Recent content by goldwing2000

Update on my OG 2004 3S Hatch: I bought it new in February 2004, had 320,000 miles on it in September 2017 and it was still my daily driver. Lots of little things wrong with it (TNS relay, fuel tank leak, e-brake non-functional, body rusting out) but the engine still looked brand new on the...

Honestly, I never found any deficiencies in the stock suspension, even after dozens of "fun runs" with my local driving club. Unless you're wanting to do full-on track days or just want to lower the car for aesthetics, Mazda did a great job of setting up the 1st gen 3. Sent from my Z932L using...

Made a big difference on mine. Improved driving feel and also improved fuel economy.

If you go with a 225/35-19, you won't have any issues since it's the same diameter as a 225/40-18.

ALWAYS iridiums!! How many miles do you have on it? Iridium plugs are good for damn near the life of the car. I change mine every 100k just because I'm old school but the ones I take out always look fine and the car never runs any different with new plugs.

Have you measured fuel pump voltage while the pump is still plugged in (back-probe the plug)? Only thing I can think of is to check for a corroded, weak or partially grounded power connection somewhere. That could give you full battery voltage with no load but not carry enough current to...

Easy answer is for part 2: yes, the S level trim with 2.3L engine has bigger rotors and calipers on the front. No idea if the S calipers will work with the I rotors, though. Rear brakes use the same calipers but the S has bigger rotors. Part 1 probably isn't fuel pump. Fuel level wouldn't...

$17,900 out the door... ... in February of 2004. (evil)

Cold air intake is about the only thing that will make any difference at all. Increased power (on the unofficial butt dyno) and improved fuel economy. The computer "unlearns" any other mods.

'04 hatch with 268,000+ miles, bought new in Feb 2004. Rear wheel arches completely rusted out Replaced intake manifold at around 60k (right after the warranty expired) Third set of front brakes, 5th? set of rear brakes Shocks and struts at 120k Front wheel bearings on both sides Both front...

Put the Frankenbumper together. After two arguments with fat raccoons and an incident with a tow dolly, the bumper cover and grille were in sad shape. Now they're "custom". :D

I try to keep my RPMs between 2500 and 3000. Less than that causes excessive lugging of the engine, which is bad for economy and bad for the car. In normal everyday driving, I stay in 3rd gear until after 40mph. (i.e. if I'm driving around at 35, I stay in 3rd gear). I stay in 4th gear until...