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21-11-2012, 09:22 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Ross's dumb ar$e BA questions
Right, let's start with an apology for the dumb questions I'm going to ask. Sorry, but I've been a hop in and drive for so long I've forgotten how to talk car. Give me a dirt bike and I'm comfortable but cars, couldn't find the door if the wife wasn't sitting in the passenger seat.
So after getting the idea in my head on Saturday morning today I've become the proud owner of a 1998 323 BA Series 3 V6 Astina hardtop that looks like this This is going to be my daily driver and I want it to be a non-racer but it should certainly be sexy in a mature sleek type of way. So my intention is to lower it a bit and upgrade the suspension, put some nice wheels but with enough rubber to have it comfortable while hanging on in the twisties. Then debadge and respray. Then tweek the motor, it has 141,000k on it. Then do some work on the interior. Of course, I have no idea what I should ask for, what to look out for, what to avoid etc. So, I'm thinking that if I read the threads, ask a you guys, ask a professional, then repeat, perhaps I'll avoid doing expensive stupid things. So thanks in advance. |
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21-11-2012, 09:36 PM | #2 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Gold Coast
Car: 1996 BA 323 astina 1.8l Auto
Posts: 80
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Hey Ross, welcome
Got to say its a nice looking ha. The guys here will be able to help ya heaps. I can't sorry, hopefully I can learn with ya. |
21-11-2012, 09:41 PM | #3 |
obsessed-incomplete-broke
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brisbane
Car: BA Hardtop/Hatch
Posts: 5,441
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Motor wise. Best bang for buck is a complete 2.5L swap. Apparently relatively easy swap. From experience these engines are a pita to work on if something down the back goes. As for rims, there's plenty of info around. Most opt for a 17*7 with between 35-45 offset. 35 is closer to flush, looks better. And yet another set of interior upholstery! Seriously I've seen at least 5 seat designs so far. If you did a kl-ze with supercharger you would be top gun in the club haha. They sound amazing.
Rear sway bar is cheap and easy to install, makes a large difference in handling. Best bang for buck mod imho.
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21-11-2012, 11:19 PM | #4 |
AstinaGT Regular
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Sutherland Shire, Sydney, AUS
Car: 97 Astina BA
Posts: 432
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22-11-2012, 06:09 AM | #5 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Quote:
I came across Dancing Duck Performance Initiative who do a KLDK-R 2.5l V6. http://www.facebook.com/dancingduckpi Anybody had any experience with them? |
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22-11-2012, 06:21 AM | #6 |
obsessed-incomplete-broke
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Brisbane
Car: BA Hardtop/Hatch
Posts: 5,441
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He is a young guy, passionate with racing and cars. He's built a few nice motors for himself, and the other guy who got one of these loved it. So if I were looking for one, this is what I'd do. While its not a klze, its better value for sure.
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22-11-2012, 06:44 AM | #7 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Thanks for that. It's a reasonable cost by my perception and I assume there's a market for a low kilometre 2.0 V6?
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22-11-2012, 07:39 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: n/a
Car: n/a
Posts: 10,929
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Suspension - As an older bloke with a daily ride, just some lowered springs ie- Tein Eibach Kings should fit the bill for you. With a whiteline rear sway bar should net you the lowered and performance gains you require.
Wheels - 17x7 with 215/40R17 tyres. Small is the same you got, bigger and you will sacrifice comfort. Engine - I know the V6 owners will get all uptight about this. But personally I think the are a poor donk of an engine in a cramed engine bay. Personally I wouldn't be touching it one bit, if it runs well, leave it. Paint - Mate it is too clean too mess with. It'll cost more than the car to change it to a different colour. Sure if it have clear coat pealling and colour fading, you might change it, but you got good paint there already. |
22-11-2012, 09:38 AM | #9 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wollongong
Car: 95' Mazda BA 323
Posts: 747
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Quote:
Plus compared to the BP the 6 is a problematic engine. With the KLDK-R, its got more power than a ZE anywho.
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22-11-2012, 11:26 AM | #10 | |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Quote:
I'm starting to think that perhaps I get the car, drive it around for a while, see what bugs me and what I can put up with and what I like, then do things. Sell a bike in the meantime and have some cash to play with |
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24-11-2012, 09:53 AM | #11 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Well, for better or for worse it's over at Dancing Duck for Dec to have a look at.
Posted on FB and got back from my 'mates' What the hell is it? Is that a ding in the rear quarter panel? #bigredpeniscar #midlifecrisiscar I love those guys :-P |
24-11-2012, 09:57 AM | #12 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Also are Osaka wheels decent quality?
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24-11-2012, 10:38 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Nsw, wollongong :)
Car: Ba 323 Astina hatch V6
Posts: 615
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i have some ( sp23 rims avalible if your interested) 17"
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>97' V6 MAZDA 323 S3|Sunroof|18"x8" RX8 rims|Custom Cold air intake|klze headers, 100cpi cat, resi delete, Apexi back box|Top Gun Leads/NGK Platinum Iridium plugs|Soundstream Sound|Lowered on yellow speeds|Whiteline heavy duty swaybar|cusco front strutty|momo steering|short shifter|Lantis door sills| This is my girl sxc isn't she? http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18139 |
24-11-2012, 10:50 AM | #14 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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24-11-2012, 12:27 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Nsw, wollongong :)
Car: Ba 323 Astina hatch V6
Posts: 615
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Fresh out of those
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>97' V6 MAZDA 323 S3|Sunroof|18"x8" RX8 rims|Custom Cold air intake|klze headers, 100cpi cat, resi delete, Apexi back box|Top Gun Leads/NGK Platinum Iridium plugs|Soundstream Sound|Lowered on yellow speeds|Whiteline heavy duty swaybar|cusco front strutty|momo steering|short shifter|Lantis door sills| This is my girl sxc isn't she? http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=18139 |
24-11-2012, 02:33 PM | #17 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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24-11-2012, 02:40 PM | #18 |
Administrator
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: melb.vic.au
Car: AZ-1, Astina Hardtop Turbo, BJ Protege, Beetle
Posts: 16,525
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Hehe
7 inch wide is a good size - a +35 offset is ideal for 7". I'd recommend a bigger rear swaybar and a 30mm drop to have the handling a bit more 'wow'. Even the stock wheels look great with a bit of lowering.
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24-11-2012, 02:58 PM | #19 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Canberra
Car: 1998 MAZDA 323 BA Series 3 ASTINA
Posts: 64
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Yes, I think I'll do a 30mm lowering and the rear swaybar as soon as I get it. I don't mind the existing wheels, just the gap.
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24-11-2012, 06:23 PM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: n/a
Car: n/a
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I fail to see how a family 4 door sedan equals mid life crisis.
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