Mazda 6 Forums banner

How can I increase HP in my 4 Cylinder

37K views 37 replies 21 participants last post by  crossbow  
#1 ·
Recently I bought a new Mazda 6i 2.3L and I'm looking to add some horsepower to this baby. Whats the best way to do this? I've considered performance mod chips and possibly an Ingen air intake system. Any recommendations?
 
#2 ·
Never do mod chips, really bad for engine, You will notice you can get them for like 5 bucks off ebay. You get what you pay for
 
#3 ·
Originally posted by justnada22@Nov 15 2005, 11:53 PM
Recently I bought a new Mazda 6i 2.3L and I'm looking to add some horsepower to this baby.  Whats the best way to do this?  I've considered performance mod chips and possibly an Ingen air intake system.  Any recommendations?
[snapback]558564[/snapback]​
Why do you start 2 threads to ask the same question? :headscrat:
 
#6 ·
Well, shit, let's just all post topics in every single Forum to make sure that everyone sees them. That'd be great!

The Forums are divided up for a reason. Duplicating threads only ensures that one or both of them will be locked by a Moderator.

As for your question, it might help if you mentioned how much money you were thinking of spending. A cold air intake is a great option, but not if you have enough that you'd consider forced induction.
 
#7 ·
Originally posted by Sigma@Nov 15 2005, 11:07 PM
Well, shit, let's just all post topics in every single Forum to make sure that everyone sees them.  That'd be great!

The Forums are divided up for a reason.  Duplicating threads only ensures that one or both of them will be locked by a Moderator.

As for your question, it might help if you mentioned how much money you were thinking of spending.  A cold air intake is a great option, but not if you have enough that you'd consider forced induction.
[snapback]558591[/snapback]​

Understandable I'm new to this I just noticed a lot more replies were done in this section than the newbie section.

To answer your question anywhere up to 1000 dollars would be fine for me to upgrade some parts. Whatever will work best I just want to make sure I can see a difference after installation. I dont want to end up spending 200 bucks on some product that is nothing more than a gimmick. Which is why I came here.
 
#10 ·
Understandable I'm new to this I just noticed a lot more replies were done in this section than the newbie section.
Yeah, this Sub-Forum is kind of a catch-all, but perhaps the best place for your thread (and where a Moderator is likely to move this one soon anyhow) is in the 2.3L engine Forum.

There's a lot of different Forums here, so it gets confusing. But, the amount of posts won't make a huge difference in people seeing your thread. Most people who come here regularly search for posts using that "View New Posts" button in the top right hand corner. It shows new posts since your last visit from every single Forum. I don't even know what I'm posting in when I reply to something, I only worry about it when I'm making a new thread. That way it's all in the same area and much easier for someone to search for in the future.

To answer your question anywhere up to 1000 dollars would be fine for me to upgrade some parts. Whatever will work best I just want to make sure I can see a difference after installation. I dont want to end up spending 200 bucks on some product that is nothing more than a gimmick. Which is why I came here.
A Cold-Air Intake is your best option. Many people will say the CP-E is the best, and it is if you're talking about the V6, but the difference between it and the Injen on the 4-Cylinder doesn't justify it's much higher cost in my opinion. I'd go with the Injen or the AEM personally.

Your best power option with the remaining money might very well be headers. Unfortunately, I don't keep up enough with the goings-on with the i4 engine to give you advice on brand to go with there.
 
#11 ·
Well I'm tired of yelling at the new guys so I'll just answer his question with my own brand of humor....get out and push.

No but seriously, some of the car know-it-alls on this board have found that the I4 has ridiculously strong rod bearings and tranny. The best and simplest way to make big horses is to shoot a 150 shot of NOS. It's up to you give or take the jetting amount but some of the members shoot 200 and haven't had problems yet. These sites might get you started. Good Luck!

NOS
Edelbrock
Zex
 
#13 ·
Injen or AEM Intake (you have a chance to throw a CEL with either.) New tires and lighter wheels would help acceleration. You could also upgrade suspension (Id start with rear sway) which wouldn't increase horsepower but would make the car more fun to drive. There really isn't much else right now for the 6i unless you have money for a turbo. If CP-E makes headers for our car then that would be another option.
 
#14 ·
CAIs are helpful, but to really get the extra air they provide into the engine you need a better throttle body. Consider optimizing or boring the TB out. (Makes a significant difference over just a CAI) The stock exhaust is also restrictive. If you look at the piping under the car you will notice there are a couple of 'choke points' where the piping narrows down. Go to an exhaust shop and have these cut out and replaced with 2 1/4" piping. (Expensive mufflers can't fix these problems.)

Bolt on stuff is only the beginning. If you want more power, you have to actually modify some things....
 
#15 ·
Sorry, but I have to recommend the CP-E intake unlike almost everybody else. Playing it safe with no CEL. Then CP-E headers if that ever comes to fruition. Don't go with a new exhaust unless you are only looking for sound. Our exhausts are pretty free-flowing and changing it out will not offer much more if any power. Like Twowheelin said, modify the exhaust "choke points" instead. Little stuff adds up. Search. I read up for over two months before my first post.
 
#19 ·
Everyone has already mentioned improving the car's aspiration. I'm going to be redundant and say it as well. You will get the best gains, aspiration-wise from improving both the intake and the exhaust, including a header.

The next step is to reduce drivetrain loss. A lightened flywheel is one option. Pulleys are another (if you are not going to spring for forced induction).

Also, tires with better grip will help you, since you won't have as many problems with losing traction.
 
#20 ·
Originally posted by twowheelin@Nov 16 2005, 10:28 AM
If you look at the piping under the car you will notice there are a couple of 'choke points' where the piping narrows down. Go to an exhaust shop and have these cut out and replaced with 2 1/4" piping. 
[snapback]558822[/snapback]​

could someone post a diagram where these points would be... it would just be a bit easier going to a shop knowing where these points are, rather than having to look for them when the car is up on the lift.
 
#21 ·
given i've had pretty much everythign on the car at some point i'll try to chime in. first off, 2.3 covered, but MTX or ATX? makes a world of difference. my opinion would be to bypass the CP-E and go with a AEM/Injen and get a scanner...you will probably have enough left over to free up some of those bottlenecks in the exhaust at a muffler shop as well. after that, wheels and tires are going to make the most dramatic improvement. then there is the flywheel (flywheel) or valvebodies (atx) to make it a bit more spirited. and there's always the $30 balance shaft removal kit, now made by Cosworth. I still have the F2 headers sitting in my garage, he's supposed to pick those up from me soon. And CP-E might have something coming in spring if you wanna wait for that. outside of more suspention stuff, that's about it in the pricerange you've put out there. keep in mind install cost if you go with flywheel, valvebodies and balance shaft are cake so no worries there. hit me up if you have any other questions.

also, what kind of driving you like doing, that can make a difference as well.
 
#22 ·
MrTea I have the ATX and Im wondering what i can do to make it a little more spirited as you say. were can i get the parts to make it a better tranny? and with the AEM or Injen wont you throw a CEL code and if thats so were can you get a scanner?
 
#23 ·
i really like the combo of the balance shaft delete and the valvebodies. it's a days work if you can turn a wrench. Hit up Lentech about the valvebodies (350 or so before core i think), and they can also do a new torqu converter if you want, but that is a more involved install. BS shaft, i'll have to look for the company selling the cosworth piece, or you can look on the mazda3 forums or focaljet as they have posts on it as well.

Both of the inakes CAN throw a CEL, some have been over a year without, some don't make it out the driveway. you can get a scanner from many places, just make sure it's CAN cabable. i'd start in the group buy section, usually something going on there. but that way you can scan the car every week/day if you want cause of a CEL, and if something comes up down the line you already have the needed tool.
 
#24 ·
Doncha guys just love the "I own a Mazda6 and would like to know how to increase HP" threads? :D

Brings out the best of us. CP-E and the exhaust is the affordable choice. You might think that the exhaust doesn't give much power, but with the noise it makes, it sure does make it sound faster! Flywheel upgrade may be a bit on the tech part for the newbies.