GEN JUAN: Cosmic Blue '07 Mazdaspeed 3 GT

[jbails39]

This marks the beginning of the build for my 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 GT. Bought it off a guy in Fredericksburg who needed the money to settle debts, needless to say got a good deal. It was obvious this car had issues from the get-go, but I found enough redeeming features to feel it was worth the purchase/ potential future issues. Bottom-line, $$$. Also 119K miles.

I purchased the car conditionally, under the guarantee that it be compression and leak-down tested beforehand at a dealership, so the motor wouldn't suddenly Zoom Zoom Boom on me. All tests came back within spec, no obvious signs of impending doom, and away I went.

Thread will be updated in a similar fashion to other projects with timely progress reports/pictures. Formatting to be cleaned up later.

The Good:
-Compression/Leak Tested within spec
-New Clutch and Flywheel
-New Front Axle
-No serious paint issues
-Very minor dings/scratches
-Pulls Hard
-Cold Starts VERY well
-VVTC is taught
-Turbo is somehow still alive
-Has a very amusing HKS SSQV
-Cold Air Intake, also fun.
-Purrs like a kitten at idle, no strange engine noises.


The Bad:
-Previous owner(s) neglected really basic level shit.
-Stupid LED strip lighting all over the interior, some working, some not.
-Wired for some sort of sound system that no longer exists. FML
-Car pulls to the left (Alignment issue) (FIXED)
-TERRIBLE plastidip job on the rims- Thin coating, over-spray onto calipers, etc.
-Headlights
-Right- condensation issues
-Left- Some sort of ticking noise from it, assuming it has to do with the auto-level motor or something like that.
-Awful squeaking and clunk noises from the front and possibly rear. (FIXED)
-Bose speakers sound like shit- possibly swapped and sold, need to check.
-Front right rim is dented, road vibrations at 65 and up. (FIXED-REPLACED)
-Interior, while surprisingly good, has some minor issues, small tear in driver side seat.

Impending Upgrades and Fixes, in order of importance:
-Alignment (FIXED)
-Noise investigation (FIXED)
-Unbend Rim (FIXED)
-Replace rotors and pads, clean calipers (DONE)
-Check out swaybars, endlinks, replace if necessary(DONE)
-Struts, Shocks, and Springs(DONE)
-Transmission fluid change to Ford XT-M5-QS Full Synthetic(DONE)
-Remove small dents from all over (WIP)(NAH)
-Cobb Accessport V3(DONE)
-High Pressure Fuel Pump(DONE)
-Catted/Catless Downpipe
-Exhaust(DONE)
-Front Mount Intercooler
-Budget for Motor/Turbo failure and subsequent build.(LOL)
Pictures of whip go here:

[jbails39]

Today I got it aligned, noise investigated, and cursory check.

Ordered Brake Rotors and Pads
Centric High Carbon front and Rear
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.centricparts.com/products/hcr">http://www.centricparts.com/products/hcr</a><!-- m -->
Hawk HPS pads

Also was made aware of the bent rim, will be getting that fixed this week.

Taking suggestions for suspension, because that has got to go. Was thinking of Koni str.t struts and shocks with the stock springs.

[rherold9]

Looks like you got what I'd look at when I was looking at a Speed3. Remember the mounts and keep a budget for a new turbo. I don't know how that thing isn't broken yet and if you start to mod the seals will be gone very quickly. But, that's why you just save for a BNR S3. :thumbup:

Koni Yellows and Eibach or H&R springs

[jbails39]

Yellows are great, but I don't have the budget for $1000 in suspension parts atm. That's why i figured the Koni Str.t would be a good one, can get all four for 300, and stick the old springs on.

[rherold9]

Well if you are looking for just replacements then yeah Str's will be fine

[95SVTCobra]

Koni Yellows and Eibach or H&R springs

I second this. However, probably a good move on the budget to get the STR.T. I have been very happy with my H&R springs, they were a great purchase for me. If you can get them on the budget, go for it! Looks like you got a good deal man!!!! :thumbup: can't wait to see it at the show!

[nismosam]

Need pics, and the mods list looks to be in good order!

[CaptainHenreh]

Ah, the second Cosmic MS3 for MM. Good choice.

[Jake]

I read "Turbo is somehow still alive" and was all like



because your silver Mazda3 was very much not turbo'd the last time I saw you. Apparently I need to learn to read. Does this mean you sold the silver 3 to buy the 'Speed? Nice choice either way, sounds like some basic issues that can be addressed as you have time and cash.

[jbails39]

Yeah Jake, the Silver 3 is going soon, as soon as I feel the Speed3 is Daily-able. i.e. brakes and suspension are complete.

[*insertusernamehere*]

Woohoo Josh! Pictures please.

[Senor_Taylor]

Glad I got to go in the final trip in the original 3. Maybe I'll get a ride in the new one

[davej]

you've got 24 hours to deliver photos or your name will forever be changed to Tyler Junior and Rex and I will hunt you down.

[rherold9]

you've got 24 hours to deliver photos or your name will forever be changed to Tyler Junior and Rex and I will hunt you down.

^ignore this guy. He is just a keyboard warrior

[Senor_Taylor]

Hey, if it gets us some pictures, I'll virtually support any witch hunt on this forum.

[jbails39]

I actually took pictures this morning in the rain because it was dark last night when i started the thread. What is the easiest way to edit pictures into the OP?

[Senor_Taylor]

Upload to imgur (<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://imgur.com/">http://imgur.com/</a><!-- m -->), then copy the "forum code" with the [img] tags into the OP.

You can click the edit button.

[jbails39]

Pics are now up. Will get better ones up later.

[nismosam]

Hey, if it gets us some pictures, I'll virtually support any witch hunt on this forum.

Haha I'm all aboard the the witch hunt train as well. Clearly it helped deliver. 8)

[Goodspeed]

Nice pickup! I really like the 1st gens before the styling went all goofy. Such a sleeper, definitely looking forward to the progress