I figured I'd start a thread of my own to catalog my plans for my 2002 Laser Blue, otherwise known as The Tick:
I just paid him off at the beginning of the month and am thinking of mods that I'd like to do to "finish" him off. Of course, I can't just go mod crazy. My philosophy is to make the car that Mazda should have sold from the factory: simple but thoughtfully equipped, well-handling but comfortable. I talked about this awhile ago. The build will use as many OEM parts as possible and will not result in drastic changes to the car's appearance. To me, this philosophy is what makes my Roadster my own, not until I get bored with it, but until its twisted carcass is carted away after my one of kids crash it on the way to the prom 20 years from now (weird analogy, I know!).
I call it...OEM Plus(tm)
To start, here's what I have so far (lots of parts came on the car):
Suspension:
*FM Stage 1 Kit (FM Springs + Tokico Illuminas) - these replaced Tein HA's
*Rear Sway disconnected
Chassis:
*Added OEM ladder brace and crossbar
Wheels/Tires:
*16x7 +42 5Zigen FN01R-C with Riken Raptor ZR 205/45/16
Exhaust:
*Replaced cracked Roadstersport with OEM muffler
Interior:
*99-00 Seats (OO had installed Mazdaspeed Type F's, but had the dealer install these when the car was sold)
*Speaker setup includes an MB Quartz crossover box in each door going to an MBQ tweeter, woofer in the door speaker spot, and a kick panel speaker on each side
*Raceland Windblocker - Cheap but surprisingly effective!
So...here's what I have in mind. I have no idea how long it'll take to get this all done, but if I don't write it down none of it will happen. I realize that this "build" will not be extreme, trick, dope, or whatever you want to call it. Most folks may not give my car a second look, and that's OK. It'll be the car everyone wishes they had at one point or another XD
Feel free to drop constructive criticisms!
Wheels, Tires, & Suspension:
*Upgrade front swaybar to Mazdaspeed Miata unit.
*Re-do alignment.
*Flip tires. Will be going to stickier stuff next year hopefully.
*Replace brake rotors.
*Install Axxis Ultimates.
Interior/Chassis:
*Add the OEM Shock Tower Bar to tighten up the front end (mostly for NVH reduction).
*Upgrade driver's seat to Elise seat. It'll let me sit lower in the car (important if I want to look into a rollbar), support my back better, and give me a real headrest for once. Adam has some ideas.
*Once the head height problem is solved, get a rollbar for safety. I'm thinking a Hard Dog M2 Sport (no diagonals).
*Buy an iPod adapter kind of like this one.
Aesthetic Clean-ups:
*Fix the slight rust issues in The Tick's trunk.
*Clean up The Tick's cloudy headlamp lenses.
*Get the wheels refinished.
*Paint The Tick's valve cover in red crinkle-coat. Looks something like this. Come to think of it, Harvey (my Civic)'s valve cover could use a similar treatment this summer.
*Replace the antenna base with something a little less swept.
*Paint the calipers and rotor hats.
*Clean up the engine bay.
Maintenance:
*Replace the timing belt.
*Fix the wiring mess that is my current OEM/Aftermarket stereo setup.
Drivetrain:
*Move to 1.6L clutch/flywheel. Possibly upgrade to stiffer clutch.
I just paid him off at the beginning of the month and am thinking of mods that I'd like to do to "finish" him off. Of course, I can't just go mod crazy. My philosophy is to make the car that Mazda should have sold from the factory: simple but thoughtfully equipped, well-handling but comfortable. I talked about this awhile ago. The build will use as many OEM parts as possible and will not result in drastic changes to the car's appearance. To me, this philosophy is what makes my Roadster my own, not until I get bored with it, but until its twisted carcass is carted away after my one of kids crash it on the way to the prom 20 years from now (weird analogy, I know!).
I call it...OEM Plus(tm)
To start, here's what I have so far (lots of parts came on the car):
Suspension:
*FM Stage 1 Kit (FM Springs + Tokico Illuminas) - these replaced Tein HA's
*Rear Sway disconnected
Chassis:
*Added OEM ladder brace and crossbar
Wheels/Tires:
*16x7 +42 5Zigen FN01R-C with Riken Raptor ZR 205/45/16
Exhaust:
*Replaced cracked Roadstersport with OEM muffler
Interior:
*99-00 Seats (OO had installed Mazdaspeed Type F's, but had the dealer install these when the car was sold)
*Speaker setup includes an MB Quartz crossover box in each door going to an MBQ tweeter, woofer in the door speaker spot, and a kick panel speaker on each side
*Raceland Windblocker - Cheap but surprisingly effective!
So...here's what I have in mind. I have no idea how long it'll take to get this all done, but if I don't write it down none of it will happen. I realize that this "build" will not be extreme, trick, dope, or whatever you want to call it. Most folks may not give my car a second look, and that's OK. It'll be the car everyone wishes they had at one point or another XD
Feel free to drop constructive criticisms!
Wheels, Tires, & Suspension:
*Upgrade front swaybar to Mazdaspeed Miata unit.
*Re-do alignment.
*Flip tires. Will be going to stickier stuff next year hopefully.
*Replace brake rotors.
*Install Axxis Ultimates.
Interior/Chassis:
*Add the OEM Shock Tower Bar to tighten up the front end (mostly for NVH reduction).
*Upgrade driver's seat to Elise seat. It'll let me sit lower in the car (important if I want to look into a rollbar), support my back better, and give me a real headrest for once. Adam has some ideas.
*Once the head height problem is solved, get a rollbar for safety. I'm thinking a Hard Dog M2 Sport (no diagonals).
*Buy an iPod adapter kind of like this one.
Aesthetic Clean-ups:
*Fix the slight rust issues in The Tick's trunk.
*Clean up The Tick's cloudy headlamp lenses.
*Get the wheels refinished.
*Paint The Tick's valve cover in red crinkle-coat. Looks something like this. Come to think of it, Harvey (my Civic)'s valve cover could use a similar treatment this summer.
*Replace the antenna base with something a little less swept.
*Paint the calipers and rotor hats.
*Clean up the engine bay.
Maintenance:
*Replace the timing belt.
*Fix the wiring mess that is my current OEM/Aftermarket stereo setup.
Drivetrain:
*Move to 1.6L clutch/flywheel. Possibly upgrade to stiffer clutch.