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racerboy's bp powered, daily driven 323

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    racerboy's bp powered, daily driven 323

    Well, I guess I should start a work log for my daily driver 323. I don't really have any major plans set in stone yet, as I don't have much money for the car at this time. (It's going to pretty much stay as it is until I get enough money to start changing things. ) It will not be anything special, modifications wise, as I will be daily driving it back and forth to college(A 45 mile trip one way) every day starting late august for two years, so I need it to stay reliable and fuel efficient.

    What I'd like to do, but problably won't happen any time soon, if ever:

    I'd like to rebuild the bp, do some minor head work, get adjustable cam gears, and build a custom cold air intake with a b code vaf and a K&N cone filter.

    I'd like to swap in the 626 5th gear.

    I'd like to run a 2 1/4" header back exhaust with a chery bomb as a resonator and a hooker max flow muffler.

    For suspension, I'd like to go with Tokico Blues all around, with my H&R springs. i'd like to run ST sway bars, ryan's spherical front lca bushings, and poly bushing everywhere else. Then install MX3 gs lca and lateral links. Then get cusco camber plates.

    For brakes, I'd like to go with slotted rotors and hawk pads.

    For the interior, I'd like to fix the MX3 seats, install a momo wheel, install a leather shift boot and knob, recover the rear seat, replace the carpet, replace the headliner, and then install a decent stereo.

    For the body, I PLAN on fixing the rear collision damage, patch the rust holes, and roll the fenders a little. Then I'd LIKE to get a gtr grille, GTX frunt bumper, JDM rear bumper, clear headlights from germany (http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...m=190287497479) with clear corners that I'd tint a little, a JDM rear garnish, escort gt sun roof, and a new set of A pillar trim from mazda. Then I'd like to coat the body with Dark Shadow Gray Metallic paint that originally came on the 2004 mustang.

    And last but not least, I'd like to go with 15X6.5 BBS RS wheels with 185/60R15 General Altimax Rt front, and 205/60R15 Altimax RT for the rear.


    I'll add current plans either later tonight or tommorow.
    My family has lots of bg's!
    2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
    1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
    2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
    1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
    1992 Mazda 323: Race car
    1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
    1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
    Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

    #2
    Current plans:

    replace the left front strut with a tokico blue strut.

    restore the headlights.

    Fix seat belt chime.

    get an alignment

    change oil

    get a radio in it

    pictures on progress from earliest to current condition:
    Attached Files
    My family has lots of bg's!
    2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
    1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
    2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
    1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
    1992 Mazda 323: Race car
    1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
    1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
    Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

    Comment


      #3
      looks better with out the flares, nice

      91 Red EGT :: Daily: CRASHED/SOLD

      Comment


        #4
        agreed .. ditch the flares...just does not suit the car..

        Comment


          #5
          Well, i played around with the 323 today. I washed it, touched up a few spots, and then waxed it. Looks WAY better than before! I also fixed my seat belt's warning system, and then test drove it to make sure I did it right.
          My family has lots of bg's!
          2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
          1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
          2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
          1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
          1992 Mazda 323: Race car
          1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
          1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
          Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

          Comment


            #6
            I am thinking about changing a few things on my car, but need some opinions first.

            I am looking to change my springs from H&R to a better riding spring. (I will be driving on VERY bumpy highway back and forth to college every day for two years and don't think I can handle the H&R springs. What is the best riding lowering spring out there that is affordable? I don't have much cash, but will be saving up for a few things, and I'm hoping the springs will be one of them.

            I need to replace my blown front ZX2 SR tokico stuts. Does anybody know where to get just a front set, and not all four? (of the zx2 sr tokicos.)

            Also, what would be the best way to fix my camber issues? I'm tired of replacing my tires with another set of used ones every 800 miles from camber issues. I'm guessing camber bolts?
            My family has lots of bg's!
            2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
            1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
            2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
            1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
            1992 Mazda 323: Race car
            1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
            1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
            Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

            Comment


              #7
              you sure its a camber issue and not a poor toe setting causing your tire wear?
              91 protege gt. dropzone mx3 springs, mx3 crossmember, ractive front and rear strut braces, rear lower mx3 brace, 4 wheel disc brakes, corksport ss brake and clutch lines,kvr front pads, ractive cai,ram air hood scoop, modified front bumper, shaved ant and rear trunk lock, fubu ant, short shifter, corksport bronzeoil shifter bushings,92 glass sunroof and tail lights, mx3 center console, autometer gauges (volt and oil pressure) cluster needles painted to match, sound system, 17 inch eagle alloy 193 with 205 40 17 rubber. klze is ALIVE BABY!! . http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2394656http://www.toprotege.com/forums/show...hlight=project[url]

              Comment


                #8
                Reality says ditch the boy racer look and put stock springs back in it for your use. Bumps call for softer springs; If it is lower they have to be stiff. Winter in WI calls for ground clearance when you HAVE to go. Winter also calls for narrow (185 max) dedicated winter feet. Dedicated winters also let you use real summers instead of "all season".
                (and the plan to put bigger tires on the back is brain dead and counterproductive!)

                Lots of Honda, Toyotas, etc around so mounted winter tires can be cheap; My Pro has 4 studded Winterclaws (Cooper), paid $115 mounted on 5" Honda steel wheels with about two months use on them. Just finished the third winter.They are 185/70/14, so the gearing is up and the speedo/odo is low - be careful! Summer are Altimax HP 195/60/14 on 6" wheels.
                My 323 has Altimax Arctic 175/70/13 on 5" OE steel wheels, same OD as 185/60/14, love 'em. Summer are Sumitomo HTR H4 185/60/14 on Miata 5.5 alloys. Winter tires make ALL the difference! (but it is nice when you can take them off!)

                All these tires have so little wear over time that I can't really measure it, even with very hard driving (but no burnout crap!). I'm going to have to replace them for age not wear. We did wear out a set of front winters the year I taught my daughter to drive, but we played a lot in snow and gravel roads, and they were already two winters old.

                I agree with Progt91, think you have a toe issue, camber will not eat tires anywhere near that fast. But putting the stock springs back will help the camber thing if it is an issue. Do you have a pic of the worn tires in the orientation they were on the car?

                You can easily learn to set up your alignment yourself and save $$$, plus you get it right. All you need is a flat slab of concrete, a string for toe, and a couple of carpenter's levels if you want to check camber.That's how I did mine.

                FRM

                Comment


                  #9
                  baby jesus cried @ the stuff my poor car went through. glad your fixing the issues it had tho.
                  ---Has ClubProtege helped you in someway? show your support by Contributing--- Click Here---

                  1992- project FE3..... 313 WHP @ 9.3psi




                  I pet my dash when I get into the car..."good car"
                  he actually has a mazda tree, parts grow on it

                  Comment


                    #10
                    yep, drop springs are going to be stiff so you don't bottom out, not much out there that's softer than the H&Rs that you'd be able to afford...
                    -Jack

                    ONTARIO MAZDA CLUB! Join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/500055016671733/

                    91 626 LX - basically stock and pretty slow still
                    http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/sho...my-GD-626-LX-)

                    01 E53 3.0i - FOR SALE! pm if interested

                    91 USDM Protege LX - SOLD! turbo/manifold up for sale!
                    http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46606

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Mazda_Powered View Post
                      yep, drop springs are going to be stiff so you don't bottom out, not much out there that's softer than the H&Rs that you'd be able to afford...
                      I was thinking Zx2 SR eibachs would be softer, as they are stock springs, and progressive rates. But I'm not sure, thats why I'm asking.
                      My family has lots of bg's!
                      2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
                      1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
                      2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
                      1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
                      1992 Mazda 323: Race car
                      1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
                      1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
                      Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

                      Comment


                        #12
                        IIRC, the eibachs are not a "factory" spring, nor are they soft. I heard they are pretty stiff, perfect for the rebound of the sr's, but not kidney damaging. But on bumpy roads, I bet you wouldnt be able to tell a difference. And at $200 + a set, they are holly expensive.

                        I bought my progressive lowering springs for $99 shipped. Not all that stiff, but not soft either. Perfect for DD, and the g/f doesn't complain.
                        My car is a Vazondissan. Part Nissan. Part Mazda. Part Ford. Part VW. Part Honda.

                        1993 Protege - DX with LX upgrades. Still rockin' the SOHC. Custom HID headlight Retrofit.

                        2009 Mazda 3 - Finacee Car. No power nothing. About to trade in for a 2014 Mazda 6 Sport.

                        Install Shifter Bushings: http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/show...491#post646491

                        Custom HID's: http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/show...&highlight=hid

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Eibach lowering springs are 297/19X spring rate or there abouts, so they're pretty damn stiff lol, I seriously doubt if the H&Rs would be wound that tight

                          Sprint springs are supposed to be a smooth ride (if still produced)

                          Progressive like 93 said will probably be softer than the H&Rs as well, since they're just a small drop spring, around 1-1.3"
                          -Jack

                          ONTARIO MAZDA CLUB! Join! https://www.facebook.com/groups/500055016671733/

                          91 626 LX - basically stock and pretty slow still
                          http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/sho...my-GD-626-LX-)

                          01 E53 3.0i - FOR SALE! pm if interested

                          91 USDM Protege LX - SOLD! turbo/manifold up for sale!
                          http://www.clubprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=46606

                          Comment


                            #14
                            its less of the springs then it is the crappy struts. in all honesty.
                            ---Has ClubProtege helped you in someway? show your support by Contributing--- Click Here---

                            1992- project FE3..... 313 WHP @ 9.3psi




                            I pet my dash when I get into the car..."good car"
                            he actually has a mazda tree, parts grow on it

                            Comment


                              #15
                              what do you mean, ryan? Only one of the struts are blown. And why would that cause it to ride so stiff? I would think it would do the opposite.
                              My family has lots of bg's!
                              2003 Ford Escort ZX2: Project car/future daily driver. Built Ford Tough (With Mazda Stuff)
                              1999 Escort ZX2: Daily driver/beater. Going to be replaced by the '03 next summer.
                              2000 Escort ZX2 S/R: bought wrecked, going to use as parts car
                              1992 Protege LX: My old race car. Just a wrecked shell right now. Waiting for scrap to go up so that I can get rid of it.
                              1992 Mazda 323: Race car
                              1992 Escort Gt: My grandpa's old race car
                              1994 Escort GT: My grandpa's new race car.
                              Parts cars; 1993 Escort Gt, 1995 Escort lx

                              Comment

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