Goldwing2000's Mazda3 (pics)

[goldwing2000]

This is for Loose, Airman Jack and Mzda3sturbo (but anybody can check it out, obviously).

We all know what the car looks like stock, so I didn't bother putting up any "before" pics. As of today, the car has dropped 1 1/8 inches in the front and 1 1/4 inches in the back. I'll measure again in a month or so.

Rather than type out a bunch of image tags or load up our server, I've created a little page. Enjoy, and thanks for all the kind words.

http://www.geocities.com/kvincen1/Mazda3.html

 

[TampaBlackMSP]

Car looks nice - keep up the good work!

 

[Sir. SpeedALot]

Looking good Goldwing. I too don't want to post pics until I get a few mods done. I'm waiting for my auto dimming mirror from the dealership (it's already been a month) then I can take a few pics of everything.

Anyway, how red is your CAI? It looks almost orange in the picks. I have red theme going too and was going to get AEM's as soon as I get the funds.

Also post a sound clip of those horns! (band2) That thing must BLOW! (wink)

Keep up the good work.

 

[goldwing2000]

Thanks!

The CAI is about as red as red can be. It's either just the camera or the lighting that made it look orange (or maybe it's just my color-blindness kicking in).

I keep forgetting to borrow the girlfriends video camera for movie/sound bites. I'll get around to it one of these days...

 

[canada3]

nice keep up the good work.......not too keen on the gas cover but on your car it looks nice because of the color of your car...I love the airhorn...I have always wanted to put a air horn on a small car....you must scare the s*** outta peps

 

[goldwing2000]

...I love the airhorn...I have always wanted to put a air horn on a small car....you must scare the s*** outta peps

Most definitely. (evil)

Only when they do stupid things, though. (werd)

 

[canada3]

wouldnt mind one right now for euro2004....go england go

 

[Mazda3Zoomer]

how does the filler door go on?

your set up is one of the best ive seen. not flashy 'look at me' at all. gonna catch the ricers by suprise. (which is the best way in my opinon.)

 

[Loose]

Omg

GW, that thing looks AWESOME! I wasn't a big fan of the filler cap on my buddies black 6 but it looks good on the grey. I doesn't sit that much lower than I thought it might w/ the eibachs. Let me ask you a question though... Is the HP gains REALLY noticable?

Tim

p.s. The airhorns are some crazy s***...I'm gonna be looking for you in my rearview mirror. LOL.
(omg)

 

[goldwing2000]

The HP gain with the CAI is *definitely* noticable. And it's throughout the entire range, too. I didn't give up low end for top end or vice versa.

I'm going to post another message with the details on the air horns (with sound, pics and video). Stay tuned!

 

[alexlitov]

How much and what kind of airhorns are those??

 

[goldwing2000]

How much and what kind of airhorns are those??

Check the new thread I just posted in the lounge. It has all the gory details. (2thumbs)

 

[Mzda3sturbo]

Hey GW I have to give you props, your job on your car is great.

 

[goldwing2000]

Hey GW I have to give you props, your job on your car is great.

Thanks very much. I try to keep it "unique but tasteful" with all my vehicles.

 

[Dougiefresh]

Question

How is your M3 holding up to the torturous,potholed roads here in the burbs?
Roads like 96 and some parts of Telegraph shake the hell out of large lux cars. Just wondering if it takes a toll on the smaller, less dampened M3. I'm in the market for a M3 but I need to know it can survive our crappy roads. Thanks

 

[goldwing2000]

How is your Mz3 holding up to the torturous, potholed roads here in the burbs?
Roads like 96 and some parts of Telegraph shake the hell out of large lux cars. Just wondering if it takes a toll on the smaller, less dampened M3. I'm in the market for a M3 but I need to know it can survive our crappy roads. Thanks

I don't go on 96 much but I have no problems with Telegraph, Southfield, 94, 275 or 23. It's a little more harsh with the lowered springs but nowhere near unbearable. Still rides better than my '80 Chevy 4x4.
The bonus is that it's agile enough and small enough to swerve around the really bad stuff. (thumb)

psst... don't call it an M3. People around here get sensitive about that. Use Mz3 or just 3.

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

niftiness

I like the stickers placed under the spoiler and just under the rear wiper... so it's there for people who are looking a bit harder at the nice car but not blocking your vision or annoying.

Do you get any mileage gains out of the CAI? Or is it one of those mods where you /would/ get mileage gains if you didn't keep going "ohhh, I'll just jack-rabbit start this one extra time" every time you get firsties at a stop light (laugh). HP gains are much too fun to play with


You removed the trays for the "cargo management system"? I actually used mine to make the spare "behind the seats" compartment to wedge all the crap I carry around because I think it's useful (socket wrench/screwdriver/road-side-rescue kit, foot pump, bunch of those really old cartalk.com parking/driving violations, bank envelopes, pocket ref's, gas can, armor all, tire cleaner, leather cleaner, &&&)

Then again, you have a huge brush and umbrella, and they look like they need to be diagonal

The new springs make it look neat too.

Alas, I fear too much damage to my car if I try to do mods beyond the self-installed mirror. after that I already have a scratched firewall (the results of trying to get that damn grommet to seat properly, there is still about a quarter inch where the rubber didn't quite make it all the way through) and a bulge in the a-pillar where I think a cable got wedged behind another cable... and it's such a pain getting the things off and seated properly I fear breaking something if I try again.

Also, I have a loop of extra temp-sensor cable hiding behind the battery... I'm beginning to wonder if I put the temp sensor on the wrong side of the radiator bay.

Oh well, nifty nonetheless

 

[goldwing2000]

Thanks, Pete.

No, the Cargo Management System is still in place. The cargo net and tray are on top of that.
I keep my jumper cables, 4-way and a small fire extinguisher in the CMS but all the rest of my gear and cleaning supplies stay either in the house or garage. I hate having things shifting and rolling around behind me while I'm driving.

I have no idea if I'm getting better mileage with the CAI. I only installed it last Thursday and have only used 1/4 tank of gas since then (was on two wheels all weekend). But yeah... I don't anticipate any great savings on this particular tank for exactly the reason you mentioned. It's more fun to go fast, at least for now. (2thumbs)

Don't worry about the temp sensor loop. I have one as well but I minimized it by running the wire through a better, more hidden route. I actually ran it under the battery box and tied it to one of the factory harnesses. You can see the temp harness in the "filter1" picture on my web page. It's the smaller one without the tape wrap. I wouldn't run it to the other side of the grille. Too much of a chance of getting tangled up in the fan.

 

[PeteyBoy3K]

Thanks, Pete.

Don't worry about the temp sensor loop. I have one as well but I minimized it by running the wire through a better, more hidden route. I actually ran it under the battery box and tied it to one of the factory harnesses. You can see the temp harness in the "filter1" picture on my web page. It's the smaller one without the tape wrap. I wouldn't run it to the other side of the grille. Too much of a chance of getting tangled up in the fan.

My loop is hidden behind the battery box as well, secured with a bit of electrical tape. There is a lot of extra room back there with the lack of ABS goodies... didn't help me in concern to getting the grommet seated however (burn) . As for the A-pillar bulge, one day when it's not too hot outside, I'll go ahead and try to reseat everything inside.

Keep us posted if you notice any impressive mileage gains. I like the performance of the car enough as it is... and basically the only thing that would tempt me to risk damaging stuff in my car (as is my wont) trying to tinker is if it gives me some extra MPG...

 

[mazda003s]

good job with the car .keep up with the good work...i like how u put the stickers on the top corners..