Pelican Parts Forums
Page 2 of 2 « Prev 1 2
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Pelican Parts Forums (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/)
-   Off Topic Discussions (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/)
-   -   Got a new ride....zoom zoom (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/591449-got-new-ride-zoom-zoom.html)

LeeH 02-16-2011 07:55 AM
Welcome to the Mazda family.

My wifes 2004 Mazda 3 S has 123K miles with no major repairs. Biggest issue was the alternator went out recently. The car still has the original clutch.

I'm still very happy with my 2006 Mazda 5. It's about as practible as a vehicle can be. I was shocked when the 17 cubic ft upright freezer I picked up at a garage sale fit in the back! Yet it handles well and gets pretty good gas mileage - usually averages 24 with mixed driving. My favorite Mazda 2.3L feature? TIMING CHAIN! No belt replacements ever!

I'd like to get an '08 or later Mazda 5 as they fixed just about every complaint I had about mine. 4 speed auto goes to 5 speed. Passenger side front seat gets an arm rest. They also added a rear a/c vent.

LeeH 02-16-2011 07:57 AM
Mazda guys - I've got a set of virtually new Mazdaspeed3 wheels I'm going to be listing on Ebay soon. Feel free to make me an offer I can't refuse if you're interested.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1297875443.jpg

vash 02-16-2011 08:08 AM
i think the regular 3 is a better day to day car than the speed3. i got horrific fuel mileage, and it needed super unleaded. if i remember correctly, i think i got 22 mpg.

i got pulled over twice, ticketed once. it was fun to drive, and every launch was a lesson in torque steer.

TGTIW 02-16-2011 08:29 AM
I have an 06 3. 60k and absolutely love it.
Like everyone else, I've replaced the motor mounts, and just had to replace the thermostat (another common issue.)
For a realtively inexpensive upgrade, you can swap to the front Speed3 caliper + rotors, and use the rear caliper bracket from a Mazda5 + rotor.

deathpunk dan 02-20-2011 12:42 PM
Just changed the spark plugs in my 08 3 2.3l hatch. The dealer wanted $33 per plug and $170 total to do change the plugs as part of the 60k service. Insanity! The same plugs from the FLAPS were 12 bucks each..

Anyway, while I was in there I did the throttle body grounding mod. Used 10 awg wire and 2 ring terminals to ground the t-body to the negative terminal.

It really does seem to smooth out idle, response, and acceleration. Worth trying on your 1st generation Mazda 3 imho.

stomachmonkey 02-20-2011 01:16 PM
Just remembered the thing I noticed most about the extra ground wire. The throttle response.

My car used to have an annoying delay in the fly by wire gas pedal.

It was very slight but noticeable and was really annoying as it screwed with my gear change/shifting timing.

azasadny 02-20-2011 01:21 PM
I love my Speed3 as a daily driver! I'll have 4" of fresh snow to drive through to get to my apt in Okemos, MI tonight for the work week. Good thing I've got Blizzaks on it!

Oh Haha 02-20-2011 02:01 PM
It's slicker than snot right now. I spun the AWD Suquinox 180 degree leaving the BIL's place this afternoon. Guess I gave it too much throttle on take-off.:D


Back to the topic-

Does anyone know if the TB ground trick would do anything on my Protege? I asked at the Mazda forum but had no response.

stomachmonkey 02-20-2011 02:32 PM
Quote:
It's slicker than snot right now. I spun the AWD Suquinox 180 degree leaving the BIL's place this afternoon. Guess I gave it too much throttle on take-off.<img src="http://forums.pelicanparts.com/ultimate/biggrin.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Big Grin" class="inlineimg"><br>
<br>
<br>
Back to the topic-<br>
<br>
Does anyone know if the TB ground trick would do anything on my Protege? I asked at the Mazda forum but had no response.
Depends, does it have a composite or metal MAF?

Costs under $5 and 10 minutes so whatya got to lose.

JTO 02-21-2011 06:55 AM
I wonder if the TB grounding trick will do anything for my 2011. It has that annoying delay in throttle tip-in too. It makes it hard to be smooth in parking lots or other low-speed situations. I'd love if engineers could make electronic throttles linear.
Troy

stomachmonkey 02-21-2011 08:21 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by JTO (Post 5859348)
I wonder if the TB grounding trick will do anything for my 2011. It has that annoying delay in throttle tip-in too. It makes it hard to be smooth in parking lots or other low-speed situations. I'd love if engineers could make electronic throttles linear.
Troy
Dunno but that is the only thing about the car that I found irritating. I have a habit of blipping the throttle twice to bring up the revs in certain situations. The delay was just long enough that the revs were coming up from the first tap as I was starting the second tap.

JTO 02-21-2011 11:12 AM
Well, easy enough to try!
Thanks,
Troy

Vipergrün 02-22-2011 05:34 PM
Thanks for posting this info! Had the car for almost two weeks and really like it. I get a funky rubbing on the top of the struts. Is the front strut replacement easy? I tried it on our old Honda Pilot, forgot to secure the assembly and pulled the frigged axles out and watched the steel bearings roll down the driveway....doh!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Pazuzu (Post 5848113)
I've done three major things to our Mazda3 now, two are known parts failures and one is a (in my mind) valuable upgrade.

1) Convert to a spin on oil filter
How to : Install Spin on oil filter conversion kit
Finish Line / Rosenthal Mazda Parts & Accessories*::*Mazda3*::*Maintenance*::*Oil Filter Conversion

The stock filter on the 2.3l is a drop in filter with a PLASTIC COVER. There are cases where the plastic starts to crack or shear from heavy handed oil changes, and leaks. The conversion makes for a strong spin on filter setup that is easier and cleaner, and safer.

2) Replace passenger side motor mount
Finish Line / Rosenthal Mazda Parts & Accessories*::*Mazda3*::*Engine*::*Engine Mount Passenger Side
Mazda3 >side engine mount< sucks - thanks FORD! Pure crap with photos --------->

This mount gets abused, is a FoMoCo part, and tends to last anywhere from 5 miles to 20K miles before it explodes and creates lots of vibrations. Takes about an hour to swap out.

3) Replace front struts (and rear if you want)
The passenger side front strut seems to blow out after 30k miles for some reason. I replaced all four corners with KYB GR-2 (sourced from amazon, but available literally anywhere), dirt cheap and about 10% stiffer than stock.


And here's a topic on grounding the MAF and throttle body:
Grounding your Throttle Body? . .

TGTIW 02-23-2011 05:00 AM
Strut replacement is very easy. With a little knowledge and common sense you can do both in under an hour. The most difficult part is getting the lower portion of the strut to release from the steering knuckle. Once the clamp bolt is loose, the knuckle will still be tight on the strut.
Some people swear by the BFH approach, and will beat on the knuckle until it releases.
An easier way is to remove the bolt, thread it in to the opposite side of the knucke clamp, and then insert a thin piece of metal, wrench, quarter, inbetween the clamping area and then tighten the bolt to spread the clamp. The strut will slide right out and you remove the 4 top mounts bolts and the whole unit comes right out.

stomachmonkey 02-23-2011 05:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vipergrün (Post 5862398)
I get a funky rubbing on the top of the struts. Is the front strut replacement easy?
What's rubbing? The tire?

May just be incorrect size/profile tire.

deathpunk dan 02-23-2011 07:02 AM
Mine has developed loud and irritating metal on metal sounding rattling from the front end somewhere. At low speed speeds, when turning...or over uneven/rough roads.

Sway bar end links are notorious for early failure on these cars. Going to replace those and see if that does the trick.

Sarc 04-06-2011 06:47 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by TGTIW (Post 5862971)
Strut replacement is very easy. With a little knowledge and common sense you can do both in under an hour. The most difficult part is getting the lower portion of the strut to release from the steering knuckle. Once the clamp bolt is loose, the knuckle will still be tight on the strut.
Some people swear by the BFH approach, and will beat on the knuckle until it releases.
An easier way is to remove the bolt, thread it in to the opposite side of the knucke clamp, and then insert a thin piece of metal, wrench, quarter, inbetween the clamping area and then tighten the bolt to spread the clamp. The strut will slide right out and you remove the 4 top mounts bolts and the whole unit comes right out.
Curious, is there a pelican-like message board for the 3? We have an '05 SP23 edition 5 door. A couple of the boards I've found feature mostly 'technical" postings on replacing rims, headlight bulbs, etc.

azasadny 04-06-2011 06:57 AM
Mazda3forums.com is OK, not nearly as helpful as Pelicanparts!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 08:41 AM.
Page 2 of 2 « Prev 1 2
Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2025, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2025 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Pelican Parts Website


DTO Garage Plus vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.