The Wrecked MS6 Build begins

[halfshaft5]

OK, fairly new here but this is how I became a MS6 owner:

I am having another child (#3) and the wife was driving a 03' TDI Jetta which will not support 3 car seats in the rear very well so we decided to sell (omg) the $$$ saver. I am going to miss that 50mpg!!! Anyway I like to build cars and wreckes every once in a while to make a buck or too and to have some very nice vehicles. I searched through some salvage yards and looked at rebuilds and came across this one. Now I am a Mazda man all the way owning 4 different 3 gen. RX7's in my life and just sold my 3rd race RX7 here just recently. Now I saw "Mazdaspeed6" and immediatly thought it was a regular Mazda6 with a CAI or something like that, nothing special. I skipped it and my wife made me go back. Well she said I like it so I read a little bit. Well first thing I saw was AWD,:) well thats a good safety feature, then I saw Turbo,(first) well then I thought hey thats cool and might have a little pickup, then I saw manual 6 speed,(shocked) , then i thought what the crap is this and why have I not heard about or seen this thing so the immediatly packed up the wife and kids and headed to the nearest Mazda dealership. Well to my surprise they said we don't have any, the closest one it 115 miles away. So I thought to myself again, is it worth it and then I thought my rx7's are a blast so lets give Mazda the benefit of the dought and there we went. Got there and found one, and drove it...........Came home called yard and sent check that next morning........OH My GOD....How cool is it to have a nice 4 door sedan thats not huge but not small, turboed, AWD, and 6 speed. GOD Loves ME!!!!!
Well I have it now and here it is. Ijust thought I would share my experiences with everyone and plan to post the build and problems etc... throughout. I have striped everything out that is busted which includes all the front back to the rebar and parts are on order. If anyone knows of good parts to put on that are aftermarket then let me know before I buy straight form MAzda since no generic parts are available for this car. I need these parts:
Hood
Grill
Bumper cover
Rebar
Bumper cover support
both headlights and bulbs
fog light grills
driver air bag
Driver seat belt retractor
passenger air bag
driver seat air bag
air bag brain
clockspring
radiator
condensor
lower radiator hose
fan shroud
Windshield
and last but not least Radiator core support...

The build is budgeted so I will not splurge but I will go ahead and add a CAI and HKS BOV. ANything else I need to do before I complete a parts list. Lights are the kicker being about $750 each but everything else is reasonable I guess...

Anyway till next time and if anyone has seen any of my RX7's then they know I can build a nice car. Is there any CD and Slotted rotors out there for these cars yet? Thanks again and as always God Bless. Michael

[Captain KRM P5]

i have a direct line with mazda and will happily supply you with all you need to refab this vehicle. please call or PM me when you can and i will help you out on anything you need.


OK, fairly new here but this is how I became a MS6 owner:

I am having another child (#3) and the wife was driving a 03' TDI Jetta which will not support 3 car seats in the rear very well so we decided to sell (omg) the $$$ saver. I am going to miss that 50mpg!!! Anyway I like to build cars and wreckes every once in a while to make a buck or too and to have some very nice vehicles. I searched through some salvage yards and looked at rebuilds and came across this one. Now I am a Mazda man all the way owning 4 different 3 gen. RX7's in my life and just sold my 3rd race RX7 here just recently. Now I saw "Mazdaspeed6" and immediatly thought it was a regular Mazda6 with a CAI or something like that, nothing special. I skipped it and my wife made me go back. Well she said I like it so I read a little bit. Well first thing I saw was AWD,:) well thats a good safety feature, then I saw Turbo,(first) well then I thought hey thats cool and might have a little pickup, then I saw manual 6 speed,(shocked) , then i thought what the crap is this and why have I not heard about or seen this thing so the immediatly packed up the wife and kids and headed to the nearest Mazda dealership. Well to my surprise they said we don't have any, the closest one it 115 miles away. So I thought to myself again, is it worth it and then I thought my rx7's are a blast so lets give Mazda the benefit of the dought and there we went. Got there and found one, and drove it...........Came home called yard and sent check that next morning........OH My GOD....How cool is it to have a nice 4 door sedan thats not huge but not small, turboed, AWD, and 6 speed. GOD Loves ME!!!!!
Well I have it now and here it is. Ijust thought I would share my experiences with everyone and plan to post the build and problems etc... throughout. I have striped everything out that is busted which includes all the front back to the rebar and parts are on order. If anyone knows of good parts to put on that are aftermarket then let me know before I buy straight form MAzda since no generic parts are available for this car. I need these parts:
Hood
Grill
Bumper cover
Rebar
Bumper cover support
both headlights and bulbs
fog light grills
driver air bag
Driver seat belt retractor
passenger air bag
driver seat air bag
air bag brain
clockspring
radiator
condensor
lower radiator hose
fan shroud
Windshield
and last but not least Radiator core support...

The build is budgeted so I will not splurge but I will go ahead and add a CAI and HKS BOV. ANything else I need to do before I complete a parts list. Lights are the kicker being about $750 each but everything else is reasonable I guess...

Anyway till next time and if anyone has seen any of my RX7's then they know I can build a nice car. Is there any CD and Slotted rotors out there for these cars yet? Thanks again and as always God Bless. Michael

[tsunami]

ken is the man when it comes to getting mazda parts on the cheap... i am sure he can help you out... good luck with the build up man wish i had the time to do something of the same...

[halfshaft5]

THanks I have PM him already. God bless

[vcinsanity1523]

damn i can't believe somebody did this 2 their mazdaspeed 6 makes me cry inside.... newayz nice find man im sure u will have an awesome machine by the time u are done with it!! keep us informed

[halfshaft5]

I am glad because I got a deal on it. Thanks though

[dominoy2k1]

thats a nice project you have going on. pics of the project truck next to the ms6.

[ebmp5]

wow man that is cool u got's to have some skill's to take this on man, good luck and nice find. post pic's when project is done broh! also good luck

[halfshaft5]

No, it wont be bad, probably start to finish about 1 week normal time but since I will do it at home after work about 3-4 weeks max and most of that is waiting on parts. Thanks for the compliment though. God bless

[Captain KRM P5]

check your PMs for a price list in a minute or two :)

[Newf]

why was she at the salvage yard. Frame twisted or something? I've seen worse then that not wrote off.

[Rainman]

Good luck and keep us posted!

R

[trees]

Nice find! What kind of deal did you get on this, if you dont mind me asking. (peep)

[halfshaft5]

The car shipped to me and a couple of air bags for $11,000. Pretty good deal if you ask me. I just wish I could get the salvage title thing off there. Accident history is fine but the salvage title thing will just kill it when I go to sell but hey, you get what you pay for right. Might as well save the $$$ now than instead of later. God bless.

[Killer 8]

you can take som of the parts off of other wrecked 6's that would help keep cost down if you fin one the just rear-ended

[Captain KRM P5]

you can take som of the parts off of other wrecked 6's that would help keep cost down if you fin one the just rear-ended

the front end parts of a regular 6 will not fit right, i checked already

[halfshaft5]

Well thats the thing. I think a few things will fit but most people trying to sell me stuff are trying to get a big order, but according to a few websites I have found that the radiator, condenser, core support, rebar are the same or at least similar on a regular 2.3 car, the 3.0 v-6 stuff is different but I am thinking of trying to get that stuff and trying it to just see, there are not any regular 6's wrecked anywhere around here, at least in a 100 mile radius. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming. God bless.
Michael

[VA03Speed]

Thats good that you found one but pm bagman1 he may be able to get you some stock parts for the ms6 and prolly for pretty cheap.

[Captain KRM P5]

Well thats the thing. I think a few things will fit but most people trying to sell me stuff are trying to get a big order, but according to a few websites I have found that the radiator, condenser, core support, rebar are the same or at least similar on a regular 2.3 car, the 3.0 v-6 stuff is different but I am thinking of trying to get that stuff and trying it to just see, there are not any regular 6's wrecked anywhere around here, at least in a 100 mile radius. Thanks for the suggestions and keep them coming. God bless.
Michael

i have a copy of mazda's parts book / collision guide on my desk and it says they are not the same part numbers. i think the headlights from a regular six will fit which would save you quite a bit of money.

[halfshaft5]

i have a copy of mazda's parts book / collision guide on my desk and it says they are not the same part numbers. i think the headlights from a regular six will fit which would save you quite a bit of money.


Could you email or fax that to me? My number is 423-775-1465. You are about on on prices on the parts you PMed me but Bagman1 is offering about the same prices and will cover shipping. I know that I would have to get the other parts from you, also MazdaPartsOnline is about the cheapest on lights and the thing is on regular headlights, if I buy them and they don't work, I am stuck with them, dealer will not take them back if you know what I mean. Anyway I am going to "Test Drive" a MS6 overnight tonight and try to locate the part numbers of what exactly I need and a buddy has a sport 6 2005 model that we will compare to, hopefully it will work out so I can really see whats what on these cars. Thanks again for all the help on this guys and keep it coming. I am ready to buy everything so I can get this car on the road, I am dying to drive it. Which CAI should I buy, Mazdaspeed or the AEM version? Thanks and God bless.

Michael

[Captain KRM P5]

i don't have a scanner right now or i would gladly do so. i will PM you about the parts prices this afternoon. I could be able to work a better deal for you. you can buy the regular headlights from me and if they do not work i would return them hassle-free.


Could you email or fax that to me? My number is 423-775-1465. You are about on on prices on the parts you PMed me but Bagman1 is offering about the same prices and will cover shipping. I know that I would have to get the other parts from you, also MazdaPartsOnline is about the cheapest on lights and the thing is on regular headlights, if I buy them and they don't work, I am stuck with them, dealer will not take them back if you know what I mean. Anyway I am going to "Test Drive" a MS6 overnight tonight and try to locate the part numbers of what exactly I need and a buddy has a sport 6 2005 model that we will compare to, hopefully it will work out so I can really see whats what on these cars. Thanks again for all the help on this guys and keep it coming. I am ready to buy everything so I can get this car on the road, I am dying to drive it. Which CAI should I buy, Mazdaspeed or the AEM version? Thanks and God bless.

Michael

[Bigg Tim]

halfshaft5---where did you find the wrecked speed6? I need a front O2 sensor and cannot find a junked MS6 being parted.

[halfshaft5]

It was in Miami but they deal only in rebuildables, no parts sorry. I have found a few in Canada the they are parting but the only one that was hit in the rear sold before they got my email. There are a few on Salvage direct.com so keep an eye on it. God bless

[halfshaft5]

Well I have ordered the structual parts and let me tell you, most the vendors and personal interest on parts have been much appreciated. Well I am ordering from OnlineMazdaParts.com. Jason (JMBaggie) has been awesome on researching everything I have need and worked on getting me the best prices. I don't usually advertise for anyone but he has saved me so much money and has created a good personal interest on the project so it is sure to turn out right. He has filled me in on all the things I didn't know and kept me for ordering things that I didn't need. If he could'nt beat someone's price he told me and said to order it from them but that didn't happen on anything but one item and I went ahead and ordered it from him anyway. Propts to Jason and his work, high recommended for any OEM part you need from MAzda.

Now I have done some more disassembly work which has revealed a few other things wrong, but not expected and I will post pics later tonight. I should be recieving parts next week and have the ability to start the build up next week. Afew things I have bought aftermarket are a Mazdaspeed CAI, and will be ordering the HKS BOV kit from somewhere whenever I can find the best price. I will post later and as always, God bless.
Michael

[dominoy2k1]

is that the only project you have going on?

[halfshaft5]

No its one of five

94 toyota rock crawler I rolled a few months back

93 R1 Mazda RX-7 being repaired on nose and repainted to sell in a few weeks

93 Touring RX-7 same as other one with single turbo and brand new engine and new paint with a fwe other goodies

06' mazdaspeed as desribed

91 GMC k2500 suburban transplanting a Duramax into it from a 03' truck and ally trans

Might have a couple more just cant think of them at the moment. The speed6 is priority since the Jetta is up for sale and I am about to advertise it pretty hard. More to come. God bless. Michael

[dominoy2k1]

awesome. i cant wait to have some money to start a project car.

[Mikey444]

Cant wait to see more pics of this project.

[Da 6]

So...how much did that hood come out to be again? Also were the tinted 5 door lights cheaper?

[halfshaft5]

Here some more updated pics of a few thing I found hiding from me. Yes it has frame damage but thank goodness my buddy has a frame machine. I also piced up a Mazdaspeed CAI that I will install and am going to get a HKS BOV to put on it too later when its done. These are some more pics of the car completely, minus the condensor, tore down. Now for the parts to get here Friday and I will start the frame work and get the car put back together. God bless and stay tuned.

[halfshaft5]

these are some more I took tonight, parts will be here on Friday.(nailbyt)

[Antoine]

Really cool thread...Thanks for sharing...Are you going to keep it the factory color? What's the estimated total cost of everything (car, parts, any additional labor/service needed)?

[halfshaft5]

Well parts alone are around 5K+/- and yes I will retain the facotry color. I plan on maybe color matching the wheels but I need to get it done and see what else I need to do to it. I need blacked out windows and etc... to finish it off but the wheels matching mught be a over kill. Some of my cars it has been and some it really added to the car so go figure. Iwill jsut have to see and I will keep everyone up to date. God Bless.
Michael

[Mikey444]

I cant wait to see the end result. Keep up the hard work!

[halfshaft5]

Well there is another on Ebay, might buy it and do another for the heck of it. Anyone interested for a $20k speed6 with 500 miles on it? PM if interested... God bless

Michael

[Dark-one]

try www.car-part.com anything and everything

[Rainman]

Michael,

This could be your niche...LOL! The MS6 Fix-it guy! If I had the money and half your know-how, I would attempt to do this myself.

R

[halfshaft5]

Not a lot of know how just the time and energy. Trying to get it but they are pretty firm on price. When a vehicle is hit in the b pillar then it gets pretty complicated real quick but still doable. God bless.

Michael

[halfshaft5]

Pics of the frame pull. BTW if anyone is interested in this thread then please post, if not flaming is very disrepectful when I am trying to help people out and give a little interest on the real side of a honest build. Iam not accusing anyone of anything but just thought I needed to bring it up. I hope this thread is a help to those who would like to tackle something like this, and if not it was at least fun for me and saved me a ton of money. Parts list total to return to new is $6192.16 with all bills paid. Thats a 06' speed6 for 17,192.16. plus I only have to pay tax on the purchase amount of the car and not the full build cost. LOL It turns out to be very promising to do such things so I can have nice things, is the work worth it you say. Yes, it takes time but I feel anything I can do to better the standard of living for my family is worth more than anytime or money I could spend. Thanks all for tuning in and here are the pics. God bless.
tried to leave them big so viewing is better

[halfshaft5]

a few more!!!!!(first)

[miss_steele_msp]

wow. its coming along good. keep the pics coming.

[winty87]

yeah, i want to see this finished, i'm very intrigued.

[halfshaft5]

(ughdance) After many weeks of work and research and $$$ spent I have her running. She ran before but didn't have any coolant so could only move around the shop and garage. Now the full mechanical part of the car is lined up and built, tightened, checked and rechecked for fit ment and alignment. Alls good. I need to get the headlights here next and then all parts are in my possession.(first)

Here's the progress. God bless

[halfshaft5]

more

Notice the nice Mazdaspeed intake :)

[Turtle of Time]

wow that is amazing... wish i had the capital and determination you do to make this happen...

[Mikey444]

Well, any update since last week. I'm very excited to see more pics of your project as the days go by. Cheers (cheers)

[GhostMercury]

wows this is amazing..good job on everything so far

[Renesis8]

Wow, amazing, nice work!

[halfshaft5]

Thank for the compliments. The update is this, I had to forfeit my clear coat and hardener to my Brother in law at their body shop because they ran out and the guy to delievers to them is on Vacation. I should have it today with hopes of getting started. I have been spending most of my time in the evenings on the 3 1993 RX-7s I am doing. I recently built my 3rd, 3rd gen rx7, setup for racing purposes and decided to sell, since then I am taking on other peoples cars for repair and mod to their liking. Its fun and almost a little side business. In other news the baby is doing great and due in mid January and I have sold my TDI Jetta on Saturday so its gone now. My wife is driving my CC Duramax/Ally truck now so I am having to drive the R1 Rx7 until I get here MS6 done or I get my K-5 blazer hub fixed, either or something will have to give, I am 6'2 and 250lbs so a little RX7 is not very comfortable so I am pretty motivated to get something done. Hold tight on this thread and I hope to do the finishing touches on it soon and get it painted. Thanks again and as always God bless
Michael(first)

Heres some or my cars I have done and currently working on
http://www.importsnc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=8471

[avarela86]

This looks great. I have been thinking about doing the same thing but with maybe a water damaged car. I know one gentlemen that's been waiting to rebuild an old karmen beetle convertible(not karma Ghia VW). He's had it sitting in the garage and now has a second one for parts. What's a good place to find salvages, any relevant info?

[halfshaft5]

Salvage parts for a speed 6...............None exist, ask my check book with all the new OEM parts that went back on it. Now for the bettle, find some internet forum and subscrib to them and learn away, these forums have taught me a lot and thats exactly why I am doing this thread, trying to give back to those who have given to me over the years. I have done everything form a 05 Duramax truck totaled to a rx7 to a speed 6. I have done one landrover, and attempted a Jag XK8 but aluminum bodies are not for me so I bailed on it. Its really a hobby adn thats really the way I want to keep it. It gives me extra cash on the side to buy tools and play money and kids college money too. Don't get me wrong either, I have a lot of help and I pay well to those who help me, but as a core group of friends and businesses its doable to make a nice vehicle for relativily little money if done right and you tak ethe time to do it. The first few vehicles I did I had to borrow the money to buy and fix and then worked my way up to just having to borrow to buy the vehicle and I fronted the cash for the parts, and I will slowly work my way up to no borrowing and everything paid for. It takes tons of work but its healthy to me, keeps me sane from working 10 hours a day and having a nice family. A few hours a week and sub some stuff out to help others out and then a few hard weekends and then your done... I urge everybody to try it just once, but do your homework first, make sure you can get parts and have the knowledge wether it be yourself or others to access to solve problems like frame damage, paint and body work, electronics, etc... Use your stong points to build something for yourself and when your done you have the final product adn its do rewarding. BTW flood cars are the hardest to sell after you get done so be aware of that, electronics are a nightmare and little things like rusted seat brackets and hinges and etc... get hard to deal with over time when they get worse. Also PLEASE be honest in everything you do and if you decide to resell don't lie about anything and document everything you do. Its not worth going to HELL over a dollar, I promise you.... Hope alls well around the site and God bless

Michael

[meinp5]

Does this vehicle have a salvage title?

**EDIT - nevermind...I saw another post that said that it did - **

[avarela86]

Salvage parts for a speed 6...............None exist, ask my check book with all the new OEM parts that went back on it. Now for the bettle, find some internet forum and subscrib to them and learn away, these forums have taught me a lot and thats exactly why I am doing this thread, trying to give back to those who have given to me over the years. I have done everything form a 05 Duramax truck totaled to a rx7 to a speed 6. I have done one landrover, and attempted a Jag XK8 but aluminum bodies are not for me so I bailed on it. Its really a hobby adn thats really the way I want to keep it. It gives me extra cash on the side to buy tools and play money and kids college money too. Don't get me wrong either, I have a lot of help and I pay well to those who help me, but as a core group of friends and businesses its doable to make a nice vehicle for relativily little money if done right and you tak ethe time to do it. The first few vehicles I did I had to borrow the money to buy and fix and then worked my way up to just having to borrow to buy the vehicle and I fronted the cash for the parts, and I will slowly work my way up to no borrowing and everything paid for. It takes tons of work but its healthy to me, keeps me sane from working 10 hours a day and having a nice family. A few hours a week and sub some stuff out to help others out and then a few hard weekends and then your done... I urge everybody to try it just once, but do your homework first, make sure you can get parts and have the knowledge wether it be yourself or others to access to solve problems like frame damage, paint and body work, electronics, etc... Use your stong points to build something for yourself and when your done you have the final product adn its do rewarding. BTW flood cars are the hardest to sell after you get done so be aware of that, electronics are a nightmare and little things like rusted seat brackets and hinges and etc... get hard to deal with over time when they get worse. Also PLEASE be honest in everything you do and if you decide to resell don't lie about anything and document everything you do. Its not worth going to HELL over a dollar, I promise you.... Hope alls well around the site and God bless

Michael


Thanxs for the detailed reponse. I was wondering more as to how you find the salvaged car. Is there an internet site or something in particular you use to find the cars? Didn't think about that with the water damaged car, if it has frame damage though that makes it pretty hard for me to fix since I wont be able to bend the frame, unless I turn into the Hulk in between now and the time I get a car to fix. But thanxs again and like i said if you have any relevant info as to what tools I can use to find myself a car do fill me in.:)

[D-rock240]

Impressive projects, I wish I had a garage like that :)

[halfshaft5]

Search ebay for salvages, sometimes you see a bargain but most of the time its someone elses nightmare and they are trying to get back out of it, otherwise find a friend who can get into insurance auctions like a dealer and go there, not as many cars to choose from but a very good starting and you can see it too. Some body shops will pull frames for people on their personal cars, so ask a body shop close to you what they would charge for a easy frame horn on a car lets say like a mazda6 and go from there. PS Mercedes and BMW and JAg are all hard to repair vehicles. Also parts are very expensive too and not a whole lot of affordable aftermarket stuff to buy for them. Stick to the Honda's, toyotas, and some of your easier to find vehicles. Another good suggestion is to get a car thats like one you own and that way you have something to measure off of and something to refer too if you where to get lost. Also =try Salvagedirect.com. They have some good stuff from time to time but again a dealer will need to purchase it. God bless and let me know if I can be of any other assistance.
Michael

[justanotheradikt]

there is a protege on that site i want to buy!

[halfshaft5]

Well not a lot of time to devote to the speed6 but we have a new addition to the family, my Brother in law had a baby boy on thursday. Got some body work started earlier in the week and here a few pics of them. God bless

[halfshaft5]

By the way, heres another project in the garage, a 93 low miles Montego Blu TT 5 speed Rx7.........Just thought some people would like to see it, it will be for sale in a few weeks if interested, around 18k or so. God bless


I know this doesn't look like a hobby and more like a business, its just a very busy hobby lets say, I promise it is just that. Oh also this might have violated the for sale ad post rule but I hope not, if so then let me know and I will correct it. God bless

Michael

[fellowkillla]

I wish i lived next door to you,cause i'll bring some cold ones and get cracking with all your rebuilds. if you let me!!!!!ha ha.. god speed.(peep) (ughdance) (ughdance)

[halfshaft5]

Need everyones input. I am going to paint the front Mazda emblem a slightly different shade of dark gray and was wondering what you all think about doing the wheels also. I don't have the cash flow to buy a nice new set of rims but I like the look of these stockers except they are silver. I like the Dark look, I don't think color matching the car and wheels would look good but maybe if I did a real dark gray or something like it just a little lighter to offset it some, whats your thoughts? God Bless

[avarela86]

Need everyones input. I am going to paint the front Mazda emblem a slightly different shade of dark gray and was wondering what you all think about doing the wheels also. I don't have the cash flow to buy a nice new set of rims but I like the look of these stockers except they are silver. I like the Dark look, I don't think color matching the car and wheels would look good but maybe if I did a real dark gray or something like it just a little lighter to offset it some, whats your thoughts? God Bless

Sounds like a good idea but only if it's something you strongly will want to do. Ultimately it's up to you. I myself would rather have a lighter rim to have it stand out on a black car. You can try to sell those as well, maybe even trade for a set of RX-8 wheels if that would be any different for your taste.

Good luck and congrats on the Family addition!!

[Renesis8]

I love the RX-7s you have.........*drools*

[Turtle of Time]

Need everyones input. I am going to paint the front Mazda emblem a slightly different shade of dark gray and was wondering what you all think about doing the wheels also. I don't have the cash flow to buy a nice new set of rims but I like the look of these stockers except they are silver. I like the Dark look, I don't think color matching the car and wheels would look good but maybe if I did a real dark gray or something like it just a little lighter to offset it some, whats your thoughts? God Bless

Why not paint the wheels and the emblem the same color as the Racing Harts that came with the 03.5 MSP?

[halfshaft5]

What color is it? Can someone get me a picture of what it looks like and also a paint code?

[Rainman]

What color is it? Can someone get me a picture of what it looks like and also a paint code?


Here you go brother. Sorry though, no paint codes for this colour.

R

[justanotheradikt]

i do not think that those were painted...more of something they did while making the wheel.

its almost like a black chrome

[Rainman]

i do not think that those were painted...more of something they did while making the wheel.

its almost like a black chrome

I was thinking that myself. I have thought that the stock wheels would look great in a slightly darker "chromium black" finish, but as justanotheradikt points out, it is probably more of a metal finish than it is an actual paint mixture. For the right amount, however, I am sure that you would be able to find someone able to duplicate this finish in paint...just do a Google search for chrome Audi sedan or chrome M3 to get the idea.

R

[justanotheradikt]

oh yea....no doubt you could find someone to get really close. but those were not coated.

[halfshaft5]

It is more than likly powdercoated at the factory or wherever they make the wheels. If painted wheels are properly cared for they will last just as long. BTW a good tip for keeping the wheels clean is to run ceramic brake pads that when used omit a harmless partical that is not abrasive, metallic pads dust is very abrasive and eat into a wheel in no time. Also use regular Rain-X and treat the wheels just like you would a window and when you wash your car the dust will fall right off and it takes a while to build up too. Keep the suggestion coming, I can match anything, and might just have a close match to that mixed already so we will see. I am leaning towards a spiral grey mettalic with a hint of fine red pearl in it. God Bless

[jersey_emt]

I am leaning towards a spiral grey mettalic with a hint of fine red pearl in it.


That sounds awesome! Good luck and please keep us updated on this one of a kind project :) (first)

[Mikey444]

I wish I can find some racing hearts to go on my RX-8 I dont mind being 1 inch smaller and have fatter tires.

[Turtle of Time]

The wheels are not a byproduct of an engineering process, I actually had someone repair a curbed wheel and matched everything 100%.

The RH's are powdercoated sometime in the process.

Can't wait till you have that car on the road, should come down here and take me for a ride lol

[joka1]

how much do you want for the red 3rd gen?

if it is still for sale that is!

rob

[halfshaft5]

That one is already sold but I have 3 other 3rd gens that I am in the process of building now so they will be available in the very near future. The prices will range from 12k to a tricked out 20k pending on the way they turn out and everyone will have new motors and rebuilt trannys and new paint.

I am up for rides anytime, when I get it done we will have a meet and greet somewhere and I will bring a few cars up. Thanks and God Bless

[halfshaft5]

Been doing a little research on the RX8 rims, not very found of them unless I could get the Shinka wheel, its not bad. I will look further but otherwise not looking good. I think a set of 19's would look good black chromed and set under there but funds limit that. Anyway keep up the suggestions, BTW are there any clearance probs running 8 wheels?

[Mikey444]

You'd most likely have to roll the rear fenders and that's it if you want to go anything wider than stock. Even if it's just a wider tire.

[halfshaft5]

Been lazy the past week but the update is working on RX7s and not the MS6 so I will get on it this week and gets some updates, might post a update on the RX7 in progress now, later tonight. God Bless

[halfshaft5]

Well the RX7 build is going slow also, too many projects at once. Anyway got it painted this weekend minus the wheels and Bumper covers but will do so in a day or so. Anyway here are some pics. God bless
Michael

[Japan8]

Cool projects. Wish I could do that myself...

[halfshaft5]

Well finally after a few weeks working on other things and help people out and spend time with the family here is the last weekends progress.
Everything on car is repaired minus the drivers seat cover which we will tackle tonight. My wife is going to sew it back up. If you look at anything and have questions just post them. Air bags are all in minus the drivers seat which I will do tomorrow but I did find something. Rear bumper is scratched down the middle os I will have to fix it too before paint. This is my buddies shop where we have a paint booth so by Saturday hopefully it will be painted. I have bought some RX8 wheels that I plan on painting a dark spiral gray mettalic and match it with the emblems on the car and paint them too as an added touch. Was thinking of a shark fin antenna. Are most people satisfied with them, and also thinking of CPE low down springs for it to add to the sport look but not too low, too low looks like crap but if done right it should compliment nicly, may 2 inches or so. Well give me your comments on this and let me know how I am doing and what else I should do before calling it done. Thanks again in advance as always and God Bless.
Michael

BTW where is the rear seat release to make the rear seat fold down, they have an elctronic switch on them and I can't find the trigger or switch. BTW anyone have an extra owners manual?

[halfshaft5]

more

[halfshaft5]

Oh yeah, thats a $1400 headlight including bulb and all doors and brain.....I hate HID's
Seat belt and curtain airbags were pretty easy and drivers bag easy....Clockspring however was a bit challenging....

[Boosted24]

wow thats insane for some headlights lol

[mazpro]

looks like it's coming along, nice!

[halfshaft5]

Well guys and gals, I can't believe it, my wife saved the drivers seat cover. I was going to order a new one and found out $547(shocked) and she heard me complain. She said take the cover off and let me see what I can do, I had just complained to her the other day of not helping me on it but she is running interference on two kids so thats a help I guess, and anyway I got it off and in two hours she unstitched the driver air bag broken seam and hand sewed it back up with some dark grey thread. Its a little darker on that seam but hey, you dont notice at all even off the car so hey, she pulled her weight on her own car . I will put the cover in tonight and post some pics and we are getting very close to done.....hey hey. BTW if anyone referrs back to this thread on a MS6 rebuild then if the drivers and pasenger front air bags blow the clips on the passenger bag on the electrical connections melts on explosion so Mazda tries to sell you a new harness. DONT BUY A NEW HARNESS... You have to replace the clockspring in the steering wheel anyway when drivers bag blows and the clip off the old clockspring will plug right into the new passenger bag, simply remove the wires from the clips on both, pull the old passenger bag, place wires into the old clockspring slip and be sure they are tight and plug and play (drive2) .......Then call MAZDA and that $1800 wireing harness you were suppose to buy, just tell them(hah) . Works well and the airbag light is not on (alright)

God Bless,
Michael

[halfshaft5]

Its painted, have to redo the rear bumper a little and get a missing piece under the grill where it bolt to the bumper cover and core support but besides that its almost done. God Bless. Michael

[halfshaft5]

more

[halfshaft5]

Getting close!!!!(ughdance)

[GhostMercury]

with totall sarcasm all i can say is i hate you lol...i wish i could be as cool as you and rebuild a new ms6...i want one i want one lol

[justanotheradikt]

lookin good man!

and im with him...i really do hate you!!! (not really i just wish i could do what you have done)

[Turtle of Time]

just need to replace that cracked windshield and it'll be like new all over again... and also the radiator grille

[halfshaft5]

I cant wait to drive it but when its all done, its really for the wife so my driving time will be limited but when I do, you better believe that I will run it for all its worth. Thanks for the compliments. God bless
Michael

[halfshaft5]

BTW anyone have a stock front lower lip/spoiler for the MS6. Mines cracked and I am tired of buying all these brand new parts, any used out there?

[Donas64]

Un-Be Freakin-Lieveable!

I'm just in awe of your skill. Awesome. Just Awesome.

Can't wait to see it run!

[halfshaft5]

Anyone want to donate a shark fin antenna and a lower front spoiler?

[B1GHAM]

Anyone want to donate a shark fin antenna and a lower front spoiler?

I wish I could help ya out... but Ill donate myself as a driver whenever you get done with it lol..

Sean

[bazooka joe]

nice job!

[Donas64]

Someone give this man a discount on a shark fin antenna and a lower front spoiler dangit. I want to see this MS6 brought back from the dead! It's like auto resurrection!

[Mikey444]

So, is it finished yet? :D

[halfshaft5]

Almost done, windshield in, all paint done minus the rims and emblem, only thing lackingis Passenger airbag installed and a wash job and she's DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[halfshaft5]

more pics

[StealthWyvern]

What no engine bay shots?

[halfshaft5]

Give me time, was getting dark. When I get her cleaned and waxed and clean under the hood then I will take a 40 shot series of pics and will post all pics on photo bucket and let people view as they want to. I have over 350 pics to date on this thing so only a few of them are making it to the threads. ANyway working for future upgrades:

Shaek fin antenna, some one got one to get rid of?
Crossdrilled and slotted rotors w/ ceramic pads
Window tint 15%
RX8 wheels painted dark spiral gray metallic along with all badges and emblems painted the same.

So the build continues....I promise it will be one of a kind...

God Bless

[halfshaft5]

Oh yeah will need some lowering springs too.

Donations anyone?

[Mikey444]

Almost makes me want to trade my RX-8 for a black MS6. I feel guilty just thinking of it.

[Speed6 Guy]

That looks sweet. Do you have a photo bucket acount now post up the address and we can see.

[halfshaft5]

It lives, it really lives......Put about 25 miles on her today and let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Final build cost is still being calculated and I will shoot some pics tomorrow after I spend some time detailing her but dang, i love the CAI and the blowoff sound from a stock valve, it pretty loud for what it is. Anyway hang in there, this thread is almost a done deal. God bless

Oh on a sadder note: The airbag light is blinking 14 code on it, anyone have a idea, so far 2 dealers and nothing from them???????

I will get the bucket acct setup later this weekend. God bless

[B1GHAM]

It lives, it really lives......Put about 25 miles on her today and let me tell you it was well worth the wait. Final build cost is still being calculated and I will shoot some pics tomorrow after I spend some time detailing her but dang, i love the CAI and the blowoff sound from a stock valve, it pretty loud for what it is. Anyway hang in there, this thread is almost a done deal. God bless

Oh on a sadder note: The airbag light is blinking 14 code on it, anyone have a idea, so far 2 dealers and nothing from them???????

I will get the bucket acct setup later this weekend. God bless

do you think it has anything todo with the Side airbags not being there?

[halfshaft5]

I replaced the side airbag so that can't be it. Thanks though, is that the code?

[macklum]

You do really good work ,from the pics you would never know the car was in an accident . On the air bag did you replace the sensors up front ,that could be causing the airbag code

[1Sleepy93]

You've done an amazing job!(shocked)

[bazooka joe]

great job on the rebuild!! looks awesome! how's it drive?

[halfshaft5]

Well driving it seems to be to addicting, I drive it like I stole it and my wife just drives it hard enough to hear the turbo. I got my Chevy 2500hd back so I am happy too, but at lunch everyday I get to drive the Speed so I put it through the gears like it should be. Let me enjoy this thing for a few days and I will finish out the thread. Might start another one on a 3rd gen RX7 if anyone might be interested. Thanks again for hangin in there with me and I will post up final pics in a few days. God bless. Michael

[meinp5]

Awesome...I am curious to see you start a thread on the RX-7. I don't know too much about them so it would be cool to see whats available and see what people do with them.


Well driving it seems to be to addicting, I drive it like I stole it and my wife just drives it hard enough to hear the turbo. I got my Chevy 2500hd back so I am happy too, but at lunch everyday I get to drive the Speed so I put it through the gears like it should be. Let me enjoy this thing for a few days and I will finish out the thread. Might start another one on a 3rd gen RX7 if anyone might be interested. Thanks again for hangin in there with me and I will post up final pics in a few days. God bless. Michael

[D-rock240]

+2 on the 3rd gen RX-7 :)

Great job with the speed6!

[vcinsanity1523]

absolutely awesome job on the speed 6 i can't wait to see what your final cost for the build end up coming up to. Looks great I can't wait to see it cleaned ENJOY!!!!

[halfshaft5]

Waiting for inspection. I got it cleaned up but been driving anyway so got dirty again, been sick and playing work catch-up so been rather busy. Sorry to leave everyone hangin, I will get her cleaned back up this weekend and shoot some pics, might do a vid, anyway to post a vid on here? Thanks everyone and I will start a RX7 one soon. God Bless

[halfshaft5]

Oh yeah, the HID bulbs I used where as follows

I color matched the headlights with the fog lights, it looked gay stock so I used 8500K bulbs on both. Since i was buying I made a package deal. Also got some Xenon in the bright side for a bulb and they match too. Killer look. Had the windows tinted and now thinking of lowering and getting some new wheels but that will have to be after the baby gets here so I know my cash slow will support them. Stay tuned......God Bless

[MS6S2K]

So how much has this cost you total? You figure you can get one new for $22k nowadays, and with a salvage title dropping value way down, it appears that you are married to this car or you will lose a bundle. This car has already depreciated fast in value due to the low demand and failure in the market, so I expect you will be keeping this car for a very long time. It's a super machine, so it's worth keeping. Congrats on a super project. Even though it's a financial hit, there must be a lot of satisfaction in rebuilding and driving what you repaired. Enjoy!!! :)

[marshall-BJ-VE]

by far you have done a great work bringing to life this MSP6 again... and all work done on it makes you appreciate your car a lot more, so you will enjoy it no matter how much money did you invested on parts... nice project and the final results it's nice....

[halfshaft5]

Tax tag and title $18,732.42 not including my labor involved though but who would charge for this. I have to get som epics of this thing and post them, dang I have been lazy. Merry Christmas

[Kansei]

Forgot to subscribe to this thread. Guess I'll read back to see how far you've come.

[halfshaft5]

Updated pics on this new thread.... Thanks for all the nice comments. God Bless
Michael

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123712842&highlight=MS6+rebuild