Project MS-9

[mazdaspeed929]

It's been a while since I've worked on my blue 929. The last time I worked on it was Oct. 2007, when I had some paint work done to it. The bumpers were color matched, side mirrors redone, front lip painted, spoiler added, and the trunk shaved. A couple little things after that were done but nothing major.

Well, the car has been sitting in my garage since the first week of May. The alternator blow out and I didn't want to just put in a stock one in so I figured I'd leave the car alone for a while as I figured out what to do, (the big picture). I've used the time to gather the parts for the first round of work before I move on to the bigger items.



The new parts. This isn't all of them. I've just been tossing into the car as they arrive.

[mazdaspeed929]

---Alternator---
I’m going to have mine custom rebuilt heavy duty alternator made with a higher output. I know I’m going to need more then a 100 amps. But how much more? 150? 180? 200? Anyone have any suggestions considering the list below?

vvvv----soon----vvvv
~I’m putting in the KDM projectors with a full HID (Highs, Lows, and Fogs).
~Dual thremo fans

vvvv----later----vvvv
~More stereo and electronics work

I asked some of my friends that build lowriders where they get their custom alternators made and they all referred me the same shop. After talking to the guy there I can tell he's good at what he does. The price isn’t going to be to bad, something in the $150-$250 range. I’m also going to have the alternator chromed plated. The battery wires are also going to be upgraded to accommodate the new alternator’s higher output.

[Netopia]

There is no need to change the alt. power.
Your not running a killer system justwo fans and some lights right.

[mazdaspeed929]

For some reason I figured that the best place to start work would be the back of the car. Well anyways, I started rebuilding the rear brakes, putting in the rear poly bushings and detailing the rear sub frame and other stuff under the back of the car. Painted the new calipers and I'm just waiting for the calipers and rust inhibitor to dry, so I can finish putting everything in.



-Loaded rear calipers, painted
-Stainless steel bearded rear flex lines
-Slotted/drilled rotors
-Rear poly bushing kit
-Lock lugs for the rims.
-upgrading to DOT 4 brake fluid

I also replaced the stock .9 bar radiator cap with a nice 1.3 bar cap, for added protection against overheating.

[mazdaspeed929]

I didn't have a chance to work on the car for a week b/c work. The bad news is I'm going to need new rear links, but at least the new brakes are mounted.

[mazdaspeed929]

My new rear series 2 leather bench was sent to the upholstery shop to have a couple panels repaired. I'm going to hit up Mazda for the rear links today.

[mazdaspeed929]

I picked up the rear bench from the upholstery shop, looks great. I found out the prices of the rear links, well all i know is that I'm f*@!'ed. Upper link= $180, Lower front link= $174, Lower rear link= $185. I'm looking at $1100 in rear links alone WTH I'm going to have to talk to the Korean guy and see if the the KDM ones are cheaper, hopefully the KDM quality is just as good. I haven't really been workin' the car b/c of my 2 jobs, maybe when uni starts up again I'll have some time to get some real progress on it.

[NoD]

in Norway the links cost over twice as much

should get a couple of sets before they go out of production, or maybe they allready are out of production?

It is be possible to manifacture some replatements, but it will be better to get oem.

[mazdaspeed929]

I spoke the the Korean guy and he said the KDM links should be cheaper then the USDM links b/c the Potentia was produced in till 2001. So that's good news.
He'll have the prices soon.

[Netopia]

I brought my end link's from Auto zone and they work great front and rear