3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

10% performance hit (help)

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Old April-26th-2004 | 05:47 PM
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10% performance hit (help)

After installing my amp and everything, and running it for a while, I knew I wasn't going crazy, my car has had a hesitation and I couldnt figure out why till doing a ton of testing.

for example, say your driving along at 60 kmph and you take your foot off the gas and let it engine break to a stop, normally the RPM steadily goes down till .7 x1000 RPM, but with my Auto pumping, and doing the same test, I notice that my RMP needle, is going down, holding for a breif moment, going down holding for a split millisecond and so forth,

So I know for sure my alternator is taking a hit with the Audio,

Question is whats the best course of action,

Capacitor or extra battery?

Any help?

Specs

Mazda Pro 2001 ES 4DR

with
Pioneer 800Watt (running 400watt mono bridge)
and 1x ROCKFORD FOSGATE 4412 12" (200/400)sub.

I got both for practically nothing so thats why I have them, or I would have opted for a less powerful AMP.
Old April-26th-2004 | 06:24 PM
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I would first start off by upgrading all of your wiring in the engine compartment (alternator to battery, battery to ground, etc). Capacitors are generally just a band-aid for this type of probelm, and that's not nearly enough power to need a second battery. Possibly a hi-output alt. if you've got a lot of other stuff (lights, etc), but I doubt you'll need it.

-edit- Although I would still upgrade these wires, I'm still not sure about the real cause of your problem, it sounds rather strange. I have a hard time believing the draw on your alternator is causing the engine to surge like that.

Last edited by 03ESPro; April-26th-2004 at 06:26 PM.
Old April-26th-2004 | 07:20 PM
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ya it doesn't make sense to me either, I turn my music all the way down and the hesitation stops, cause it does it on the way down, and it does it stepping on the gas.

So your vote is for the Hi output Alt. Cause at this rate I am sure this poor guy will not hold out much longer

and you think a Second battery will not be good? someone was telling me about a special battery for such occations as this
Old April-26th-2004 | 07:33 PM
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I would upgrade the wires before I spent $200 on an alternator. Optima batteries are great, and might help a little, but if the wiring can't support the current flow it won't matter. Adding a second battery isn't really needed unless your running a huge system and/or playing it a lot without the engine on.
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