Cheeks 2012 GX & 2007 Speed3

[MikeTheCheek]

So I've been on the forums a while now keeping quiet but I'm trying to get more active in here and the scene. Here is a long put off thread of my 2012 GX.

Upgrades done to it so far are:
Alpine double-din deck
Alpine Type-S speakers (front so far)
HID headlights
Corksport SRI
Eibach Pro kit
Magnaflow CBE
17" XXR 530 in chromium black on GY Eagle Rev Spec tires

I did a quick photo shoot tonight cause I bought a new tri pod and wanted to get some photos up. Still in winter mode mind you.



this ones with my moms car

[Canadianbacon]

Nice ride so far, any plans for spring/summer? I get tints next 15% all around. Dark the better

[MikeTheCheek]

Nice ride so far, any plans for spring/summer? I get tints %17 all around

Tinting the windows and tail lights first, side skirts and front lip, and more than likely headers. Contemplating switching from the pro kits to coilovers though

[FD22]

Looks good so far, and your plans sound good too!

[Jackal]

Nice ride!
Get some seats by bride
Darken all the things
With these so-called blings
Just don't make it too bleak
Keep it clean Mr. Cheek.

[MikeTheCheek]

Nice ride!
Get some seats by bride
Darken all the things
With these so-called blings
Just don't make it too bleak
Keep it clean Mr. Cheek.

This is the best thing I've read all year

[Jackal]

^^ Damn 6 days into the year. Good one!

[MikeTheCheek]

ok it's going top 10 of last year too

[MikeTheCheek]

So I felt like spicing things up a bit, seeing as how dull and boring winter wheels are with stock hubcaps. So I went with the easiest thing to do, plasti dip.

The Ammo: Red, Blue, Black, and Silver metalizer.


The Dirt.


Squeaky clean.


My plan of attack was to start with a base layer of red, about 3 coats. From there I would add in the blue. I was torn between doing mixed sprays of red and blue coats at the same time but decided to go with the individual colours.

First layer of red


2nd layer


Killing time between coats watching Mad Men


3 layers of red, the base


Adding in the blue


I was a little worried the blue was going to make it look like a clown or spider man in spots where it became heavy


3 layers of red, 3 or 4 blue, 2 metalizer and 1 black


The aftermath


I didn't get any progress shots of the black being added but I basically added 4 and a half coats of black with 1 coat of metalizer every 2, give the black a little pop.

Here is the finished product mounted this morning


And here is it after coming home from work...



It isn't quite a chameleon effect but there is a bit of a fade. I'm quite satisfied with the results. If this was glossy I wouldn't even mind doing my whole car like this...

[Canadianbacon]

Looks pretty sweet

[MikeTheCheek]

Decided to get productive and install my strut bar after having it sit in the garage for 3 months.


I had to bend and rip off plastic pieces under the hood to fit my ratchet in there.






Also installed my purple interior lights. If anyone is in need of a set of license plate LEDs let me know

[CH0SiiN1]

Great work so far!! Like the hubs idea

[MikeTheCheek]

First "wash" of the year thanks to this beautiful weather. Right after I put on my nice new TM3 plates

[MikeTheCheek]

My buddy just bought a Charger so I took a pic. I guess since I also haven't posted a photo with the roof wrap and windows tinted I could post this.

[MikeTheCheek]

I am a sad boy today. Pot holes are the worst..

[MikeTheCheek]

Installed my BC Coilovers this weekend. However, I believe I may have accidentally changed the pre load. I am getting quite the clunking noise from the fronts suspension.

The other problem I have is the height of the rears, it's too much. And from what I can tell I have maxed them out.

If anyone would be able to be of assistance with this it would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, pics after wash

[FD22]

Installed my BC Coilovers this weekend. However, I believe I may have accidentally changed the pre load. I am getting quite the clunking noise from the fronts suspension

BC's are known to commonly have clunking issues, regardless of touching preload or not. Is it a used set? How much were they used before you?

The other problem I have is the height of the rears, it's too much. And from what I can tell I have maxed them out.

Pics of this would be easier to help you with. Need to see exactly what you find "too much." They should be a fairly low height if you have them maxed out. If you're looking to get really low, taking out the rubber perch is one option you have as well.

[LimeWan]

Installed my BC Coilovers this weekend. However, I believe I may have accidentally changed the pre load. I am getting quite the clunking noise from the fronts suspension.

The other problem I have is the height of the rears, it's too much. And from what I can tell I have maxed them out.

If anyone would be able to be of assistance with this it would be greatly appreciated. Oh yeah, pics after wash

LOL. This is apparently what you get when you buy cheap Taiwanese stuff

I also get clunking issues, so I guess it's normal, and I also had to remove the rear perches (adjustment collars) to get the rear this low

[color0]

I also get clunking issues, so I guess it's normal, and I also had to remove the rear perches (adjustment collars) to get the rear this low

You should be able to achieve that height without removing perches... get a shorter, stiffer spring, you won't regret it.

As far as clunking goes you need to isolate where it's coming from. Endlink clunk can be fixed -- pillow ball clunk (caused by wear, damage, or bad tolerances) cannot.

[LimeWan]

You should be able to achieve that height without removing perches... get a shorter, stiffer spring, you won't regret it.

As far as clunking goes you need to isolate where it's coming from. Endlink clunk can be fixed -- pillow ball clunk (caused by wear, damage, or bad tolerances) cannot.

Well I used to have clunking in the back. Endlink just needed to be tightened

As for the ride height, I don't know why, or if the new kits have changed anything, but a buddy of mine with a basically identical car is as low as I am WITH the adjustment collars, and other friend helping me install the coils said he's never seen BCs ride this heigh before.

The others don't even have the extreme drop kit and say they still manage to go lower for some reason

[MikeTheCheek]

BC's are known to commonly have clunking issues, regardless of touching preload or not. Is it a used set? How much were they used before you?



Pics of this would be easier to help you with. Need to see exactly what you find "too much." They should be a fairly low height if you have them maxed out. If you're looking to get really low, taking out the rubber perch is one option you have as well.

Here is a couple pictures for reference





I'll take a look at the perch and take that off.

Oh and they are a brand new set, just made this month

[MikeTheCheek]

So I guess this thread name should be changed since I now have a new ride.

Welcome my 2007 Mazdaspeed3!





The car has 50xxx kms on it and has been stored every winter. The previous owner took very good care of the car, the need for a better vehicle for his family was the reason behind selling. Some of you may have met him before although I don't know if he was ever on the forums. I was originally looking for a close to stock MS3 gen 1 but after looking it was getting tough to find one where it didn't already have 160xxx kms or was in rough shape. This one popped up and I saw the low mileage and had to take a look at it. The car is heavily modded which I was apprehensive about but financially it made sense to go for it anyways. After a long month of having issues with the bank it is finally mine

The 2012 isn't going away however! I plan on keeping it as a winter vehicle. If anyone is interested in the wheels let me know I will more than likely be putting them up for sale.

[Mr Wilson]

Looks good and great mileage, besides the obvious (nice dg lip) what else is done to it?

[MikeTheCheek]

Looks good and great mileage, besides the obvious (nice dg lip) what else is done to it?

Thanks, it's got...
Cobb intake
CP-e TIP
CP-e fuel pump
CP-e DP w/ high flow cat
CP-e FMIC
CP-e RMM
HKS CBE
Go Fast Bits BOV
AP V2
Racelands.... (going to take the BC off my 3 and put them on the speed)
Nitto Neo gens
Stop Tech slotted rotors.

So bolt ons I'm covered. I can look after the suspension parts, upgrade to a V3 AP and get a custom tune done. I've already bought the Corksport weighted shift knob and radiator shrouds

[FD22]

Congrats Mike. Glad to see you finally got possession of it.

Also, thread title changed