Well hello people. Im new up here. Im from Norfolk, Va. I have a 2006 Mazda3 touring 2.3. Its Winning Blue wit da spoiler n sunroof. Ill have pics soon. I love da way the car handles. I also added my own chrome trim n cosmetic changes to give my car a Unique look. I know haterz will show up once i post my pix. As far as modding goes, whats the best component to start with. I had the resonator takn off so the pipes would sound louder stock( i read it on another mazda site n got it done myself). Its an OK sound but I want some Rumbling...lol I read the K @ N thread but i still got questions. First, i heard they have an upgrade high flow air filter that fits into the stock box w/o any modding. Is this true, and if so, what gains r there from it? Noticeable? any change in the sound from exhaust? Is that air filter better than gettn a cold air intake upgrade? Is da Damn Tornado any good n our Mazda's? what other upgrades or Mods can be done to increase performance thats not expensive as hell...lol I really like this club/forum. Its very informative and i like da way people individualized their mazda in their own way. I like to b different n not have mines' look like everyone else's. ive also been thnkn bout gettn them rx-8 rims and tires. I saw the pix n the other threads of people with them. Im lovin how they look. whats the largest rim and tire size can our cars handle without too much changing of suspension or spacers or whatever? This is my first Thread/post up here so Id appreciate some feedback from the Vets up here.

 

ok, lets see.

a K&N drop in filter really wont do much to affect horsepower or sound.
IMO, just get a CAI, that way you get a nice sound out of it, and you will get better fuel economy, because the stock airbox is really restrictive.
a drop in filter is about $70, my fujita CAI cost me $200.
the money i have saved in gas has already paid for it....

some other cheap mods would be some body mods.
ie, front lip, grill, eyelids, etc etc.
im getting mine soon for around ~$400.. but then i have to paint them still.....

for the largest rims you can put on a 3, i've seen 20's. but i would NEVER go that big.
why?
a) the ride quality would suck ***
b) your running on like, 30 series tires.....
c) your braking and acceleration would suffer.... greatly.
d) the large wheels will raise the car a couple inches, and make it look terrible.
e) they're expensive as hell (as opposed to 17's or 18's

myself, i wouldnt go any bigger than 18's.
currently, im runnig 17's, aftermarket, of couse. :P

i hope this helps

and welcome to the forum!!

 

whats good fellow Mazda owners? thanks for the feedback n id love to get more. Heres some pix of my ride. Heres to answer some questions i know will b coming once i post them. I put chrome trim around the front lights, back lights, and grill. Gives it a more luxury sporty look. I like being different . I love my car and take pride n it like all of u do n ur ride's. I also chromed the tip of the car. the 2 rails. I put the diamond studs on the finders. I also have chrome vents. the pix wit da vents r the most recent stage of my exterior modding. I know theres haters out there but oh well. here goes. give me feedback. damn....how do i post my pix up here w/o using a website(http). please help

 

Don't even consider the "Tornado". It's a waste of money and doesn't do anything. You'll be MUCH better off with a CAI. IMO the best thing to do will be get a CAI, exhaust, header, etc. You'll feel a nice bump in performance with those. Also even tho the car handles well now if you want it on rails put a set of springs or coilovers (whichever you've got funds for) and it'll help it even more. Good luck.