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[TheMZ5wagon]

Got another update here on the Mazda bought some more parts for her. Picked up a driver side control arm, thermostat, intake gasket kit, bottom motor mount, PCV valve, oil catch can and I got an easyguard pke push start alarm system for her. No need to ever touch the key again the alarm system will be a nice touch with the push start and the passive arming and disarming.

Also I should have some pictures shortly of the rear with the stereo upgrades got half the dash out already but then got some more power wire for the stereo yesterday so I started finishing up the back.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Welcome back @TheMZ5wagon...Glad you're ok and feeling better!

Great updates and fun theme...You mentioned video issues, were you trying to upload directly to the site? The current file size limit is 16.384 MB.

Thank you, I'm definitely feeling a lot better and yeah my video was probably just too big.

 

[teetee1]

I can't seem to find an easy way to reach the pcv valve. To me it looks like the whole front end of the engine bay will need to be pull apart. I hope you have a better method for it.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

I can't seem to find an easy way to reach the pcv valve. To me it looks like the whole front end of the engine bay will need to be pull apart. I hope you have a better method for it.

Yup you need to remove the intake manifold in order to get to it as it's under it that's why I had to buy the intake gasket kit.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Got the dash out finally!!! Been cold here the last few days and my shop is on propane for heat so I haven't been out there much in order to save on the propane.
I must say tho, it was a really crappy job to do! Only worse car iv done aside from this was an early 2000s Jetta but will be all worth it in the end.
Also noticed there ant much room depth wise at the top of the dash where I want to put the speakers. Looks like I may have to fab up a bracket/spacer to make it work.

 

[teetee1]

It nearly broke my back just to replace a cabin filter in my 5. I think the design pitch of the dash went like this: "Let us make it compact to maximize the interior space." "What about serviceability?" "The guy got fired last week." "Ah ok, proceed."

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

It nearly broke my back just to replace a cabin filter in my 5. I think the design pitch of the dash went like this: "Let us make it compact to maximize the interior space." "What about serviceability?" "The guy got fired last week." "Ah ok, proceed."

LOL yeah I kind of think that too but it wasn't horrible. Doing a Jetta is definitely much worse! But take my eclipse spyder for instance, I can have the dash out in an hour tops

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Quick update on the Mazda.
My pke alarm is fully installed just need to finish buttoning up the interior and some more of the audio system with the new amp I got.
Happened to find a set of Mazdaspeed 3 complete front brakes with calipers rotors and pads. So I'll be doing that swap real soon. I also happen to find a throttle body spacer near me that was dirt cheap brand new in the box so also be putting that on.
I will be starting the intake manifold, PCV valve and catch can install soon so I'll make a thread right up on it.
Also happen to get heated seat kits one for every seat in the Mazda but I may just do the two fronts and middle cuz I have to take the whole seat apart in order to install them will probably be a bit of a job.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Got the brake kit today and man are they ever huge compared to our the factory ones!!

 

[teetee1]

I always feel Mazda 5 lack decent braking power with factory setup. I wonder if it is because they use the same brake setup from the Mazda 3 of the same platform. The lightest Mazda 3 of that gen is 2,800 lb but Mazda 5 is 3,400 lb. That's like Mazda 3 with three adult passengers sitting in the car all the time!

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

I always feel Mazda 5 lack decent braking power with factory setup. I wonder if it is because they use the same brake setup from the Mazda 3 of the same platform. The lightest Mazda 3 of that gen is 2,800 lb but Mazda 5 is 3,400 lb. That's like Mazda 3 with three adult passengers sitting in the car all the time!

That my friend is exactly why I wanted these! Since I've had it I've always felt like the brakes lack huge.
I also drive a newer BMW and the brakes on BMWs are insane and I have a bigger brake kit on my Eclipse as well, then our other car is a newer Cadillac which also has really good brakes. So I kind of just wanted that in the Mazda. Every time I get in the BMW after driving the Mazda the first time I break, I almost eat the steering wheel because I forget how good they are compared to the Mazda LOL

 

[theblooms]

Terrific thread. Following.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Another quick update on the Mazda.
I picked up Mazdaspeed 3 gas pedal assembly today along with the pedal covers for the rest and the dead pedal. Also finally got a hold of a nice rear wiper motor with arm cuz mine has been missing since I bought it and the factory fog lights as well!
It seems as if I'm getting parts quicker than I can put them on lol.
Hopefully get this interior buttoned up soon so I can show off the custom gauges, custom heated seats, the pedals and the stereo system.
Now I need to get my parts washer finally going and clean up those brakes to start getting all that stuff on.
Also oddly enough the guy I bought the stuff from has a turboed Mazda 5 and I found out a lot of juicy information!
Minus $1,000 for the tuning I can probably get the rest done for about a thousand or less.
Seems as if I already have injectors that will work from my eclipse that's one little hint. Hehe.
So I think my Turbo Mazda 5 project will probably come to life at some point either this summer or this winter.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Hey everyone how's it going. Got some more updates on my build.
I know I'm kind of jumping all over the place with everything LOL.
Almost got the heated seats done I'll have pictures of that soon already got the switches in and harness ran and the driver seat done.
Almost got all my interior go back together plus my push start alarm system as well looks really good as soon as I get it all cleaned up I'll have some pics.
I also started my PCV valve and catch can and while I was at it I cleaned and painted everything flat black that I could to make the engine bay look nice and clean.
Here's some pics of all the engine stuff I've been doing.

The before.

Painted the passenger engine mount, alternator, starter, tensioner pulley and a few little brackets.

Got my new PCV valve in and my hoses ran for my catch can. look how beautiful that alternator and starter looking flat black

Then I cleaned up the intake manifold and some of the brackets and hosings and stuff to make everything look new again.
Here's a picture of where I'm at right now. She definitely looks 10 times better with everything flat black and clean.

I also got a little gift today from a buddy and he gave me a 6-speed transmission from a Mazda speed 3.
So if anybody knows is any good write-ups of putting the mazdaspeed transmission on a regular 2.3 please point me in the right direction. I know it bolts up but I'm wondering if I can use my factory flywheel, pressure plate and disc or if I have to get the Mazdaspeed 3 stuff. Here's a pic of the tranny, he couldn't get the rest of the CV shaft off but it took me about 10 minutes and I got that sucker out LOL.
So hopefully soon I'll be getting that swap on the go.

I also got a newer style from bumper from an 09 and the fog lights as well so I'm actually going to try to paint this whole thing myself I might go all flat black maybe some of you might have some ideas on what I should paint it it will be my first attempt that actually painting an entire car.

 

[theblooms]

Any particular reason for using the MS3 transmission? Yes, it's a limited slip, but the 6th gear MS3 and your regular 5th gear both have the same final ratio, so you won't be getting any better mileage. (The 6 speed weighs a good bit more, so you may actually lose mileage due to the increased weight).

Gaining an LSD is definitely the biggest upgrade, I'm just wondering if it's worth that hassle.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Any particular reason for using the MS3 transmission? Yes, it's a limited slip, but the 6th gear MS3 and your regular 5th gear both have the same final ratio, so you won't be getting any better mileage. (The 6 speed weighs a good bit more, so you may actually lose mileage due to the increased weight).

Gaining an LSD is definitely the biggest upgrade, I'm just wondering if it's worth that hassle.

Because it's stronger and I plan on going turbo on this thing I already have most of the parts in line for it. Also 6 speed is just so much cooler lol.

The amount of work don't bother me we have six other vehicles I can choose from to drive so if this thing's down for a month or so, so be it.

 

[theblooms]

Ahh! Sweet! I get it now for sure.

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

My buddy got me the ABS module cuz mine's gone and my pedal is soft and he told me it was a real big job to do in a real big pain. he lives about 45 minutes away from me and before he even got here I already had it pretty much out lol.
I'm never bothered by labor it's a good thing about having a shop I guess and other cars to back up on

 

[TheMZ5wagon]

Well another update on the Mazda! Must say my engine bay clean up and painting was a success!! Very happy with how it came out it's a huge difference compared to what it was when I got it. Also got my throttle body spacer in in my oil catch can all done.
Ended up cleaning out the intake manifold as well got all the carbon out of it, replaced manifold gaskets along with throttle body gasket, installed my new thermostat as well, put a drop in k&n filter in the air box, I also already have a custom pipe to feed the air box from the front grill and cleaned up every single ground under the engine bay.
She starts up on a dime now that was a big improvement! Also replace my abs module as well and my brakes are all good now no more soft pedal yay!
Hear some before and after pics.

The before

The After.