Steve's Mazda Speed 3
Photographer: Joey Newcombe Written: Ariel Mulchan
Steve Strickland, from Tampa, FL, has worked hard on creating his vision for this 2007 Mazda Speed 3. In the making since 2008, Steve had the incitement to drive his daily like he had never driven it before. His goal? He wanted a rarefied ride that he could enjoy inside and out.
Steve has been working on the car piece by piece and, like any true car enthusiast, isn't sure it'll ever be completely done. The work wasn't easy, though. With limited pickings for this car, Steve was challenged to find and install parts that would be adequate no matter what direction he took with the build. Additionally, Steve faced the specific challenge of finding balance between efficiency and horsepower due to the car's DISI direct injection fueling system.
Favorite Car: Steve doesn't have a favorite car, but says, "I love all makes and models. I would have a hard time picking just one if I had the money to build or buy it." Steve's favorite sites for parts and inspiration are www.streetunit.com, www.mazdas247.com, and www.mazdaspeedforums.org. At the moment, Steve has no current plans for the Mazda Speed 3, but instead is focusing on his wife's GS300. Steve expects this build to be done by next year sometime and hopes to move on to a third build as a personal project.
Shoutouts: Steve would like to thank: Cullen Mariacher and the entire SURE motorsports crew for all their help with his performance needs and knowledge of the platform, Randi Bentia of PAS magazine for all the audio/video equipment and opportunity to display the car at formula D WPB, Matt Meisenbach, Bill Hock and the staff at MCOR automotive for the top-notch work and craftsmanship they put into the SONY install, as well as all my friends who helped with installs and part swap outs throughout the build.
Whats currently playing in your earphones right now? ( favorite song at the moment) - Nas-get down
Mods in detail:
Engine and Power:
- SURE motorsports Aeros intake system
- SURE motorsports Sidewinder turbo inlet pipe
- SURE motorsports Return(recirculation tube)
- SURE motorsports Shortcut(short shifter plate)
- SURE motorsports Countershift(lightweight shifter weight)
- SURE motorsports Torq r3 rear engine mount
- SURE motorsports Anchors(billet shifter bushings)
- SURE motorsports TIG(intake manifold gasket
- Streetunit performance side engine mounts
- Streetunit performance race pipe
- Streetunit performance billet resovoir caps
- Denso iridium 2 step colder spark plugs
- PnPed intake manifold with VCTS delete
- powdercoated valve cover & intake manifold
- weapon R catch can
- Turbosmart dual-port blow off valve
- Protege Garage intercooler piping
- CX racing front mount intercooler
- TWM short throw shifter
- Prosport digital boost guage
Wheels and Suspension:
- BC coilovers
- SURE motorsports Guerilla arms( rear camber arms)
- SURE motorsports Standoffs(5mm hubcentric wheel spacers) x2
- Project Kicks R40 REVO neochrome lug nuts
- extended studs front and back
- Work VS-XX (18 x 9 +32/26)rebuilt w/ new chrome hardware
Audio:
- SONY 7" XNV 770BT DVD headunit w/ navigation
- SONY 6.5" GS series component front door speakers
- SONY 6.5" GS series 2 way rear door speakers
- 2 SONY 12" GT subwoofers
- 4 SONY 6.2" XVM B62 moniters
- 2 SONY mono sub amps
- 1 SONY 4 channel amp
- JL audio 2 gauge wiring w/ AC power inverter
- dash mounted subwoofer gain control
- Ipod plug and play integration
*custom install by MCOR automotive
Everything Else:
- rear fender lips hammered flat and slightly pulled
- yellow foglight overlays
- Redline goods leather center console cover and shift boot
- Black suede headliner and pillars
- Autoexe stubby antenna
- Blacked out upper front grill
- Nextmod carbon fiber rear spoiler extension
- Superbright red l.e.d. interior lights(dome/map/hatch)
Huge thanks to Joey Newcombe of The Urban Sniper for the great shots.