3rd gen Engine/Drivetrain Engine/Drivetrain Modification Discussions for 1999-2003 Models Only (BJ chassis)

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Old August-25th-2007 | 02:56 PM
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Help with Mod ideas

Hi all
I hail from South Africa and own a 2002 Mazda Etude(You call it something else)I got the sports model that came factory fitted wth side skirts,boot spoiler and front spoiler.So far I have freeflow exaust,induction and piggyback.

Now what mods can one still add to make it quicker cause frankly,its not the quickest around and hoping to change that.

Thanking you advance.
Old August-25th-2007 | 03:01 PM
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Welcome to the club!!

Can you post pictures of your car? I really want to see what you have that's comparable to the US models.
Old August-25th-2007 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by KrayzieFox
Welcome to the club!!

Can you post pictures of your car? I really want to see what you have that's comparable to the US models.
I will load some tomorrow sumtime.I basically have the car version of the one you drive(I assume you drive the one in the pic)
Old August-25th-2007 | 07:23 PM
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The best thing you can do to make it faster is to lighten the weight. Stick with 15-16" wheels that are very lightweight. Remove useless items from the car (in my opinion Air conditioning, power steering, rear seats, spare tires, etc). Verify which type of camshafts your engine came with. Look into upgrading them with the japanese market camshafts from the "Sport20" model. Get a Quaiffe limited slip differential. Buy a "Racing Beat" suspension package for the car.

Basically you will spend a lot of money to make it fast but it's worth it if you love the car and want to keep it.
Old August-26th-2007 | 03:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Roddimus Prime
The best thing you can do to make it faster is to lighten the weight. Stick with 15-16" wheels that are very lightweight. Remove useless items from the car (in my opinion Air conditioning, power steering, rear seats, spare tires, etc). Verify which type of camshafts your engine came with. Look into upgrading them with the japanese market camshafts from the "Sport20" model. Get a Quaiffe limited slip differential. Buy a "Racing Beat" suspension package for the car.

Basically you will spend a lot of money to make it fast but it's worth it if you love the car and want to keep it.
How do I source those camshafts cause I have had no luck in SA with getting aftemarket cams.What about uprated fuel pump and things like that?Is it not worth spending the money on that?
Old August-26th-2007 | 10:45 AM
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An uprated fuel pump won't give you anything at this stage.. not until you are pushing serious power (power that you'd need a turbo to reach).

I know here in the states a lot of people got the camshafts from www.corksport.com, as they are a U.S. importer for Japanese parts. I have no idea how good they are about shipping their stuff internationally though
Old August-26th-2007 | 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by _Kansei_
An uprated fuel pump won't give you anything at this stage.. not until you are pushing serious power (power that you'd need a turbo to reach).

I know here in the states a lot of people got the camshafts from www.corksport.com, as they are a U.S. importer for Japanese parts. I have no idea how good they are about shipping their stuff internationally though
Thanks for the feedback.Will look around and see what I can do.Didnt buy the car for the performance and now that I love it so much all I want to do is to make it faster.
Old September-8th-2007 | 08:51 PM
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what engine is in your Etude?
Old September-24th-2007 | 05:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Ken@ProtegeGarage
what engine is in your Etude?
I have the 1.6 litre motor and attached find pics of what mine looks like in SA

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Old September-24th-2007 | 07:14 PM
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The surroundings remind me of Australia. Even the streering wheel is on the "wrong" side.
Old September-24th-2007 | 07:33 PM
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Originally Posted by KrayzieFox
The surroundings remind me of Australia. Even the streering wheel is on the "wrong" side.
What mods can you recommend for my car.Have exhaust,chip and induction so far.
Old September-24th-2007 | 07:53 PM
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Cold air intake is always nice, and a set of headers would work well with your exhaust.

A decent midpipe would also be sweet. What are your laws like about cats/emmisions?
Old September-25th-2007 | 12:44 PM
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Originally Posted by J-Protege
Cold air intake is always nice, and a set of headers would work well with your exhaust.

A decent midpipe would also be sweet. What are your laws like about cats/emmisions?

We dont have major issues with emmisions.A friend of mine heard that there is a pipe that one can block off and it makes a difference,dont know it is pushes the compression up or something.

Anyone know about that?
Old September-25th-2007 | 01:09 PM
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Might be talking about the EGR pipe--not a good idea to block that.

Your engine is the ZM-DE? It's generally accepted that the FS-DE we got in North America doesn't respond that well to bolt-ons. If the same is true for your engine I'd just build on the part Mazda got right--the suspension. Otherwise look into engine swaps or forced induction--but those are huge commitments.

Car looks good! Consider some tint and a drop?
Old September-25th-2007 | 01:58 PM
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We got the ZM-DE (His might not be a DE) on 99-00 DX/LX models in the states. They respond very well to boost. Strong little motors



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