lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Huge improvment in visibility? Appearance? Just in general?
My TTD build thread
- Thread starter sm76
- Start date
Visibility. The ribbon style seemed to make the whole window useless. The net seems like its not even there, the border is the only intrusive part of it.
Rough day today, but the car is up on the trailer to go to Grattan in a few hours. I need to get a knuckle at a junkyard on the way and change it before I can drive so I might only get out on track for the very last session tomorrow. Hoping for a good Sunday though.
Undertray, it is basically the same outline as the bumper so I don't have to take points for it:
Hood Pin
Undertray, it is basically the same outline as the bumper so I don't have to take points for it:
Hood Pin
lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Have you found a solution for any way to make taking the front bumper cover on and off easier? It's not difficult... but it is time consuming.
I just ripped the the mounting points on the sides of the bumper today, so I will be looking for options. Dzus fasteners seem to be a good choice.
bullshark524
Member
- :
- 2000 mazda protege es soon to be 2000 mazda protege klze
car looks awesome
lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Man that looks fun 
I was gonna recommend Dzus or cam-lock fasteners. Pretty much any 1/4 turn fastener will be better than bolts, they just take time to install properly the 1st time.
http://images.google.com/search?tbm...e&gs_upl=432l1510l0l5l5l0l0l0l0l230l747l1.2.2
They originally were used on airplanes, but can generally be found all over race-cars these days. Basically, all you need is a flat-head screwdriver, you turn them 1/4 turn counter-clockwise and the fastener springs out. Reverse to install. Makes getting panels off really easy.
I was gonna recommend Dzus or cam-lock fasteners. Pretty much any 1/4 turn fastener will be better than bolts, they just take time to install properly the 1st time.
http://images.google.com/search?tbm...e&gs_upl=432l1510l0l5l5l0l0l0l0l230l747l1.2.2
They originally were used on airplanes, but can generally be found all over race-cars these days. Basically, all you need is a flat-head screwdriver, you turn them 1/4 turn counter-clockwise and the fastener springs out. Reverse to install. Makes getting panels off really easy.
Last edited:
lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Man that looks fun
I was gonna recommend Dzus or cam-lock fasteners. Pretty much any 1/4 turn fastener will be better than bolts, they just take time to install properly the 1st time.
http://images.google.com/search?tbm...e&gs_upl=432l1510l0l5l5l0l0l0l0l230l747l1.2.2
They originally were used on airplanes, but can generally be found all over race-cars these days. Basically, all you need is a flat-head screwdriver, you turn them 1/4 turn counter-clockwise and the fastener springs out. Reverse to install. Makes getting panels off really easy.
Thanks for the info. I'd love to make bumper removal easier... I seem to do it all the time...
And congrats on setting the record sunday at Grattan, Bill. I saw on Doc's FB. I love your MSP and the way it looks and how you've modded it but your driver mod is badass. As they say "Everyone can drive a fast car but not everyone can drive a car fast.". Looking forward to seeing it in action soon.
lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
Come to Road America. I'll take all the pics you'll ever want. (nana)(nana)
Thanks guys!
I'd have to get some taller tires. I'm going to max out 5th gear at MidOhio. For Road America I would be coasting for 2/3 of the straight.
I'd have to get some taller tires. I'm going to max out 5th gear at MidOhio. For Road America I would be coasting for 2/3 of the straight.
lizardman743
Member
- :
- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
It's not really a MSP friendly track...
Perro del Sol
Member
- :
- 2003 MSP, Spicy Orange, 2004 Mazda 6 Hatch, 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
Bill great job @ Grattan!!!! Can't wait to see what the car will do @ Mid-O
Here is my quick write up of this weekend:
Grattan Raceway with NASA
June 11 & 12
What a busy and exciting weekend at beautiful Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan. Saturday morning started in a way most anyone would not prefer, a trip to the junkyard. During preparation for the event Friday night, I found a failed drivers side front hub. A steering knuckle assembly with a good hub and bearing was found in a junkyard a couple hours from the track. After getting the assembly and arriving at the track, I unloaded the car and replaced the assembly. By that time, there was only one session remaining for TT. With new Carbotech brakes on the front of the car and new Hoosier tires front and rear, I decided to go out and scrub everything in for Sunday. It turns out, the car was handling so well that without feeling I was pushing too hard for the new tires and brakes I was able to push the car to a second place finish out of five drivers in TTD with a time of 1:32.5 to a leading time by Stefan Kleine in his Porsche 911 of 1:30.6. Mark Domo held on for third place in his Mazda RX8.
Sunday, the car was ready to go and the warm up session already showed an improvement over my time from Saturday, with a new track record and a time of 1:30.3. After this session, I was starting to really see the huge improvement the changes made to the car in the offseason made to the car. The bigger rear springs made the low speed corners very quick by causing the car to rotate extremely well. On the high speed corners, the rear wing came into play and kept the car stable, which really helped out my confidence. After some alignment changes and familiarization with the track I was able to lower the track record two more times eventually winding up with an extremely pleasing time of 1:29.099. Stefan Kleine came in second place and Mark Domo was able to get another third place.
The next event will be at MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on July 16 & 17. This will be the real test and the first event for real development of the car leading up to the National Championships at MidOhio in September.
Grattan Raceway with NASA
June 11 & 12
What a busy and exciting weekend at beautiful Grattan Raceway in Belding, Michigan. Saturday morning started in a way most anyone would not prefer, a trip to the junkyard. During preparation for the event Friday night, I found a failed drivers side front hub. A steering knuckle assembly with a good hub and bearing was found in a junkyard a couple hours from the track. After getting the assembly and arriving at the track, I unloaded the car and replaced the assembly. By that time, there was only one session remaining for TT. With new Carbotech brakes on the front of the car and new Hoosier tires front and rear, I decided to go out and scrub everything in for Sunday. It turns out, the car was handling so well that without feeling I was pushing too hard for the new tires and brakes I was able to push the car to a second place finish out of five drivers in TTD with a time of 1:32.5 to a leading time by Stefan Kleine in his Porsche 911 of 1:30.6. Mark Domo held on for third place in his Mazda RX8.
Sunday, the car was ready to go and the warm up session already showed an improvement over my time from Saturday, with a new track record and a time of 1:30.3. After this session, I was starting to really see the huge improvement the changes made to the car in the offseason made to the car. The bigger rear springs made the low speed corners very quick by causing the car to rotate extremely well. On the high speed corners, the rear wing came into play and kept the car stable, which really helped out my confidence. After some alignment changes and familiarization with the track I was able to lower the track record two more times eventually winding up with an extremely pleasing time of 1:29.099. Stefan Kleine came in second place and Mark Domo was able to get another third place.
The next event will be at MidOhio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio on July 16 & 17. This will be the real test and the first event for real development of the car leading up to the National Championships at MidOhio in September.
Thanks Marlon. Mid-O will definitely be fun. I'll see if I can convinve the Lizard guys to park in the Mazda area.
Perro del Sol
Member
- :
- 2003 MSP, Spicy Orange, 2004 Mazda 6 Hatch, 2004 Mazda 6 Wagon
I saw Mark & Rob this weekend, they're in!!!!
