07-30-2015, 05:28 AM
Alrighty ladies and gentle(?)men. As I sit here in a Beijing cafe procrastinating on studying for my Chinese final, my mind keeps wandering to go fast bits and car stuff. Immediate to-do list for when I get back on August 2nd.
-Valve Cleaning: highly recommended by every Speed owner, at 115xxx miles, they have probably never been touched, and likely look like most of the side streets here.
-Is this something I should attempt myself, or is there a place that I could take it for a reasonable amount of money? I am a little hesitant to tear into engine stuff or fuck something up. I would be much happier doing it with an experienced MMer or speed owner.
-Suspension: I want to get this blue baby to the track and autocross and all other manner of nonsense. Coilovers are expensive as hell, and I do like the stock ride height a good bit. The suspension still squeaks and sounds essentially shot, so I will need to replace the shocks/struts as soon as possible. Also a rear sway bar sounds like fun.
-Custom Tune and fuel pump: Probably the thing I will do first after the valve cleaning and a boost-leak test is purchase a Cobb AP and custom tune, with the requisite HPFP to prevent a ZZB condition. Figured I may as well do it right if I do it at all, so the extra expense is justified.
-Exhaust: I plan on purchasing the CNT catback as soon as possible, mostly for rice reasons. I always feel like the car should be a little louder, which would only enhance the intangible sensations and tingles I get in my nether regions while I drive it. Also, opening up the exhaust a little bit is good for about a 20hp gain based on reviews. I would do downpipe for more significant gains (you lift bro?), but my k04 is somehow still alive, and I don't want to murder it until i am prepared for a turbo upgrade. Apparently a new downpipe has a tendency to mess with pressures or some shit and go all smokey.
-Spark plugs: The spark plugs were replaced literally a week before I picked it up, although I believe it would be smart to get one-step colder plugs to make things safer for the tune. Input would be appreciated here.
-Sound system: I wanna bump a little bit, maybe a 10" sub and some nice speakers. The current Bose ones are okay, but sound a little funky at times. Also, I am not really sure what the OEM Bose amp is good for, and the speakers give off a very slight hissing when i plug in my phone, so I want to get that checked out as well. Thoughts on how to engage these items/where to take it to do these things?
-Wheels and Tires: Gonna need new tires, as well as new rims. I have two difference pairs of tires cross-matched on my car, with one brand on each side, alternating front and back. Don't even want to know what that is doing to driveability, wouldn't chance it with any kind of track task. My right rear rim is still a bit warped, and the rims themselves still look fucky from that terrible plastidip job, so I would like to replace them with a good set of Enkeis, as I like their style. Thoughts on tire/wheel combo are appreciated, keeping in mind this is a daily.
-Intake: Probably gonna get a new intake, as I would like 3" to replace the shitty spectre filter and stock diameter hosing to the TIP. Likely going to be a JBR or Corksport.
Sorry for the train of thought stuff, can't wait to get back and do racecar stuff with my racecar friends.
-Valve Cleaning: highly recommended by every Speed owner, at 115xxx miles, they have probably never been touched, and likely look like most of the side streets here.
-Is this something I should attempt myself, or is there a place that I could take it for a reasonable amount of money? I am a little hesitant to tear into engine stuff or fuck something up. I would be much happier doing it with an experienced MMer or speed owner.
-Suspension: I want to get this blue baby to the track and autocross and all other manner of nonsense. Coilovers are expensive as hell, and I do like the stock ride height a good bit. The suspension still squeaks and sounds essentially shot, so I will need to replace the shocks/struts as soon as possible. Also a rear sway bar sounds like fun.
-Custom Tune and fuel pump: Probably the thing I will do first after the valve cleaning and a boost-leak test is purchase a Cobb AP and custom tune, with the requisite HPFP to prevent a ZZB condition. Figured I may as well do it right if I do it at all, so the extra expense is justified.
-Exhaust: I plan on purchasing the CNT catback as soon as possible, mostly for rice reasons. I always feel like the car should be a little louder, which would only enhance the intangible sensations and tingles I get in my nether regions while I drive it. Also, opening up the exhaust a little bit is good for about a 20hp gain based on reviews. I would do downpipe for more significant gains (you lift bro?), but my k04 is somehow still alive, and I don't want to murder it until i am prepared for a turbo upgrade. Apparently a new downpipe has a tendency to mess with pressures or some shit and go all smokey.
-Spark plugs: The spark plugs were replaced literally a week before I picked it up, although I believe it would be smart to get one-step colder plugs to make things safer for the tune. Input would be appreciated here.
-Sound system: I wanna bump a little bit, maybe a 10" sub and some nice speakers. The current Bose ones are okay, but sound a little funky at times. Also, I am not really sure what the OEM Bose amp is good for, and the speakers give off a very slight hissing when i plug in my phone, so I want to get that checked out as well. Thoughts on how to engage these items/where to take it to do these things?
-Wheels and Tires: Gonna need new tires, as well as new rims. I have two difference pairs of tires cross-matched on my car, with one brand on each side, alternating front and back. Don't even want to know what that is doing to driveability, wouldn't chance it with any kind of track task. My right rear rim is still a bit warped, and the rims themselves still look fucky from that terrible plastidip job, so I would like to replace them with a good set of Enkeis, as I like their style. Thoughts on tire/wheel combo are appreciated, keeping in mind this is a daily.
-Intake: Probably gonna get a new intake, as I would like 3" to replace the shitty spectre filter and stock diameter hosing to the TIP. Likely going to be a JBR or Corksport.
Sorry for the train of thought stuff, can't wait to get back and do racecar stuff with my racecar friends.
2007 Mazdaspeed 3 GT- Cosmic Blue
2005 Yamaha R6 Raven- Sold
2009 Mazda 3- Sold
2005 Yamaha R6 Raven- Sold
2009 Mazda 3- Sold