Max Archer's Mazda2 Build Thread

[Max Archer]

Yeah, it's almost like the "hole" was made for it. Only thing I don't like is that it's kinda hard to see the screen during the day 'cause the sun shines right in on it, and that you lose the storage there.

 

[mykflo]

I picked mine up thanks to you, but have yet to install it. I'll put up picks later and a review too. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Max Archer]

Wow, this sucks majorly. Had tire chains on the 2 a few days ago and I just noticed that they trashed the finish on my front wheel spokes. I guess it's time to plasti-dip them.

Any opinions on color?

 

[ngd298]

Black, gunmetal gray, red. Maybe dip each one a different neon color.

 

[Max Archer]

I think black is going to end up being it. Gunmetal seems too hard to achieve with dip, and bright colors might attract too much attention for the time being.

I actually mocked up my idea of a red wheel scheme last night, and it turned into a 911 GT3 RS tribute. I actually really really like this look on the car but I better get mine more track-worthy before I do something so flashy.

"Lipstick" optional, I put it there because of the 911 RS theme. I couldn't get decent "2RS" graphics on the fenders to work though, lol.

 

[eyeballs]

I vote for black, though that RS theme looks very cool minus the lipstick.

 

[Font Motorsports]

On a silver Mazda 2? I'd say Gunmetal or Black. Always a great looking contrast. Plus it'll look mean.

 

[Max Archer]

I think black is looking like the most likely option. I haven't been too impressed with the plasi-dip version of gunmetal.

Depending on what happens, I may just get the wheels bored out a tiny bit and put them on my E30 and then get some nicer wheels for the Mazda2 down the line, too.

 

[CRG Racer24]

I can vouch for Black on Silver.. though I'm biased .

And by bored out.. you mean the hub bore, bored out? What wheels are you thinking of getting for the 2.. if you know yet.

 

[Max Archer]

I can vouch for Black on Silver.. though I'm biased .

And by bored out.. you mean the hub bore, bored out? What wheels are you thinking of getting for the 2.. if you know yet.

Not a clue about replacements for the 2. And yeah, I mean I'd have to get the hub bore machined, the C1Ms are sized for Miata, which is a few mm smaller than the E30. I could also just run like 5mm spacers, which might not be a terrible idea anyway since E30 fitment is like +25 and my C1Ms are +30.

 

[CRG Racer24]

Yeah E30 fitment is a bit more aggressive than these cars.. a more comfotable aggressive if you will.

 

[Max Archer]

Installed yellow fogs the other day. They look pretty cool, much brighter than stock too.


Hella Optilux Yellow Fog Bulbs F by maximstensel, on Flickr


Hella Optilux Yellow Fog Bulbs R by maximstensel, on Flickr

 

[mykflo]

Hellas ftw. Your pics came out good man! Mine were crappy.

 

[inspekt]

Looks great! Thanks for posting pics - I ordered the same bulb setup - looking forward to installing myself!

 

[Max Archer]

Just ordered an SRI and torsion bar stiffener from Corksport earlier today. Can't wait to get them on the car!

I really need tires, alignment, and a 20k service, too. Probably gonna get the BFG Sport Comp 2s.

 

[ngd298]

Great tires. You'll love the intake too.

 

[Max Archer]

I'm really looking forward to everything.

If I can find a way to do it, by the way, I'll shoot a before/after video of driving with the SRI, because I discovered that there weren't any really good ones on Youtube. I have a decent camera and a good external audio recorder so I should be able to do a video that really accurately lets people hear what the sound is like.

 

[Max Archer]

Installed the SRI and torsion bar today. What a difference!

I'm not sure how much I can feel the SRI's improvements in the high end, although admittedly I probably need to let the ECU program itself before I really know what I'll get. There's a definite improvement between 4k and 6k or so on the highway, which is promising for track work. The noise is the real upgrade in my mind, though, the car finally sounds as sporty as it feels!

The torsion bar makes a gigantic, immediately noticeable difference. I just hit a twisty short road next to my house, which isn't a true test, but even at 5/10ths in a single lane I could feel a little bit of oversteer starting to show its head, and through the really sharp stuff the rear is super solid and the car rotates like no FWD I've ever driven. It's just point and shoot. Heck of an upgrade for $99.

Video coming soon, the parts didn't come until 7:30 so it was dark by the time we were done. I shot a before video and used a decent separate audio recorder for the sound so once it's all edited together it should be a pretty good reference for what to expect with the SRI.

 

[mykflo]

Looking frwd to it. I should be installing my rear bar tonite. I'm off today but its 100 out right now.

 

[Max Archer]

Looking frwd to it. I should be installing my rear bar tonite. I'm off today but its 100 out right now.

It's seriously the easiest install I've ever done of a car part! I think it took more time to jack the car up (had to use the stock scissor because somebody stole my jack years ago and I still haven't gotten a new one), set the jackstands, and then lower it and put the tools away than it did to actually put the bar on. Definitely worth the 20 minute install, lol.