No antenna will mean no FM reception.

 

i got rid of my OEM atenna and used something like this

Not sure if you can use that with an OEM unit though

 

I'm doing the 1999-2000 ABS swap, I have a friend who is a guru car electrician and he looked at the ABS wiring diagrams from my model and the '99 spec model and said its not that difficult, Three additional wires from the ECU i believe. But you do need to make a custom mounting bracket for the '99 ABS pump, and new custom lines. Also it really helps to have the new connector from the '99 spec ABS ecu. Took me for ever to find one, once you have the later connector it makes the wiring easier.

I also have the smaller brake booster which I will install, and I was thinking of the best solution to solve the problem with the vacuum nipple being on the other side. This is how one guy did it (see photo)



This solution would let you keep the stock "soft" brake booster line (with the check valve inside) and let you run a new hard line to the UIM. It would just have to be a bit longer to reach past the booster

 

Here is the Mazda Tribute wiper nozzles in action. I can try to take a much better high def video next time. It was my first time using the HD on my S7.

 

Hey Gordon, yes they are a direct swap

I believe I paid $17 bucks Canadian for them

 

the later FD's have a 17" wheel OPTION, but the 16's were still standard on the lower models.

this isn't news, we've known this for a long time but, the brochure says

Type RS, big brakes,17" wheels, 4.3 rear diff, 280ps engine.

the Type R, is the 280ps engine with 16" wheels, small brakes and 4.10 diff.

the Type RB is the 265ps engine, 16" wheels, small brakes, 4.1 diff, also available in a/t with a 3.9 diff.

the special editions, like the spirit R's and such are based from the RS model.

 

Apologies to Matt the OP if this doesn't fit but ... being maybe the second biggest "cheap bastard" on the forum I just recently, FINALLY, bought the OLED Commander for my PFC. Yet another thing that I wished I'd done years ago. Like the blind man cured by Jesus...I CAN SEE!! If any of you have a PFC and still sport the old commander, get the new one. No more squinting at the screen or holding your hand to shade it. Best $300 and 5 minutes of install I spent in along time.

 

I'd say I'm a pretty cheap bastard myself. I'm going to upgrade to this as well shortly!

 

Anymore ideas folks?

 

Not technically OEM, but how about gas struts for the hood? An "OEM style" upgrade that makes the car a bit modern

Dealer options like aluminium door sill plates are a shiny upgrade.

 

Problem is noen of the proper ones look OEM. Currently i have a cheap ebay thing because its the only one that came with black clean struts without any branding. If any know some strut brands that are high quality that would rock.

Im not very happy with the smoothness of the ones i have now.

 

Try mattster03 on norotors - he had a Group Buy (actually, a couple) not too long ago and everyone was very pleased.

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=18136.0

Titanium hood props are always an option as well.

 

How about the RS, RZ, and (I think) Spirit R shocks? These were Bilstein B6s which are still available.

 

For those of us that are already S7/S8 spec, can we please include original Mazdaspeed Parts from the Mazdaspeed catalogue in this trend? Otherwise we have no where to go for OEM+. Several up here have switched to the Mazdaspeed Muffler and the taller Mazdaspeed wing, to good effect.


I am hoping that such parts would also qualify if we wish to at some point pursue Collector or Vintage plates in Canada.


PS: I am loving my Bathhurst Showa coilovers!


Besides the fact that they are very expensive, I think we should leave the Recaro seats to the genuine RZ and Spirit R owners.

 

T. Seuf's 92 "OEM plus" vs my 99 Type RB.

 

One of my biggest wins was getting, off Yahoo Japan, a near mint set of 16" rims that would have been the stock rims that came on a 1999 Type RB. I felt the 17" rims of the same style (the sometimes called "RZ rims") looked better, but once I put the 16" rims on, I could get what the designers were intending. The taller tire sidewall ties into the overall balance of the car design (imo).





The wheels are super light and that, plus the fatter tire sidewall, make the ride considerably smoother. Add those to the Bathurst Showas and the ride improved dramatically!

 

I still rock my type rs 17" wheels

 

Can anyone comment how well that the flying M front emblem will fit the curvature of the USDM front bumper? I've had the flying M rear emblem installed for years, but I think I avoided getting the front one after reading that it doesn't quite fit correctly due to the different shape vs the 99-spec front bumper.

 

Totally agree as well

These cars ride so much better with some sidewall

I have 17 40 17s on mine and may up the sidewall next time around to 45s. This would make them close to an inch bigger but it works great on the track car so it should be fine on the street. It would slow me down a bit and the speedo would be off but I'd get better mileage LOL

16s do look a little too dated for me. 17s are a nice compromise.

 

Smoother ride, less rattles......just sayin'........




On another note, according to Brian Long's book, there was, at one time, an 18" option for wheels for a particular FD model.

 

Yep

Good shocks can make a tremendous difference in how a car feels which is probably how all these high end cars can get away with running 20 inch wheels LOL

 

I'm actually surprised no one's mentioned the Mazdaspeed Aero Mirrors.

 

I've always wondered but never asked - these are basically / made by Ganador, right?

 

Maybe those are just a personal taste thing...not universally recognized as being a improvement.

 

Found the details on the gas struts, to bad they are from McMaster-Carr, who refuse to ship international.
9416K17 Gas Spring With Threaded Ends, 40 Force, 15.63" Extended Length, 6.30" Stroke