Hi,
I am new to this VB style forum so forgive me if I am beating a dead horse as I am still working on how to selectively search. Also forgive me for presenting you with a near novel length post. I have a 03 MSP in metallic orange with about 106k miles on it which I purchased a few days ago. Overall, the car is in good shape with some need for a lil TLC. Some things are obvious and simple and other things I want to bounce off you experts and get your thoughts before diving right in. Some of this I am sure is covered but I would like advice for my own situation given all situations are unique and having a thread I can print off and use as a reference would be most helpful. Your time and expertise is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide me.
----------------Here are some questions I kindly ask for assistance with:--------------------
***Time Urgent and Pre-Numbered Question: I am going to see a Mazda performance specialist tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything I should specifically ask him regarding the vehicle and is there anything (such as a TSB which the dealers dont touch unless it goes bad) I should request that they do ASAP or common problem areas?***
1) The idle is rather low, 500-600 and it gives the car issues such as the shaking and sometimes the car will just choke. I figure this is related to what the car was tuned for and plan to take it to a Mazda performance shop in a few days to have them look it over and throw it on a dyno and tune. Any thoughts or things I am missing?
1A) For tuning the AFRs, Timing, etc, is there a preference or ideal system or is the SAFC II still the reasonably priced standard?
1B) Another possibility is the filter on my Short Ram Intake is dirty as can be. Is it worth washing, oiling and reusing or should I just chuck it and buy a new one? The one on their now is made by Injen as is the rest of the intake. Are there less expensive filters that work well? (as you pay a premium for Injen it seems).
2) The black plastic lip in the front is cracked and missing about a foot of it. What do you guys do? Do you replace it, remove it or just get something else like a small CF lip?
3) The steering wheel needs some rehab. The gray colored inserts at the 3 and 9 oclock position is worn badly and is torn on one side. Is there anything that can be done without having to remove or replace the steering wheel as I imagine screwing with that is costly given the air-bag is within the steering wheel?
4) The bumpers need to be locked/clipped into place. The front bumper is in perfect condition but one side pops in and out as the clips are missing. Any idea what clips are needed or what the best way to go about it? The back bumper is a little low too, any suggestions?
5) I only have 1 Key Fob and 1 valet key. Can the key fobs for this car be programmed by me or are they more advanced and call for a dealership or specialist? Are they expensive to purchase?
6) Is a 225/45/17 series tire okay without rubbing or fender rolling? I have 215s on it now and I HATE the tire and plan to go to a Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S.
7) Is there a preference on what you tap into when hardwiring a radar detector and/or laser jamming device?
8) The cars suspension squeaks. It was very bad when I first got it and has been getting better progressively. I am sure the car sat for a while undriven and this didnt help it. Will having the chassis lubed help reduce squeaking?
9) The upper portion of my coolant res is cracked. Does this happen a lot and is a standard plastic sealant designed for plastic automotive tanks okay to use?
10) The horn fuse is missing which is a 15 amp female and I cannot find it locally for the life of me. Where do you get these fuses at? The local autoparts stores don't have them...maybe a Radio Shack?
11) Does this car have tendency to blow out headlights? As for an upgrade is there a certain bulb company which gets along best with this car? Are the heads and fogs BOTH H4 or just the headlights? I've had luck with Silverstars and PIAAs but some vehicles seem to like one better than the other. Does anyone use any unusual colors in the fogs to accent the car?
12) Is this paint okay to use a polymer/synthetic seal/wax on it?
13) Are the stock brakes rather good or do most people upgrade them? I'de assume they are pretty darned good as this car on a twisted track seems to beat out much more powerful vehicles and braking is a critical aspect in that situation. Are steel brake lines popular here?
14) What is the preferred oil filter, if any, that allows maximum flow? Is there a preferred oil? How about brake and manual transmission fluid? My car is modded with aspects which seem to help increase the heat. I've always used either Amsoil or Red Line but I'll try anything once.
15) My car does not have speakers in the trunk deck. It has working speakers in the front and rear doors. Is this stock or was something changed? It does not have the stock Kenwood headunit but instead an older but quality Alpine.
16) Are there any basic DIY mods, changes or maintenance that you absolutely should do no matter what? (Ex: for the Nissan SE-R Spec V the butterfly valve screws would pop out as the factory did not use threadlock and so anyone with a 02-05 Spec V should rip the head off (or have someone do it for you), remove, Loctite and replace the screws as once the screws get sucked into the engine, it causes the engine to essentially die an early death.
17) Anything else you can think of, any advice, etc?
Thank you very much in advance. I have attached a picture of my 03 MSP. Well, while I am still many years away from fulfilling all of my life and long term goals, I can say I have knocked one out with this car. Perhaps another is making it fast enough to kill my best friends WRX. With that said, I still need to get more experience driving a manual turbo car and no matter how much power I make, it isnt going to compensate for lack of skill. It amazes me how different this car is from the numerous NA vehicles I have owneddifferent yet good; horray for forced induction!
Below are some pictures of my car!
I am new to this VB style forum so forgive me if I am beating a dead horse as I am still working on how to selectively search. Also forgive me for presenting you with a near novel length post. I have a 03 MSP in metallic orange with about 106k miles on it which I purchased a few days ago. Overall, the car is in good shape with some need for a lil TLC. Some things are obvious and simple and other things I want to bounce off you experts and get your thoughts before diving right in. Some of this I am sure is covered but I would like advice for my own situation given all situations are unique and having a thread I can print off and use as a reference would be most helpful. Your time and expertise is greatly appreciated and I thank you in advance for any help you may be able to provide me.
----------------Here are some questions I kindly ask for assistance with:--------------------
***Time Urgent and Pre-Numbered Question: I am going to see a Mazda performance specialist tomorrow afternoon. Is there anything I should specifically ask him regarding the vehicle and is there anything (such as a TSB which the dealers dont touch unless it goes bad) I should request that they do ASAP or common problem areas?***
1) The idle is rather low, 500-600 and it gives the car issues such as the shaking and sometimes the car will just choke. I figure this is related to what the car was tuned for and plan to take it to a Mazda performance shop in a few days to have them look it over and throw it on a dyno and tune. Any thoughts or things I am missing?
1A) For tuning the AFRs, Timing, etc, is there a preference or ideal system or is the SAFC II still the reasonably priced standard?
1B) Another possibility is the filter on my Short Ram Intake is dirty as can be. Is it worth washing, oiling and reusing or should I just chuck it and buy a new one? The one on their now is made by Injen as is the rest of the intake. Are there less expensive filters that work well? (as you pay a premium for Injen it seems).
2) The black plastic lip in the front is cracked and missing about a foot of it. What do you guys do? Do you replace it, remove it or just get something else like a small CF lip?
3) The steering wheel needs some rehab. The gray colored inserts at the 3 and 9 oclock position is worn badly and is torn on one side. Is there anything that can be done without having to remove or replace the steering wheel as I imagine screwing with that is costly given the air-bag is within the steering wheel?
4) The bumpers need to be locked/clipped into place. The front bumper is in perfect condition but one side pops in and out as the clips are missing. Any idea what clips are needed or what the best way to go about it? The back bumper is a little low too, any suggestions?
5) I only have 1 Key Fob and 1 valet key. Can the key fobs for this car be programmed by me or are they more advanced and call for a dealership or specialist? Are they expensive to purchase?
6) Is a 225/45/17 series tire okay without rubbing or fender rolling? I have 215s on it now and I HATE the tire and plan to go to a Michelin Pilot Sport Plus A/S.
7) Is there a preference on what you tap into when hardwiring a radar detector and/or laser jamming device?
8) The cars suspension squeaks. It was very bad when I first got it and has been getting better progressively. I am sure the car sat for a while undriven and this didnt help it. Will having the chassis lubed help reduce squeaking?
9) The upper portion of my coolant res is cracked. Does this happen a lot and is a standard plastic sealant designed for plastic automotive tanks okay to use?
10) The horn fuse is missing which is a 15 amp female and I cannot find it locally for the life of me. Where do you get these fuses at? The local autoparts stores don't have them...maybe a Radio Shack?
11) Does this car have tendency to blow out headlights? As for an upgrade is there a certain bulb company which gets along best with this car? Are the heads and fogs BOTH H4 or just the headlights? I've had luck with Silverstars and PIAAs but some vehicles seem to like one better than the other. Does anyone use any unusual colors in the fogs to accent the car?
12) Is this paint okay to use a polymer/synthetic seal/wax on it?
13) Are the stock brakes rather good or do most people upgrade them? I'de assume they are pretty darned good as this car on a twisted track seems to beat out much more powerful vehicles and braking is a critical aspect in that situation. Are steel brake lines popular here?
14) What is the preferred oil filter, if any, that allows maximum flow? Is there a preferred oil? How about brake and manual transmission fluid? My car is modded with aspects which seem to help increase the heat. I've always used either Amsoil or Red Line but I'll try anything once.
15) My car does not have speakers in the trunk deck. It has working speakers in the front and rear doors. Is this stock or was something changed? It does not have the stock Kenwood headunit but instead an older but quality Alpine.
16) Are there any basic DIY mods, changes or maintenance that you absolutely should do no matter what? (Ex: for the Nissan SE-R Spec V the butterfly valve screws would pop out as the factory did not use threadlock and so anyone with a 02-05 Spec V should rip the head off (or have someone do it for you), remove, Loctite and replace the screws as once the screws get sucked into the engine, it causes the engine to essentially die an early death.
17) Anything else you can think of, any advice, etc?
Thank you very much in advance. I have attached a picture of my 03 MSP. Well, while I am still many years away from fulfilling all of my life and long term goals, I can say I have knocked one out with this car. Perhaps another is making it fast enough to kill my best friends WRX. With that said, I still need to get more experience driving a manual turbo car and no matter how much power I make, it isnt going to compensate for lack of skill. It amazes me how different this car is from the numerous NA vehicles I have owneddifferent yet good; horray for forced induction!
Below are some pictures of my car!
