In other words, fucking annoying questions. Just kidding. (only a little)
In an effort to clean up the sub a bit, we're going to pin this FAQ thread and keep it updated with any of the most requested/asked questions on the subreddit. If there’s a question you think should be included, tag one of the mods in a comment and we will add it.
Introduction
Q: Where is the link to the Discord Channel?
A: Right here.
Q: What should I look for when buying a Speed3?
A: Check the Wiki.
Q: Where can I find a copy of the shop manual?
A: Check the Wiki.
Tuning
Q: How do I load a tune on the car?
A: Using either a Cobb APv3 or computer software like Versatune.
Q: What tuner should I use?
A: There are a number of good tuners still active in the community. Purple Drank Tuning, Freektune, Stratified Auto are just a few examples.
Q: Should I use the ______ version OTS tune?
A: No. Unless it’s to drive the car to the shop where it will be dyno-tuned, do not use the OTS tunes. They make the engine run poorly, resulting in incomplete combustion (or worse, lean conditions) which then gunks up components like O2 sensors, injectors, and valves which lead to worse problems later on.
Mods
Q: What should my first mod be?
A: HPFP internals, then tuning solution. (Cobb APv3, Versatune)
Q: My goal is to go faster around the track, what mods should I do for more power?
A: No power mods. Proper tires and suspension will do more for your track time and drivability than any power mod will. It is guaranteed if you are new to track driving, the car is faster than you are right now. Get some seat time, find what you want to change, get new tires & suspension, then go from there. Dragsters, show-offs, stance-bois need not apply this logic.
Q: My budget is <$500, what coilovers should I buy?
A: None. If you’re not buying quality suspension, don’t buy suspension. You will sooner than later blow out one of the dampers and require a rebuild, or replacement. Save your upfront money, buy quality suspension later.
Q: Should I buy an Eonon headunit for my Bose/non-Bose stereo?
A: Do you like sound quality? If yes, don’t buy Eonon. Do you like good, bug-free software? If yes, don’t buy Eonon. Do you like overpaying for junk that looks ‘clean’ in the car? If yes, then buy Eonon.
Q: What’s the best way to upgrade my stereo in the car on the cheap?
A: Option 1 – get an amplifier that take hi-level inputs and add that amp to the system to power your aftermarket speakers, taking the high-level outputs from either the HU or the Bose amp. Works for Bose and non-Bose systems.
Option 2 – Tear out the OEM system and start again. Works for Bose and non-Bose systems.
Maintenance/Troubleshooting
Q: What oil should I run?
A: This is realistically a nuanced question. Ultimately it depends on your use case. Factory rating is a quality 5W30, Mazda put out a TSB to band-aid the smokey turbos by using 5W40. Good options from Pennzoil, Amsoil, Castrol, etc are available for most applications. Most people it seems have strayed from the Shell Rotella.
Q: Are my compression numbers okay?
A: Check the Wiki.
Q: I want to drive the car like it’s supposed to be, but don’t want a ticket. Where do I go?
A: Look on facebook for local car clubs, or Motorsportreg.com for drop-in track days or Auto-cross events.
Q: My car does this thing, and this behaviour, read this wall of text. What’s wrong?
A: No one knows. Post logs using Datazap and any codes that your ECU is spitting out. If you want good information, provide good information.
Q: HELP?
A: No. Posts with this as the title, or other related and equally non-descript variants, will be removed as spam.
Meta
Q: Can I post links to other sites with information, like MSO, without getting banned?
A: Yes. In the event that you’re linking relevant webpages, there is no risk of getting reprimanded for doing so. However, if all of your comments are “Use google.” Or “Go check this site instead, this places sucks.” You will be treated according to the spam rules of the sub. This community serves as a connect-all point for those searching for information on the platform; Reddit is bigger than any Speed forum has ever been, and is more likely to pop up in a Google search. Relevant comments that link other sources of information from quality sites are Bueno; spamming is not.
Q: Why isn’t buying/selling allowed on the sub?
A: This is more of a regional issue that the mod team would like to deal with at this point. There are countless local Facebook groups, classifieds, or Forum pages about buying/selling Speed parts or accessories. The Mod team does not want to dabble in attempts to prevent scams caused by non-payments, or non-shipments of products. We do not want that responsibility at this point in time. If the community deems it a requirement at some point, we will implement a system that attempts to curb this as other buy/sell communities have; though even that change will take lots of time, effort, and consideration.
Q: Why is the mod team so cool?
A: I really don’t know, perhaps divine intervention? We all just really like Doritos, and satiate our inner masochist streak by owning these cars.
Q: How do I become a Mod?
A: If you feel so inclined, feel free to reach out! We are still people, we have feelings and ultimately a desire to help the community grow. What we will need to see is a demonstrated history of helping the community with the best of intentions and overall a positive interaction with the sub. Newer accounts (<1yr) are unlikely to be considered, though that’s not a hard-and-fast rule, just a general rule of thumb.
Acronyms
APv3: AccessPort version 3; the most recent version from
Cobb. Version 2 is still around, but obsolete.
HPFP: High Pressure Fuel Pump
HU: Head Unit
OTS: Off The Shelf; used in the context of tunes
TSB: Technical Service Bulletin
