jri4's 2008 Black Mica Mazdaspeed3 Sport Build Thread

[THE Phen]

Brakes are only as good as your tires. Keep that in mind too.

I think your plan will be just fine for what your plans are with the car. There is potential for eventual fade with the HPS. I had some problems when auto-xing the Protege... but after the 6th run. YMMV.

 

[jri4]

Yeah, my winter tires are not going to be too good this summer... Nor are my down-to-the-cord OEM Potenzas...

Still looking around, but pricewise/quality I can't find anything better than the Continental ExtremeContact DW in 235/40/18. So I will be picking those up as soon as my tax return comes in the next two weeks. As for brakes, Napa Rotors and Hawk pads sound good enough for me.

Get it all done by April 1st, then roll my fenders and be ready for this upcoming summer!

 

[WillD]

Sounds like a pretty awesome plan. Even sweeter now that Marlon can get $80 off the Contis.

 

[etipp98]

Nexen N3000's are also a good tire for cheap. Ill be running those when I get my rpf1's.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

Chippy I just got my the tires you mentioned in the same size and they look amazing. It's going to be a very fun spring and summer for our whole Mazda crew!

 

[Lewis7789]

I ran Hawk HPS on my P5 for a couple years now and I liked them. I didn't track the car (other than those two Hyperdrives) or auto-x it but I didn't notice any issues with fading with our fun runs. The squeel of the HP+ would make me not want them for a DD.

And seems like everyone is buying those Conti's! Haha

 

[THE Phen]

Yup, everyone does seem to jump all over things when a deal is presented.

But yeah, I agree with what Evan has said about not feeling fade on a fun run. I never had a problem with them while they were on my P5 (before the MSP upgrade). They will be all that you need. If you find that you're on an HPDE and need more brake, just pick up a set of pads later on.

 

[jri4]

Had a day off today and was able to accomplish a few things. I spent my tax return and then some:

Rotors from NAPA
Hawk HP+ pads thanks to Andrew Racing
235/40-18 Continental ExtremContact DW tires

Still looking to order:
Brake fluid
Caliper paint
Caliper decals

Plan is to disassemble brake system (i.e., remove calipers, rotors, etc. entirely from car) and clean/re-paint the calipers. I must also paint the rotor hats. Reassemble using new rotors and pads. Flush entire brake system, and I believe that will take care of the clutch cylinder as well. Take tires to have them mounted on my OZ wheels. Readjust my suspension for the summer (slightly lower and stiffer). Put tires on car when I feel no more snow is coming and, lastly, get an alignment. All this before April 1st when I have access to a fender roller.

Dropping a little more money than I hoped, but this setup will last me the next 3 years (both summer and winter) without any additional costs.

Just wanted to take the time to put my thoughts down in writing before I continued my spending frenzy... Off to buy brake fluid!

 

[Perro del Sol]

Had a day off today and was able to accomplish a few things. I spent my tax return and then some:

Rotors from NAPA
Hawk HP+ pads thanks to Andrew Racing
235/40-18 Continental ExtremContact DW tires

Still looking to order:
Brake fluid
Caliper paint
Caliper decals

Plan is to disassemble brake system (i.e., remove calipers, rotors, etc. entirely from car) and clean/re-paint the calipers. I must also paint the rotor hats. Reassemble using new rotors and pads. Flush entire brake system, and I believe that will take care of the clutch cylinder as well. Take tires to have them mounted on my OZ wheels. Readjust my suspension for the summer (slightly lower and stiffer). Put tires on car when I feel no more snow is coming and, lastly, get an alignment. All this before April 1st when I have access to a fender roller.

Dropping a little more money than I hoped, but this setup will last me the next 3 years (both summer and winter) without any additional costs.

Just wanted to take the time to put my thoughts down in writing before I continued my spending frenzy... Off to buy brake fluid!

What Brake Fluid do you want? As far as caliper paint, use the G2 system it is the best IMHO. Summit Racing has the ATE Super Blue

 

[Lewis7789]

Marlon, I don't think Summit carries Super Blue... That's why Peaches and I ran the Willwood 570/600 they have on the shelf. And Chippy, I didn't remove my calipers when I painted them, I just cleaned them really well, masked them up really well and sprayed them with a can of caliper paint from Autozone. They are holding up pretty well for about a year.

But sounds like a good plan, buddy! I'm glad you didn't sell your OZ's. I thought you did...

Any Hyperdrives for you and the Speed3 this year?

 

[Perro del Sol]

It comes from the warehouse

 

[Lewis7789]

Oh, you mean if you order it and it's shipped?

 

[jri4]

I ordered ATE Super Blue from tirerack when I ordered my tires. It was the best price (from a reputable seller) I could find at $15 a liter. I ordered two, just in case. If I don't need it, someone else can use it.

And yes, I plan on getting more track time this year. I'm thinking more autocross than anything, however--due to the fact that it is easier on the wallet and car. I just want to be able to test my limits legally. This year I will be able to actually push it without being scared, unlike last year with 80,000 mile old brakes and all season tires!

I sold my original OZs and then picked up Ryan's when he traded his MS3 for the F150, remember? I gave him my stockers for the trade in. I also took his winter setup! I am set for the next three years, I think, without doing anything more than basic maintenance stuff. Coming up on 100,000 miles quick, though...

Edit: I couldn't pull the trigger on caliper paint yet. Right now they are painted red with VHT caliper spray paint. I just want a fresh coat on there. Thinking of going with the G2, but we will see when the time comes. It's not a huge deal to me, I just want it all to look fresh with the new brakes and tires.

 

[hat1018]

imo auto cross is harder on a vehicle than an actual road course. Auto cross is WOT, stand on brakes, repeat as necessary. Where as on track you tend to roll into the throttle then use the brakes as needed. Am I wrong in my thinking?

 

[PrinceValorum]

you tend to roll into the throttle

I don't roll into anything, my throttle is an on/off switch. Get it right.

 

[THE Phen]

imo auto cross is harder on a vehicle than an actual road course. Auto cross is WOT, stand on brakes, repeat as necessary. Where as on track you tend to roll into the throttle then use the brakes as needed. Am I wrong in my thinking?

Who uses the brakes? LOL. My P5 was so damn slow that I used them on a hairpin turn and at the very end. That was usually it.

 

[hat1018]

Oh you guys. So funny, so right.

 

[THE Phen]

I wish I was kidding. LOL. Plus, Northfield Park was laid out such that you would be going quite quickly. That's what assisted in my epic tri-pods.

But enough about that. Back on with James' car.

 

[Lewis7789]

Let's see... slow ass P5, MS3. Yeeeeaaaah... haha

And I totally forgot about Ryans wheels. I'm excited to see you out there, buddy!

 

[Evan9999]

Marlon, I don't think Summit carries Super Blue... That's why Peaches and I ran the Willwood 570/600 they have on the shelf.

I was planning on getting Super Blue, but didn't see them at Summit Racing. So I bought the Wilwood EXP 600 brake fluid and haven't had anything bad to say about it. I did the Beaverun Flat Out day with this fluid and my brakes were great (EBC Yellowstuff and stock rotors). I don't think I experienced any significant fade in performance, but I did have issues with the brake pedal. With the stock rubber brake lines, once I got about 3/4 through a session, the brake pedal became very spongy. I had to push it much harder just to get the job done. I'm pretty sure this was caused by the brake lines, but I'll know if it was the culprit when I do the HPDE at Mid-Ohio in April. I just purchased the Corksport SS brake lines and they came in yesterday.