NitroM3 Mazda 3 2018 2.5 Automatic

[NitroM3]

 

[NitroM3]

 

[Jetronic]

Because you have (or had?) a 2018 Mazda 3 GT you might be interested in this?

An old response posted on another forum:
I had the MAZDA officially weigh today. Full tank of gas and everything not connected removed from the interior. This was with no one in the car. It was dead center at 3300LBS The company I used is a CALIFORNIA State and Federal Certified WEIGHMASTER. I was a little surprised considering that MAZDA specification for my Curb weight (lbs) 2,940 (AT ) Naturally CURB weigh can be advertised with or without a full tank of fuel. MAZDA does not indicate which was used for the weighing as in dry or wet curb weight? A full tank of gas is 99 lbs. I know that my *sound deadening material and my stereo system added almost *250lbs. Sooooo...2940 +99 for a full tank of fuel and *250(aprox) = 3290LBS. So close enough to conclude that MAZDA uses DRY weigh method for advertising the vehicles weight specification@ 2940lbs.

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Similar story for my car, verified the weight empoty with full tank of fuel at 3300 lbs +- 10 lbs. brochure weight is 1340 kg or about 2950 lbs. But optional extras add weight, and I suspect they are lying a bit as some countries in Europe use weight as a factor for taxation.

 

[NitroM3]

I didn't really care for any of the already offered CAI (cold air intake)available from various vendors, so I desided to design and build my own.

I don't really want to get into the results details because it would only take away from what was really just about doing my own project. I will at least say that I used a Dyers Megnahelic gauge to measure my progress always adjusting things towards the positive during my stages of design for a net gain

Onward to start: PART 1
I ordered a new intake part from MAZDA and a tube that I think will fit the project perfectly. Then proceeded to cut it up.... and do some re-engineering.

 

[NitroM3]

more pictures

 

[NitroM3]

Here is the completed basic section of the intake system I designed and built. There are a few parts that I used from various sources but most I needed to modified to some degree from its intended original use. Pre Throttle body air intake design really may only apply to my MAZDA 3

 

[NitroM3]

This is the complete semi finished project. On larger part to all this is at the body shop being painted. Sorry about jumping to this picture but a few things are my own secret brew and I don't want to share or explain them.

 

[NitroM3]

Setting up for the oil/filter and spark plug changes I will be doing early before it gets to hot outside . The temperatures lately have been in the 100-108F. I really need to install that AC I bought a few years ago for the garage. One of those projects I will get around to. Maybe this winter. HA!
Mazda Oil Filter
New Drain plug washer
Red Line 5w30
Castrol Transmax for a pan oil service only not the filter this time.
New Transmission drain plug washer
WD-40
4-Champion 991/ REA8MCX spark plugs gapped @.042
And DWD2 System Metal Conditioner
This was given to me by the manufacturing distribution rep for the company to do a 5,000 mile use and have analyzed by Black Stone oil Labs And then do a write up about. Don't worry I have a freind that is a SAE who prof reads all my publications.
I will also be servicing my K&N air filter and cabin filter
Then I may get around to pressure washing the engine?

 

[NitroM3]

During my transmission fluid change I measure the exact amount I remove so I can refill with the exact amount. I started to do this from the first oil/filter service to take the guess work out of how much to refill. I do still check the fluid both cold and hot in gear.

 

[NitroM3]

I use Champion Copper Plus for my Skyactiv 2.5 Mazda 3. These work the best for overall best power/torque and MPG. They may not last as long as other spark plugs but after testing these I use them. The other consideration is the ability to adjust the gap (current adjusted .042) more precisely for a specific usage. I do use anti-seize and dielectric grease. But notice how I apply the anit- seize on the threads. but that still get all over my figures and tools .... LOL

 

[NitroM3]

Thats it.....

Now I have to go figure out what to do about my battery. I need to order a new one...


In the picture notice the "Corona stain". This means I should have applied a bit more dielectric grease on the boot because the OEM fitment if not the best. Unfortunately this is they way it is on most vehicles. Supposedly it does not effect performance. The funny thing is on a wave pattern ern with and without dielectric grease at the base the pattern is improved using dielectric grease that fills that space between the insulator and the boot? Maybe that just me and findings?

 

[NitroM3]

For fun I desided to make use of a small scoop I had intended for another project but it never panned out. So I am mounting it in place of the radiator drain valve flap on my plastic undercover. It may draw in a little more cooler air into the engine compartment, maybe?

 

[NitroM3]

I changed the failing battery today.

 

[NitroM3]

Machining a Throttle Body Spacer.
I needed a spacer to install a Intake air temperature sensor, water/meth injection nozzle and a couple extra threaded ports for other possible future projects. Once again no one offers this for the 2018 Mazda 3, ATX 2.5 NA so I made my own. But after using it and learning I needed to make another spacer to better serve what I am using it for.


This is the FIRST spacer machined up.

This is the start of the latest spacer:
So I finally got around to getting a new block of aluminum, for the new spacer. The last one pictured in previous posts served well but had some short coming that were unexpected. The next spacer will be much better for the purpose intended.
Here is where I am so far with the new spacer.

 

[OppositeLocK]

I like everything about your car except that logo.

 

[NitroM3]

I like everything about your car except that logo.

So here is the story. One of my business was build to order AC Cobra's I have many AC Cobra replica' parts left over from that business. I personally have owned 3 all with Chevy engines. In fact one of my 3 was a famous one and i do mean one Steve Arntz production 001 It was his very first Cobra! The purpose of the front grill logo was to eliminate the MAZDA emblem. I also debagged all the MAZDA emblem which included welding the holes up in the trunk lid and repainting it.

So until some aftermarket company comes up with a good looking front grill that does not have an area for a licence plate and MAZDA emblem the AC will have to do.

Thank you for looking at my thread.

 

[NitroM3]

Went to bed last night and woke up to the first big rain warning me the end of summer is near. So after taking the wife to work with no wipers and a good rain shower I pulled out the wiper and arm assemblies and put those ugly parts back on the MAZDA.

 

[Malo83]

Nice!

 

[tyman]

Went to bed last night and woke up to the first big rain warning me the end of summer is near. So after taking the wife to work with no wipers and a good rain shower I pulled out the wiper and arm assemblies and put those ugly parts back on the MAZDA.

wait, what?

 

[NitroM3]

wait, what?

On a couple of my vehicles during the summer months I remove the wiper arm assemblies for the aesthetic value of not having "*****" !


With wiper assemblies and without