6 replies to this topic

[davew]

Time has come to open up the Alien and see what she is made of.

A week ago, I took a day and did the suspension kit install. This is the Bilstein spring and shock package. Also installed braided steel brake lines.

The springs are definately stiffer. I just guessed on ride height and may have gone to low in the rear as I was hitting the bump stops on every ripple in the road. But huge difference in handling. Since this car is destined for the race track, I don't really care about the comfort of a soft ride.

The kit installed easily without any real hassels.

I also installed the Goodridge brake line kit. Minor fitment problems with the lower end of both rear lines. Nothing a couple minutes with a die grinder cound not fix.

Last Monday, I removed the AC assembly from under the hood, and installed the AC delete kit. Typical quick disconnect hoses, no surprises there. Removal of the condensor was a bit of a pain. The entire front end is held on by 6 bolts and a bunch of clips. Kinda like a jigsaw puzzle, with the last piece bolted in.

Saturday the interior came out. Up to removing the dash, everything was straight forward. Just like the bumper, everything clipped together with just a couple attaching screws.

The dash was a real pain. There are several hidden bolts, like the radio bolt. 2 bolts are under the hood coming into the car and 2 are from the drivers door jam.

Here are a handfull of pix. More pix will be posted to mz2speed.com

Dave

Attached Files

•  2bumper offf.jpg   58.42KB   94 downloads
•  2LF susp done.jpg   58.86KB   105 downloads
•  2dash out2.jpg   58.21KB   111 downloads
•  2LR done 2.jpg   56.92KB   104 downloads

[davew]

We have a basic 6 point cage and a seat/belts in the car. We are finishing stickers and then off to Road America in the morning.

Here are some pix of the cage, I will get some exterior shots later.

Dave

Attached Files

•  2cage 027.jpg   58.17KB   60 downloads
•  2cage 026.jpg   57.59KB   59 downloads

[Tom Hampton]

Blue springs = fast!

[Mike Colangelo]

Nice! Drum brakes, FTW!!! (hey, they're lighter than rear disc brakes)

What are your plans for the door bars? NASCAR style or rally car "X" style?

[davew]

We will be doing Nascar style door bars and a lot of additional braces. But had to get the car in the trailer for Road America. Since we are not racing, we don't need the extra protection. After the Runoofs, we will get the cage finished and debut at speed on Oct 8-9 at Blackhawk for the double regional

Dave

[Blake Thompson]

We will be doing Nascar style door bars and a lot of additional braces. But had to get the car in the trailer for Road America. Since we are not racing, we don't need the extra protection. After the Runoofs, we will get the cage finished and debut at speed on Oct 8-9 at Blackhawk for the double regional

Dave

Dave, the car looked good at the RunOoooofs. But I must admit I have a soft spot for that Fiat

Ultimately I'd rather be on track than wrenching so I suspect the Mazda will be the one to have.

[davew]

I guess I won the first unofficial B-spec race on Friday. They told us to mix it up and make it entertaining. I started 4th and was the only passer of the group.

Voytek drove the car on Saturday and loved it.

Lots of attention during the week. 7 manufacturers are commited and 2 pro series!!!!

I hope to debut the car at the Blackhawk Regional in October and then attend the SCCA test at Grattan mid month.

Now I have to finish the car.

Dave