I took the my off Friday to get started on the list of improvements I posted on Mark52's thread. I decided to take a couple of pics as I was working.
You can see some of my favorite tools laying out like the rubber mallet and the breaker bar. ;)
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I took the my off Friday to get started on the list of improvements I posted on Mark52's thread. I decided to take a couple of pics as I was working.
You can see some of my favorite tools laying out like the rubber mallet and the breaker bar. ;)
I got some heim-joint sway bar end links from Mazda Motorsports to get rid of the preload on the front bar (still not running a rear bar).
I also shimmed the bushing mounts to allow the sway bar to rotate freely.
All kinds of pretty colors in there:
I'm also installing some Mazdaspeed motormounts so I took out the header to get to the driver side mount. As you can see from the pic, the stock mount was dead.
While the header was out I decided to modify it (bang on it with a hammer) to clear the tranny bell housing. The rattling was starting to get to me.
I also included a picture of my exhaust for those who haven't seen it. It cost me $70 installed at J's Alignment and Muffler in Grand Prairie. It's just a generic glass pack and a turn down. If you decide to do an exhaust like this I would suggest having the turn down further back b/c it really rumbles in the cabin. I think it sounds really good from the outside, but rattles everything inside.
Last update for today! The brown santa dropped off some new tires last night. Here's a comparison of the 225/45 next to the 205/50. The 225 is also slightly shorter than the 205. These will probably be mounted on my present wheels until the new 15x8s show up. The 205s are getting close to the end of their lives.
I keep an assortment of Monkey Wrenches for use on "special occasions".
If you can't turn it with a 24" monkey wrench, it just dosen't need to be turned!::Banana::
I had a little time to work on the car yesterday so I replaced the passenger engine mount, replaced a old vacuum line, and put the header and intake back on.
Some people on the pointy board and TC seemed to have some trouble with the passenger side engine mount. I removed all of the bolts using multiple extensions from the wheel well. Everything went quick and easy b/c there's not much in the way from this angle. The passenger engine mount was not in 2 pieces like the driver side, but it did have a crack across the entire length.
Up next, installation of a 2002 ABS brake valve to get rid of the severe front brake bias. Once this is done and bleed the brakes, I can get the car down on the ramps and eliminate the preload on the front sway bar.
I noticed Flyin Miata is selling a Brake proportioning valve now. Why go with the 2002 ABS valve and not something like what FM is selling?
(Not trying to push an FM product... just trying to learn a little.)
Ouch!!
So Majik ran over Thomas' hardtop? Ouch! How bad was it damaged? Didn't you pull your soft top?
Off thread, I wish I justify buying your RX-7. Wifey said, no back seat, no new 3rd car.
LOL, Majik didn't run over my hardtop, but that would make for a good story. Also, it wasn't run over, it was just bumped. The driver was a little distracted at the time. And yes, I pulled the soft top.
I'd love to sell the car to an enthusiast like you so if you know of anyone that would be interested, let them know about the car.
Back on subject!
So the car is back on the ground after some more work tonight. I replaced the brake bias valve (first pic) and bled the brakes with the help of my wife. What a trooper! :clap:
After that the wheels and exhaust went back on and the car was lowered onto some ramps. I tried to eliminate the preload as best as I could but there wasn't much room for adjustment. I just thought about it and I didn't have any weight on the driver side, so I'll try to go back reset it with some later.
Finally, put the car back down on the ground and took it for a test drive. Everything felt great. The full throttle shifting is much better due to the motor mounts and there is less rattling from the exhaust. There is still some rattling left, but I think it is from the cat so I'm going to look into replacing it. I can't tell the difference between the new and OEM sway bar end links (maybe during autocross next season). The brakes feel good but I won't really know until I get to do some threshhold braking.