MK1 Mazda 3 MPS - Family Connection
Discussion
Oh I will definitely be getting new brackets, they aren't too expensive from Mazda I don't think!
On the underside my garage have always commented that they still haven't found any killer rust yet, but this is why I want the bodykit removed and everything checked behind the wheel arches and then re protected so fingers crossed many more years of motoring for the old girl.
On the surface of the car is a different matter, I don't think my old man was anywhere near as bothered by the condition of the bodywork and that came down to washing and protecting it too
So a fresh start should see her right. I do forget sometimes that she is an 11 year old car now.
On the underside my garage have always commented that they still haven't found any killer rust yet, but this is why I want the bodykit removed and everything checked behind the wheel arches and then re protected so fingers crossed many more years of motoring for the old girl.
On the surface of the car is a different matter, I don't think my old man was anywhere near as bothered by the condition of the bodywork and that came down to washing and protecting it too
So a fresh start should see her right. I do forget sometimes that she is an 11 year old car now.
I dropped in on the bodyshop today to see how everything was all going. Glad to report no issues as yet, the car has been externally stripped of pretty much every trim.
I had a little check of the sills under the plastic bodykit and everything looks to be in fine form, which is a great!
I am glad the spoiler has come off so all of this can be sorted, as it really doesn't look that pretty underneath.
Popped into Mazda and ordered 2 of the front bumper/wing clips that are usually the culprit of droopy bumper as they age. These were meant to have been changed at some point when Mazda responded to the issue. About £22 a clip. Clip shown below!
In other exciting news:
1. The TRC front splitter has arrived so that will get dropped off next week.
2. As the headlights have been removed I am going to take the opportunity to replace all the bulbs (as one side is usually a bumper off job) So OSRAM nightbreakers and sidelight and indicator LED's have been ordered.
3. Some custom goodies have been ordered, 1 for the interior and 1 for the engine bay.
4. Some new wheels are hopefully going to be on their way, deal is just about sealed. Something I have been hunting for, for a while. Still in keeping with the Mazda OEM feel.
I had a little check of the sills under the plastic bodykit and everything looks to be in fine form, which is a great!
I am glad the spoiler has come off so all of this can be sorted, as it really doesn't look that pretty underneath.
Popped into Mazda and ordered 2 of the front bumper/wing clips that are usually the culprit of droopy bumper as they age. These were meant to have been changed at some point when Mazda responded to the issue. About £22 a clip. Clip shown below!
In other exciting news:
1. The TRC front splitter has arrived so that will get dropped off next week.
2. As the headlights have been removed I am going to take the opportunity to replace all the bulbs (as one side is usually a bumper off job) So OSRAM nightbreakers and sidelight and indicator LED's have been ordered.
3. Some custom goodies have been ordered, 1 for the interior and 1 for the engine bay.
4. Some new wheels are hopefully going to be on their way, deal is just about sealed. Something I have been hunting for, for a while. Still in keeping with the Mazda OEM feel.
Another tantilising week has passed with no huge update. The car went into paint mid week and I've been told to pop in next Wednesday onwards to see some real progress.
Dropped off the TRC splitter, new bumper brackets and bulbs to be fitted as well.
But the HPFP internals that I ordered in early June have now arrived (overnight parts from the US
) Another step towards some eventual tuning.
Dropped off the TRC splitter, new bumper brackets and bulbs to be fitted as well.
But the HPFP internals that I ordered in early June have now arrived (overnight parts from the US
) Another step towards some eventual tuning.Due to bodyshop getting swamped the poor MPS is taking a bit longer than I was hoping but we are slowly getting there. Not that I am too bothered as I am hurtling around in my MX5 which is not exactly a terrible thing to drive.
So today I dropped by to find the car within a whisker of being fully prepped ready for paint. Had a chat with the owner and been told he wants the car done and gone by the end of the month so fingers crossed I get her back within a week or so!
She was outside as they were reschuffling cars around so this is how she looks at the moment.
Oh and I have some new wheels, ready to go for when she gets back!
So today I dropped by to find the car within a whisker of being fully prepped ready for paint. Had a chat with the owner and been told he wants the car done and gone by the end of the month so fingers crossed I get her back within a week or so!
She was outside as they were reschuffling cars around so this is how she looks at the moment.
Oh and I have some new wheels, ready to go for when she gets back!
So Saturday has come.....but she isn't ready yet. The guys have found some issues and want to rectify before I collect. The service has been outstanding so far so more than happy for them to take their time.
Also they wanted to get my opinion on leaving the door mouldings off, for the cleaner look. So I dropped in for a quick look and decided that they were right and the mouldings were to stay off.
Quick cheeky shots of the sill extensions and gloss black rear bumper. Unfortunately not great photos as she is in a bit of a corner but it gives you all an idea.
I'm so excited to get her back.
Oh and the eagle eyed of you may notice something very special in. Strangely one of my dads favourite pieces of car design and a car I've not seen outside of a car show for many many years.
Also they wanted to get my opinion on leaving the door mouldings off, for the cleaner look. So I dropped in for a quick look and decided that they were right and the mouldings were to stay off.
Quick cheeky shots of the sill extensions and gloss black rear bumper. Unfortunately not great photos as she is in a bit of a corner but it gives you all an idea.
I'm so excited to get her back.
Oh and the eagle eyed of you may notice something very special in. Strangely one of my dads favourite pieces of car design and a car I've not seen outside of a car show for many many years.
Today was collection day! It felt so good to get to drive her back with a fresh face.
The guys have done an excellent job and so far I haven't found any issues with the work.
Possibly my favourite detail that have gone gloss black are the wing mirror plastics.
Next Steps:
1. Detailing and ceramic protection is in a few weeks.
2. I am hoping to get her MOT'd and slotted in at my garage for the few bits that doing.
3. Fit new wheels.
4. Fit new top mount intercooler.
5. Still waiting for my package from Russia to arrive with other goodies.
6. Might have to start looking at exhausts to liberate a bit of noise.
The guys have done an excellent job and so far I haven't found any issues with the work.
Possibly my favourite detail that have gone gloss black are the wing mirror plastics.
Next Steps:
1. Detailing and ceramic protection is in a few weeks.
2. I am hoping to get her MOT'd and slotted in at my garage for the few bits that doing.
3. Fit new wheels.
4. Fit new top mount intercooler.
5. Still waiting for my package from Russia to arrive with other goodies.
6. Might have to start looking at exhausts to liberate a bit of noise.
Had some time post morning shift to top up my tan and fit the new top mount intercooler from CP-Engineering.
How the engine bay looked.
Whipped the pipes and recirc off to get the OEM intercooler off. Here is a quick side by side of OEM vs CP-E. So much extra surface area for cooling!
Fitted, with the freshly painted shroud that helps seal the intercooler to the bonnet. Does look much better black from the silver it comes as.
Followed by a quick spin to fill up with fuel and to make sure no leaks. So far nothing has popped off!
How the engine bay looked.
Whipped the pipes and recirc off to get the OEM intercooler off. Here is a quick side by side of OEM vs CP-E. So much extra surface area for cooling!
Fitted, with the freshly painted shroud that helps seal the intercooler to the bonnet. Does look much better black from the silver it comes as.
Followed by a quick spin to fill up with fuel and to make sure no leaks. So far nothing has popped off!
helix402 said:
Looks great. Nice to see the body shop removed lots of bits some leave on.
Thank you! I did ask them to take their time and treat it as a restoration job so they went to town. Including removing the black trim strips on the roof to spray gloss black.Over the past few days I have been a relatively busy bee.
Finally got my new wheels on the car, managed to snaffle them up off a lad breaking his MPS and they are quite a rare wheel. The OZ wheels off the Prodrive RX8. Along with giving the calipers a lick of paint. Not a perfect job but have come up really well after a couple of coats.
Also, finally my package from Russia has been delivered with a custom gearknob and oil cap. As I love orange (almost a perfect colour match to my MX5!) I had them done in orange with custom engraving. The gearknob has mine and my fathers initials round the base.
Oh and I know the engine bay is going to need tidying up and making pretty. Going to need a decent bit of work to get looking presentable!
A few little bits over the last month. Dropped the car into my garage for a few little jobs.
Oil Change
Silicon radiator hoses swapped in and a coolant change.
Install my HPFP internals.
Car feels like she is running brilliantly at the moment. Very happy.
After that she was dropped into my local detailer who protected my MX5, for detailing and ceramic protection and the results are great. He commented that the bodyshop did a great job which obviously was very nice to hear!
A few collection photos.
Oil Change
Silicon radiator hoses swapped in and a coolant change.
Install my HPFP internals.
Car feels like she is running brilliantly at the moment. Very happy.
After that she was dropped into my local detailer who protected my MX5, for detailing and ceramic protection and the results are great. He commented that the bodyshop did a great job which obviously was very nice to hear!
A few collection photos.
That looks absolutely stunning. Have you thought about an alcantara gear gaiter? Had mine custom made in black alcantara with red stitching and it looks so much better than the shiny black leather gaiter that didn't match anything else in the cabin. Orange stitching would tie in the gearknob nicely too.
Downhilluk said:
That looks absolutely stunning. Have you thought about an alcantara gear gaiter? Had mine custom made in black alcantara with red stitching and it looks so much better than the shiny black leather gaiter that didn't match anything else in the cabin. Orange stitching would tie in the gearknob nicely too.
Thank you!I have some ideas with the interior. But it involves quite a lot of work, so I need to save up. Would love to re trim the Recaros, rear bench, door cards, headlining and A pillars. Mainly to replace the grey fabric with more of an alcantara material in a darker grey. It is a good idea with the orange stitched gaiter but if I put too much orange in, it will start to clash with the red on everything else. Which will end up me retrimming everything with an orange stitch
More progress in September!
Car passed her MOT with no advisories. Always good, got the front alignment carried out again as I wasn't happy with steering wheel position at dead ahead. All sorted at the moment.
Now, the plan was to stop spending for a while. But with MPS's being broken regularly I had to take advantage of a COBB Accessport going for a good price! For when I want to get a custom map from one of the US tuners.
Today I married her to the car. Always a little nerve racking as when you first marry it backs up the stock ECU map should you ever want to unmarry and sell the Accessport on. This takes about 30 minutes and the main concern is battery voltage so I purchased a CTek charger just to be on the safe side, having a battery charger is always a good thing anyway!
Success! Went for a little drive to check the gauges are reading and seems to be all ok. Gave the Accessport another wipe down as it looks really dirty in the photos.
Back to watching the pennies, but the next logical steps for performance are downpipe & catback. Wondering if I should just get a new turbo or wait until the K04 dies.
Car passed her MOT with no advisories. Always good, got the front alignment carried out again as I wasn't happy with steering wheel position at dead ahead. All sorted at the moment.
Now, the plan was to stop spending for a while. But with MPS's being broken regularly I had to take advantage of a COBB Accessport going for a good price! For when I want to get a custom map from one of the US tuners.
Today I married her to the car. Always a little nerve racking as when you first marry it backs up the stock ECU map should you ever want to unmarry and sell the Accessport on. This takes about 30 minutes and the main concern is battery voltage so I purchased a CTek charger just to be on the safe side, having a battery charger is always a good thing anyway!
Success! Went for a little drive to check the gauges are reading and seems to be all ok. Gave the Accessport another wipe down as it looks really dirty in the photos.
Back to watching the pennies, but the next logical steps for performance are downpipe & catback. Wondering if I should just get a new turbo or wait until the K04 dies.
Edited by Jester86 on Saturday 3rd October 18:07
An early November update,
The spending has continued even though I said I would stop! Getting a knocking from the front at low speeds, lock to lock and reversing which is slowly getting worse and it is getting increasingly frustrating.
With one of the few parts not replaced at the front is the steering rack.I bought a second hand rack from a breaker and sent it off for refurbing, even though the rack was meant to be completely fine I thought it best to have it looked over and refreshed before it goes on the car.
But as these things go I thought i'd buy some extra goodies as the car is going in (hopefully even though lockdown is happening).
Dogs approval.....confirmed.
So in the box we have.
1. Hardrace drivers side engine mount.
2. Hardrace gearbox mount.
3. Corksport cat back exhaust.
4. Hardrace poly exhaust hangers.
The loose justification is that all of these could potentially cause some knocking if the OEM bits are failing. The exhaust should liberate a bit of drama and makes me happy in spending all this money
The spending has continued even though I said I would stop! Getting a knocking from the front at low speeds, lock to lock and reversing which is slowly getting worse and it is getting increasingly frustrating.
With one of the few parts not replaced at the front is the steering rack.I bought a second hand rack from a breaker and sent it off for refurbing, even though the rack was meant to be completely fine I thought it best to have it looked over and refreshed before it goes on the car.
But as these things go I thought i'd buy some extra goodies as the car is going in (hopefully even though lockdown is happening).
Dogs approval.....confirmed.
So in the box we have.
1. Hardrace drivers side engine mount.
2. Hardrace gearbox mount.
3. Corksport cat back exhaust.
4. Hardrace poly exhaust hangers.
The loose justification is that all of these could potentially cause some knocking if the OEM bits are failing. The exhaust should liberate a bit of drama and makes me happy in spending all this money
Edited by Jester86 on Monday 2nd November 17:18
Seeing the effort and love that has gone into this is amazing. Absolutely amazing car man, it'll stay with you for a long time!!
Every time I tell myself a Saab 9-3/9-5 aero and a remap by noobtune will have me happy, I see this and want my own MPS, albeit the 6 as that's what I really want...
Keep up the hard work man, amazing car, and I love the different touches you've done
Every time I tell myself a Saab 9-3/9-5 aero and a remap by noobtune will have me happy, I see this and want my own MPS, albeit the 6 as that's what I really want...
Keep up the hard work man, amazing car, and I love the different touches you've done
clarki said:
We love a mazda in this house (on our 5th) and yours is no exception.
Lovely colour and some great work going on there.
Keep up the Mazda love! Thank you, much appreciated.Lovely colour and some great work going on there.
Trars said:
Seeing the effort and love that has gone into this is amazing. Absolutely amazing car man, it'll stay with you for a long time!!
Every time I tell myself a Saab 9-3/9-5 aero and a remap by noobtune will have me happy, I see this and want my own MPS, albeit the 6 as that's what I really want...
Keep up the hard work man, amazing car, and I love the different touches you've done
Thank you! If you have always wanted a 6, get in there yourself. It will require some love and patience, these things aren't the cheapest of machines to keep in good condition.Every time I tell myself a Saab 9-3/9-5 aero and a remap by noobtune will have me happy, I see this and want my own MPS, albeit the 6 as that's what I really want...
Keep up the hard work man, amazing car, and I love the different touches you've done
I took some extra photos of parts today, as the car is getting dropped off at the garage tomorrow. So here is my refurbed steering rack looking quite good!
The Corksport cat back is a really lovely piece of kit.
Just to show I am not being a complete lazy bum with regards to home mechanics. My MX5 30th Anni celebrated its first birthday with a back box from Cobalt.
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