My current daily/project build is a 2012 Mazda 3 skyactiv touring hatchback with currently 135k miles on it. 2.0L with 6 spd slap stick trans. I'm slowly working on modifying it to be a hill climb/rally inspired build. I'll try to include what I've done to it currently and update photo(s)/build info as things change. Started stock at 105k miles, so far I've added: throttle body spacer; pod air filter; 50 cal ammo can as the air filter; adding flex tubing from filter box to fog light housing to act like cold air intake while retraining semi-factory filter location; fog light housing and lights (not currently wired to the cab or wired at all); Sparco all terrain 16'' rims (spring-fall); jeep hood louvers {sides} (mounted not functional); Jeep JK hood louvers {middle} (not mounted yet}; fake carbon fiber roof aerodynamics on spoiler; 1st gen front lip splitter (not currently mounted); rear KYB® 343413 - Excel-G™ Rear Driver or Passenger Side Twin-Tube Shock Absorber with 1" extra travel compared to factory (currently being installed); Cobra CB radio/antenna with hard mounting wires and antenna tuner; Cobra radar detector with hard mounting wires, XFORCE Exhaust® ES-MZ3-25-CBS - 304 SS High Flow Cat-Back Exhaust System with Split Rear Exit (haven't finished wiring in the valve and possible have to modify it for inspection reasons {we'll see if it passes})... Let me know what you all think; any recommendations; I know I'm missing photos of the current build, they will be coming soon hopefully since its being parked for repairs for inspection. Was waiting for winter weather to end to start the repairs.

AI 07 Mazda 3 2.0L 5 spd inspiration for current build

07 Mazda 3 2.0L 5 spd inspiration for current build















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OG photo for AI photos

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I forgot to include it has slotted & drilled rotors as well as carbon ceramic pads currently in front and rear.

 

Nice project. Great pictures.

Keep up the project work and progress!!

 

Thanks, will do!

 

The pod filter install I did before the ammo can filter box. Had to cut the upper half of the factory filter box to be able to mount a pod filter while retaining the MAP sensor mounting location. This was the first modification I did to the Mazda which was named "Swordfish 2" since I'm a fan of Cowboy Bebop and its the second Mazda 3 I've owned.

 

Some photos of "swordfish 2" next to my 13 Jeep Grand Cherokee

 

Photo of the slotted and driller rotor(s) that got installed all around and while doing so I had to replace both rear calipers that were seized. While doing the caliper(s) I couldn't get the e-brakes free of the calipers so I had to cut them and ordered new lines and had a shop install them due to time frame circumstances.

 

…..👍😎

 

Jeep hood louvers... Decided to order jeep hood louvers last year to install on the car, since they do well for "being stuck in traffic" and allowing heat to escape the engine bay. As you can see from the photos that they haven't been fully installed. The big black hood louver is designed for a 2014ish Jeep Wrangler JK, that I'll have to trim to fit the mazdas hood. I have 1mm honeycomb meshing to install under the smaller side louvers, will need for the main louver, to help prevent leaves etc from falling into the engine bay as easily. Also the reason I decided to modify a 50cal ammo can for the filter box, that I still have to take photos of.
Don't judge to harshly on my sloppy hood webbing cutting, was easier to cut it to gain access to nuts/bolts for the hood louvers. I have gone back in and folded the edges as much as possible to help prevent getting cut from sharp edges while wrenching.

 

Pretty much caught up with backlogged photos. Time to take photos of all the work I"ve started over the last year but didn't photograph.

Sparco All terrain rims fresh outta the box. Will be getting some photos of them on the car once, I switch back from the winter tires.

Took the time to highlight the lettering on my winter tires before they got mounted

Snow, wasn't the major storm we had this winter were I'm from