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Got the clutch line to hold pressure, turns out it was a small defect in the rubber part of the clutch slave cylinder causing fluid to leak past, weird because it was brand new... Replaced it with once from Advance auto for 20 bucks. Now all I need to do is replace my 5th gear, will get one from a 626 for better mileage.

Some a$$hole dented my door too

Custom made Xmas gift from future brother in law:


It's the evil M same as my hood emblem

Still trying to get my 5thgear to work, waiting to receive the gear set to try and swap one of these next couple of weekends

That is great work, love the shifter.

wow that shifter looks awesome!

Josh wrote:That is great work, love the shifter.

Mooneggs wrote:wow that shifter looks awesome!

Thanks, I love it!

Tried to fix my radiator, there was a crack in the plastic end on the DS (Sh*tty design). Tried to use an epoxy but once I started it up, it melted and made it worse . Ordered a new Spectra Radiator on eBay for $116 shipped (same one on RockAuto for $174).

....So: New radiator and 5th gear and my car will be very drivable

Great weekend!

Replaced my 5th gear with 626 5th gear (for better milage) and replaced the entire assembly (synchros, drive gear, idle gears, etc.) and my 5th gear finally works! Also replaced my radiator with a Spectra brand radiator which is much better than the stock design, no plastic on the ends (where mine had crackedd and was leaking). My car is drivable!

Still need to:
- troubleshoot high idle
- Try to clear VICS CEL

Was excited to drive my car this weekend except that it snowed!! Oh well I tried to re-check wiring from VICS solenoid to ECU (Pin 2S) and things seem to fit snugly but could not clear the CEL code. Maybe the solenoid is faulty... Also fixed a potential vacuum leak but still did not fix the high idle (1.5-2k). Put the snow shoes on my car. Had to jump start my battery because my car sits most of the time + cold + walmart battery (on 3rd replacement ). Still frustrated about the high idle and VICS trouble, thought I'd get it all tuned up this weekend

On a positive note the AAA driver who came to my house to jump my car was astonished at how nice it was and couldn't stop drooling at it, hung out for 30 minutes talking about my car and all the work I did with him (fellow Mazda owner).

Hey, I live just across the river from you on the Jersey side of the hudson

High idle sucks. is your TPS all the way shut? may be a faulty IAC. If you have the throttle body from your B6, swap the IAC, see if this fixes it. I had this same problem with the high idle around the same range you're descrbing, tried the same solution, my car idles normally now.

As for the VICS CEL, does the VICS work at all? Pull the throttle cable while under the hood and see if the VICS opens past 5K. if not check your wiring. I had the 25 CEL code after the swap, and pretty much every time I reset the ECU, but after driving for a while it goes away.

Jovian2k wrote:New pic since Euro Mini Side Skirts were put on(thanks Marco!) ... camera phone quality, sorry!

your car is aesthetically beautiful. Good job.

mikeetown wrote:your car is aesthetically beautiful. Good job.

Thanks! I really miss driving her but for the winter it is garaged and when I come to visit my family I spend lots of quality time.

im2bad4ya wrote:Hey, I live just across the river from you on the Jersey side of the hudson

High idle sucks. is your TPS all the way shut? may be a faulty IAC. If you have the throttle body from your B6, swap the IAC, see if this fixes it. I had this same problem with the high idle around the same range you're descrbing, tried the same solution, my car idles normally now.

As for the VICS CEL, does the VICS work at all? Pull the throttle cable while under the hood and see if the VICS opens past 5K. if not check your wiring. I had the 25 CEL code after the swap, and pretty much every time I reset the ECU, but after driving for a while it goes away.

I will test these out next time I get some time, at least for now it runs and drives well.

Pic at Orange County Choppers Meet 2012

Battery died after meet, tossed walmart POS battery and threw in Optima Yellowtop

In the works: EDM bumper reinforcement +tow hook and install fog lamps, custom CNC aluminum pedals, RSX seat inserts...

Drove past weekend, my Alternator belt (which was slipping) failed on me and my car lost all power while I was driving to a wedding, luckily we made it and I got the tow back and found out the problem. Somehow it has tons of slack, not sure if it is from chronic slipping...

Finally accomplished an Idea I have had for a long time: RSX type-S seat inserts...

They aren't a perfect fit but do fit surprisingly well, there is slight space at the top corners of the insert due to shape differences.

Will replace alternator belt with OEM Mazda belt this coming week

Also have SS pedals shipped and will hopefully be getting Euro spec bumper reinforcement so I can install my fog lamps and tow hook!

New alternator installed (tried to use my old 70A from b6 but couldn't swap pulleys so bought new 65A from advance auto)

SS pedals installed



Euro bumper support on the way so I can finally mount my OEM fogs and tow hook

and something else for a rainy day...


GTX exhaust manifold/turbo

Big Update!

Upgraded grounding wires with HKS 8g kit


Installed Euro bumper support + tow hook + fog lamps with OEM fog lamp switch




Will get some good night time pictures soon

man this car has come a long way - nice work!