Say Chi Sin Lo's 2009 CWP MS3 GT

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Say Chi Sin Lo's 2009 CWP MS3 GT **Updated 4-17-11**

This is not going to be the most exciting topic ever. I personally have a minimumist's approach to the car, so if you're expecting double wings, snow plowing lips and etc, please look elsewhere.

Instead of scattering my pictures throughout the forum, I'd figure I'll just concentrate them all here. Some are them are new, while some of them are old. Anyways, enjoy!

Exterior
Side modding removal.
Clear lens mod with 2x washers.
Yellow fogs.
Shark Fin! :lol:
Rally Armor Urethane mudflaps w/Yellow letters

Interior
Cool white LED's (more blue than anything though )

Suspension
NONE!

Wheels/tires
Winter setup, 2004-2006 OEM Mazda3 16's w/Dunlop Winter Sport 3D 205/60/16
Summer setup, 2004-2008 OEM Mazda RX-8, powdercoated Steel Gray Pearlescent, Bridgestone RE040 225/45/18

Engine/Drivetrain
MS CAI
CP-E Turbo Inlet
Forge v1 black
TWM Short Throw Shifter
J Barone Racing Solid Bushings
J Barone Racing Counterweight
J Barone Racing Heavy Shift Knob

Future plans?
CP-E RMM
Turbosmart dual-port/HKS SSQV BPV **looking to trade my Forge!**
KW Coilovers v2/v3, unless something better comes along
Some sort of engine tuning

No plans of doing any exhaust mods, I like my car as quiet as possible and I'm not out to be the most powerful MS3 anyway.

Here are the pictures, enjoy!

NEW!

The Purple!

Winter setup + Shark Fin! :lol:

I'll update as I make slow progress with the car.

 

[Chaddy]

very nice! always loved white MS3's

 

[spdjnke]

Hey crazy guy (canton translation) you interested in some Cork Sport Rear motor mount inserts? I would suggest those instead of RMM, works just as well WITHOUT any the vibes etc...As for the other Future stuff I can't help ya with, but I do have a set of MINT condition MS6 rims with EVO V12's NEW and TPMS that I need to part with any interest??

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Hey crazy guy (canton translation) you interested in some Cork Sport Rear motor mount inserts? I would suggest those instead of RMM, works just as well WITHOUT any the vibes etc...As for the other Future stuff I can't help ya with, but I do have a set of MINT condition MS6 rims with EVO V12's NEW and TPMS that I need to part with any interest??

Thank you for the offer. Currently I am interested in the CP-E 65duro. I haven't really considered the inserts because I don't see them as a permanent fix. I can be wrong, but don't those inserts need to be replaced eventually from normal wear/tear?

If you offered me the MS6 wheels/v12's a week earlier, I would have taken it. I just got myself a set of very good condition RX-8's with newish Bridgestone RE040 and will powder them to a shade of gunmetal. Sorry!

 

[spdjnke]

I have the CP-E in right now and I'll probably end up taking it out as soon as the weather warms, I will go back to the CS MMI for sure, does the same job as the CPE minus the Vibes/drone, didn't use the damn A/C cuz of the drone!! bastard of a piece really...anyhow I'm glad you got your RX8's those seem to be VERY popular.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Well I'll tell you why I decided towards RX-8.

1) Cost. RX-8's were $400, Bridgestones were $200, though shipping kind of killed the deal. Needed new tires anyways, and a fresh set of summer tires would have set back ~$500-600 with installation and everything. The tires have 5k on them, that's not a whole lot considering I got them for $200.
2) I LOVE how simple and striking the RX-8's look. It's a simple thick 5 spoke design, the unassuming design goes well with the MS3. It's striking (to me) because of the sharp edges. Small details like the little holes around the nuts. I think it flows really while with the sleeper look of the MS3.
3) Gunmetal: I love color contrasts. Although I'm not a fan of black wheels or those that are too dark, because it just looks dirty/coated with brake dust. When it's all said and then, the powdercoat will be a lighter shade of gunmetal.

Originally, I was going to get a set of OZ Allegerita's. For something un-forged, they're really light. But I feel like a DD driver like me won't benefit much from lighter wheels. The whole purpose of getting wheels for me is the ability to run wider tires (235 or 245 in the future). I like the stance, and there's almost nothing I won't do to tame the torque steer.

I'm going to powdercoat them in about 2 weeks. Just imagine your favorite "Hyper Silver" but with a shade of gray to it, and that's how the RX-8's will turn out.

 

[blue-sun]

Pardon my noobness, what's the 2x wash mod?

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Pardon my noobness, what's the 2x wash mod?

It's the clear lens mod for the stock HID projectors. The clear lens creates a SUPER sharp cutoff. Adding a #8 washer between the projectors will add some purple-ness to the cutoff. Double the washers, double the purple! (But the cutoff sharpness goes down a little)

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Wheels teaser!

Picture this...

With this powdercoat

Same color, just different angles

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

 

[rmgedon69]

did you resolved your "4th gear THUD"?

 

[WillD]

What shift knob? Details on the other pieces?

Very nice MS3 btw. (thumb)

 

[rmgedon69]

What shift knob? Details on the other pieces?

Very nice MS3 btw. (thumb)

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123790132-NEW-JBR-Shift-Knobs-in-Stock!

 

[Hank3]

Wheels teaser!

Picture this...

With this powdercoat

Same color, just different angles

I did this last year with my Cosmic Blue. It'll look great on your CWP

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

did you resolved your "4th gear THUD"?

Nope, it's still THUDDING and THUMPING. Maybe this stuff will resolve it?

I haven't installed them yet. But the shift knob is dense as hell! I'd imagine it'll crack a skull if I throw it at someone. Also, part of the reason why I bought it because of how it looks. It's simple, clean, and goes with the rest of the car's interior! Everything is from J Barone Racing:

Short Shift Plate
Shifter Weight
Heavy Shift Knob (650grams!)

And here's another teaser pic of the completed wheels...

 

[rmgedon69]

nice...

 

[spdjnke]

post a pic when it's done so we can all get an idea.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

So, here is my impression of the TWM Short Throw Shifter:

It definitely shorten the throw by a lot, and that's about all it does I think. I was slightly disappointed because it's still not stupid short like the new MX-5 or the RX-8 shifter. Oh well, it's the best this car can do so far.

J Barone Racing Solid Bushings:

I think I spent more time aligning the bushings with the shifter base than anything. But I am liking them ! It takes more effort to engage each gears and the feedback is much more positive. If anything, the bushings made the shifter even more notchy, and I love that. I hate how on some other cars, it's so smooth that it doesn't feel like I'm in gear.

I should note that this combination has not solved the "vague" gear disengagement when the car is under load. Nor does it solve the "vague" 1st gear disengagement if you keep the car in 1st for a long time (say, like on a steep downhill and you're running into stop signs after every short block).
This combination still hasn't solved the 4th gear *THUD!*/*THUMP!* engagement.
I feel like those two minor annoyances have more to do with what's going on underneath the hood/car than the shifter assembly itself. So I'm not THAT disappointed.

Reverse

Neutral

3rd

Yes I'm still rocking the stock boot. I prefer the loose look versus the fitted look.

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I'd imagine the finish would look good under the fluorescent shine

 

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Some more driving impression regarding the STS and solid bushings.

First of all, I don't understand why some people complained about the stock shifter. Maybe because I haven't driven very many manual cars, but I thought the stock throws were not terrible at all. A few of my friends agree with me too, and these are people who drive Audi TT, BMW M3, Golf GTI. Could it be improved upon? Sure, what isn't? But on a $25k budget high performance car, I wasn't complaining.

Case in point, just getting used to the shorter throws, I was downshifting into 2nd from 3rd, and I mistakenly put it into 4th. With the STS, 2nd and 4th are REALLY close to each other.

With the solid bushings, gone is the loose change feeling and while it's no s2000, it's gotten a hell of a lot closer

I will be installing the J Barone Racing Short Shift Plate + Counterweight tomorrow.