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wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/13/25 9:16 a.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13 :

Yea, I knew it had a small leak.  I thought it was from trying to teflon tape some straight threads on on the coolant temp sensor adapter.

I found out i had a leak when I did an autocross in Savanah and they asked me kindly to not go back out on course due to the small leak.

I fixed the coolant temp sensor housing with a Viton o ring (as it is supposed to be).  The leak apparently got worse, because when I filled up the system, it started leaking even without pressure on the system.  Drip drip drip drip.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/13/25 2:05 p.m.

So, this will be the 3rd year in a row that this car competes at the GRM challenge.  I think I have a shot at winning gtn$.  I'm gonna go a bit more aggressive on the alignment.  I'm gonna take some easily removed weight out of the car.

We shall see...

I am also trying to bring Toymans 2004 mazda 3.  Still some work to do on it...

The mazda 3 will probably carry over into next year's challenge as well.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/18/25 6:29 p.m.

I'll get pics in a bit.

Water pump changed.  No more leaks!

I changed the intake before the throttle body.

 

I now have backup lights!

 

Haven't driven the car since all of the changes, other than to back put of the garage.   Clutch feels normal!  That's good because I was worried since I changed the clutch type and htob spacing.

 

I am excited to drive it tomorrow and see if I made anything better!

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
2/22/25 3:16 p.m.

I went down to the FIRM to do a TT!  Finished within 2 seconds of the GRM project BMW.

On the way, shifting got a little difficult....

Those with t5s will know that this is the shift finger that should be one piece on the shift rail.  This obviously isn't.

 

Once this is corrected, the car should be challenge ready!

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
3/12/25 10:19 a.m.

Gah, just lost a post....

 

Got the trans back together with a new 1 piece shift finger assembly.

This car is more and more like a real car every week.  I've been driving it about every other day.

Such fun, much wow.

Here is a picture of me and my good buddy Bryan standing on a jump after the daytona supercross race a fee weeks ago!

bbbbRASS
bbbbRASS Reader
3/13/25 7:23 a.m.

In reply to wvumtnbkr :

Hi Baker! Looking fly. I've learned from my young internet days to highlight and copy and my post before I hit "the button" if I've had the window open more than a few minutes. Always sucks to lose the work. 

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/9/25 2:57 p.m.

So, the car has been pretty fun!

Competed in the GRM challenge for the 3rd year in a row.

Won the GTN$ autocross!

Couldn't get any grip whatsoever in the drags after my first pass.  Not sure why.  The past 2 years, I have been bogging or wheel hopping.  This year it just spun the tires the entire way down the strip.  Ugh.

 

I got an assist from Surfshibby on some of my favorite wheels!  Now I just gotta get them cleaned up and get some tires mounted.  These will be the "street" wheels.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/9/25 3:00 p.m.

On the way home, an exhaust hanger broke and I had to hold the exhaust up with hose clamps.  It held the exhaust against the bottom of the car and made for some seriously annoying buzzing.

Gotta fix that.

 

This car is about to be officially NOT a challenge car.  I'm about to spend big money on some suspension and a cv type driveshaft.

I'm leaning towards the BC DS or ER series coilovers.

Shavarsh
Shavarsh Dork
4/9/25 3:40 p.m.

I really like those wheels on this car! This thing is awesome, looking forward to what you do next.

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 MegaDork
4/9/25 4:02 p.m.

Before you do that, is there something like the DIY Bilstein coilovers the Miata guys do? Maybe using NC Miata parts? I am blown away by the ride quality and handling that my set provided on the Miata for the low dollars invested

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/9/25 4:43 p.m.
Dusterbd13 said:

Before you do that, is there something like the DIY Bilstein coilovers the Miata guys do? Maybe using NC Miata parts? I am blown away by the ride quality and handling that my set provided on the Miata for the low dollars invested

Yep, there is.  However, I want this car to be comfy and capable.  I'm fine spending money to get exactly what I want.  The car has proven itself at this point.  Now it's time to get serious.

The MazdaFree is gonna be the challenge car from here on out.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
4/21/25 10:45 a.m.

Anybody know of any other driveshaft shops that make custom cv style driveshafts other than the driveshaft shop?

I am having a hard time getting a response.

 

Thanks!

 

P.s. drove this car all over town this weekend.  It is sooo good.  Me likey.

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