Come on in and watch the transformation of my "new" car!

[Accumulator]

Heh heh, needless to say (I suppose ) the idea of covering up stuff with functionally worthless components isn't the approach I'd take



Oh, and as for the apparent salt damage on the (nice) car in the recent pic, about all you can do is abrasively polish the pieces until they look decent and put something like Zoop Seal on them to keep them that way. Once the cad plating has been compromised (e.g., the clamp on the A/C hose by the strut tower) it's a losing battle with limited potential. That's why you want to keep such stuff clean in the first place The cad plated stuff on the undercarriage of the MPV (talk about taking abuse ) is still fine; all I ever did was wash it every time I wash the vehicle. Never even put wax on it and it's still fine years later despite the Ohio winters.

 

[03k20a2]

quick question on the headliner, what was your dilution ratio for woolite/water?

 

[White95Max]

I think I just poured a spot about the size of a quarter into a 1-gallon bucket, and filled it about halfway with warm water.

I didn't want to have too much soap in the solution, because I didn't want to be required to rinse the headliner. The least amount of water I had to use, the better.

 

[imported_Astral]

I'm not sure why he suggests to unclip the connector, rather than just removing the O2 sensor?



http://www3.telus.net/nicap/nivspeed/m32-valve/howto/pic20.jpg

Removing the O2 sensor is a pain. Actually, screwing it back in straight is the real pain, from what I remember.



But you can do either.. just take it slow and careful screwing the O2 sensor back in.

 

[White95Max]

What's so hard about removing the sensor? Is it just hard to get a socket around the sensor because the heat shield is in the way?

 

[imported_Astral]

What's so hard about removing the sensor? Is it just hard to get a socket around the sensor because the heat shield is in the way?

That's a little tricky, yes. But I think screwing it back in is difficult, because I *think* it's difficult to align it nice and perpendicular, so that it screws back in straight.



Then again, I just can't remember the details, it's been over 1.5 years since I've done. So I say go ahead and unscrew the O2 sensor, that's what my friend and I did and we were OK.

 

[White95Max]

Did you use a special O2 sensor socket? I need to get one of those.

 

[imported_Astral]

Did you use a special O2 sensor socket? I need to get one of those.

I think we were able to turn it using a normal 17mm wrench or something like that. Should be easy enough to check.

 

[White95Max]

What's inside Box #1??? :idea

Why Mazdaspeed springs of course!

(complete with PB's APC, AIO, and SG)



I pick up a pair of front strut mounts tomorrow, and I'm waiting on a new set of 4 Tokico HP struts to arrive, hopefully soon. I'm getting anxious here!

 

[twitch]

I'm waiting on a new set of 4 Tokico HP struts to arrive, hopefully soon. I'm getting anxious here!

Haha don't you love and hate that anxious feeling at the same time?



I had the HP's on my 92 Prelude and liked they way they rode. Much better than stock but not harsh.



Good luck and enjoy

 

[White95Max]

Haha don't you love and hate that anxious feeling at the same time?



I had the HP's on my 92 Prelude and liked they way they rode. Much better than stock but not harsh.



Good luck and enjoy

Cool, that's what I'm hoping for. I just want a slightly firmer, more responsive ride, without sacrificing much ride quality. From what I've heard/read, the Mazdaspeed springs and HPs will give me what I want. The HPs came stock on Mazdaspeed Proteges and MP3s, so I will have basically an identical ride to one of those.

 

[twitch]

I was the same way and had no regrets. I am sure you researched the heck out of it too and will be happy with the decision.



How much do the springs lower the ride height?

 

[Quik89si]

Nice thread, what a great choice for an economical car that will provide reliable transportation! It's looking great, too. Get that suspension on there and let us know how it does!

 

[MDetail]

Mazdaspeed springs inside a duct taped Tein box?

 

[White95Max]

Haha, yep. They're used MSP springs, with 15K miles on them. I got them for $55 shipped.

How much do the springs lower the ride height?

They should lower the car by approximately 0.75". I doubt most people will even be able to tell it's lower than stock.

 

[White95Max]

How much do the springs lower the ride height?

It should lower the car by approximately 0.75". I doubt most people will even be able to tell it's lower than stock.

 

[White95Max]

My car went to the shop at 8:00 this morning to have the struts/springs/mounts installed. I just got a call on my cell from the shop. I was told that the sway bar links broke during the process, and new front ones can be installed tomorrow, but the rears will take up to a week to arrive.

I was told that I could drive the car tomorrow and bring it back next week to have the rear links re-installed. For the time being, I'd be driving it without a rear sway bar. Is this safe to do so?

 

[General Lee]

It can be done, however I would be easy around turns and such. I would definitely rather drive without the rear sway bar than the front though. You may feel the rear end to be a little loose but just drive like an old lady and you should be fine.

 

[White95Max]

That's the plan. I'll have to delay my fun with the new suspension for a little while.

 

[Tasty]

This seems to be a common problem on Proteges. I have heard stories about these links breaking, and how easily they rust up. I'm hoping the Protege5 I'm about to buy doesn't suffer from this. However, the Eibach springs are already installed so...