Project Jay-Spec MX-326GS

[IMACHU2]

How well did the riv-nuts install? I bought some 3/8" steel ones for my mount bracket to frame connections. Do you think they will hold up for the top tranny tail mount?

I think the steel ones will work on what your doing. The frame supports the bracket and the bolts just hold it to the frame, so not a ton of stress or force there.

[IMACHU2]

Tinted and bolted up the reflector.

Did some interior decorating. (Interior roof).

[progt91]

lol love the senior driver sticker. i thought about putting one on mine too

[IMACHU2]

lol love the senior driver sticker. i thought about putting one on mine too

It is a jab at myself. Most of my original car buddies have morgages and minivans, so I hang out with a group of 18-30 year old car guys and girls now. I also have a whole group of 45-70 year old car buddies too. Mid 30's to early 40's car guys are very rare it seems LOL

[progt91]

lol i hear ya. 33 and i still like to play. that sticker might be an addition to my car as well. your car is coming along pretty nicely

[93PGTate]

I have been going through this entire build thread and I really like what you have done with this thing. All the attention to detail and all the time and effort into it. looks amazing and I love plastidip too!! I have some on my car and plan on it seeing more lol

[IMACHU2]

Thanks 93PGTate.

Been working on the 326 here and there. I have enough pics for an update!

I took care of my sunroof....um issue. LOL









I put the carpet back in and cleaned it.






I put the seats in. I added ARP stainless steel studs (ment for V8 carburetor mounting) to bolt them directly to the floor. I slightly enlarged the factory access holes in the front floor support bar, so I could swing a gear wrench in there. I used the universal seat mounts to anchor the rear of the seats to the floor.





The covers for the seats arrived just in time to install the seats. (I though they would take a month or so, but they took just a few days to come in)


The seats bolted in. I used huge button head allen bolts and massive washers to anchor the rear seat bracket. If they pull through a huge hunk of floor is coming with them. LOL





The seats are actually quite comfy.

I installed most of the interior panels. I need to find the bracket that hold the trim panels that cover the ECM still.


I changed the oil and transmission fluid to Royal purple.


I filled the car with fresh 94 octane gas and I have been driving it around. The power and the handling are impressive. It is very Go cart-ish. I have polished off the install of the nitrous kit, but have not had the Cojones to try it....yet. I am taking it for a Wheel alignment tomorrow. surprisingly it actually drives pretty straight. (no effort was made on my part to adjust anything when I stuffed all the new suspension parts on it). The clutch is not working properly. I ordered a new clutch master for it. The slave cylinder was shot and replacing it gave me some clutch action, but it is still not clutchin' like it should. Other then that the only newly finished project bugs are the big washers on the top of the rear struts clanging over every bump. They either need to be shimmed or tightened. The tires rub over large bumps, that will hopefully go away with the alignment. I am too old to figure out the stereo, time to read the manual or let my 14 year old figure it out LOL. It works great, but I can't figure out any adjustments beyond the volume control. (not very intuitive). I have been invited to a spring cruise on Sunday and I am praying I will have at least the clutch sorted out before hand.

[FE3-323]

How hard was the install of that popup sunroof?? i've been heavily debating the last few months on putting one into my 323.
I severely miss having it.
What dimensions did you wind up going with for the system?

[progt91]

looks pretty well done man looking good. must feel good to be driving it around

[IMACHU2]

How hard was the install of that popup sunroof?? i've been heavily debating the last few months on putting one into my 323.
I severely miss having it.
What dimensions did you wind up going with for the system?

Really easy. Mine was super easy because I have no headliner. The only thing I would do differently is cover the whole roof in masking tape. The jig saw made a mess of the "paint" (an inch away from the blade). Measure 500 times cut once.

[IMACHU2]

looks pretty well done man looking good. must feel good to be driving it around

Yep feels great. I was not 100% I would like it. (I was a muscle car guy). I was afraid that with such little torque it would be a bore to drive on the street, but it feels like a micro Muscle car, and it turns and stops really well. (un-like most muscle cars) LOL. The power to weight ratio makes it a blast to zip around town in. I am very happy with the end product.

[Mazda_Powered]

glad things are going good for you man! plans of putting her on the dyno?

[IMACHU2]

Never a fan of dyno's because you can't race them LOL. Not sure how exciting a dyno day would be as the engine is basically stock. Really looking forward to my upcoming cruise through some crazy twisties this coming Sunday. I am also looking forward to some test and tune drag racing and open track events at the local track.

[IMACHU2]

Got the clutch working, the old clutch master must not of been working 100%


Discoverd that when I have a passenger the rear tires rub really bad on the fender lips. (The combo of lower offset wheels and MX-3 width track).



I came up with a great idea (if I do say so myself). I colored the whole tire with chalk and then filled the gas tank to full and got a......um....hefty friend to ride shot gun. LOL. The chalk on the tires made perfect "cut on the dotted line" impressions on the fender lip. I carefully sanded the lips with a 80 grit sanding disc on the angle grinder. I had a bucket of water and a rag to keep the "paint" cool. Now you can go mach 1 around a corner and zero contact. I can't believe how much the rear squats under full throttle. You can't even make the tire go full travel with a jack under the rear control arm and a number of....um...hefty people sitting on the bumper, yet under full throttle you can practically bottom out the struts. Got the car all washed up (first time) for a cruise tomorrow.

[derb]

Looking good mate. Good idea on the chalk, I've used lipstick to great effect on other parts that were rubbing.