My FE3 progress thread

[SgtRauksauff]

Anyone have input for good quality lightweight lugnuts?

are you running extended-length studs? open or closed end? will you need "tuner" style spline-drive or other skinny ones to fit into a teeny-tiny hole in the wheels?

I just ordered a set of Gorilla steel spline-drives the other day from Amazon, for $36.10, free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001O08ADO/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

Granted, these were a 20-pack for my Subaru, and are 12x1.25 pitch, not 12x1.5 like the Mazdas are.

I've heard good things about the Gorillas, I've got some friends with 400+ whp EVOs who've used them for a long time.

--sarge

[FE3-323]

Picture updates- Alignment

Tyler (ttfleury) did me the honor of setting me up with a lifetime warranty alignment @ his work








Alignment specs- Changes to be determined along the way.

-1.2° camber -Front
+3.0° castor -Front
0 toe

-3° camber -Rear
0 toe


Afterwords I drove it back home........

[FE3-323]

Pulled out the old steering column and Upgraded to a tilt steering column.







Removed the old metal plates to Re-Fit some 4" speakers on new metal plates under the dash courtesy of dwayne (rusty323)
Btw this drastically improves sound quality in the front portion of the cabin--for obvious reasons mids/highs.





Then started the mockup for mounting the rear upper spoiler- to which i found my hatch was not properly aligned & needed adjustment.

[Mazda_Powered]

nice man!!! lifetime alignment ftw!!!

[irishkev90]

Is the steering wheel straight with the tires? I got an alignment done at Goodyear and it took around two hours, at least, because one of the tie rods was rusted stuck. Anyway, the uneven turd wear is gone, so I'm assuming they got that part right, but my steering wheel still points left when the car is going straight. Very irritating.

[FE3-323]

yes the wheel is straight. you can take the wheel itself off via the retaining nut behind the hornpad/airbag. & re align it. takes a few minutes. but worth it

[yunvmyegt]

they really aligned it with out being on sliders to keep the wheels free?

[irishkev90]

I might just do that then. Thanks for the tip, Ryan.

[FE3-323]

Josh. it might be hard to see but both front/rear were on floating plates that could also be locked/unlocked.
so yes it was aligned properly- no worries

[Wilyb]

How do they adjust the caster using the ss bushings? Turn them with vise grips?

[FE3-323]

Phil castor isn't adjusted. its initially set when the bushings are pressed in. but +3 degrees castor isn't too shabby. I wonder what factory castor is

[DeeAOne]

Looking great buddy! How's it feel to finally be on the road?

You sound like me in your other video. A quick sputter from the motor was all I needed to make my day. lol

[FE3-323]

i don't fully know yet louis.... it still misfires. Its been sitting in my driveway lonely since i got it home.
I installed a new radiator fan switch (just need to find a new pigtail)- anyone know where to buy one?
I have a new CTS on the way still.

Pulled off the valve cover monday & had it media blasted - Going out to carlos for Powdercoating likely next week. Im still debating on modifying the valve cover with some additional PCV venting (intake bank side)

[crazycanadian]

Is the steering wheel straight with the tires? I got an alignment done at Goodyear and it took around two hours, at least, because one of the tie rods was rusted stuck. Anyway, the uneven turd wear is gone, so I'm assuming they got that part right, but my steering wheel still points left when the car is going straight. Very irritating.

You can take both tire rods and loosen the jam nuts.. Turn both sides the SAME direction (either both counter clock wise or both clock wise) The same amount and this will adjust your wheel position with out screwing up your toe alignment... Its easier to do it this way rather then moving your steering wheel..

Phil castor isn't adjusted. its initially set when the bushings are pressed in. but +3 degrees castor isn't too shabby. I wonder what factory castor is

Are you using stock springs and upper mounts Ryan?? I know I am about 3 deg castor as well with the bushings you've made.. I think when I was stock I was about 1.5 - 2...

[FE3-323]

Do consider I have f2t front spindles & mx3 lcas with cusco upper plates.
However I could hardly imagine only a 1-1.5 degree increase from the sphericals. You would expect a larger change then that.