Okay, here's the scoop! My 95's 3.0 runs great, has low mileage, and gives me no heartache, but I've been craving more power lately. It just feels like when I'm on the freeway and needing to accelerate, that I don't have the ability to do so with ease. I even feel like I may have lost a bit of power. Without altering my gas mileage and spending big bucks, how can I truely gain noticable, functionable performance?

Outside of the K&N, everything is stock.

 

Power cost money, How powerfull can you afford? Seriously can you give us a ball park abount how much money you can spend?
Dave

 

Cheapest, easiest and safest way to increase performance is summed up in one word. AIR.

I have a ’99 XLT 4x4 3.0 Flex Auto and it suffered from poor acceleration and gas mileage. I put on a Gibson CAT-Back exhaust system and now I no longer fear entering the local expressway on-ramp, and I get about 2MPG more. My toy only has 23k miles on it, so I didn’t need a new exhaust, but it has been well worth the $$ and it also sounds and looks good too.

Next mod would be to modify the air box/or air intake, but I hesitate to cut/change mine because my engine is factory original clean… it’s my toy you know.

 

I have a 93 2x2 4.0L the V6 has allot of low in torque but when it gets in the upper RPMs it loses some of it power. On the fwy I cruse at 75 MPH with no problem and going on to the fwy getting up to speed to 65 no problem, I would say faster then most. I don't have big tires, no tool box, no extended cab, no fat wife.

One day I was going up a steep hill fwy just cursing up 55 mpg with just a little gas I happened to look in my real view mirror there was a Toyota truck trying all its might to beat me up the hill. Toyota trucks are so low geared, they go fast at lower speeds and think they are so hot also you don't see Toyota trucks going 75 MPH for vary long on the 75 mph fwy. Hey I have nothing against Toyota trucks but every time I'm on the fwy or going up a hill some truck specially toyota trucks? wants to race to the top. I go the speed limit or try to most of to time. Does anyone have this problem or is it just me that my truck looks slow?

 

That is all very helpful (and funny). My budget for now is $200 or less.

 

$200.00 isn't much. Don't get fooled by little boxs on ebay, or whirl-wind thingys that promise 10-20 hp for 30-50 bucks. They don't work. I would say depending on mileage, a good tune up, plugs,wires,airfilter etc. But only if your close to the tune up mileage mark or have some known problems. Otherwise save your money for a chip or exhaust, they are the most bang for the buck.
Dave

 

Well then tell me about chips, what they do, which ones are good, and how they work. Also, tell me about exhaust. I want to keep as quiet of a ride as posssible, yet I know that that will have to budge a little to gain performance. On a scale of 1 to 10, is there one quieter muffler than another?

 

I put a K&N air filter and a diablo chip in mine (95 mazda B3000) and I also burn 91 octane. It has made a noticeable difference. You have to remember that it's only a 3.0 liter, stock with 155 HP. The chips are available from this site's parts store.

 

Gibson is about the quietest cat-back, I have one and very happy with it.

The chip modifies the PCM programing, the guys on our chip forum could tell you a lot more than I can.

 

I have a '96 Mazda B3000 (3.0L) 4x2 extra cab with the following Performance Modifications:
Flex-a-Lite electric fan Cost around $200 depending on source. BIG increase in power!
Taylor spark plug wires $75
Diablo chip $300 range
B&M - transmission cooler $150 installed (included transmissin service too)
PML - large capacity transmission pan $190 (No performance advantages but looks good and helps the tranny life)
Amsoil installed in engine & transmission - Just buy good synthetic oil.
(Engine oil installed @ 12K miles)
(Transmission @ 25K miles)
Energey Suspension - sway bar bushings (front & rear) $50 range
Bilstein shocks $239.80
Street Smart - Cold air intake system $300 range but can be found cold air systems for much less
From headers back complete exhuast replacement to 2 1/2" pipe. Cost of muffle shop to make and bend tubes about $100
(40 Series Flow Master) $70
(Single high flow cat) $100
(3" crome tip pointed strait back) $30

JBA headers are next on the list of modifications and from everything I've read they are worth every penny. Probably the best bang for the buck. This would be a good investment at $720+ for the silver ceramic coated version.

I can honestly say at 80,400 miles my truck feels WAY stronger than before. It's like having a new truck with a bigger engine.

Good Luck
Mazda_Man