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Ooo. Almost forgot. Located and installed the old school MS seats I was dreaming of.
Sorry for the crappy pic (makes it look like there's a spot on the driver's side). But, they're pretty flawless, considering the vintage. I liked the base seats a lot (keeping them boxed up, just in case), and I was worried these wouldn't be as comfy. But, after putting some miles in them, they're plenty comfortable and supportive. I heard they sit higher, but I sit fine in the car even though I'm a relatively tall person. My biggest gripe is that the recline adjustment is hard to reach, while seated. But it's mostly set it and forget it, once you're comfy.
I still look at the black Recaro RZ seats on sale, but I'm not sure I'm skinny enough to fit in them. It's so hard to find a nice matching pair of the RZ seats, too. My better half really likes the gaudy livery on these old MS Mu-Len seats (so do I, it's why we got them). Just too cool. We had a shot at some other seats, but she approves none but these, so far.
So, unless we totally change directions with the car (have another build concept in my mind, but we're not done with this one by any stretch), I think these are my forever seats.
I thought that the MS seats with brackets made you sit lower than stock seats? Or is this not the case?
I thought that the MS seats with brackets made you sit lower than stock seats? Or is this not the case?
Sitting in them is no problem, and I am tall. So, it must not be changed very much. I think it may be slightly higher, just from the feel.
I had heard from the community that the MS seats sat higher, but I don't know where I heard that. It was long ago. Lore and myth.
I hear the Recaro RZ/SR seats sit lower, depending on the rails. So, not sure if there is a mix of knowledge for all the seats.
Well, I really wanted to do the suspension next. But my cat-back is legitimately rotted out, and my exhaust *might* be clogged somewhere. So, I need to re-do the exhaust. I've got a JDM OEM downpipe in a box. It's the 255ps. Maybe I'll get the 280PS late-type dp.
But, I need to pick a new cat-back. Wanna help? Which one do you like? (In no meaningful order):
1. Racing Beat, probably single-tip
2. Auto-Exe Dual Tip (looks like stock)
3. Feed Sonic-Ti
4. RE-A Dolphin Tip
These are all on the quiet side, which is a must. Feel free to cast a vote before I spin a bottle of red wine and decide!
Put on the Works Bell Short Hub + Quick Release + RE Amemiya Wheel
The horn wiring needed some minor attention...The grounding rings weren't grounding through the steering column. So I needed the jumper harness to the factory ground. But, one of the wires was pinned in the wrong position for the stock connector, and the other end was a female spade when I needed a male. So, I de-pinned the offending connector and put a new spade on the other side of the harness. Not sure why they don't make it like that, in the first place. Maybe the FD is weird, or it's year to year, or that works great for some other model. Anyways, guess it wouldn't be fun if it worked on the first try. My poor neighbors had to suffer through many many test honks.
After putting it on, I think I'd like a smaller wheel with a deeper dish, even though this one is a D-cut and smaller than stock. One of those funky Vertex wheels might do the trick, but definitely not a priority. Next I'll get an extra QR hub and socket so I can put the Mazdaspeed wheel and Trap Timer on.
I went ahead and ordered an OEM 280ps (Type 6) front pipe fron Nengun. They ship slow as hell, so hopefully it's here in time to get ready for Seven Stock. Ordered a new main cat, because I'm OCD (One Cool Dude!). Still need to select a cat-back. And, thank you for the suggestions! The FEED has a long lead time, so I might go AutoExe or RE-Amemiya.
Anyways, I'll put the car up on stilts and start removing the old exhaust. Might drop the fuel tank and put the Hyperion/SBG baffle and a new fuel pump in, since I'm under there anyways. That's the notion and motion. Cheers.
Well, we're not actually sure what's wrong with me. But, a brand new main-cat showed up from Japan. N3F1, supposedly type 6. Neat.
N3G1 downpipe already shipped from Nengun/Mazda, too. Nice.
Leaning towards the RE-A Dolphin Tail cat-back.
Went ahead and ordered the RE-A dolphin cat back and a Hot-Rod inductive heater.
Wish me luck. Seven Stock or bust. I'll post up some progress pictures and review the inductive heater over the next couple weeks.
I remember drooling over these seats FOREVER ago when I had a FC and if I remember correctly, you could order them from CorkSport. Being the broke kid I was, I settled for the Mazdaspeed Carbon Shift ****.
Unfortunately was immediately disappointed on arrival as it was fake (hydrodipped I assume) carbon and very light weight. Now those things go for like $300, lol.
Sorry to derail the thread, but I thought it was awesome to see someone living out a dream I had And those MAZDASPEED wheels!
Thanks, Vince. I had one of those cheesy MS fake carbon ***** once upon a time as well. Really glad you like the seats. We're definitely enjoying them.
In other news, I found out the RE-A Dolphin exhaust is back ordered til next year. That's not going to work out. Trying to cancel the order and considering other options...
Got the current exhaust off. Hot Rod works good, although mine seems to have a bad internal-fan and I might need to return it.
Need to service my ancient floor jack and lift the front of the car to get the main cat off.
280ps downpipe showed up. I'll try to take side-by-side pictures with the 255ps downpipe. I've been wondering about how different they are.
Then try to earn some good karma and repent, before attempting to remove the pre-cat.
Here's a look at the 255ps(top) vs 280ps(bottom) downpipes. You can see the 280ps downpipe has smaller steering-column indentations. It's hard to see, but it is more open inside for better flow
Oiled up my big red jack, since it couldn't fully extend any more. Guess it leaked over 15 years. Works like new, now. Ready for another 15.
Hit the Hot-Rod a few times in anger, and now the fan works like it should. It worked nicely to loosen the rusty nuts, but I still galled the front studs on the main-cat. Going to try to be more careful on the downpipe studs.
Got the main cat and cat back removed. All that's left is the downpipe. Need to remove stuff and get down to the Y-pipe, so I have room to take it out.
Still working on karma. Need to get zen, for best results.
Got the downpipe out. All the studs backed out with the nuts still on. But, at least none snapped.
Reminded that the right tools make all the difference. Ordered some new breaker bars, flex joints, thread tappers, and various other sundries.
Now to put it all back together. More stuff on order. Checking valves and actuators as they go back in. Going slow to try and do it right. Be a shame to have to have some weird problem, do it all over again, miss something small, or make a bigger mess of things.
I need a 99-spec downpipe heat shield. The early JDM version is different, as is the USDM heat shield part. LMK if you got one lying around.
While I wait on some more bits and pieces to show up. I went ahead and installed the R1 brake ducts, and re-foamed the undertray. The old foam on the undertray was in a really bad state. Hopefully this helps cooling. I've got a Ron Davis radiator in for now, but I'm planning to switch to a Koyo. It was really hot this summer, and I'd like to lower my normal cooling temps. We'll see if the downpipe and new main cat help with that.
Got the downpipe and catback installed, and the car is back on the ground and running good. Checked the BOV, CRV, CCA and all are holding vacuum and pressure. Figured it was worth a check while I had stuff apart. Tanabe exhaust is nice, but I think I'm getting old, because it's too loud. Replaced a few petrified vacuum lines on the intake of the LIM. Coolant temps definitely look better, but it is much cooler outside. I think there was definitely something partly clogging the exhaust. Might have been the rusted out stock catback.
Anyways, got the diff and transmission brace from Banzai. Haven't had a chance to install yet. I thought I was going to make a midnight run to SevenStock, but my LED headlights are dim. Must have fried them with the charging debacle. The seven segment shift indicator lost a segment. Always something! Probably fiddle around with the headlights and see if I can wire a new shift indicator, and maybe install the braces before I do another big thing.
09-08-22, 04:14 AM
And those MAZDASPEED wheels! 
