MX-3.com

Here are the pictures I mentioned earlier, of the bumper support and hardware after cleanup, sandblasting, and painting:


I did mess up the 3rd image on upload, sorry

Here was the trial fitment of the MS bumper on Tracy:


As you can tell, it's far from perfect... Unacceptable by my standards, so I'll be fixing it before installing it "permanently".

My Corksport bumper fit just like that around the hood area on my MX3 and the presso. After a while you wont notice....

The double stack console is rare, especially with the cup holder intact. I have one in my car, with the cup holder, 2 in storage. One has a cracked cup holder, and the other has a sloppy hinge. Mark probably has a Jspec triple console with a mini Geisha in it. I keep thinking that I should make a replacement for the cup holder, and keep the original safe, since theyre fragile.

kulluminati,
I'll notice until it's perfect... I'd prefer the OEM bumper without the lip to a poor fitting MazdaSpeed any day. I need to make it work, or I'll be putting it up for sale...

Jesse,
I picked that console up(with the cup holder) for $5.50 when I discovered that '94 in Sherwood PnP.
The last console I had I sold, because I wasn't 100% set on the look... I'm on the fence with this one, since it is nearly perfect(one mounting point for the lower latch is broken, that is the one and only imperfection)

I had considered the same for the cup holder, they're so fragile it's silly...

Wooooh! It's possible!!!

16x8 RX7 FD rims... OEM Mazda... Very affordable(around the same cost as GS 5 spokes), and they're 5 lug.
So... RX7 FD Wheels, Probe spindles w/ 5 lug hubs, MazdaSpeed6 Calipers/Rotors and I'm not 100% sure what I'll do with the rears yet.
Adjustable proportioning valve in my future? I like the thought of it... Finding a KLG4 has turned into a horrific pain in the a--... so I'll settle for the biggest all Mazda brake swap in MX-3 history as my fall project.



Minor grinding/finishing on the outer edge of the caliper will make these a close fit, and I'm very grateful to the fine people at mazda6club.com for their assistance!

MrMazda92 wrote:kulluminati,
I'll notice until it's perfect... I'd prefer the OEM bumper without the lip to a poor fitting MazdaSpeed any day. I need to make it work, or I'll be putting it up for sale...

I was the opposite. I HATE the oem front. Makes the car look girly so to say. I was so determined to use the corksport front nose. Im sure you will get it to fit right. If all else fails you can take it to a body shop. Im glad my mazdaspeed bumper fit like a glove. I mean i drove past LONDON for it.

Those FD wheels look PLUSH!!!!!
I always loved FD´s. This bigger brake setup is cool. You may need to watch out when you stop because everything in your car thats not bolted or tied down is flying through the front windshield when u stop lol. I have to see it in person. Now i ReALLY have a reason to get up to the next NW meet

I am excited for this!

I'm gonna go ahead and be that guy and say that a Euro front would have fit really nice


Interested to see the big brake setup, do keep us updated.

kulluminati,
I prefer the MS front myself, It's just that improper fitment would be enough to ruin the look for me. I'll give it my all, but it may come down to storing it for a few more months until I can mess with it and get it right...

The pictures I posted were from a gentleman on mazda6club.com, the members there are pretty awesome and very helpful people!! It did help that I searched ahead of time, and worded my questions well I imagine!

I should have the brake setup figured out by new years... The fronts at the very least, the rears may be a little longer, depending on the differences in handbrake setup.

fowljesse,
I'll keep you posted, I figure I'll have more info to share with you than I did earlier, that was a spur of the moment call that only barely broke the surface on this topic!!

RobMinhas,
I just sold my euro bumper

I'll keep updates, I promise!

The only aftermarket front that is perfect is a real MS front. All others require some manipulation.

Very cool !!

Great work. Did you get the rx7 rims to fit the rear? Mine didn't, even with skinny coilovers.

Josh,
I don't doubt that one bit! I did mess with the bumper again today, and the driver's side is lined up perfectly from fender to headlight... That corner did fit perfectly, but I'm still struggling with the passenger side. After I get the edges figured out, I'll be working to lift the entire front of the bumper 1/4", to close that gap between the bumper and the hood(headlights as well).

Thank you WhiteFinish

marcdh,
I haven't even picked up a set of FD wheels yet, but I did find an affordable set for sale within Oregon, and am trying to get in touch with the seller. I've got the MS6 calipers/rotors/pads already lined up locally, I just need to get the money together now... I've got a few things pending that should cover the wheels and the brakes. After that, I'll need to pick up Probe spindles and possibly a bump steer kit.
On topic of the FD wheels in the rear, what spindle/hub were you using? Did you attempt to use spacers to push the wheels out a bit?

Today was a bit of a lazy day for me... I twisted my ankle pretty badly the night before last, and it took about 24 hours to feel the full damage, unfortunately. By my judgement(I've been down this road before, repeatedly) I should be on crutches... As I don't own any, I'll be taking it very easy for a week or so. No driving at all(this kills me-.-), no leg exercise, and as much time icing and manually manipulating the joint as I can invest.

I did manage to gimp around enough to install this properly, and re-align my center console so there was no gap by the shifter surround. My double-stack lid is missing the screws that hold the top cup holder into the plastic "lid" beneath the rubber, and it will take me a few days to figure out where I put them. That will be installed after I find the screws.



Other than that, and the few moments I spent wiggling my MS bumper around on the front of the car to get the left side fitted properly, I haven't done much at all.

The plus side to me being partially immobile, is that I've spent a bit of time on the computer today. I sent emails and messages to the individuals whom are currently in possession of the parts I need for the brake swap, and am arranging a trade(instead of cash purchase) for the MazdaSpeed6 brake goodies. I have to come up with the cash for the FD wheels I located in the next couple of weeks, as well as sourcing either 323F or 2nd gen Probe spindles.

The rear MSP6 brakes DO work with slight modification on the 2nd gen Probe as well. I just confirmed this here:
http://forums.probetalk.com/showthread.php?t=1701255346
and here:
http://www.performanceprobe.com/forum/s ... hp?t=33557

Probe owners seem to have issue with the Mazda6/Speed6 rear caliper and handbrake functionality(due to location of the handbrake lever and the cable not reaching), although they mention using a 99-03 Protege rear caliper for it's better bracket placement.

I will do my best to figure this all out in due time, and have something actually on my MX-3 by new years. I may be able to get it done earlier, but it will depend on cash flow...

UGH.

I just posted in the CS reproduction MS bumper thread, and it has me thinking about the bumper again. I'm very frustrated that I cracked the damn thing while MOUNTING it to the car! I love the look of the MS bumper, but I'm starting to miss my OEM one a lot. It doesn't help that the Euro bumper would be a much better fit than the MS for my cold air setup that I have planned...

This is entirely frustrating, and I am back to debating whether or not it's even worth it in the long run. Right now, the MS bumper is 2/3 attached and in need of slight repair on the bottom edge. It's broken before I even started the damned car, let alone driving it...

In my favor is the fact that I've never hit an animal, big or small, never tagged a curb, never hit another car(with the one exception being total brake failure during rush hour )

I want honest opinions here... Who thinks that I should follow through and repair/use the MazdaSpeed bumper, and who thinks I should go with a Euro bumper w/ a GS lip attached?