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Old 01-03-2014, 06:53 PM   #1
TheLast323
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#2 323 - 2001 sp20

About 5 weeks ago I started searching for a new car, and yeah, there was only really one other car I would ever follow up with after my 323 Astina Shades...

2001 Mazda 323 Astina SP20 with 152,000kms
Purchased Feb 2014.

This car was previously another member's car with different plates.
This SP20 was the cleanest one I had ever seen, obviously will treated throughout it's life. I'd always originally wanted an SP20 as my first car but didn't have the money back when I was 16. Throughout ownership of my 2003 Astina Shades I was always hesitant on spending money on stuff like springs and wheels etc because I always knew I was better off starting with an SP20 as the base.

It came the night I picked it up, driving it back from Brisbane gave me a change to give it a good first run to see what my new car was like.
The photos from the first few minutes of it arriving back home





Same spot I took my other 323 for its first photos.



The first weekend with the car I got going with changing stuff.
(Welcome to Mazdaville, there's another mx5 hiding in the garage)



Started by removing that heavy tow bar from the chassis.





Goodbye



Then I had to make that sharp cut out in the rear skirt looks less noticeable.





Cut out the plastic quite easily then rounded it off with a rotary sander.


Last edited by TheLast323; 17-01-2015 at 07:44 AM.
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Old 01-03-2014, 06:54 PM   #2
TheLast323
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Much much better!



So obviously someone has broken a bit off the edge of the bumper off, had a go at bogging and gave up.



Started sanding it down, and that's as far as I went. I'm getting the front bumper resprayed in the near future so I'll come back to that repair.



Then I installed the leather gear boot, carbon gear knob and trim surround from my other 323.



Second weekend, got up early for a run up Mt Nebo! MX5.MX5.SP20



The car came with a few mild mods already done to it including:

TWM Short Shifter
TWM Polyurethane Shifter Bushings
KYB Front Shocks
Lowered 30mm with King Springs F&R
Genuine Mazda Headlight Covers
Tinted Windows 35%
Short Aftermarket Ariel
Clear Side Indicators

Since buying it I've done:

Intake Resonator Delete
Weighted Black Gear Knob
Leather Gear Boot
Aero Front Wipers
Astina Shades/Black Gear Shift Trim Surround
Door Strips Removed




















Wish List.

17" OEM Mazda Rims (SP25, SP23 or Mazda6)

Fog light delete covers (OEM USDM Mazda)

AutoExe Stainless Muffler

Nardi Mazda Black Leather Steering Wheel

Rear aero wiper



Just last Tuesday I sold my baby :/

My first 323 in its most modded form.



... and the last ever photoshoot after returning it to stock form.



28/10/11 - 25/02/14

Last edited by TheLast323; 30-08-2014 at 09:21 AM.
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Old 01-03-2014, 07:23 PM   #3
lukeyprotege
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New car looks nice man. Can see you have good taste. I forgot how high stock was :')
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Old 01-03-2014, 10:21 PM   #4
Ben
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Gidday! Totally agreed with Luke! Also, i like your "mod" pictures…They seem high quality…DSLR quality.

I miss my SP20 after seeing this.

If you haven't already, join the FB revolution

https://www.facebook.com/groups/131608523252/

Edit: Wait, i know who you are, we ran into each other at Downshift one day
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Old 02-03-2014, 07:41 AM   #5
maz sp20
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I have always liked the SP20 in white
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Old 02-03-2014, 10:00 AM   #6
Tmak100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLast323 View Post
Much much better!

Wish List.

Respray front bumper

17" OEM Mazda wheels (SP25, SP23 or Mazda6)

Fog light delete covers (OEM USDM Mazda)

Aftermarket muffler (Mazdaspeed, Autoexe, etc)

Fabricate some bumper brackets to reduce panel gap

Rear aero wiper

Respray headunit/aircon surround in gloss black.

All Black Nardi Steering Wheel (MX5 NB/RX7 FD)
http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showt...185#post333185 we are setting up a group buy for the bumper brackets
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Old 09-03-2014, 02:35 PM   #7
TheLast323
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tmak100 View Post
http://www.astinagt.com/forums/showt...185#post333185 we are setting up a group buy for the bumper brackets
I don't see the point of spending that much when I can just fabricate my own like I did for my other 323!
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Old 09-03-2014, 09:16 PM   #8
Tmak100
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheLast323 View Post
I don't see the point of spending that much when I can just fabricate my own like I did for my other 323!
Haha fair enough. Cars are looking great!

Last edited by Tmak100; 09-03-2014 at 09:18 PM.
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Old 28-03-2014, 01:58 PM   #9
familiagtx
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Nice...

Like them in white

Can I buy your towbar?
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Old 29-03-2014, 09:59 AM   #10
COLONEL DON
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Love the white in the SP20. Wish mine was white. Also very jealous of your steering wheel its in such good condition.
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Old 30-03-2014, 06:50 PM   #11
TheLast323
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Update time...

Got up early for a drive up the mountain and a bit of a photoshoot a few weeks ago.




Some random shots,



Then I set about fixing the bumper sag :P



Bought a noice trolley jack aswell



Test fitting with some brackets I made up.



Now for some before and afters,





Perfect.



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Old 30-03-2014, 06:50 PM   #12
TheLast323
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Then the day after that I met up with my mate that had just bought an 03' SP20, bloody copy cat.



The weekend after that it was off to the first official QLD MCM meet at Queensland Raceway!







Marty and Moog representing in a NB MX5 for the happy laps session




______

Stay tuned.

Last edited by TheLast323; 11-07-2014 at 05:44 PM.
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Old 04-04-2014, 12:17 PM   #13
Mohit
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Looks nice Where did you get the clear side indicators from? Looking for a set for my red SP20.
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Old 04-04-2014, 10:18 PM   #14
z100
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Easy to find on ebay. For example.
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Old 08-04-2014, 09:42 PM   #15
TheLast323
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Quote:
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Looks nice Where did you get the clear side indicators from? Looking for a set for my red SP20.
I bought mine a year ago for my silver 323 from this ad.
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Old 12-04-2014, 02:26 PM   #16
Mohit
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Thanks guys, reason I asked I bought a set from Asia and they did not fit. Will buy the German one TheLast323 posted
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Old 16-04-2014, 05:33 AM   #17
TheLast323
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Quote:
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Thanks guys, reason I asked I bought a set from Asia and they did not fit. Will buy the German one TheLast323 posted
Nice! Mine took about a month to come!



I've purchased an Autoexe Muffler, should come in a few weeks!
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Old 17-04-2014, 08:59 AM   #18
jkdjacob
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If your steering wheel is for sale once you get a new one let me know! Haha
Nice car btw, so clean! Wish mine was white.
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Old 11-07-2014, 05:51 PM   #19
TheLast323
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I'll try to keep this update as short as possible... but that ain't gonna be easy, it's been over 4 months :P

So back in May I spent quite a bit on a second hand muffler bought via Rupe.
It's an Autoexe Stainless Muffler that has seen quite a few driveway scrapes... lol



I don't have any pics of the install cause I did it in a rush, with the car up on the hoist at work and didn't have my camera on me.
Still need to take it off again and install a new gasket and hangers. I also need to buy an expander tool to make it perfectly round again, but I'm having trouble finding one big enough for that tip.



It's quiet and not raspy at all.



Later on in May it was a very early morning drive up to Queensland Raceway in the thickest fog I've ever seen.


Literally at one point all I could see is the Audi's rear foggie and guard railings either side, freaking scary.

When the sun started to rise it was still horrible visability so the organisers held off the track session until midday.



Having an hour and half on the track was more than enough time, I'm surprised the only thing that suffered was my tyres which is obviously expected when your trying to out corner evo's lol.
The photo below was snapped by Ben, who just happened to be there watching the Japanese Nationals!
Props to him



Some other pics from random photographers I found...





Dat drag race happening in the background hahaha



Mr. White in the background



I noticed it was overdue for an oil change so I spoilt her and got geniune.



Late May I got another thing crossed off my wishlist.
Out with the old...



Overnight parts from Japan aka Rupe




Last edited by TheLast323; 11-07-2014 at 08:06 PM.
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Old 11-07-2014, 05:52 PM   #20
TheLast323
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Removal



It's weird to read "Made in Italy" on a Japanese car but yeah.



Lovely



Came up well with leather cleaner.





Oh yeah, this is what my muffler did to my rear skirt while on the track.



You can tell I only have one car friend (okay I have 1 or 2 others but), there's always this Audi that stalks me.



The next mod came in June with these, yet another thing crossed off the original wishlist.
Got them from Christian for a good price.



Removed the WRX looking foggies and wiring harness from the bumper and installed the deletes...



I love black on white.



Wash time



Random photoshoot with Herbie



This month I've bought a new battery, intake pipe, battery tray and battery clamp (car didn't come with a battery clamp, you don't want to know how the battery was being held in... lol :/ )



All dem primary colours





andddd finally I get to the end of the update.

Last big mod. RIMS AND TYRES

This is a photoshop I did of rims off a NC MX5 which I love.
I specifically want OEM Mazda 17" wheels, but need to save cause I want some nice rubber to wrap around them and complete the look of my SP20.



Until next time.
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