Default User's 05 MZ3 Hatch

[Default User]

So I've been semi-lurking/semi-posting these boards for about 6 months now, and just realized, I never posted pics of my car in this section.

All things considered, I'm happy with my current progress and my quest for true grassroot budget tuning. Which means either Doing things myself and / or (what I like to call it) the lower cost alternatives to tuning.

- DIY amber sidemarkers
- DIY DupliColour caliper paint
- DIY custom front plate relocate
- Chrome-dipped turn signal bulbs
- Hyper white driving lights
- Hyper white hi-beam lights
- Hyper Yellow Fog light bulbs
- SRI intake with a DIY CAI conversion kit for summers
- deleted Intake Resonator*
- Custom axle-back exhaust using a Magnaflow universal muffler and mandrel bends fitted and welded on a slight angle. Inspired by HKS' 4" tip, 5Zigen angled Fireball, and Magnaflows signature tone.

Here are the pics of my daily driver











Soon to come.....
- I'm still torn on which direction I want to go for the AV aspect so rather than rushing into it...it's currently stock.
-*Also stuck on the wheels. I have a set of 18's in storage that need tires. Problem is - I can almost get a new set of 18's w/ tire for almost the same price of just tires for my old set. So these will probably wait until I get inspired.
-*Looking at shaving the mouldings and debadging the rear Mazda 3 emblem once the weather warms up a bit.
- The infamous DIY home Depot splitter lip. Just waiting for nice weather and some free time to get this on.
- And last but not least - a custom DIY skid plate with oil Filter access, etc. This ones gonna take me some time but is definitely something I think everyone should have.*

And I know, I know...lower it. *Unfortunately, that's not part of my plans right now. Too many road trips for this summer, and not ready to bottom out in the middle of the sticks. Hence the same reason for the HD lip. Maybe next year.

Other than that - I'm having a blast lurking through these boards. Feel free to post your suggestions and opinions...good or bad. *


stealthing through the streets of Scarborough
- Default User
(aka Eric) **

[akh053]

hey pm me about your DIY front plate relocation, thats like the FIRST thing i noticed in your pics, im intrigued now

[Rob23]

nice! i love the orange side markers.

[stevenma188]

You, Rob and I should get together for a Mica black Sport photoshoot

[coriolis]

Heya Eric, clean ride


You need some LED tail lights

[Default User]

hey pm me about your DIY front plate relocation, thats like the FIRST thing i noticed in your pics, im intrigued now

*

Intrigued? WOW, *thanks! *LOL*
IMHO - I don't like how the other plate re-locaters work or look - using the tow-hook bolt. It's either angled too much or leaves a lot of gap. And for the cost, it just made sense to make my own*

Here's a few more pics that show it a little better.



Basically modified the original plate frame with a dremel. Honestly, hardest part was trying to follow the original curve. Then lined it up, zip-tied the frame to the grill, and bolted the plates, TM3 Plate cover and then the smoked bubble plate cover on top.

Easy as pie. Can help you out if you're in the area

nice! i love the orange side markers.

*
Me too. It was one of my fave mods on the car. I just don't like the aftermarket LED ones because you can actually see the 3 LED's.*
I used transparent primer, transparent Tamiya Orange, and of course clear.*
Got lots of this left over also, if you want, I can help you out some day.*

You, Rob and I should get together for a Mica black Sport photoshoot

16W HB's FTW!!!!!
Let me get this washed and shaved first. LOL



Thanks for the compliments!

[akh053]

zip ties? really? never woulda guessed by looking at the pics, thanks man im gunna try this out, where are you located anyways?

[Default User]

Heya Eric, clean ride


You need some LED tail lights

LOL! That's one of the "When I win Pro-Line" items I plan on buying. Otherwise, it's on the back burner until I get everything else accomplished.

zip ties? really? never woulda guessed by looking at the pics, thanks man im gunna try this out, where are you located anyways?

Zip ties to hold the plate tub in place. Then bolts to mount the plates
I'm at Meadowvale/Sheppard area, near the zoo.

If ever We're at one of the upcoming GTG's, I can quickly show you where to cut and how to mount
I'm probably gonna be at the Lumpia meet on Apr3 at KC, and the Opening AA meet on Apr 15@ Nextmod

[Default User]

LOL!
PM's replied.
Thanks for the comments so far guys

guess I should have done a write-up for the plate-relocate and Amber side markers
I'll take close-ups when it's not raining out.

[Default User]

Another pic showing the contoured cut and how the plugs hide the holes, when I relocated the front plate

[Default User]

So I decided to ground the throttle body and did the Home Depot Lip today





Hope it holds LOL!!! I already had the double sided tape, and used 4 bumper screws and some construction adhesive to make sure it doesn't drop.

Tackled 2 projects for about $20 - you can't go wrong

[stevenma188]

What is the lip made from? I'd be interested in a subtle lip like that.

[ST3ALTH]

Garage door weather stripping! lol

[stevenma188]

I wonder how well it would hold up on my car, with the scraping and all. lol

[ST3ALTH]

its only about an inch think. You use 3m double sided tape and some bumber screws and your all fine. Its just a flexible rubber lip, so if you hit something with it ......Nothing will happen. lol

[Default User]

Yuppers - Home Depot Garage Door Weather stripping.
It's a neoprene/foam material so no worries on it cracking.

Used leftover 3M moulding tape, 4 leftover bumper bolts, and some silicone construction adhesive tht I had from a home Reno project.

I wouldn't rely strictly on the 3M double sided tape alone. Unless you can find the VHB-strength

[Cardinal Fang]

Nice looking car DU. The Home Depot lip mod is still popular I see. Subtle but effective.

[Default User]

I turned 100K today



Gave her a quick coin-op bath, and decided to take a few cell-phone pics







Just glad the Home Depot lip stayed on after the high pressure wash LOL!


coming soon...some new shoes.
Stuck on Black w/red pinstripe lip, all black/gun metal or using my old Gold w/ chrome lip. Any suggestions?

[Default User]

so it was a great day outside with a few hours to kill...so I decided to give her a wash and pull the side moldings off

Wish I had a better camera than this old school POS P&S








Also got a chance to install the Mazda 3 pedals I got from Nextmod



all-in-all, a busy Victoria day weekend

[Default User]

Stopped at Nextmod this weekend and decided to treat myself



Pro-kits going in this week

[Rob23]

looks good man. what kind of SRI is that?

[coriolis]

looks good man. what kind of SRI is that?

Looks like the Ractive? How is that BTW? Been kinda tempted to pick one up, how easy is the install?

[Default User]

looks good man. what kind of SRI is that?

Looks like the Ractive? How is that BTW? Been kinda tempted to pick one up, how easy is the install?

The SRI was a cheapo generic one from Pacific Mall. Probably similar to Ractive. The filter is getting swapped out for an AEM or K&N soon. The curve and MAF adapter fit fine. I have some old leftover pipe that I've converted to make a CAI extension.

The Strut tower brace was SUPER easy to install - literally 6 bolts at the top of the strut towers. Took me longer to find my ratchet than it did to do the actual install. LOL!

NOTE: it fits with the battery cover on: but in the event you need access to the terminals, you won't be able to get the cover off with the brace on.

[Rob23]

i have the ractive one, its pretty good

[DumpInfo]

Your hatch is coming along nicely. What's your next mod?