AEM Digital Boost Gauge Install A-Pillar

mspro19

Member
:
2007 Mazdaspeed 3
Here is my new gauge from AEM....yes I know "we can't cause of air bags" spare me any hate please...I went to the dealership and had them look at it. The tech at my dealer said as long as it is below the air bag then I'm fine. I took apart the pillar and also saw a pic of the airbag deployed...it rolls straight down and the pillar blows out to the side. Anyway tell me what you guys think. I'll get some pics up soon but here are 2 vids...

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14105111

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=14105909

Oh and here is my exhaust if you guys haven't heard it yet...

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=11879765

http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=11880488
 
exhaust sounds amazing dude. first time ive really heard a ms3 opened up.
 
I like! Oh and I am a believer that the pod there would not be an issue. The way that air bag would go off the only thing it would do is kick the top of the pillar cover out a bit. The headliner is really where that airbag is.
 
Thanks for the comments so far guys....and yeah, I saw the airbag! It was right in my face while I was doing the install...plus I'm an EMT and they teach us about the dangers in the airbags while taking people out of a car. Also I'll get some pics in the day time today and post them later tonight!
 
Day Pics!!!!

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maybe you could do a "how to" for this install

First thanks for the exhaust comments guys! About the warrenty...I have a good dealership and know people in coporate for Mazda...so I don't ever have problems, but they did say that as long as the parts don't cause a problem then they can't void anything. I don't know if I'll do a "how to" but I will say it is very easy once you know what you're doing. I took the carpet up on the driver side of the car and drilled a hole right throught the floor. Yes I know primitive...but it works...lol. I ran the wires along the bottomup where the exhaust is, along the back of the engine bay, then put the ground where the main car ground is. Then the power I wrapped around the A/C fuse in the fuse box...and walla, power! Then the rubber weather stripping going around the door, take that out. Then just take the pillar out. Make sure you pull the clips out on the bottom first, then the last clip near the top, you have to slide it up and out. I bought the pod from www.glowshiftdirect.com cheap and looks great! Most of all, take your time and pull the clips out without breaking them. Good Luck!
 
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Help me remove a-pillar on MS3

I tried getting the a-pillar cover off -but there was a clip near the middle that I was not able to remove. I know about the clip near the top -but is there anything special that needs to be done to get the bottom part to peel out? So I can then slide the cover up

Eric
 
I tried getting the a-pillar cover off -but there was a clip near the middle that I was not able to remove. I know about the clip near the top -but is there anything special that needs to be done to get the bottom part to peel out? So I can then slide the cover up

Eric

Eric,
All I can say is that I pulled on the whole pillar, except for the top, and the 2 clips popped out. Pull out the middle one first and then the bottom. I had to squeeze my fingers in there to get ahold of the piece to pull on it. I actually slit my whole hand open doing this. Once you get the 2 clips out then you can slide it up off the top clip...It is very frustrating! I actually got so mad I couldn't do it that I took apart my entire dashboard and then realized it was so simple and could've saved all that time I spent on the dashboard...lol.
 
That is an ugly pillar pod... No offense.. but it certainly needs some work. I would sand away that finish and paint it the colour of the car or maybe that silver that's on your steering wheel.
 
That is an ugly pillar pod... No offense.. but it certainly needs some work. I would sand away that finish and paint it the colour of the car or maybe that silver that's on your steering wheel.

No offense...but I'm glad I don't care what you think. I like it two tone and it has gotten nothing but compliments since I put it in.
 
That is an ugly pillar pod... No offense.. but it certainly needs some work. I would sand away that finish and paint it the colour of the car or maybe that silver that's on your steering wheel.

Not everyone has the time or maybe doesnt want to prep and dye their pod. Sometimes, function supercedes form. Nice thread crap there bud.(flame2)
 
i've got nothing against the pod at all, but i personally would get out the bondo and mold the pod into the pillar, and find a spray can that looks close to OEM.
 
So..... Why you ask what we think? No Hate... whatever! (potkettle

Haha...it seems like this whole forum is turning into everyone trying to one up each other... If you paid attention I said, Tell me what you guys think, but no hate...if you don't like it then fine, but don't sit and tell me it looks bad. I don't care about opinions...that's fine. I like when people are constructive, but for you to turn around and say that it's a poor job, or it looks bad...watch what you say because some people work hard to do mods themselves and then work extra hard...(me...)to post pics and replys to share with fellow speed owners...so sorry if I came off as an asshole. But the point of this thread was to show that we can put A-Pillar pods in our car, and if a few people like it along the way then sweet....
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm not hating. I appreciate you posting pics of your work and help forum members. But if you say "tell me what you think" you can't expect all to be compliments.
 

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