SURE MotorSports Anchors

Today we are going to install SURE Motorsports Anchors. You will notice I am doing this install in conjunction with another install. The way I see it, its better to wait and gather up a bunch of parts and then install them all at once so that you don't have to tear everything apart over and over.
This install is rather easy when done during a short throw shifter install. The washers are a little tight to get in, but other wise this is a no brainier. I would like to mention I purchased these SURE Motorsports Anchors from StreetUnit.com

Here is a little infomation on the SURE Motorspots Anchors.

From the factory, your manual Mazda transmission shifter assembly is mounted to the body using soft rubber grommets. These OEM rubber grommets make manual shifting soft and careless. During spirited driving, these flexible rubber grommets hinder defined shifting. The proper approach to a rock solid shifter assembly starts with SURE Anchors™. Our machined aluminum SURE Anchors™ greatly reduce the chance of missing a gear shift and provide a much more accurate, tactile shifting response.

Make the most of your zoom-zoom with our over-engineered SURE Anchors™.

Good luck with your install.

TWM Performance Short Throw Shifter Install

Today we are installing TWM Performance's Short Throw Shifter. The install was very straight forward. The instructions provided by TWM are top notch. The only snag I had was do to the fact that I was doing the install alone. TWM recommends a helper at one point during the install. After doing this install alone I can see why they recommend a helper.  You only need the second set of hands for one step and it is rather quick.

Before the videos here is a sort write up about the TWM Performance Short Throw Shifter from StreetUnit.com. ( I would also like to point out that this item was purchased from StreetUnit.com)

The MazdaSpeed 3 TWM Performance short shifter is designed to be a very simple direct bolt in installation with simple hand tools.  The MazdaSpeed 3 short shifter is a complete replacement for the stock shifter shaft and reverse lock. The TWM MazdaSpeed 3 short shifter reduces shift throw by 30% and shift knob height by 1.75" for optimal shift feel and performance. TWM's new MazdaSpeed 3 short shifter is fully CNC machined from billet steel and features stainless steel hardware and TIG welding for the ultimate in durability. The new MazdaSpeed 3 short shifter can also be used with the stock base bushings or the TWM aluminum shifter base bushings. 

Ok, with that said on to the videos and good luck with your install.

 

White/Blue Smoke from Tail Pipe After Long Idle Period Official Fix

I wanted to share the OFFICIAL Mazda North American Operations fix for the smoking turbo. I've run my car about 150 miles since my dealer installed the VENTILATION KIT. I did have a little oil burn off with in the first few miles, but other then that no problems.  I am going to post a sort video along with scans of the Official Service Bulletin from Mazda. I'll add a few pictures later.  Enjoy.

Intro to my 2008.5 MazdaSpeed 3 GT

Before we start doing anything to my MazdaSpeed3 I would like to show you what kind of car it is from the factory. Here is some information I have gathered from a few internet sources. 


The Mazdaspeed3 is a sport compact hatchback introduced by Mazdaspeed for the 2007 model year, as a performance-enhanced version of the Mazda3. Mazda unveiled the Mazda3 MPS at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show in February. The same model is sold in North America as the Mazdaspeed3 and as the Mazdaspeed Axela in Japan.

The Mazdaspeed3 features the same turbocharged 2.3-litre DISI MZR I4 engine from the Mazda6 MPS/Mazdaspeed 6. In this application, it produces 263 hp (196 kW) and 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) when running on 91 octane gasoline ((R+M)/2). This is routed through the front wheels rather than the complex all-wheel drive system found on the (Mazdaspeed6).

A GKN limited slip differential is standard, along with a six-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes, traction control and dynamic stability control. To limit wheel slip, boost in the first gear will be limited to produce a maximum of 230 hp (170 kW), boost in second gear is also limited. The amount of boost reduction is determined by the gear selection and steering angle. There is no reduction of boost third or above.

It uses the five-door hatchback body of the Mazda3, though it has extra structural bracing and subtle exterior styling differences. Volvo-sourced 12.6 in (320 mm) front and 11.0 in (280 mm) rear brake discs hide under 18 in (457 mm) wheels.

In several road tests, the Mazdaspeed3 accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds with skidpad numbers in the .87g to .91g range. In Car and Driver magazine's May 2007 issue, the Mazdaspeed3 recorded its quickest acceleration times, completing the 0–60 mph sprint in 5.3 seconds, with a quarter mile time of 13.8 at 102 mph (164 km/h).

Mazda offered two trim levels with the Mazdaspeed3. The Grand Touring model has a few outwardly visible differences from the Mazdaspeed3 Sport but includes leather and lycra weave logo-embroidered racing seats, Bose stereo with 6-CD in-dash changer, automatic Xenon headlamps with manual leveling control, LED tail lights (the main visible difference), and rain-sensing windshield wipers.

The Mazdaspeed3 Sport and GT both include front and side driver and passenger airbags, air-curtains, logo-embroidered racing seats, signature red-stitched seams throughout, logo sill-plates, aluminum GT-style pedals, steering-wheel audio and cruise controls, automatic climate control and 18 inch wheels. Additional cross-members within the chassis frame and body stiffen the vehicle to improve handling and control under heavy braking and acceleration as well as quelling torsional flex. ABS brakes assist corner and wet-weather braking, laterally ventilated disc brakes on all wheels provide extreme stopping power with reduced fade. DSC and Traction Control on all Speed3 models is also standard.

Ok, now with all that out of the way we can get started.