Project FD Timeline......

[UpSideDownDesi]

Goal: Bring the car back to it's showroom condition which it should be in for it's mileage. Keep it mostly stock.

Aug 5, 2008:
Went and picked up the car from previous owner who very kindly neglected the car. I asked him "when was the last time you washed/cleaned the car?" His answer was, "I don't remember." Only good thing he did was took the car out for a spin once in a while.

Aug 6, 2008:
Exterior Clean up. Clear coat seemed to have a little fade in it here and there. Washed the car twice, applied some rubbing compound, polish, and wax that brought the shine right back. I am impressed by the Mazda paint job. Found total of 1 door ding exterior wise. Rest is in great condition other that few small scratches.
Before:









After:








From Aug-September
Gathering of the parts began, and getting the whole car serviced up to my standards.
Things done:
-Coolant Flushed...added Prestone Coolant+Red Line Water Wetter+Distilled water
-Tranny Flush....added Redling MTL in tranny and Redline 75w-90 in diff
-Brake Fluid Flushed...added Castrol Dot4 Fluid
-Power Steering Fluid Flushed
-Oil/Filter
-New Viton check valves
-3" Downpipe
-New Fuel Filter
-New Fuel Pulsation Dampener
-Re-surfaced Flywheel
-Re-surfaced Rotors
-New Pilot Bearing with new seal
-Replaced Secondary Turbo
-Replace Front cover gasket with Cosmo Metal Gasket

During the process i thought why not clean the engine bay so here's the process...we went a little extreme
A. Think...how can we clean it really good
B. Pull the motor out haha

Motor was pulled so everything can be serviced easily and properly:









Now the work starts on Interior and Exterior.

Update
August-0ct 2009- Current Mileage 29k- It's staying OEM stock
-FD goes in for full Exterior Restoration
-Factory Montego Blue
-Old Paint stripped
-New weather stripping
-Old plastic headlight covers replaced by Carbon Fiber OEM style covers (missing here, but in route)

Sorry about cell pix, will take good pix once it's home. Pix don't even do it 50% justice. Seeing it in person is just amazing.
Color














Sadly as i went to pick up the car from the shop, it failed me in the parking lot. Didn't even get to drive it . Right when i was happy to see it so close to done. Seems like Coolant seals have given up. Well that's what i have figured out, but won't really know till I take it to one of the Rotary Gurus. So car is going straight from paint to get the engine rebuilt :/.