up- no answer. Call again- no answer. 6 months later, your parts might start arriving.

But those that do actually get parts, I've heard that everything is awesome.

[bastard]

Really? Damn.... Going to a shop for a custom set up drives the price up quite a bit. Yeah, at THAT point you're right - just going for a speed 3 would be the better option. That sucks though cause my interior mods are rather permanent in my current 3 lol. Which is why I was looking at a simple turbo set up for my 3i... Hrmmm.....

[SpeedRacer]

Yeah Tom is right on that example of Hiboost. Another problem is you get parts arriving then your missing parts or they sent the wrong ones. If everything finally comes its AMAZING but do you want to spend 5K and wait 6 months to get your stuff? lol..

[MazdaTom]

Maybe they've changed. The HiBoost kit goes for $3950 on Protegegarage.com. If you write a review on Protege Garage, you can get 10% off.

[SpeedRacer]

Eh I got the price from someone on Mazda3forums maybe its 4k for it plus tax is 4.5k prob and then install...

[bastard]

So the quality of the kit is good? That's nice to hear.... However a 6 month wait is just unacceptable. I don't know how you'd stay in business like that. Hrmmm. Does anyone have any recommendations? Maybe from a brand thay've used before?

[MazdaTom]

Talk to Ken at Protege Garage- he's the owner. Things may have changed with HiBoost and you might get a quicker turn around. Ken may even have a kit in stock (kinda doubt it though).

[bastard]

Well, I wouldn't be getting it until summer so it's no big deal if he has it in stock or not. Maybe he has some insight on what to expect from them now and in the future though.

Oh, I also will be doing the install myself as well. Could get messy lol

[SpeedRacer]

ah okay cool

[goldrocket]

A lot of people have tried turboing non-turbo equiped models of cars that have turbo models available. It simply costs a fortune to do it right. The entire drivetrain is different, from clutch to differential. On some cars even the brakes are different. Josh sounded like a wuss when he pleaded with you to be careful, but he's right. Adding 30-40 horse to a car not prepped for it will be a hand grenade with a loose pin. If you want boost, especially in a piston engine car you must remember more than just drive train, you will stress the bottom end of the engine to the breaking point, and the cam shafts will have to be changed to a turbo grind. And you'll need to upgrade the injectors and the ecu to something programmable. Just the injectors and ecu will cost you over 2k. Plus the piston rings are different in a boosted boinger. If you want something with some sick boost, start with a speed model. Rotaries are a bit different as they have no valves, cams or heads. But on your topic, the other issue is compression ratio. On a properly prepped engine, it's down around 8:1, one a stock n/a engine it's closer to 10:1 (this is an ballpark on newer cars, it's probably only close). What hapens when you boost a high compression engine is detonation, and that means broken rings, and craked or burned pistons. Leave the improperly boosted engines to the honduh crowd. LOL! Seriously, in the long run, it will cost you a lot less to get a car already boosted and tweak it from there.