2005 Mazda 3 Hatchback Gets DISI

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).

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

 

Cool project I always figured I would do something similar if my speed were totaled. The shell can be had cheap

 

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.

 

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.

 

Interesting project. Usually people would just say, go buy a speed. But I get the connection to your son, and the fact that you have both already. Interested to see how this goes.

Sorry for your loss though.

 

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

 

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.

 

These ones? I guess the fronts were very dirty and looked black.



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Sorry for your loss, cool project especially given that you already have the engine etc. Although tossing everything on it doesn't make it a speed (poking at the badge now). I was talking to someone (mechanic very knowledgeable about speeds) and be careful with the speed suspension on. Regular 3, the mounting points aren't the same, the speed body mounting locations for the struts and "pre angled" for camber and he had found that the alignment will always go out and sometimes cause frame damage from the struts wanting to pull into a position that the normal 3 would be in. He had said that the only way to fix that was to actually buy aftermarket suspension with camber plates. Something to keep an eye on. Hope the engine swap goes well

 

Yep, those look like the ones! How do they ride? Can you put up a side profile pic of your car, or link me to a pic? Specs say 2.5 drop front, and 1.7 rear. Is that about what you got out of them?
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If that was true, the Speed3 OEM strut braces would not have sat on strut mount flush. See above pics. There are no differences in strut mounting angles. I have been running full Speed suspension on the 3 now for months. I appreciate the concern...

 

I'd say specs are pretty close. I can't give you an accurate number since the block is out of the car. The rear clearly had way too much drop for my taste, I'm going to be running spring rubbers to try to keep the sag to a minimum. You might want to try to run them as well in the event of excessive saggage.


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Started back on this project. Starting to strip non Speed body of all components. It will be stripped pretty much to a bare shell with doors, hood, and hatch. Then rebuild in reverse...Once wiring, fuel tank, fuel lines, and dash are in, the rest is pretty much nuts and bolts. Kinda sad to finally disable my Son's car. But it is time. 225k on the odometer, and pops out of third gear. Nothing better than freshening it up with an 87k Speed3 powertrain! Will take a couple pics once engine out, but will be more pics on stuff that needs to be modified to fit the Speed powertrain in the standard body. Mostly diff bracket locations, and a couple places where there are no welded nuts behind. No big deal.

 

I can't wait to see this project be complete! I Just hope your project goes better than mine did.


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I just finished my other Speed and gave it to the wife. I am Speedless at the moment, so I have motivation.

 

Since you are so motivated, come put mine together. I'm sick of working on it. I got beer and pizza. I'll even throw in a set of cams when it's done.

You ever need a hand during my slow season, September-February hit me up.


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