Wheels + Drop = WOW! (no 56k)

[Derek88]

I figured I'd post this in here mainly because the main difference in these two cars is the stance. Mine is the blue one and the black is Palerider's. I just cant get over how much better a car looks after simply lowering it and putting different wheels on it!

Observe:

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0910.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0911.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0912.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0914.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0915.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0916.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0917.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0918.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0919.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0932.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0920.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0921.jpg

His interior > my interior.

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0928.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0929.jpg

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0905.jpg

And to end the day...

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0934.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0936.jpg


In conclusion, I want new wheels and MORE POWA! (second)(second)

[3.slow]

negative camber in the rear got worse obviously. Thats the only bad thing about lowering a car is screwing the camber

[ill_eagle94]

http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o266/Shakerh00d/HPIM0911.jpg


Ohh that Oldsmobile! (idhitit)

But seriously, looking good guys. Who molded the gauge pod in his dash. It looks pretty good, although the paint looks off just a bit in one of the pics.

I see he has a Mazdaspeed Exhaust as well.

What did you guys put down for power?

[Derek88]

The black one has Vibrant.

I (blue) put down 248/281 (rounded up of course!)

[ill_eagle94]

Good deal. :-)

Wow, the Vibrant looks a lot like the Mazdaspeed one!

[drledford93]

The Olds is the main chic magnet in that pic...

My brother used to have one! I'd never let him forget it!(chair)

[Derek88]

Dont hate on the olds. It's on slicks making over 700whp! Runs low 9s!(eek2)(gossip)(screwy)

[AutoXRacer]

We want info on those gauges and pod!!!!!

[mrlilguy157]

cool. spin those coils down :)

[Akaveli]

looking good!!

[aaronc7]

those wheels are hawt. the gauge pod is probably custom made and around $300-$350. I want one but kinda pricey for me.

[ispypsi]

i wish the stock wheels were only 5 spoke and not that cluttery 10 spoke. 5 spoke or double/split 5 spoke look so much cleaner...not to mention, they are so much easier to clean. i dread cleaning brake dust off my stockers. and screw me, i got a dealer installed tires for life program..i wonder if its still valid if i swap out wheels but use stock tires still? hehe. i don't have cash for buying those MS wheels, but they are nice.

i think seeing those big sexy brakes is enough reason to swap out wheels.

i didnt hear, what is that dropped on? it looks pretty practical and not stupid dumped.

[palerider]

Thanks Derek..looks good I think. I do need some camber adjustment...lol. And thanks for the compliments guys.

Gauges are Autometer Nexus with the control module, and remote, mounted in the glove box. PG talked me into them(I hate crap), and their my favorite mod on the car so far. Pod is custom made.... you can find guys making them on the boards. i paid 350 shipped for the pod, 1000 for the gauges.... you only live once right?

The car is dropped about an 1" allaround, with factory recommended dampening, on MS coilovers....... without camber kit obviously:)

[palerider]

Oh yeah...

The olds belongs to one of my employees.... she drives it when her daily driver is in the shop. That daily being a volkswagon camper bus.....circa unknown.

[6262MS3]

I love those rims, though that drop looks too low for a 4-season daily driver. Methinks I'll be rockin' the stock ride height permanently.

[autoxes]

negative camber in the rear got worse obviously. Thats the only bad thing about lowering a car is screwing the camber

you should always get any vehical alligned right after messing with any suspension parts.

[kudakev615]

not 100% sure but i dont think there is a factory rear camber adjustments on the 3's. a lil more neg camber isnt going to kill tire wear all that much. keep them rotated and they will be aight. but when you lower a car the toe angles are drasticly changed and that will eat up tires real fast if they arent set back to factory specs...

[AutoXRacer]

Gauges are Autometer Nexus with the control module, and remote, mounted in the glove box. PG talked me into them(I hate crap), and their my favorite mod on the car so far. Pod is custom made.... you can find guys making them on the boards. i paid 350 shipped for the pod, 1000 for the gauges.... you only live once right?

(omg) $1000, yeah, too rich for my blood for gauges... I looked at those too, awesome gauges!!!

[Craighjr]

Pale why didn't you use the black lugnuts? The Mazdaspeed red camber arms bring the negative back into spec, or you can buy the SPC adjustable arms. I am not sure about the quality of weight of the adjustable units, but would favor an extra alignment adjustment.

[Dream]

What kind of dyno was that?

[Derek88]

What kind of dyno was that?

A really old one.

DynoJet

[palerider]

Pale why didn't you use the black lugnuts? The Mazdaspeed red camber arms bring the negative back into spec, or you can buy the SPC adjustable arms. I am not sure about the quality of weight of the adjustable units, but would favor an extra alignment adjustment.

I guess you used the black huh?....lol.

I was going to but then, between not having immediate wheel locks, and fearing a slight "rice" look.... I passed. I'll probably try them out just to see how they look soon.

And oh yeah.... I guess I also wanted to be original.haha. Several of us with the BlackMicas have the MS wheels, in fact I dont believe Ive seen a car on the boards with them that isnt black. Strange huh?

If you like the black lugs better, I'll stick with the stock. That way we'll be able to tell our cars apart. That and the fact that my Vibrant tip still has its "foreskin":)

[palerider]

A really old one.

DynoJet

Dynos arent cheese brother.... they dont go bad, I dont think...lol

The fact we were so close gives me great confidence in that machine. Plus the fact that it is about EXACTLY where wed be with drivetrain loss and the mods we both have..... assuming of course Mazdas power claims werent bogus to begin with.

[Derek88]

Dynos arent cheese brother.... they dont go bad, I dont think...lol

The fact we were so close gives me great confidence in that machine. Plus the fact that it is about EXACTLY where wed be with drivetrain loss and the mods we both have..... assuming of course Mazdas power claims werent bogus to begin with.

I agree. 5hp and 1tq. As close as they get. Until you put down 289/319 for a split second...

I would think that dynos need calibration every now and again, but I feel that this one is pretty much accurate.

[Adammazda06]

hey i've eaten at that bonefish!!

[palerider]

hey i've eaten at that bonefish!!

me too!! Im actually surprised this thread hasnt gotten more hoots from some North Carolinians. Derek and I both expected a guy or two, from the triad, to come out of the woodwork. Oh well.

I guess that explains why theres 5 MS3's(including several 07's) sitting up at City Mazda. I talked to them and they said they hadnt sold one in a while. I got the impression that they would be ready to deal if someone showed some interest.

[KronixKid22]

Nice shocker decal, I've got the same one! haha And how is that Valentine One hooked up? Car looks good.

[Adammazda06]

me too!! Im actually surprised this thread hasnt gotten more hoots from some North Carolinians. Derek and I both expected a guy or two, from the triad, to come out of the woodwork. Oh well.

I guess that explains why theres 5 MS3's(including several 07's) sitting up at City Mazda. I talked to them and they said they hadnt sold one in a while. I got the impression that they would be ready to deal if someone showed some interest.

yeah, i don't make it up to greensboro much, but i am in raleigh every weekend with the gf. i actually ate at that bonefish after me a coworker finished the cx9 ride and drive at the coliseum. i wanted to take my 3 around the course they had set up but they wouldn't let me.

[Derek88]

Nice shocker decal, I've got the same one! haha And how is that Valentine One hooked up? Car looks good.

The MS3 has a 12v outlet thing in the center console. I have the radar detector at the top of the windshield and the wire is hidden under the headliner and down the passenger side a-pillar and hidden all the way back to the console. Then the accessory wires are hidden from the console to the steering column. Pretty easy.

[Craighjr]

I guess you used the black huh?....lol.

I was going to but then, between not having immediate wheel locks, and fearing a slight "rice" look.... I passed. I'll probably try them out just to see how they look soon.

And oh yeah.... I guess I also wanted to be original.haha. Several of us with the BlackMicas have the MS wheels, in fact I dont believe Ive seen a car on the boards with them that isnt black. Strange huh?

If you like the black lugs better, I'll stick with the stock. That way we'll be able to tell our cars apart. That and the fact that my Vibrant tip still has its "foreskin":)

HAHA I went black and couldn't go back I guess. Silver lugs is cool then good logic for distingushing our cars. Mine will be the one with the spray painted lock nuts. But seriously you have to nip the tip as Mel Brooks says, it look way better. I don't know if my thread with the pics of the chopped tip are still floating around.

[Haltech]

Very nice.. What kind of wheels are those? They would look badass with a silver machine polish on them (drinks)

[flipstylex]

where's u get the gauges, how much is it too ??? i like em

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

The alignment question was asked on Cobb's site because of the same concerns. They went back and checked the rear wheel alignment (makes you wonder why they didn't do it on their own...) and with their Stage2 kit installed the alignment came up within factory specs, or so they said. That kit supposedly drops the nose an inch, and the rear about 7/8ths.

[happy and angry]

Do you know if there are any major camber changes with the Cobb stage 2 kit?