Mazdaspeed3 Extreme Performance

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SURE Motorsports sent me the Aeros short-ram intake and the Sidewinder turbo inlet pipe. I installed these parts as soon as I got them in. The install was relatively simple as you will see in my DIY. After the install I had to wait a few days for the ECU to relearn the Air/fuel ratios and get the true power out of the aftermarket parts. So after driving the car for 2 weeks I finally have something to report. (Right image: Stock engine bay of the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 [Before])

SURE Motorsports’ Sidewinder Turbo inlet Pipe

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Even though I had to wait for a little bit to let the ECU relearn, I instantly felt the change. When I first started the car it was a little shaky and struggled to idle for few seconds. It quickly smoothed out and all you heard was this wonderful sound coming from the engine bay. It sounded like a Jet about to take off as the Aeros short-ram intake sucked in massive amounts of air. Eventually the choke set in and it quieted down to a nice smooth idle. After the initial start, every time thereafter, I never felt the jittery startup again.

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To give you a sense of the way this new intake system sounds, image what a semi-truck sounds like when it accelerates. The hi-pitch hissing the massive turbos and intakes produce as they take in air. When accelerating normally you hear a vortex of air being pulled into the turbo. It’s a hollow, steady, powerful sound that makes you want to mash the gas pedal all the time! Under full throttle it produces a hi-pitched hiss similar to what the movies think a Raptor sounds like. Either way it sounds like Power!

When you release the gas and the throttle body valve closes all that air gets recirculated through the bypass valve. The stock air intake setup of the 2010 mazdaspeed 3 usually does not make a noticeable noise when this happens. With this new setup it sounds as though you have a modestly set blow-off valve. As of this installation, I do not have a aftermarket blow-off valve. However, I bet most people think I do now!

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As for the power of this simple, inexpensive modification… Instant gratification. These 2 simple modifications allow much more air to pass directly to the turbo and have created a very noticeable increase to my torque. Air is quickly, and much more efficiently, inducted to the turbo creating a higher air ratio for a larger combustion. This instant power creates a “stick to your seat” feeling you can’t get enough of. Second and third gear pulls are amazingly strong, and more importantly, steady and smooth all the way through the powerband.

SURE Motorsports offers the Aeros short-ram Intake and the Sidewinder turbo inlet pipe in a variety of colors as well. I chose black for a clean stealthy look and as you can see from the picture to the right, all parts fit perfectly within the confines of the original 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 engine. All sensors are accounted for so there is no annoying check engine light and all plastic fits back with no modifications as well. Nice, simple and clean!

Rating:

5 of 5

After driving the car for 2 weeks in a variety of fashions, overall the Aeros and Sidewinder are top notch products. Under normal driving it increased fuel economy due to the better mixture of air to fuel. More air and less fuel to create equal power always adds up to good! Under “assertive” driving conditions the direct and increased torque lend well to quicker 60 foot times or just an overall better, spirited drive. The price is right, installation is a breeze and the gains are amazing! These products come highly recommended if you are looking for an inexpensive and safe way to add more noticeable power to your 2010 Mazdaspeed 3.

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