What have you done to your MP3 today???
- Thread starter zoomin MP3
- Start date
The old school vinyl bras suck. They trap dirt and moisture between itself and the paint. And then when the bra moves (even if ever so slightly), it will scratch and slow wear away at the paint. Best case scenario: after a couple years of use, the paint underneath will be dull from the wear and not rusted.
Paint chips suck but so do those vinyl bras. The clear bra is a better solution, but if you already have a bunch of chips, then it's like: "what's the point?"
Paint chips suck but so do those vinyl bras. The clear bra is a better solution, but if you already have a bunch of chips, then it's like: "what's the point?"
It's a leather one with a soft underside...
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- Blue MP3/06 MPV
Pony up the money for paint and the clear bra, you'll be much happier.
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- Blue MP3/06 MPV
I didn't like that bracket either. I bought the mount from someone on the boards, otherwise I would've returned it and bought a different brand. I actually had to file/cut the holes out in order for it to fit flush. I already had AWR front and rear mounts in, so I know the engine wasn't tweaked or out of alignment.
JoeManNorth
Member
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- Mazda MP3 - Blue
I finaly installed my new brakes... they look good. I also got my new BFG's KDW's.. I cant wait to get them on!! I would tell you how the brakes feel but I have yet to find a place to really use them.. we got nailed with another snow storm! Crazy snow out there... This car is fun to drive in the snow though! hahah
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- Blue MP3/06 MPV
I dynoed my MP3 on Saturday. We had a bunch of guys from the coloradomazdaclub (CMZC) at a local tuning shop and made a day of it. I dynoed at 106 hp 112 tq lowest of anyone there(lol2). Top honors went to a speed3 at 207(2thumbs).
JoeManNorth
Member
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- Mazda MP3 - Blue
What do you have in your car or are you running stock?
JoeManNorth
Member
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- Mazda MP3 - Blue
Good call CulRidr.
Did anyone at the meet have turboed Proteges?
Did anyone at the meet have turboed Proteges?
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- Blue MP3/06 MPV
Yeah. He's got an 03.5 with boost controller peaking at 9 psi. He dynoed at 172 hp/170 tq (corrected). Most everything else is stock except stereo and a couple motor mounts.
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- Blue MP3/06 MPV
I finally installed the light weight pullies today. They've been in the garage for a while and decided to get some new belts and put everything on at once. Well, sorta. After several hours of me cursing silently, a lot of above and below the car and one very painfully bloody finger, I got the alt pulley and water pump pulley installed along with a new gatorback belt. I jumped on here tonight to get some tips on the p/s install and hopefully do that one tomorrow. I didn't feel like installing the new belt just to loosen it again in a couple of days, so right now there is no power steering. Tough, but not too bad.
MP3Performance
Member
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- Mazda MP3
I installed my Illumina struts and espiler springs yesterday. I have to say the drop is PERFECT. The rear didn't make a noticeable difference, but it fixes the huge front wheel gap in front. I just cant stop looking at the new stance 
. I also fixed two small rust spots and my front lip. Just waiting for a warmer day to reinstall the lip. I wasn't really able to test the new suspension because we are getting crazy snow right now (yes, it is the 2nd day of spring and we have over 6 in of snow on the ground and falling). But I did drive it to the alignment shop and it felt very solid. I have the struts all on the 3 setting but I think that might be pushing it for everyday driving (it is definitely stiffer then stock).
ONE MORE IMPORTANT POINT:
For all of those with a MP3 considering changing springs and leaving the stock struts you can go ahead and do that. The reason I mention this is because people with the MSP get a horrible "racked look" when they switch out springs. This is because there strut perch is higher then the regular tokico struts. The MP3 has the SAME PERCH HEIGHT as the regular off the shelf tokico (HP's or illuminas). There was some misinformation going around that the MP3 has the same problem as the MSP, this is NOT true.
. I also fixed two small rust spots and my front lip. Just waiting for a warmer day to reinstall the lip. I wasn't really able to test the new suspension because we are getting crazy snow right now (yes, it is the 2nd day of spring and we have over 6 in of snow on the ground and falling). But I did drive it to the alignment shop and it felt very solid. I have the struts all on the 3 setting but I think that might be pushing it for everyday driving (it is definitely stiffer then stock).ONE MORE IMPORTANT POINT:
For all of those with a MP3 considering changing springs and leaving the stock struts you can go ahead and do that. The reason I mention this is because people with the MSP get a horrible "racked look" when they switch out springs. This is because there strut perch is higher then the regular tokico struts. The MP3 has the SAME PERCH HEIGHT as the regular off the shelf tokico (HP's or illuminas). There was some misinformation going around that the MP3 has the same problem as the MSP, this is NOT true.
I installed my Illumina struts and espiler springs yesterday. I have to say the drop is PERFECT. The rear didn't make a noticeable difference, but it fixes the huge front wheel gap in front. I just cant stop looking at the new stance
ONE MORE IMPORTANT POINT:
For all of those with a MP3 considering changing springs and leaving the stock struts you can go ahead and do that. The reason I mention this is because people with the MSP get a horrible "racked look" when they switch out springs. This is because there strut perch is higher then the regular tokico struts. The MP3 has the SAME PERCH HEIGHT as the regular off the shelf tokico (HP's or illuminas). There was some misinformation going around that the MP3 has the same problem as the MSP, this is NOT true.
You know, the best way to show/prove/end the misinfo would be to have taken a picture of them next to each other...did you get a chance to do that? If not, I'm changing my stock struts for Illuminas myself in a month or so...I'll take a ton of pix.
MP3Performance
Member
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- Mazda MP3
I didn't take a before picture of the car. But I did take a picture comparing the MP3 strut and spring to the Illuminas and espiler springs, for both front and back. I will upload it later. The misinformation I am talking about is that people say that the MP3 rear strut is the same as the MSP rear strut, and that is not true. The MSP has a higher perch while the MP3 has the same perch height as the illuminas.
