SteeleMX3: my bone stock 1992 MX3 Precidia GS

[SteeleMX3]

I actually have no idea ATM to be honest with you man, it was put it by the previous owner. We're good friends though so I'll give him a ring tomorrow and ask about that for ya.

[wytbishop]

I brought my ebay headers which needed to be fitted (cutting and bending/rewelding required) and magnaflow muffler to a shop with a good reputation and he did an awesome job with 2.25" SS mandrel bent tubing for ~$500. Worth every penny to get quality work.

[SteeleMX3]

Yah about the exhaust...guy said he paid about $500 for it, give or take a few. Any roads, today I attempted to reupholster my door panels in blue vinyl...turned out to be a bloody mess. I tried to take off the cloth, but ended up ripping the vinyl underlay, then I realised I need some sort of suction machine to get the vinyl to fit the curves of the panel...after cutting the vinyl for a starter piece to then cut-down to shape. FML.
maybe that'll cheer some people up on here (should I put this in that epic fail thread or whatever it's called?)

[mikeinaus]

shoot triplemx3chick a pm and ask how she zebra'd her door panels. theres got to be an easier way then a suction machine. are you using spray adhesive? youd think itd be as easy as stapling one side then spraying both surfaces with glue then smoothing it all out with your hands till its perfect.

[SteeleMX3]

Alright, so, I haven't posted anything in a while but I have been doing stuff to the beast... received all fleabay goodies, installed all fleabay goodies, had a few trips to pick n' pull, cool 3rd brake light mod completed, along with other improvements. Pics will be coming up soon, with Uni finals I hardly have time to be on here let alone take pictures of my girl.

Now, I'm going to be doing Jovian2K's tail lamp mod as soon as I decide on the colour of my car's paint (don't ask, I can't tell you until it's done). So now I'm torn, English racing Green or 350Z blue??

opinions now please!

[fowljesse]

Blue.

I don't know, but I think you can heat up the vinyl, and stretch it to conform to the curves.

[SteeleMX3]

I was kinda leaning towards blue as well.
you mean for the door panels? would you happen to have any heating tips? I have the panels and the vinyl, I'm so tempted to just spray some adhesive and go for it, but I must have restraint I'll try to heat it up and see where I go from there, I really wanna do this thing

[fowljesse]

If you have extra material, I'd start by learning what the vinyl does, responding to heat. Just take a piece, and if you have a heat gun, heat it until it's warm, and then find something about the same shape as the panel, but opposite (curved out, instead of in), and try to stretch it over it. If it doesn't work, increase the heat a little at a time, until it works. It will stretch at some point, but I don't know if it will discolor, wrinkle, etc...
If you don't have a heat gun, you could try a hair dryer, but if it does work, I'm sure it would take a long time. When you're experimenting, also see where the failure point is. After you find the right amount of heat to stretch it successfully, see at what temp it goes badly, so you know what range you have to work with.
If it doesn't work at all with heat, you can mock up a pattern with cloth, and cut & sew it to conform to the shape.
I would make it too big, and glue it on with about 1/4 inch extra all the way around, so you can cut it with an exacto knife, and tuck it perfectly.
Be sure that it's cool before you glue it in, so it doesn't shrink.

[SteeleMX3]

Alright, nothing done in a while, I've been buisy working for a living and wondering what to do about my baby since I abused her... but she still loves me, so love her back I will. I've decided to revive the old girl once again and replace every last bit that needs to be replaced. Tomorrow morning it's off to Pick n' Pull for the following that I have compiled a list for so far:

- Front fenders [rusty]
- Hood
- Front bumper support
- Front bumper
- Radiator support [possibly]

The next trip will be with an angle grinder to get a piece of the Passenger side floor which I'll have to weld onto mine because there is a hole in my floor where there was once not a hole

I'll also be going to Totem to get a half-inch sheet of plywood to re-do the trunk floor which I did in quarter inch which is now warped from the extreme temperature.

Update, done.

[SteeleMX3]

So I've been down the yard and found a rustless 94+ MX3, it was a gem of a find... especially since this guy came nosying around after I'd removed almost everything I needed. I managed to salvage a perfect hood, passenger side fender, front bumper, hood latch, and passener side interior handle (electric). The driver's side fender was dented so I may go back to get it but I'm debating on whether I want a dented or rusty fender, other than that it seems once I put everything on tomorrow I should have a good looking MX3! To sweeten the deal this MX3 donor was pretty much the same colour as mine, it's a little greener than my "Tropical Emerald Metallic" but it looks better than white!

To all you Calgarians, I would recommend making a trip to PnP soon before this beaut is gone!

[mikeinaus]

yeah 1/2" will work well for ya. i may have used 5/8ths im not sure (scraps from work) but i havnt had any problems. if you had of read my post the first time you wouldnt have this problem would ya good luck at pick-a-part im sure your car will be good as new in no time.

[SteeleMX3]

Another updizzle!
So today I tried putting all my parts on the beast, unfortunately to no avail
Here's a picture of the damage which lay beneath, looks like the bumper did its job:



Now unfortunately the bump gave my sub-frame a bit of a "squish" so now nothing aligns properly and, yet again, I will have to go to the body shop to get her pulled back straight. Here's a pic of the missalignment when I tried to put the new hood on.



And here are some pictures of the pieces that are going on, bumper hood, and splitter!!!





Front splitter is a bit worn to say the least but I think with a little TLC it should be good as... an 18 year old splitter?

[forex4you]

Thats looks awesome..!

[SteeleMX3]

So just as an update while my short term memory is working:

I've painted the door panels blue, painted some dash bits, painted the floor mats, made a new trunk floor with blue vinyl, polished her specs , and oh yah... completely revived her (again) after my SECOND crash haha.

pics will come in the morning.

[mikeinaus]

glad to hear you got it all fixed up. i take it you decided against selling her? still going to europe for shcool?