The Ohio Random Thread... aka We Should Probably Be Working

that's awesome, where are you gonna be working?

PCC Airfoils. I'll be doing 4 different rotations in the next two years but all will be in the same area. I might do a 6 month rotation in Minerva but I still don't know the exact rotations. Gonna start looking at some apartments here soon. Now I won't have to drive as far to Evans for the bbq or anything else YAY!!!

to mentor? blah...i grew up there...ran away to columbus! but i'd love to move up to lakewood.....

Haha I'm just happy to start a big boy job. Once a couple years pass, I'll see where I want to settle down and live.
 
I've already been up there a few times. Once it starts, it can't be stopped......

aslong as you're in Columbus you'll always have me...cuz my car is always on jackstands for months at a time
 
Finally, a new toy!!!

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/rnbEWWSzJHdX7x7l4UQXTw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_MKQrg4ykZJs/Tba9EmxyYoI/AAAAAAAAAC4/DATfM-KGz0Y/s640/IMG_20110425_175514.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a>

I finally pulled the trigger and bought the James Barone Rear Sway in Black. Damn it looks good!! It's ashame nobody will ever see it HAHA!

Here's some pictures comparing it to the stock Mazdaspeed sway bar. I was really surprised how much more the MS bar weighed, considering the JBarone is much thicker.

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/a9PBHGI8n5rAk79qbk9qeg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_MKQrg4ykZJs/Tba7pAzwK3I/AAAAAAAAACY/xj-VrdhGRWo/s640/IMG_20110425_200351.jpg" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/UfIwY58TGryuEH4QcI-5GA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_MKQrg4ykZJs/Tba8q5XmJtI/AAAAAAAAACw/eh8i9t_yjBM/s640/IMG_20110425_200314.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a>

The install was ridiculously easy! I took my time and it only took me about 1.5 hours. For once I had all the tools I needed to complete the job lol!
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/-1b8vNjZFstWHuxz8H_8dg?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_MKQrg4ykZJs/Tba7OV0m0DI/AAAAAAAAAB8/5ZaK0GPtl9M/s640/IMG_20110425_210705.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a>

<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/05fhuveQ3KDm1FuVlxwJ0A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_MKQrg4ykZJs/Tba7Y3TiI7I/AAAAAAAAACU/fmFfd3QWvMU/s640/IMG_20110425_210645.jpg" height="478" width="640" /></a>

I took it for a test drive last night and I noticed a slight difference. Before, I would turn the wheel and there would be a good amount of body roll. There's definitely less roll now. It doesn't corner flat, but it's still a comfortable amount of roll. Also, it was raining hard so I couldn't test it as much as I wanted to. I did manage to get the rear end out by letting off the throttle in the middle of a turn. The car feels more neutral. But this was all wet performance so once it dries up, I'll be able to test it some more and give more accurate comments


Here are the specs of the bar:

Specifications Simulating 1" of body roll:
Stock Sway Bar setting:
MAZDASPEED 3 is 479 lbs/in
MAZDA 3 & 5 is 228 lbs/in

JBR 3-Way Adjustable Sway Bar Settings:
Stiff setting is 593 lbs/in
Stiffer Setting is 718 lbs/in
Stiffest Setting is 901 lbs/in

I only set it to the middle setting (718 lbs/in) for now. It will probably always be on that setting. I'll probably set it to the stiffest setting if I do some AutoX just to get a feel for it.
 
PCC Airfoils. I'll be doing 4 different rotations in the next two years but all will be in the same area. I might do a 6 month rotation in Minerva but I still don't know the exact rotations. Gonna start looking at some apartments here soon. Now I won't have to drive as far to Evans for the bbq or anything else YAY!!!



Haha I'm just happy to start a big boy job. Once a couple years pass, I'll see where I want to settle down and live.


Good... However I'm still kinda pissed that you've been to more of my bbq's than I have...
 
PCC Airfoils. I'll be doing 4 different rotations in the next two years but all will be in the same area. I might do a 6 month rotation in Minerva but I still don't know the exact rotations. Gonna start looking at some apartments here soon. Now I won't have to drive as far to Evans for the bbq or anything else YAY!!!
That's awesome Ivan. Are you going to be on their manufacturing side? PCC is one of our biggest casting suppliers. I've worked extensively with PCC - SMP in the past and my current part is cast by PCC - Douglas down in GA.
 
Last edited:
Evan 2. The JBR bar is tubular correct? That would explain the hugh diff in diameter. Any troubles removing "my" bar? All I need now is for my front bar deal to get done and I will have a speed3 suspension conversion ready to install. Muwaha, muwahaha, muwahahaha!
 
Evan 2. The JBR bar is tubular correct? That would explain the hugh diff in diameter. Any troubles removing "my" bar? All I need now is for my front bar deal to get done and I will have a speed3 suspension conversion ready to install. Muwaha, muwahaha, muwahahaha!

I had no issues removing the MS bar. Since it only has 43k miles on it, the bolts came off without using every bit of strength I have LOL.

Ya that makes sense, I'm pretty sure the JBR is tubular.
 
That's awesome Ivan. Are you going to be on their manufacturing side? PCC is one of our biggest casting suppliers. I've worked extensively with PCC - SMP in the past and my current part is cast by PCC - Douglas down in GA.

Yup I sure am. I'm in the management development program for the next two years. Where do you work again? I forget these things lol
 
Yup I sure am. I'm in the management development program for the next two years. Where do you work again? I forget these things lol
I work for GE-Aviation doing mechanical design/project management for high-pressure turbine components. In the past I specialized in rotor hardware that were cast at PCC-SMP but now I own stator hardware cast at PCC-Douglas. Casting Technology is neat stuff. GE has a casting development house in Dayton that I've visited. I hope you like your material properties!
 
Lately I've been hearing a clunk sound as I disengage and reengage the clutch, especially if I do it roughly (inb4 twss). Could that be caused by worn motor mounts, like some lash? in the drivetrain or something? I'm thinking my mounts are in pretty terrible shape, as I'm sure they're the original ones, but the clunking sound is new. It bucks pretty bad if I accelerate hard and then let off in 2nd gear, or at lower speeds in 1st.
 
Lately I've been hearing a clunk sound as I disengage and reengage the clutch, especially if I do it roughly (inb4 twss). Could that be caused by worn motor mounts, like some lash? in the drivetrain or something? I'm thinking my mounts are in pretty terrible shape, as I'm sure they're the original ones, but the clunking sound is new. It bucks pretty bad if I accelerate hard and then let off in 2nd gear, or at lower speeds in 1st.

I've seen people have similar symptoms with crapped out mounts. I would definitely check those out.

I work for GE-Aviation doing mechanical design/project management for high-pressure turbine components. In the past I specialized in rotor hardware that were cast at PCC-SMP but now I own stator hardware cast at PCC-Douglas. Casting Technology is neat stuff. GE has a casting development house in Dayton that I've visited. I hope you like your material properties!

I have a friend working in the turbine heat transfer and CFD area starting June 27th. His name is Zach. I'm sure it's a large place with lots of people but I'll let him know to look out for you. What's your first name again? I remember faces and screen names and everything I talked about with someone but names are not my forte lol.
 
I have a friend working in the turbine heat transfer and CFD area starting June 27th. His name is Zach. I'm sure it's a large place with lots of people but I'll let him know to look out for you. What's your first name again? I remember faces and screen names and everything I talked about with someone but names are not my forte lol.
Great, more Ohio State people, LOL! My first name is Jon. Depending on what program he gets put into it's unlikely I'll ever meet him. Not only is the main plant huge (I don't work there) but there are like 10 other office sites.
 
Nice to see you back on here, Ivan. Good luck with everything!

Hey thanks man! How you been?

Great, more Ohio State people, LOL! My first name is Jon. Depending on what program he gets put into it's unlikely I'll ever meet him. Not only is the main plant huge (I don't work there) but there are like 10 other office sites.

Hahaha ok sounds good. How's the RX-7 doing man?
 
Hahaha ok sounds good. How's the RX-7 doing man?
LOL, it's not doing anything other than sitting in the garage. Check out the last few pages on my build thread but the short story is the engine started to let go at Mid-Ohio a few weekends ago and finally decided to die last weekend.
 
Back