Max Archer's Mazda2 Build Thread

I finally got my tires today. BF Goodrich GForce Sport Comp2s in 195/50. I haven't had a chance to really evaluate them yet, but one thing that's instantly noticeable is how much more sidewall stiffness there is compared to the OEM tires. It's not like I wasn't aware that they'd be stiffer, but I'd never driven a 2 on good performance tires and the difference is massive, it's like having stiffer springs. My GF probably would have hated riding in the car with them, I guess it's one of the few upsides of having broken up with her last week after five years...
 
it's always intriguing to see how different performance is with just a simple change of tires. Psh I have a rule for my car, if you can't stand the noise or how he handles you can walk. Sorry about the break up but gotta look on the bright side! MORE TIME FOR THE CAR!!
 
Canyon run in the 2 with intake and everything else. Recorded with a dedicated sound recorder mounted at the top of the windshield so it's pretty accurate to what you'd hear as driver. Necessary disclaimer - this is a relatively low-intensity run on an isolated road with excellent sightlines and very little traffic. The driving looks aggressive but I'm not diving into the truly blind corners (you can see if you watch closely that I wait until I can see the following straight) and this is immediately following a recon run in the other direction to check for stopped cars and debris in the road.

 
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Cool vid. It's funny that disclaimers for driving on a back road are thought to be necessary on a car forum. Sounds like you know what you're doing. Nothing irks me more than a "dope touge run video yo" and the driver has no lines, car is hellaflush, and the road is obviously a commuter road. Oh and daytime runs are always super risky. At least at night you can see on coming headlights.

I don't drive my favorite road as much as I used to but man your video is amping me up.
 
Haha yeah, that's why I only do this kind of thing at night. Plus people actually do go up there in the daytime for sightseeing and hiking and stuff, not to mention the billions of bikers this road attracts.

It's funny how fast this video makes the run look, by the way. Speedometer gives me away though lol.
 
This one's not a "run" but I was driving home over Mulholland and had my camera so I decided to try mounting it on the door. I think the effect is pretty cool.

 
nice! looks like fun! I still havent taken my car up there to play yet. Last two times I was up there I took one of my evo's. Would love to take the two down tuna :).
 
Trackday at Streets of Willow last weekend. It was an evening track event so the later runs were with the sun down, and this video is right at sunset, which is pretty awesome.

I ran pretty decently, mid-pack in my group in my best session, which I'm happy with because I was by far the slowest car in a straight line and didn't have the benefit of trackday tires. Running on the track showed me a lot about the direction this car needs to go in terms of tuning - the stock shocks can't handle the speeds, the summer tires, or the springs I'm running, and the car was bouncing all over the place just when I least needed it to be doing so, so a set of Corksport shocks are going to be a high priority. I was having much more oversteer than I expected, so a front sway is also high on the list. Finally, and probably the first thing I'll do since it's cheap, I wore the crap out of the outside shoulders on my front tires, showing just how badly I need some camber bolts up front.

There's another event coming up later this month, on Willow Springs' big track, can't wait.
 
Put some StopTech pads and PowerSlot rotors on the front of the 2 last night.


New pads/rotors. (Stoptech pads and PowerSlot rotors.) by maximstensel, on Flickr

Also dragged this old toolbox up from the basement and used it to turn my giant heap of small toolboxes and parts store bags full of miscellaneous stuff into something more reasonable.


Dragged this old toolbox up from the basement and put all my tools, fluids, and cleaning supplies in it. Way better than the huge mess that was in my garage previously by maximstensel, on Flickr


Toolbox drawers. Still need to organize all the sockets and wrenches. by maximstensel, on Flickr
 
They seem pretty good so far. I really need to bleed my brakes though, gonna do that tomorrow and then I'll know how I really feel. They're just their basic PosiQuiet ones, but they're still an upgrade over our semi-metallic OEM pads and came highly recommended by the shop. (Tri-Point, a Mazda specialist that had a lot of involvement with setting up the B-Spec package for the 2 and a dealer of many much higher end pads.)
 
Your videos are awesome , the sense of speed is really exaggerated in the night time down hill. I am about due for a brake job , I was considering the power slot rotors and I am curious about your opinions on them . Specifically how the Ecoat holds up and if there is any extra noise . You may have me sold on the Stoptech pads . I know you just got them installed but I'm looking forward to an update once you hammer on them for a while .
 
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I had no idea stoptech mads pads for the 2. I loved their pads on my forester though, and just ordered a set for the miata.
 
The pads and rotors did fine at the track but got pretty squishy after a hard canyon drive where I didn't let them cool enough between runs the other day. I think I'm gonna have to bleed them again. The rotors don't seem to make much extra noise.

I did two trackdays last Saturday, first on Willow Springs Int'l Raceway for Mazfest, and then on the spur of the moment decided to join another Streets of Willow twilight event after Mazfest was done. The car had a ton of trouble with grip and power in the 100 degree plus temps out on Big Willow, but once night fell and after some tire pressure adjustments I got the car dialed in pretty well and got my Streets time down to 1:39.5 vs. almost 1:41 last time, and that was with substantially more worn tires. I'm looking forward to shocks and tires and some more front camber, I think I should be able to break into the 1:37s or better once that's taken care of. I really need a bucket seat too, the stock ones suck on track.

Here's a shot I found from Big Willow, hope the photog doesn't mind me sharing it.

1275831_703782652981006_2008145486_o.jpg
 
Looks great bud, I wanna race my 2 sooooo bad, all these pictures and vids of Lapping and auto-x.... Yep the 2 is a fwd Miata :)
 
The 2 is gone, replaced by a '14 Fiesta ST. I like to think I'm still kinda keeping it in the family. I'd been interested in the ST since it came out and as it became clear that we weren't going to get a Mazdaspeed 2 and the aftermarket wasn't really going anywhere either. The 2 was having some trouble, the deal was great, and I'm really happy to have twice the power in a very similar car, and all the other upgrades you get with the ST. (The redesigned torsion beam and front spindles are a big deal, both mods you couldn't really do in the aftermarket and they make a huge difference.) See you guys around.
 
Nice! And most of the mods will swap over if you choose. I'm still anxious to test drive one,
but really not looking forward to it as I, like you did, may jump ship.

congrats on the new car. Any Pics? Color?
 
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