MX-3.com

So, here's a little background to my worklog/rebuild: I'm 16 years old (17 in March) and my first car was given to me on March 19, 2010: a Mazda MX-3 GS. 192,000 miles. It needed a paint job, tint removal, gasket replacement... It was a work in progress. When I first saw it on Craigslist I was in love. My father and I went to go look at it; I couldn't leave without it. So, we didn't Unfortunately, my iPhone had to be restored and I lost all of my work in progress pictures I had of it, but that doesn't matter since that isn't what this worklog is about. Long story short, I had my MX-3 repainted the original factory Blaze Red, Painted the wheels black, painted lugs that matched the body color, full sound system, short shifter, SRAI, and a new muffler that gave it a meaner sound. I drove it for 8 months before a nasty patch of gravel down a country road took it for a spin into a ditch. Of course, the airbags deployed. That was the only thing that happened in the wreck strangely; my car flew off of a cliff into a 7 foot deep ditch and bottomed out. I know, it sounds like a stupid teenager mistake (which it was, to some extent; Don't drive on country roads you don't know with acute angle turns!), but it wasn'tcompletely my fault. My parents didn't want me to drive a car without airbags, so I bought a 2003 VW GTI 1.8T and I love it. Now the MX-3 resides under my carport.
As fun as the GTI is, I miss my MX-3 more than anything. I would drive my MX-3 over the GTI surprisingly. So, this lead me to the purpose of my worklog. I will be starting work soon, and since I am homeschooled I will have plenty of extra time to work and get some cash. I have now made it my goal to rebuild my MX-3. It doesn't need much "rebuilding", more slight repairs and modifying. So, please join me on my quest to make my MX-3 fly again!

Sorry, but this is the only picture I have for now. I'll take some more once all this snow thaws (stupid irregular Texas weather)



Here's what I would like to do (in order/priority level):
- New/recharge airbags
- Reupholster dash (cracked when airbags went off)
- Put car back on insurance (it is not being driven currently)
- Change valve cover gaskets on K8 engine for time being
- 2.5" Catback w/ new muffler, most likely direct flow
- New SRAI/CAI, depending on if I can find a good CAI
- High flow cat
- KL-DE/ZE (preferably ZE) swap
- New clutch and flywheel (stage two?)
- 2.5" headers
- Springs, coilovers, suspension stuff...
- New short shifter (maybe)
- New front spoiler/valence
- 16" lightweight rims (Racing Hart?)
- Racing steering wheel
- New front seats (maybe Recaro or Sparco five points if I can find a good deal)
- Other cosmetic things

Down the road:
- Turbo or supercharger kit (I know more about turbos, need to research more on SCs)
- If neither of the above, NOS (75 wet tops)

I know, this is all REALLY expensive, but I can dream/save, right? I'm open to any and all opinions, and thanks for reading my ramblings!

Pictures to come!

Welcome to the site. Right off I think you should touch base with Ryan. You may find you have a few things in common. Secondly, those shoe laces clash with the car big time so best to swap those babies out soonest. Get JDM ones if possible. Don't bother with a 2.5 exhaust it won't do you any good with the K8 and even if you drop a ZE in the 2.25 is fine and is actually the size recommended for a 2.5 engine. I myself have a 2.5 and feel that's part of the reason I run just a little rich. The purists on this site do their best to stick with Mazda/Mazdaspeed gear but then again personal preference. Be warned if you install one of those big as* aluminum spoilers on the back you risk being banned from this site. We just don't put up with that sh*t. Again welcome aboard and remember, "never pet the sweaty things". Dan

dexxin wrote:My car flew off of a cliff into a 7 foot deep ditch and bottomed out.

I did the same thing in mine, except without airbags. Really it should have rolled, but a weak tree supported the one side as I descended. The result was a long indentation along the lower left side of the car, but nothing terminal.

Welcome to the flying MX-3 club. Next time your car flies, hopefully its not over an embankment!

Daninski wrote:Welcome to the site. Right off I think you should touch base with Ryan. You may find you have a few things in common. Secondly, those shoe laces clash with the car big time so best to swap those babies out soonest. Get JDM ones if possible. Don't bother with a 2.5 exhaust it won't do you any good with the K8 and even if you drop a ZE in the 2.25 is fine and is actually the size recommended for a 2.5 engine. I myself have a 2.5 and feel that's part of the reason I run just a little rich. The purists on this site do their best to stick with Mazda/Mazdaspeed gear but then again personal preference. Be warned if you install one of those big as* aluminum spoilers on the back you risk being banned from this site. We just don't put up with that sh*t. Again welcome aboard and remember, "never pet the sweaty things". Dan

Thanks for the advice Daninski. I took out my aftermarket oranges and put back the OEM greys. I just ordered my new GReddy toe-back laces; they definitely add at least 20hp. On another note, thanks for the advice on the exhaust diameter. I have heard from a few people that 2.25" is better suited, so I will go with that. I have a buddy who will do all the bending and such for next to nothing if you bring him the piping so hopefully I can get that done soon.

Also, would anyone be willing to humor me with what these electric superchargers are?? My dad and I found them online and want to buy one just for the hell of it. It looks pretty silly, but it's something to do while my car is just sitting around!

inb4 flamed.

jk but no, don't do it. They are a big hoax.

Dark_Rider2k3 wrote:inb4 flamed.

jk but no, don't do it. They are a big hoax.

Oh, I know they are a hoax and was not saying in any way I was going to buy one for serious use! I was expecting flaming from not wording it correctly, but luckily I can justify myself first. My dad and I were going to buy one for sh*ts and giggles just to mess around with, but then we decided it was a waste of $80. Boredom brings strange ideas!

So, onto my first order of business:

Are there any places that do airbag replacements for a good price? My dad said he was quoted $1000, but I've been told I can find a better deal.

Hey, you kinda remind me of me.

Since your paint is fantastic looking, you are lucky.

Check out Rekognize's old car, he did black on red, it was sexy as hell.

I suggest you just swap in a new dash instead of fixing the old. Its not that hard, I'd give it a solid 4 hours if you do your reading.

I also suggest you spray those wheels back aluminum and get chromey wheel nuts... but thats just personal opinion. They are excellent wheels, super light, very strong, and good lookin'.

VCG's are pretty easy, I say just go for it. If you KL swap soon enough, you can just re-use them too.

2.5 is too big for the K8, you'll kill your power til like 5-6K rpm. You'll sound stupid too. I only ever suggest 2.25 even for a KL, unless you bump the limiter and build a screamer.

don't waste too much money on a CAI, function over form.... the biggest benefit will be sound anyway, the stock intake is well designed, aside from the rubber accordion.

Just get an Exedy OEM clutch when you KL swap, its cheap and holds up to a lot of abuse.

Just get the cheap egay headers, thats what 80% of PT runs, and they all seem happy.

Only go coilovers if you have cash($2k+), otherwise keep an eye on the FS forum, look for some H&R's or Eibachs.

STS is cheap and easy.



I honestly doubt you will boost this car within 2 or 3 years. It takes a lot of know how, a lot of time, a lot of money, sensibility, and more research than you've ever done for any one project in your life.

Ryan wrote:Hey, you kinda remind me of me.

Since your paint is fantastic looking, you are lucky.

Check out Rekognize's old car, he did black on red, it was sexy as hell.

I suggest you just swap in a new dash instead of fixing the old. Its not that hard, I'd give it a solid 4 hours if you do your reading.

I also suggest you spray those wheels back aluminum and get chromey wheel nuts... but thats just personal opinion. They are excellent wheels, super light, very strong, and good lookin'.

VCG's are pretty easy, I say just go for it. If you KL swap soon enough, you can just re-use them too.

2.5 is too big for the K8, you'll kill your power til like 5-6K rpm. You'll sound stupid too. I only ever suggest 2.25 even for a KL, unless you bump the limiter and build a screamer.

don't waste too much money on a CAI, function over form.... the biggest benefit will be sound anyway, the stock intake is well designed, aside from the rubber accordion.

Just get an Exedy OEM clutch when you KL swap, its cheap and holds up to a lot of abuse.

Just get the cheap egay headers, thats what 80% of PT runs, and they all seem happy.

Only go coilovers if you have cash($2k+), otherwise keep an eye on the FS forum, look for some H&R's or Eibachs.

STS is cheap and easy.



I honestly doubt you will boost this car within 2 or 3 years. It takes a lot of know how, a lot of time, a lot of money, sensibility, and more research than you've ever done for any one project in your life.

Thanks for the goldmine of info man! That is all really helpful and everyone's feedback has helped me tweak a few of the ideas. I definitely needed some advice on the clutch and headers and I didn't really think about going to the salvage yard for a new dash... Definitely an opposing force to getting it completely redone. I'll for sure get 2.25" for my pipes; I can see how they can hurt performance. Intake wise, I'll probably just build a new SRAI and drop a K&N cone on it... Wow, I can't believe I'm actually allotting money for my old car instead of saving for an APR ECU upgrade and turboback exhaust for the GTI. I guess I'll take my dad's advice and just drive the GTI... But he didn't say anything about my trusty old MX-3

Air bag replacement isn't as easy as just replacing the bags, unfortunately. You'll have to replace the sensors as well if you want to do it right.

To have them replaced professionally, that $1,000 isn't really "out there" in terms of pricing. I've read that repair shops aren't legally allowed to use used/salvaged airbags from other cars and they must purchase new ones from the dealer. I don't know if this is true or not, but its what I read.

I have the full dash and steering wheel + airbags from my old GS still. And I believe I took the crash sensors off my RS before I scrapped that (at least 2 of them anyway). I would imagine the sensors are the same. If you go the DIY route and replace the stuff yourself, I'd be happy to sell the bags and sensors to you.

Savin wrote:Air bag replacement isn't as easy as just replacing the bags, unfortunately. You'll have to replace the sensors as well if you want to do it right.

To have them replaced professionally, that $1,000 isn't really "out there" in terms of pricing. I've read that repair shops aren't legally allowed to use used/salvaged airbags from other cars and they must purchase new ones from the dealer. I don't know if this is true or not, but its what I read.

I have the full dash and steering wheel + airbags from my old GS still. And I believe I took the crash sensors off my RS before I scrapped that (at least 2 of them anyway). I would imagine the sensors are the same. If you go the DIY route and replace the stuff yourself, I'd be happy to sell the bags and sensors to you.

I've been thinking a lot lately about the airbag replacement, as it is the first order of business to get it roadworthy. I talked to my friend whose dad is some kind of car wizard and can get at least a 30% discount at any dealership in town and also does installs of stuff for his son's friends. I honestly wouldn't know where to start with installing it myself, but seeing as he just overhauled a 2001 Miata, I think he could do the install. Do you know how difficult it is to replace the sensors and bags in the MX-3? And maybe a hint on how to turn the damn air bag light off?!

If I talk to my friend's dad and he is willing to do it, I would like to talk with you about buying the airbag system.

Here's a worklog plan for tomorrow:
- Talk to friend's dad about airbags
- (possibly) replace the lower VCG myself (bad idea? seems simple to me... the upper one is the one that seems like it would be a hassle.)
- Take some pictures to share with you all!

The sensors shouldn't be too bad. There's one by the hood latch and another under the driverside headlight somewhere. I don't know if there are others though. They're bolted on to the car and you have wire connectors going to them. As for the air bags, the driver's side unbolts from the back of the steering wheel with 4 bolts I believe. The passenger's side...you could either remove the glovebox and unbolt it from the dash, or you could remove the whole dash and unbolt it. I'd remove the whole dashpad just so I wouldn't have to lay upside down on a seat trying to find bolts, lol.

I assume that once you've replaced the bags and sensors, the light will go off.

As for your VCG, its easy! Go for it! Just make sure you torque the bolts down right. The online manuals on the home page should have the info you need. The upper one does involve removing the intake manifold though, so it is a bit more tricky/stubborn.

Here are a few pictures I took of the MX-3:

just a picture from the front.


The exterior damage from the wreck. Not too bad if I might say. Also, the front valence is missing. I hit a pothole and it didn't like that one bit.


View from rear.


Front seats. They are still in fantastic condition! Also, you can see my custom console cover my friend fashioned for me


Dash cluster and ghetto wheel repair from where the airbag deployed. VERY short throw shifter. Also, the radio is missing because I took out my aftermarket one and the dash kit to sell. I used to have quite the sound system in there; My GTI's is better anyways, I still have the stock radio for later if needed.


Damage to the dash from the airbag deployment. Definitely going to need a new dash. The dash replacement would probably make the airbag replacement easier as well!


I'm too embarrassed to post under the hood It's quite dirty... Maybe I'll clean it up later. If you want to see any other pictures, let me know!

Nice car. With some long hrs. and some overnight parts from japan it could be great. Welcome to MX3.com BTW.

So, my build is going to slow down for a little while because of another opportunity that has opened up for me. There is only one thing I love more than wrecking cars: drumming. My dad told me he would match whatever money I make to build a custom drum set; I have to earn $770 on my own to build this fantastic drum set. It was simply an offer I couldn't refuse, even though I already own four drum sets So, I will be putting most of my money aside for the drum set and working on the smaller parts of the build. I'm hoping to only be caught up in the drum money for 2-3 months and then I can go full steam ahead on rebuilding my baby.

Savin wrote: As for your VCG, its easy! Go for it! Just make sure you torque the bolts down right. The online manuals on the home page should have the info you need. The upper one does involve removing the intake manifold though, so it is a bit more tricky/stubborn.

I'm having a little bit of trouble finding the manual for VCG replacement. Could I get a link please?

Lazy bum http://mx-3.com/manuals/photo.php?file= ... B2-022.gif

That's for headgasket replacement...so just...only do stuff that involves the valve covers and above. 43-78 INCH/lbs of torque on them little bolts for the VC and 14-19ft/lbs for the intake bolts.