2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback Gets DISI

[mazdas4me]

Project "JR SPEED"

I got to tell you the story/history so you can understand why I am doing this.

Back in April 2015, my Son wanted something modern to drive to work and back. He was tired of driving his track built Datsun 510 everywhere. He was 24 at the time. He loved my 09 CWP Speed3, so he decided to find a Mazda 3 Hatch with manual trans. We came across this super clean, 1 owner White 2005 Mazda 3 S Hatchback 2.3L 5 speed manual. The bad, had 203K on it, and a/c compressor was frozen. Got it for under $2500. Car is GREAT! He is SUPER happy commuting in it. In May, 2015 I totaled my 09 CWP Speed3. In June of 2015 my Son was killed in a motorcycle accident. I have been driving his car and swapping over all the Speed parts off my totaled Speed. I bought a Rear Bumper and had it painted, but all other parts are off the totaled Speed. I originally was going to keep it N/A and just keep driving it but 3rd gear decided to quit. So now I am just going to fully swap over EVERY Speed part to the 3 Hatch. Already confirmed it is a legal California engine swap. My Son was a Jr, so I decided on the personalized lic plate JR SPEED. Seemed fitting. I bought an 07 CBM Speed3 with insurance from totaled 09. I am going to give it to my wife (she is driving a VW). She is trying to come up with a user name to join MSF... lol

It has been some hard times losing a Son/Best Friend! Trying to get back into life.

This will be a slow updated thread. I have a couple projects to finish before I start swapping it all over.

Here is a list of stuff done, and what still needs to be done. And a few pics.

Mazdaspeed3 parts already installed:

Struts
Shocks
Springs
Rear Sway Bar
Brakes
Seats
Steering Wheel
Trim
Stereo
Rear Spoiler(CWP)
Doors(CWP)/Panels
Tail Lights
Wheels/Tires
MS3 Exhaust
Door Sills
Throttle Pedal Assy
Dead Foot Pedal
PMM
CPE RMM
Rear cargo trim
Spare Tire
Emblems
Center Body Brace
Rear Bumper(CWP)
Side Skirts(CWP)
Fenders(CWP)
Hood(CWP)
Front Bumper(CWP)
Cowl tray and cover
Strut Tower Caps
Rear Sub Frame (to be able to use MS3 Sway Bar)

Parts still need to be swapped.
(*)Engine/Transmission
(*)Axles
(*)Front Knuckles
(*)ALL Wiring Harness, ecu, modules, etc...
(*)Fuel tank/Fuel lines, related parts
(*)Dash
(*)Speedo Cluster
(*)Brake/Clutch Pedal Assy
(*)Shifter/Cables, console
(*)Front Sub Frame, Rack, Sway Bar
(*)ABS HU


Try to keep thread positive

[Djohns]

Man I'm sorry to heat that. No one should have to go through that. I wish you the best of luck with your build and everything else you're dealing with

[tmillner]

Subscribing to follow the journey. Good way to pay tribute

Sent from my SM-N920P using Tapatalk

[mazdas4me]

This is a Tribute video one of my Son's friends made for him...

8 months ago today he passed.

YouTube Short

YouTube Short

[mazdas4me]

Nothing big. I installed the strut tower caps and Cowl tray from the Speed. It acts as a strut bar using cowl tray as strut tower support. The MS3 tray is reinforced with double wall steel compared to standard 3 cowl tray. Didn't think I would feel a difference, but it stopped the wandering on uneven road surface.

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Always a firm believer in no father should ever outlive their son, I'm sooo sorry for your loss. I can't imagine. As a son who has had to call his father from the ER after a motorcycle accident, the only thing I can relate to is that love between a gearhead son and gearhead father. I can't. I'm just sorry, man. Glad that cars offer you some kind of coping mechanism.

Best of luck and subbed for results since this has a very different feel to it than "gonna buy a big ass turbo and build the engine" thread.

[Jeff23spl]

Wow! I just read the title and was ready to read another text from a teenager wishing to get a speed for the price of a 3 n/a...
IT is really not your case! You probably have the best reason availaible to do it. That 2005 is a part of him remaining!

I wish you best of luck to find the energy to get thru all this.

[wyeto]

This is so awesome in so many ways. Looks like you are making some great headway in the process.
I'm excited to see this happen.

[Zozr]

Seems like you know what you're doing, definitely following. Glad I found it.

[mazdas4me]

The Speed3 and Mazda3 Rear subframes are identical, except the sway bar mounts. The Speed3 mounts are wider than the Mazda3. I could not mount my COBB Speed3 rear sway bar. The Mazda3 suspension has 218k, and my Speed3 only has 87k. Alignment in the morning. Wheel works is going to hate me! I purchased the lifetime alignment. This will be my 5th time in, in less than 9 months. lol

Here are a couple pics I took.

I will get a completed pic while it is on the alignment rack.

[mazdas4me]

On the alignment rack... Wheel Works lifetime alignment is a GREAT deal! 5th alignment so far.

[Jeff23spl]

Wow almost no rust for the year....it is very different of what we see around here.

[mazdas4me]

Originally Posted by Jeff23spl Wow almost no rust for the year....it is very different of what we see around here.

Rust non issue here in CA. The CBM Speed I bought was by the coast, but still just surface rust/corrosion. We are lucky in that regard.

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Originally Posted by mazdas4me Rust non issue here in CA. The CBM Speed I bought was by the coast, but still just surface rust/corrosion. We are lucky in that regard.

yeah, very lucky. Here in NEPA, if the potholes don't destroy your car, the salt will.

[mazdas4me]

Been a long time, but finally starting back on this project. Pulled the engine/trans on the wrecked Speed today. Will start stripping it down and once all parts are off, then on to do the same thing to the 3. Then assemble 1 Speed 3 from the bare body of the 3. I will post some pics tomorrow.

[kpeezy188]

Best of luck to you.

[WAMBUSHHHH!]

Keep us updated, man! Glad you got back to work on the project, I can't imagine what its been like over the past year for your family, friends and yourself. I'm sure this project is bittersweet. I hope you're on the better side of okay!

I'm not trying to compare or even say I can relate, but I recently had a good friend pass away from a car accident. It hit me hard and I still have trouble with it from time to time. If you ever find yourself having a bad day and just want a random ear to talk or vent to, remember this post. I'm always willing to bullshit (NATOR PA can attest to that since all I ever do is bullshit). If talking to a random person offers you just 5 minutes of escape, I want you to have that option. Take care and know that you have at least one person in PA rooting for you!

[impossible]

Any updates?

[mazdas4me]

Unfortunately, not yet. Both cars are still in backyard halfway apart. Been super busy. I NEED to get this going as I don't really have my own car right now. Should be starting on it REAL soon...

[whatsabrooklyn]

hey man, i was reading through some of this build, how is everything going? did you make progress on the engine stuff yet? any pics ?