jri4's 2008 Black Mica Mazdaspeed3 Sport Build Thread

[jri4]

So I finally got around to cleaning the EGR valve. I did purchase a new EGR Valve Gasket just for piece of mind from RockAuto for $5 shipped. No biggie. So I pulled off the intake and battery and everything to access the EGR (thanks for the how-to on that, Raider!) and got the EGR valve cleaned up nice and tidy. Good news: 20 miles since resetting the ECU and no CEL. Last time I cleaned it it lasted about 1 year / 20,000 miles and I did a much better job this time around.

The bad news is that when I took off my Corksport intake and TIP, the nipple of the TIP was broken! I am not sure how the car would react, but it certainly can't be good! Here is a pic of the TIP so you know which one I'm talking about--it's the nipple that everyone complains about breaking the plastic one off the engine--except I did the exact opposite!

Anyways, it is one of the first intakes that Corksport produced for the CX7, which I had laying around and stuck on my car for the last 35,000 miles. I am a little dissapointed in the quality of the welds on it though and that the nipple broke...Anyhow, I was planning on switching to red couplers anyways to go along with my black/red theme (the CX7 was going to be Galaxy grey/blue...). So for now the stock airbox is installed while I work out my next move for an intake.

1. Buy a whole new intake setup
2. Try and fix (weld) the Corksport TIP, keep the Cork intake but buy new couplers that are red.
3. Fix and keep the TIP, sell the corksport intake and purchase SURE aeros in black/red

I am actually leaning toward #3 because I believe my neighbor has the capacity to fix the TIP. I like the style of the new SURE Aeros intake and with my sponsorship discount, I believe I get 25% off of SU products....so it will cost me $130. If I can sell my Corksport intake (the MAF design and everything is excellent in quality on the Corksport intake piece--its jsut the TIP I'm not thrilled about) for $100, I will most certainly go this route. Let me know if you have any ideas on what i should do!

So I fixed one issue and created one more. Oh well. I hate the stock airbox. You cannot hear the turbo, engine, or BPV. And my girlfriend could actually talk to me without yelling overtop the engine. Like I said, I hate it!

Still need to fix my Halo lights. The driver side fuse keeps blowing. Any ideas, please let me know--I havent even started looking into the issue. And eventually I need brakes. I think I will hold off on wheels/tires and run allseasons this summer. Then I'd like to find FD RX7 wheels and put a fresh set of winters on them for this winter. Then I will msot definitely need new summer rubber next year.

Sorry for the long post. Thanks for reading and any comments, questions, and suggestions are welcome!

 

[jri4]

Try swapping the ballast on the driver side to the passenger side and see if you blow the fuse on the side.

Did this today, and the ballast in question wouldn't get power to the passenger side halo at all-although the fuse never blew. Now I will see if the driver side (the original blown side) blows again with the "good" ballast. Something tells me it is fine, which means I just need a new ballast. Time to search DDM Tuning and see if they stand up to their lifetime warranty!

70 miles after cleaning the EGR valve and re-installing the OEM airbox--check engine light is back on. I still need to read the code and see what it is. CELs are so frustrating! And I am still determining whether or not I can fix my Turbo Inlet Pipe..

 

[Lewis7789]

I would say ask Josh to weld a new tube on but I'm not sure if he can Tig weld or not. I think he can just Mig weld... There's got to be a solution.

 

[jri4]

Next time I see him I will make sure I have it with me and ask him about it. It's worth a shot!

Yesterday I also installed vinyl eyelids from RSvinyl as well. I will get some pictures of them up ASAP!

 

[jri4]

Okay, a few new updates:

1.) 70 miles after resetting the ECU and the CEL is back on. I was too lazy to read it the past few days, but will do so tomorrow for sure. I can't believe that cleaning the EGR valve didn't work... So it may be a different issue this time. But the car seems to run fine, but I haven't taken it into boost hardly at all, shifting under 3000 rpms until I figure out the problem.

2.) So the driver side Halo keeps blowing the fuse. So I switched ballasts--now the passenger side will not even come on! So I am guessing it is the ballast that is bad. Ordered a new 12V CCFL power inverter from this website here. I hope it fixes the problem, or else I'm out $17 bucks. Not too shabby, I'll take that risk!

3.) I think I am going to try everything I can to keep my TIP and SRI. I think my neighbor can weld them for me, or my uncle, or a cat in Akron...I will, however, order new silicone couplers in red to replace the blue ones. It is purely a cosmetic thing, but whatever. Should be able to get the pieces I need for about $20 or so, I reckon.

4.) Installed new vinyl eyelids created by RS Vinyl. He's a good guy. Anyways pics:

So I will update tomorrow with the CEL code, then keep everyone posted on what goes down with the angel eyes and my intake. I crave the sounds of my intake sooooo bad!

In the meantime I've been looking at new wheels and summer tires. 17x8.25 XXR 527 Chromium Black wrapped in 245/45/17 Hankook Ventus V12 is looking tempting if I can find somewhere that has both in stock and willing to mount/balance for free...

 

[jri4]

CEL P0442-Evaporative Emission System Leak Detected (small leak) From what information I've gathered, basically the gas cap isn't tight or there is a problem within the fuel tank system (which has a TSB, by the way). If that is not the problem, then it could be a certain EVAP solenoid or something--which I'd have to research further so I don't sound like an idiot. All I know is this solenoid can get stuck and needs poked to free it up or replaced. Either way, no big deal and the car seems to run fine. I certainly am not smelling gas or anything like that, however, I do believe the car is running richer than normal.

Being the weekend, my neighbor should be around to ask about welding my TIP. I seriously cannot stand my car in stock form any longer!

No updates on the ballast I ordered. No word that it was even shipped...

Looking ahead on my schedule, I may be able to spend a day fully detailing my car next Thursday! We will see what happens...

 

[jri4]

Looking for a quick answer sometime tonight, LOL:

1. What years did the Mazda 6 have those 17" 5 spoke wheels with the little twist in the spokes?

I'm calling junkyards tomorrow to see what I can find in a 17" wheel to create a winter setup. What other wheels would you suggest that I can find dirt cheap? Here are my options so far:

1. FD RX7 16"
2. Mazda6 17" 5-spoke
3. Miata 17" (NC?)

What else? Help me out brudders! Thanks guys

 

[Perro del Sol]

2003/2004 they weigh 23 lbs.

 

[jri4]

Thanks for all the help on my winter wheels. I am also considering a set of 04-06 Mazda3 wheels and racingharts if they can be had for cheap.

1st post updated with a more current photo from my trip to the beach in Virginia! Check it out!

 

[Lewis7789]

We need to have a Team Ohio picture day. That would be a lot of epicness. But that's a great pic, Chippy.

And you could run a lot of wheels on the MS3 for the winter, even other companies wheels. Like Ford wheels or something. Wes and I have been hitting a lot of junk yards lately and I'm always looking at other companies parts saying "Hmm, I like that. I bet that would fit...".

 

[Perro del Sol]

Thanks for all the help on my winter wheels. I am also considering a set of 04-06 Mazda3 wheels and racingharts if they can be had for cheap.

1st post updated with a more current photo from my trip to the beach in Virginia! Check it out!

I also know someone who has the 18" Mazda Snow flakes wheel. I do have acess to 3 2005.5 Racing Hart MSP wheels too!

 

[jri4]

Thanks for offering up, guys. The one offer I have on a set of winter wheels will be hard to beat. I am just not sure if I need to go that route or not yet. My dad said he would call around to junkyards tomorrow as well, much like Evan suggested...

Let me just say this--what I am trying to figure out is if a deal I have found is killer enough to trade my OEM wheels + cash for a set of summer wheels, and also purchase a dedicated winter setup for as little money as humanly possible. If I can succeed, my car will be back reach a new level of epicness that has hence been unforseen, LOL!

And yes, many pictures will be taken of Team Ohio all together at the BBQ fo sho. A nice photoshoot is definitely in order, though. Find a nice urban setting and all meet there to do individual shots and groups. We have enough decent photographers (myself, Wes, Levi, etc...) that between all of us the shoot should go quickly and turn out some nice shots. We still need to redo the Swensons shoot as well....

anyways, enough rambling....off to the airport to pick up Justine's dad!

 

[PrinceValorum]

And yes, many pictures will be taken of Team Ohio all together at the BBQ fo sho. A nice photoshoot is definitely in order, though.

Still waiting on those...

I got my 6 wheels for 250 with tires. Only two of the tires were good, so I sold them on craigs for 100$. I essentially got 4 wheels from a Mazda 6 for 150$, and they were not in terrible shape, either!

 

[jri4]

Nothing new to update-just enjoying the car as is. She's got over 77,000 miles now. Next week will be our two year anniversary together! (August 8th) So that means 33,000 miles in two years. Not too shabby!

At this point I feel content with the car. So no upgrades unless something wears out or breaks. Do I need new brakes? Maybe, but I'm going to go as long as possible before dropping that cash. My all-season tires should last through the winter as long as we are not hammered...then next spring I can look into Summer tires or a wheel/tire combo. Any performance upgrades are going to be too costly at this point--needing a tune and monitoring devices can be expensive! The only thing I may do still this summer is cut out my resonators for a louder/deeper exhaust tone. Not a bad way to spend $80 or less on this car!

I haven't been able to get out and do as much with my car as I would have liked this summer. But I guess I will now focus on paying it off (still owe $11,400) and starting a new chapter in my life!

 

[Lewis7789]

and starting a new chapter in my life!

Ummm, what? Engagement ring? What?

 

[fishdonotbounce]

I can't believe I'm not subbed to this thread yet lol. I am now.

 

[Evan9999]

Nothing new to update-just enjoying the car as is. She's got over 77,000 miles now. Next week will be our two year anniversary together! (August 8th) So that means 33,000 miles in two years. Not too shabby!

At this point I feel content with the car. So no upgrades unless something wears out or breaks. Do I need new brakes? Maybe, but I'm going to go as long as possible before dropping that cash. My all-season tires should last through the winter as long as we are not hammered...then next spring I can look into Summer tires or a wheel/tire combo. Any performance upgrades are going to be too costly at this point--needing a tune and monitoring devices can be expensive! The only thing I may do still this summer is cut out my resonators for a louder/deeper exhaust tone. Not a bad way to spend $80 or less on this car!

I haven't been able to get out and do as much with my car as I would have liked this summer. But I guess I will now focus on paying it off (still owe $11,400) and starting a new chapter in my life!

I've been looking into deleting my resonators too!! From the Youtube videos I keep seeing, it sounds amazing. Let me know when you do yours and where. I wanna hear it in person and also have a trust-worthy place to get it done at haha

 

[jri4]

1st post has been slightly updated (just to keep it current):

Getting close to time for an oil change...just in time for a case of Castrol Titanium Edge! LOL--Kayden's got 79,000 now...

I started looking at mods again (oh no). I think I'd like to finish up my "shifting" mods. This means getting the SURE shortcut, SURE counterweight, TWM heavy shift knob, and a TRZ tranny mount. After that stuff, I am done with tranny mods until my clutch blows! I'd like to get this stuff taken care of before the end of this year...

...then next spring will be brakes. After that I will need tires--but if I get tires I want to go back to aftermarket wheels. So I hope in the spring to be able to take care of all of this. Good thing I have a big boy job now to pay for all this! LOL

 

[WillD]

Are you going to have any of the shifting mods done before Mid-Ohio? I'm curious how the shortcut makes the shifter feel with your replacement shifter. I have a TWM short throw and have been thinking about a James Barone SSP/counterweight and heavy knob.

 

[Perro del Sol]

1st post has been slightly updated (just to keep it current):

Getting close to time for an oil change...just in time for a case of Castrol Titanium Edge! LOL--Kayden's got 79,000 now...

I started looking at mods again (oh no). I think I'd like to finish up my "shifting" mods. This means getting the SURE shortcut, SURE counterweight, TWM heavy shift knob, and a TRZ tranny mount. After that stuff, I am done with tranny mods until my clutch blows! I'd like to get this stuff taken care of before the end of this year...

...then next spring will be brakes. After that I will need tires--but if I get tires I want to go back to aftermarket wheels. So I hope in the spring to be able to take care of all of this. Good thing I have a big boy job now to pay for all this! LOL

Let me know about any SURE parts you need, we'll get you set up and taken care of.