"Sadie" -- 2012 MGM 6spd build thread
04-24-2012, 06:19 AM
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"Sadie" -- 2012 MGM 6spd build thread
"build" thread, more like...car ownership thread. Nothing too terribly exciting, just a thread to update with pictures and info!
"Sadie" was my late grandmother's name, and my car is named after her. RIP.
Purchase price $20254, purchased March 20th 2012. My first brand new car. Considered sportier options like a used mazdaspeed3 or G35, but decided I needed to make a responsible decision, plus the tc2 was definitely love at first sight.
Before my first test drive:
Then it was time for TRD Quickshifter, fogs, TRD wheel locks, and to get rid of that nasty pinstripe!
I love how it's a sporty coupe, but you can still do this: ($200 worth of groceries with an occupied trunk and the rear seats up)
Pre-tint:
"Sadie" was my late grandmother's name, and my car is named after her. RIP.
Purchase price $20254, purchased March 20th 2012. My first brand new car. Considered sportier options like a used mazdaspeed3 or G35, but decided I needed to make a responsible decision, plus the tc2 was definitely love at first sight.
Before my first test drive:
Then it was time for TRD Quickshifter, fogs, TRD wheel locks, and to get rid of that nasty pinstripe!
I love how it's a sporty coupe, but you can still do this: ($200 worth of groceries with an occupied trunk and the rear seats up)
Pre-tint:
Last edited by Jiggavolt; 04-24-2012 at 06:34 AM.
04-24-2012, 06:19 AM
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I love this picture. Fresh 28% tint, taken at Gateway Speedway near St. Louis on a rainy Sunday. 5MP cell phone camera, no postprocessing. This was right after she dynoed 178wtq stock, so she was feeling good 
Speaking of dyno:
172whp/178wtq, stock with intake snorkel removed. Probably inflated dyno numbers (although apparently the numbers for others were spot on, so...factory freak?) Thread here.
First run video:
Speaking of dyno:
172whp/178wtq, stock with intake snorkel removed. Probably inflated dyno numbers (although apparently the numbers for others were spot on, so...factory freak?) Thread here.
First run video:
Last edited by Jiggavolt; 04-24-2012 at 06:32 AM.
04-25-2012, 05:18 PM
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Welcome nice pick up just got mine yesterday loving it so far and no disrespect to your gma but my dogs named Sadie. Fiance has always loved that name and couldnt wait for kids so just named the dog lol
04-25-2012, 05:29 PM
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she was born in the '30s, it's funny how some names can bridge enormous generation gaps.Just ordered a set of OBX sport pedals after reading chicagokid's thread. They're for an xB but are verified to fit. Apparently they've been discontinued so they're hard to find, I found them in stock here.
For those that hardwired their radar detector near the top of the windshield - how did you power it? Out of the three harnesses under the dome light, I couldn't find a single switched accessory +12V line, and I'm unsure about running a wire up the A-pillar (there's an airbag...)
04-25-2012, 05:49 PM
#9
You can run a line up the A-Pillar. The airbag is small and square and you can run a wire around it. I did this when I ran wires from my dome supervision to under my dash to add ambient lighting / underbody neon
04-25-2012, 06:05 PM
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Good to know. I'm looking at adding underdash lighting as well, so I'll just run two wires at the same time. Does the A-pillar just come off and the airbag is mounted to the frame?
05-03-2012, 05:18 AM
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Lots of updates!
First, RedlineGoods.com showed their merits this week. I received my order, a 3/4" shortened charcoal leather shift boot, but it didn't seem to be the correct size:
So I emailed Maciek, and he was extremely personable and accommodating about the whole thing. Discovered they accidentally made an 04-10 boot and said they'd ship me a correctly made one, and even changed it to perforated black at the same time. Thanks Maciek, can't wait for it to come in!
I've also started a project I've actually done before on my last car. I have a Passport 8500, and Escort makes a remote display hardwire kit:
Since I had fog lights installed, I have a spare blank switch. The idea is to rip the circuit board out of the plastic housing on the remote display, and convert the blank switch into a new housing by drilling holes for the mute button and LEDs. The circuit board is secured in place and the sticker off the old housing is placed on the blank switch to give it the OEM look.
The problem with our blank switches is the backside - it has so much extra plastic in the way that has to be removed. I went to town with a dremel, flathead, wire cutters, and needlenose pliers, and eventually got it mostly wide open while maintaining its ability to snap into place.
The hardwire kit comes in tomorrow and will hopefully be done by Friday. I'll post pics/a writeup when it's done.
Currently waiting on a set of ebay aluminum pedals and matching dead pedal, will post review once they come in:
First, RedlineGoods.com showed their merits this week. I received my order, a 3/4" shortened charcoal leather shift boot, but it didn't seem to be the correct size:
So I emailed Maciek, and he was extremely personable and accommodating about the whole thing. Discovered they accidentally made an 04-10 boot and said they'd ship me a correctly made one, and even changed it to perforated black at the same time. Thanks Maciek, can't wait for it to come in!
I've also started a project I've actually done before on my last car. I have a Passport 8500, and Escort makes a remote display hardwire kit:
Since I had fog lights installed, I have a spare blank switch. The idea is to rip the circuit board out of the plastic housing on the remote display, and convert the blank switch into a new housing by drilling holes for the mute button and LEDs. The circuit board is secured in place and the sticker off the old housing is placed on the blank switch to give it the OEM look.
The problem with our blank switches is the backside - it has so much extra plastic in the way that has to be removed. I went to town with a dremel, flathead, wire cutters, and needlenose pliers, and eventually got it mostly wide open while maintaining its ability to snap into place.
The hardwire kit comes in tomorrow and will hopefully be done by Friday. I'll post pics/a writeup when it's done.
Currently waiting on a set of ebay aluminum pedals and matching dead pedal, will post review once they come in:
05-04-2012, 12:25 AM
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05-14-2012, 11:10 PM
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Pedals arrived and are installed. They look fantastic and I'm impressed with the quality for $38. I highly recommend them.
They were very easy to install, but a little loose. The clutch/brake can wiggle a tiny bit, and the gas pedal basically slides on from the bottom - it's not 100% secured on the pedal on the top edge, due to the arm of the pedal. However, I drove on them all day and they didn't move. I'll probably add a dab of super glue underneath each pedal later.
The dead pedal mounts with four screws and seems secure.
They were very easy to install, but a little loose. The clutch/brake can wiggle a tiny bit, and the gas pedal basically slides on from the bottom - it's not 100% secured on the pedal on the top edge, due to the arm of the pedal. However, I drove on them all day and they didn't move. I'll probably add a dab of super glue underneath each pedal later.
The dead pedal mounts with four screws and seems secure.
Last edited by Jiggavolt; 05-15-2012 at 12:15 AM.
05-15-2012, 12:15 AM
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Unfortunately, it epic-failed 
before I did anything, I plugged it in to test, and the remote module behaved erratically. Some quick tests revealed that my detector is on its way out and the two signal wires weren't functioning correctly. So I just hardwired it to power and called it a day.
Plus, the circuit board in the remote module was a bit too big for the cover anyways.
before I did anything, I plugged it in to test, and the remote module behaved erratically. Some quick tests revealed that my detector is on its way out and the two signal wires weren't functioning correctly. So I just hardwired it to power and called it a day.Plus, the circuit board in the remote module was a bit too big for the cover anyways.
05-15-2012, 01:31 AM
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That sucks man. It seems like an awesome mod because it would keep the interior looking real clean! What made u buy that MGM over that cement gray tC in the background in the first picture, where you still had that luxurious pin stripe?
05-15-2012, 01:50 AM
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The only reason I was at that particular dealership in the first place was because they had an MGM 6spd the cement is a cool color, but it wasn't even a contest for me.
Besides, I wouldn't buy the car until they removed the pinstripe and didn't charge for it. Can you believe it's a $150 option? They couldn't pay me to keep it...hideous!
the cement is a cool color, but it wasn't even a contest for me.Besides, I wouldn't buy the car until they removed the pinstripe and didn't charge for it. Can you believe it's a $150 option? They couldn't pay me to keep it...hideous!
05-24-2012, 04:50 AM
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Installed TS shifter bushings. Very high-quality kit, highly recommend it. Did wonders for the shifting action of my TRD kit, and now I don't have to worry about the shifting action getting looser as the car ages.
are in the mail, the stock halogens are absolutely terrible...
RedlineGoods shift boot is installed with the MOMO ****. The steering wheel, shift ****, and shift boot all now have perforated black leather. I'll get pics tomorrow.
are in the mail, the stock halogens are absolutely terrible...
RedlineGoods shift boot is installed with the MOMO ****. The steering wheel, shift ****, and shift boot all now have perforated black leather. I'll get pics tomorrow.