jri4's 2008 Black Mica Mazdaspeed3 Sport Build Thread

[o0n8]

Did you go with the bc's?

 

[hat1018]

Good luck with the coilover install. What kind of wheels did you end up ordering?

 

[jri4]

BC Coilovers came today! Whoo!
As for wheels/tires, I cannot divulge that information yet--I have not ordered them. I'm waiting to receive a credit card because I FUBAR'd my other one (that is way too long of a story to tell on here)

 

[hat1018]

I found a set of Motegi 17x8+40 on craigs list. They are a 7 spoke wheel. Interested?

 

[jri4]

That is such a good price! But alas, they are a little too heavy for me...One of my strict wheel requirements is that they are lighter than OEM. That is a great deal, though! Thanks for offering to go check them out for me Larry!

 

[hat1018]

No problem. I know all about being financially challenged and wanting to do mods.

 

[jri4]

Officially sold the OZs to an RX8 owner in Colorado! BC Coilovers have arrived! I've got a date with the garage all day tomorrow! I have also decided against getting summer wheels and just running the OEM wheel with all-season tires for the rest of the rubber's life. So I am going to repaint my wheels tomorrow as well! I'm thinking a shade of dark silver, but am open to suggestions. I want it to look somewhat OEM, I think...

 

[Tungsten6]

No OEM look! Do bronze! you know you want too!

 

[ticklemepink]

I like that dark colors...silver, black, etc. Not such a fan of the lighter colors white, bronze, gold, etc. But its your car and whatever you choose will be great! You can always change it and repaint it again if it doesnt turn out how you like...or if you get bored with that color!!!

 

[Kyrosfactor]

I just read all nine pages of this thread, and to be honest, you sound like a really cool guy! As of right now I am wanting to paint my OEM wheels. Going for an all black theme. Only part on my car that isn't black is the rims. I was wondering what brands and quantities did you use for your wheels?
As far as the wheels for your ride go, how 'bout a gunmetal gray?
Good luck!

 

[jri4]

I just read all nine pages of this thread, and to be honest, you sound like a really cool guy! As of right now I am wanting to paint my OEM wheels. Going for an all black theme. Only part on my car that isn't black is the rims. I was wondering what brands and quantities did you use for your wheels?
As far as the wheels for your ride go, how 'bout a gunmetal gray?
Good luck!

Thanks man! I am pretty cool....conceited, but cool.... LOL! Just kidding!
To paint your OEM wheels, rough them up first with around a 320 grit sandpaper. Next, clean them very well. Shoot them with any cheap gray or black primer rattle can.

Then use a spray paint called "Dupli-Color Engine Enamel"--for you, I would use their semi-gloss black. I ordered some off autobarn.com when I repainted the OZs. This stuff has bits of ceramic in the paint, which gives it a smooth, hard shell. Perfect for wheels. It also comes in a clear, so you can protect them even better.

In terms of wear, my green wheels saw hell this winter, and Id still give them a 7.5/10 condition. I curbed one and scraped some paint off, but the rest just have small nicks and chips.

Thanks for reading through my thread man! I'm always open to helping others and getting help and suggestions. I do think I am going to go with a similar color to gunmetal....depending on what colors are available in the engine enamel spray paint....Thanks!

 

[MM BOOST]

I think you should do them a gloss black, or maybe even a dark graphite grey color, and then get that metallic clear coat from advanced and coat them so they have that pop effect. That would be awesome!

 

[jri4]

Coilovers are installed. Took all day, but I think they are set up for the long haul with little to no issues. Here are a few cell phone pics:

whole car

rear

front

Drove to town and picked up the wheel paint I am going to use:

Duplicolor Wheel Coating Spray--Graphite

Tomorrow evening I should have time to put the car back on jacks and sand/prep the wheels for paint. That gives me all day Wednesday to get them primered, colored, and cleared. I'll throw them back on Thursday morning before going to get an alignment (which I still need to set up an appointment for).

BOOM! Thanks for all the critique, comments, and suggestions. It is all really helpful!

1st post updated!

 

[hat1018]

Looks as though she is sitting nicely. Graphite is a great choice, gonna look good.

 

[Lewis7789]

Looks good, Chippy. Are you gonna post it up in the slammed thread? Heh-heh. The springs may settle in a few days so keep an eye on your measurements before getting it aligned. I remember when I had coilovers on my Civic I was always fighting with the ride height to get all 4 perfect.

I still love the green, but since you curbed them, graphite will look really good too. I can't wait to see them this weekend.

 

[jri4]

Right now they all seemed to sit very equal. I hope the fronts at least settle a little, although I can still go 1/2" lower. If I call Conrads in Akron tomorrow, can they get me in on Thursday, do you think? And who do I ask for? Keith?

 

[Lewis7789]

I'm sure Conrads can get you in Thursday. Ask for Keith and tell them you know Marlon. He or the other cat who works the desk there, Jarred, may remember me (just tell them Evan with the silver Mazda and orange wheels) because I told them I would be directing a lot of lowered Mazdas to them. They were super cool and did a good job.

 

[Perro del Sol]

Chippy make sure you get them to run some negative camber for youo, say -1.5 in the front and .-.750 rear or even -1.00 rear......If Lou is there, he'll do a great job with the alignment

 

[jri4]

Thanks for the tips. I'll be sure and get that done on Thursday then!

"-1.50 front and about -0.75 to -1.00 rear" Got it!

 

[Lewis7789]

Yeah, Lou was the cat who set me up and did a pretty good job.