2006 Mazda 3 sedan with Tripoint Turbo kit and then some
Bad a** toys are built not bought
This car belches flames out of the tailpipe and can break the wheels loose in 3rd on the high boost setting, and the coilovers keep it handling flatter than my husband's '08 STI with springs.
I wanted a turbo, but I didn't want a hatch, so I bought the sedan instead. I started with the Tripoint kit, and haven't stopped since...
I've lived in Hawaii since 2005, but as of August 2009, I'll be living in Washington state. I'm a diesel mechanic in the Army, which explains why I don't do the finer mechanical things to my car...I'm used to equipment with starters larger than some newborns and the necessity of being heavy-handed (and throwing tools on occasion).
This car didn't have 17,000 miles on it by the time I'd had the engine rebuilt, and that was the last major thing done. I've had some ups and downs with this car, but over all, I'm really happy with her. Unless you see the intercooler, the car looks mostly stock until you open the hood and see the insanity of what looks like a million vacuum lines and some shiny piping.
When I added the turbo kit, it was making 240 at the wheels. After the engine was rebuilt and the boost controller was added, it should now be making at least 330 WHP, and that's keeping it moderately tuned to keep it driveable since it's my daily driving car. I'm having it dyno'd again before I leave the island, and will post the results.
Modifying this car has been an experience...you can buy a fast car or you can build one...but the latter is much more satisfying
[b][u]Performance Modifications:[/u][/b]
*Tripoint Engineering Turbo kit with front mount intercooler
*Garrett GT2871R turbo
*AEM Fuel Ignition Controller
*3" downpipe-back custom catless exhaust with Blitz nur-spec can (gives it a mean deep rumble)
*ACT Heavy duty performance clutch kit
*Eagle rods and Wiseco coated pistons, polished and balanced crank, block decked--rebuilt bottom end
*ARP head and main studs
*NGK iridium spark plugs
*Synapse BOV run recirculated
*Greddy Profec B Spec II electronic boost controller (11 and 17 PSI settings)
*Megan Racing coilovers
*GT Spec front strut tower bar
*Greddy oil catch can
*Spin on oil filter conversion with sandwich plate
*AWR rear engine mount
*upgraded Mazda passenger side engine mount (OEM one was destroyed)
*Earl's oil cooler front mount set-up
*Eibach camber kit
*Apexi turbo timer
[b][u]Interior Modifications:[/u][/b]
*CP-e center dash gage pod
*Autometer Cobalt wideband air:fuel, oil temp, and boost gages
*Kenwood DDX812 double din w/10" RE sub in custom box in the trunk
*TWM Performance short throw shifter with knob and boot
[b][u]Exterior Modifications:[/u][/b]
*225/40/18 Kwoyo rims & Lexani tires
*shorty antenna (got rid of the horsewhip)
*that's all so far...I'm more concerned with going fast than looking fast
[u][b]Future Modifications:[/b][/u]
*Quaife LSD
*looking for a Walbro fuel pump so that I can run bigger injectors and more boost, but I'm going to need a conversion kit for the way the fuel is run - any ideas?
*lip kit - any recommendations?
*battery box delete - I'm at a loss of how to go about this in a good way
*intake manifold that's not plastic (possibly Cosworth or just custom)
*engine bay beautification - I'd love to get the bay painted
*paint?
I'd just like this car to get out there where it can be seen for what's gone into it and to see what can be done. All of the modifications on this car are performance related, so it doesn't really "look" special, but it's one hell of a ride.
