The DD MS3

323

(u_u) ...zZzZzzz
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Hello all. New to ms3's but not new to Mazda's. Starting a thread to keep track of my 2008 ms3's maintenance, to do lists, and photos. Purchased the car yesterday and will be picking it up later today. Car looks to be kept in very good condition but as always, there's a little work to get it just the way we all want it.

Maintenance and expenses:
  • 10/22/2019: 76893 - Purchased vehicle
  • 10/27/2019: 76941 - Replaced battery. Autocraft Silver. (115.79)
  • 10/29/2019: Misc - Eonon head unit GA9351 with accessories A0119N, V0056, R0008 (279.99)
  • 11/04/2019: 77065 - Replaced following:
    • Endlinks: MOOG K750073 (45.58)
    • Passenger motor mount: WESTAR EM5362 (41.79)
  • 11/11/2019: 77170 - Changed transmission fluid. Motorcraft XTM5QS. (48.27, 3 quarts)
  • 11/25/2019: Misc - Eonon A0585 Apple Car Play Dongle (63.59)
  • 11/25/2019: 77450 - Replaced front sway bar bushings. OEM B37F-34-156B (29.28)
  • 12/03/2019: 77600 - Changed oil. Cleaned MAF. (43.00)
  • 2019 Total: 667.29 (323.71 expenses, 343.58 misc)
  • 02/02/2020: 80045 - Replaced Vapor Canister Purge Valve/Solenoid. Dorman 911702. (19.99)
  • 02/29/2020: 80775 - Installed Cobb SF intake & filter (gifted)
  • 04/16/2020: 81289 - Replaced following:
    • Front strut mounts: Ford CV6Z-18183-A (31.50)
    • Front strut bearings: Ford DV6Z-18198-C (52.62)
    • Front bump stops: Dorman 523-043 (25.42)
  • 05/17/2020: Misc - Tuningpros SS-224 Windshield Shade. (35.95)
  • 06/24/2020: 81652 - Changed oil. (43.00)
  • 06/25/2020: 81652 - Replaced serpentine belt, tensioner, idler pulley. GATES kit 90K38408E. (71.79)
    • GATES 38408. Belt Tensioner
    • GATES 36263. Idler Pulley
    • GATES K060911A. Serpentine Belt
  • 06/29/2020: 81652 - Installed passenger fender liner (33.85) and clips (10.62) since it was missing.
  • 07/22/2020: 82000 - Installed driver axle & seal. Inspected passenger axle, boot is ok.
    • Front axle set: DTA MZ23132302 (160.06)
    • OEM axle seals: (2) Mazda A601-27-238 (38.48)
  • 08/11/2020: 82228 - Plugged rear driver side tire (20.00)
  • 08/13/2020: Misc - UltraGauge EM Plus v1.4 (94.17)
  • 09/02/2020: 83190 - 1 Conti DWS06 tire (191.22)
  • 09/19/2020: 83299 - Installed Dorman 03608 cv boot repair kit (14.83)
  • 09/22/2020: 83313 - State Inspection
  • 10/02/2020: 83444 - Sold!
  • 2020 Total: 865.50 (733.38 expenses, 130.12 misc)
Goodies (* came with the car):
  • Upgraded TMIC *
  • TWM short shifter *
  • JBR rear motor mount *
  • HKS blow off valve, recirculated *
  • HKS short ram intake * (removed)
  • Koni Orange 1125-1039 STR.T Suspension Kit *
  • Rally Armor mud flaps *
  • Cobb SF short ram intake
Because I have a bad memory, I'll be jotting down my notes here.

  • Notes:
    • Stock spring rates: 188F/171R lb/in or 3.3F/3.0R KG/mm
  • Parts:
    • Brakes
      • Front rotors: Centric 12545078
    • Light bulbs
      • Low beam: D2S
      • High beam: 9005
      • Fog light: 9006
    • Oil filter tool: 76mm, 14 flutes
    • Wheels (2nd gen) are 18x7.5 +52
  • Torque Specs
    • Axle nut: 174-202 ft/lbs
    • Strut Knuckle Bolt 39-54 ft/lbs
    • Transmission drain plug: 20.2-37.5 ft/lbs
 
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Here's a couple pics taken by the previous owner.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Bqn7CdG/0/L/i-Bqn7CdG-L.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-5CxZv2G/0/L/i-5CxZv2G-L.jpg

My first pics!

i-wB9D7tt-XL.jpg


i-fMrsXqf-XL.jpg


i-gVTjXhW-XL.jpg


i-r8WmjxG-XL.jpg
 
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You still got some of that bug spray I left at your house? Spray yo self haha
 
Sigh. After trying to convince me to get one as a DD I might after I check yours out

(Also subbing btw. Can't wait to see what you do!)
 
Since you already have an aftermarket intake and tmic, consider saving money for upgrading the fuel pump internals before doing any more engine mods. If you can contact the previous owner, ask them if they've already upgraded the fuel pump internals. There is no way to tell other than to take it out of the car to inspect it.

If you do proceed with modding it for more power/performance, consider reading this:
http://stratifiedauto.com/blog/the-modification-path-in-a-mazdaspeed-vehicle/
 
Hey finch204, I appreciate the information. I will read that article later next week just to educate myself about the car. Fortunately, the previous owner is someone I'll be keeping in contact with. The car does not have HPFP internals installed and I do not plan on any additional engine/power mods. It's fine to me as is and the plan is to maintain and enjoy it.
 
Replaced the battery yesterday before the random pockets of storms came through our area. Does anyone know if the fuel door is easily replaced with a plain silver one? I'm not too much of a fan of the current style.
 
Replaced the front end links and passenger motor mount yesterday. Took the car for a spin and the symphony of rattles and clunks are gone. Now you can clearly hear the front strut mount and bearings shot so that's being added to the to do list.

By the time I started on the passenger motor mount, the sun had already set and I was working in the dark on the driveway lol. Something to get used to again. Garage is being hogged by a Subaru at the moment. The aftermarket motor mount didn't have a threaded bolt hole for a ground wire that connects to the original mount so I ended up extending the wire to another grounding point nearby.
 
Replaced the front end links and passenger motor mount yesterday. Took the car for a spin and the symphony of rattles and clunks are gone. Now you can clearly hear the front strut mount and bearings shot so that's being added to the to do list.

By the time I started on the passenger motor mount, the sun had already set and I was working in the dark on the driveway lol. Something to get used to again. Garage is being hogged by a Subaru at the moment. The aftermarket motor mount didn't have a threaded bolt hole for a ground wire that connects to the original mount so I ended up extending the wire to another grounding point nearby.
ahh forever fixing. glad you figured it out.

pretty! but i dont like the wheels.
 
I don't hate them but they need to be a darker color for some contrast. I thought about repairing and painting a spare set of mp3 wheels for it lol. But low priority.
 
I don't hate them but they need to be a darker color for some contrast. I thought about repairing and painting a spare set of mp3 wheels for it lol. But low priority.

those wheels would be so small on it! want some 08 ms3 wheels?
 
Maybe. How much did you want for them? 17's don't look too bad on the car though. Travis runs 17's and it looks good to me. His car is the red 2nd gen in the pics I sent you last weekend.
 
Changed the trans fluid two days ago and finally took it to work today. First to second gear grind is gone. All gear engagement is smooth. Used to get a weird jerk going from first to second which appears to be gone too. It made me think I forgot how to drive.
 
I like your car, I have a 2007 MS3 that I am getting the engine rebuilt on. It is at the machine shop now but I am having difficulty finding any of the specifications for the engine block. Does anyone know where I can get the crankshaft and cylinder bore information for it? I purchased an FSM but it only had information on the heads, oil pump and timing components, nothing about the block.
 
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