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CMP
10-10-2012, 09:48 AM
Probably about damn time I do a legit build thread on here.

When I bought Lola in 2008 she had 124k, a weeping water pump, a bad left rear wheel bearing, old belts, plugs, wires, and gaskets, and bald tires. The previous owner said she had the timing belt and clutch done at 60k. There was an HKS hotside intake on the car when I bought it, as well as an original Voodoo shift knob, and Clearwater headrest speakers.

Tires were the first thing I put on her, some 195/60/14 Toyo T1-Rs. Loved them. Next issue was the wheel bearing, which was a *****, but I got it done. Car drove much more smoothly with new tires and a new bearing. The following weekend I tore her down and replaced the timing belt, water pump, belts, hoses, seals, gaskets, plugs, and wires. It took about 8 hours working alone to finish everything, but it was worth it! Shortly after came a new radiator after the old one popped!

I installed a Momo wheel from my JDM importing days (came off a 1991 Cosmo) and some Sparco Grip pedals to replace the no-name plastic junk the former owner had put in, and I also replaced the cracked bumper lights with some crystal clear lights. I also installed Hella E-Code H4 headlights to improve nighttime visibility.

Next I installed a Stebel Nautilus air horn from the Crazy Red Italian, Koni full coilovers that I got an amazing deal on, and the Hard Dog M2 Sport DD bar. Then came the Racing Beat front lower braces, a no-name rear lower brace, a Magnaflow high flow cat, and 1.8 brakes.

I had some college girl rear-end me lightly at a stop sign, so I sanded down the rear bumper and resprayed it. It could use another sanding and some clearcoat, but I need to find a place to paint. The stock CD changer **** the bed, so I pulled out the stock head unit and replaced it with a Kenwood Excelon KDC-X494. I installed a Garage Vary front lip, then over the winter I installed a new canvas top.

Then came a bunch of updates, including replacing my diff as the pinion bearings wore out. I installed a set of TSIs, and painted and re-installed the Garage Vary front lip. I also bought wheels and tires, going with 15x7 +25 Rota RB in flat black wrapped in Toyo T1-R in 205/50-15, which drastically altered the appearance of the car. Then I installed an IL Motorsport center console, with a new leather shift boot and inner shift boots, a black fuel lid, and a front tow hook. Afterwards I painted the side mirrors satin black. Later on I painted the striker plates satin black, which you can see below with the fuel lid.

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I also installed an original Racing Beat Power Pulse intake - clearly this thing was not designed for cars with power steering OR hood props, so soon after came a set of gas hood struts to keep it raised. I added a K&N drop-in filter to this setup.

I bought a set of ABS door cards, then completely redid the door panels with black vinyl and later-model door handles to get ride of the clunky early-model armrests.

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I added a pair of 8" Kicker sub woofers Hakuna-style into the package tray, and replaced the door speakers with some nice Kicker 6.5" units. I have a set of crossovers and tweeters that still need to go into the upper door panels.

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Since then I took out the center console and sold it to someone else with the aim of eventually deleting the stock console and using a shorty shifter surround. The deck is also gone, thanks to some thieves, but I built a custom iPhone dock out of a DDMWorks radio bezel and linked it directly to my amps. I added a Racing Beat catback exhaust. A KG Works rear spoiler has been painted and is awaiting installation.

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JDM side markers were one of my latest projects. Yeah, that happened.

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I've decided the look that I'm going for is sort of retro-modern, like a modern spin on the classic motorsports look. I'm taking full advantage of the aesthetic contrast offered by the satin black pieces on a glossy white field. For the most part I believe in "function over form" but damn it, I like a pretty car too.

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RotorNutFD3S
10-10-2012, 02:52 PM
This car, I like it a lot.

theothersawyer
10-10-2012, 11:00 PM
This car, it is very pretty.

CMP
10-11-2012, 08:31 AM
Thanks guys. Of course, the appreciation is reciprocated. :D

CMP
10-14-2013, 03:21 PM
Finally finished painting my Project G corner flares, and installed them with the side skirts and a set of rocker stripes.

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theothersawyer
10-14-2013, 05:53 PM
Looks gorgeous, Chris!

Risingsun124
10-15-2013, 09:52 AM
Looks great!!!

atank
10-15-2013, 12:00 PM
Very Nice!

CMP
10-20-2013, 08:38 AM
A few better pics from Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta yesterday, in the grid to prepare for the Mazda parade lap.

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jux
10-20-2013, 08:59 PM
Very nice!

Phatmiata
10-21-2013, 11:54 AM
A few better pics from Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta yesterday, in the grid to prepare for the Mazda parade lap.

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Great photos, I put one on the MR facebook page! :slayer:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=608865875837481&set=a.273334009390671.66714.270064273050978&type=1&theater

CMP
02-11-2014, 12:37 PM
On Saturday, with the "supervision" and pedal-pumping assistance of CaveRacing and Sierra_Bravo, I completely replaced the braking system of Lola. Mazdaspeed calipers/rotors at all four corners and brake booster, Mazda 929 1" master cylinder, 949 Racing stainless braided lines, Wilwood brake bias proportioning valve, FM splitter, and ATE Superblue unicorn blood. Final bleed took place last night and ohmygodbrakes.

Here are some crappy pics to tide you over until this weather passes and I can detail Lola and have some proper pics taken.

Front:
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Rear:
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Brake line spaghetti:
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Initial thoughts: While I haven't tested the brakes extensively yet or balanced the bias (it's full open to the rear at the moment) this is a massive improvement from my prior setup (1.8 front, 1.6 rear). Pedal feel is firm and solid, and modulation is so precise it makes me giddy. I'm currently running some EBC green stuff on the front and Hawk HPS on the rear, with the intention of replacing the green stuff with HPS as well.

CMP
02-11-2014, 12:43 PM
I don't think I posted this yet... I received this comissioned print for Christmas. The artist is David Kuettel, an illustrator on Archer. Coincidentally the same who did the illustration for "Drift Problem" wherein Pam is a drifter in underground racing.

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WASABI
02-11-2014, 01:37 PM
SWEET!!!

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=10850&d=1392140584

Agent☣Orange
02-12-2014, 10:44 AM
That's very nice!

CMP
03-05-2014, 02:24 PM
#hellafunctional

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=11004&d=1394047422

theothersawyer
03-06-2014, 05:05 PM
I took lots of pictures of you at the track day, Chris! They should be up somewhat shortly. It takes forever to go through 1,500+ pictures!

CMP
03-06-2014, 08:09 PM
Woohoo, I can't wait!

CMP
03-18-2014, 07:20 PM
http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=11062&d=1395188231

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=11063&d=1395188244

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=11064&d=1395188289

http://mazdaroadster.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=11065&d=1395188309


edit: Weird. Where'd my attachments go?

atank
03-19-2014, 05:00 AM
Looks like you had an exciting track day!!!!!!!!!!!!

CMP
05-10-2014, 06:49 PM
Something's different here... not quite sure what...

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Finally got around to coloring the stitching on the revlimiter door handles to match my shift and ebrake boots, and installed them.

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RotorNutFD3S
05-10-2014, 07:33 PM
Something's different here... not quite sure what...

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I know, you succumbed to peer pressure.