I have been picking on his phone and it's camera for a couple weeks now. Tiz all in good fun...just like his pretty finger. :P

And honestly...at the office it really was two black blobs. I have no idea where we get the cheap $&*% that we get. You would think with all the income we have we could invest in some cheap LCDs already. I guess I shouldn't expect too much since we did just get XP. *sigh*

 

I still have a CRT in my office!!!
Rockwell Automation has a contract through Dell so our IT has to approve our request and get the computers through them. *sigh*
We are pushing to get LCDs so we can view our component definitions and PCB drawings more clearly.
Its sad that a company who produces Panelviews can't budget a few LCDs for technical engineers.
And you just got XP... I'm at work now typing on W2K!!! But hey, just be glad it wasn't Vista!

 

We do have some LCDs around the office...but you need signoff from the Ergonomics people to get one. We are all big on going Green...but it is as green as Ryan's car. :P CRT's everywhere...lights always on...Thousands of TV's on 24x7...but we shut the air off in the elevators on the weekend. :P

 

That's it. I'm painting it hot pink and putting on an oversized CF wing and putting on Fiero badges. Then I'm taking it to every meet just so you are all laughed at by passing cars... I will single-handidly destroy all RX-8 resale value in NE Ohio.

That'll teach ya to mock the nordic green/blue/black mica.

 

You wouldn't be the first to try and destroy the 8.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/11/m...errari-owners/

 

WOW... that is wrong on so many levels.

 

Holy Ishnit. Why in the hell would you do something like that? I hope that person was taken out by a semi truck right after he pulled out of that parking lot.

 

You can find the thread in the RX8 Discussion thread. It has been floating around for a couple days now. It scares me. Like I told the 6 guys though...I'll take the badges...and the v12 and that finely tuned exhaust as a complete package...otherwise...I don't need no stinkin badges.

 

http://www.cleveland6club.com/phpBB2...asc&highlight=

AutoX @ Northfield Park Sunday June 29th. Anyone going?

 

WOW... haven't seen it this quiet in awhile!

I guess I'll "break the ice" and mention a very neat camcorder I just purchased!
Its the JVC Everio GZ-MG330 Hybrid (in case anyone really cares, here is a link):
http://camcorder.jvc.com/product.jsp...Id=119&page=13

I wasn't sure about going with a JVC camcorder, but I did some research online and it actually had pretty good reviews.
It uses a Konica Minolta lens (which anyone who is knowledgeable on cameras will tell you that the lens is one of the most important items when choosing any camera)
Has a 30GB hard drive with the option to use a MicroSD card (no more stupid tapes).
This thing does over 7 hours of recording on the highest quality (which is standard definition MPEG-2 740x480, 8Mbps, variable bit rate) or over 37 hours on the "Eco" setting.
Optical zoom is 35x and has the option for 4:3 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
I wasn't too impressed with the "snapshot" option (which is only JPEG 640x480), but I have another camera for still pictures.
More neat additions included is a built-in digital image stabilizer, a floating suspension system for the hard drive that effectively dampens vibrations, an option to reduce wind noise, this laser touch scroll bar which looks neat, and of course the remote control.
Its nice and lightweight (only 11 oz) and comes in 4 colors (I got the Sapphire Blue).
The built-in mic is stereo, not mono (which I was surprised).
Overall... I'm VERY impressed with the video and audio quality of this camcorder and recommend it to anyone.

FYI... a standard tripod fits nicely in the center area of the car. Position the two tripod legs on either side of the rear seat's floor, and the third leg sits in the crack between the front passenger seat and the center console. Once I get my mid-pipe installed, I'll finish my movie comparing the two pipes and post it up for you guys to view.
I'm going to perform some more test runs and beginning my video editing!

 

Congrats on the new camera purchase. I've been trying to figue out a way to secure a camera in my 8 for a while. I'll have to try out your suggestion.

 

I wonder if there is a way to use a tripod and the rotary shaped logo in the seat to secure it. Also someone had found a radar detector mount that mounted to the rear view mirror arm. I wonder if something similar could be done to hold a camera considering how much they weigh these days.

 

That was my very first thought

 

Well it was kinda a quiet weekend. Next week should pick up a bit.

I just got back from putting on my puddle lights and taking apart/greasing/putting together my AFE Shifter. First the shifter was already getting a little better just by the tranny fluid but with the grease it makes a world of difference. Much, much, much smoother shifts. I also put the 'green thing' back on with a half-inch shaved off and that seems to be reducing some vibration I was getting when I was idling in neutral.

The puddles are a giant pain in the **** to install. I broke pins on both my mirror assemblies and after I was done my right motor isn't running (I'm sure I just missed a plug). The lights themselves are pretty neat but probably not worth the time+effort+broke crap. Plus there is a point where you have to splice some wires and are supposed to use some splitters to tap in - however after fiddling with one for over half an hour I surrendered and just electrical taped the SOB. With that plan of attack the passenger side was a lot easier (5 minutes to cut/tape).

Doc - if you're still doing yours I'd recommend hitting radio shack and getting some splitters that are a little easier to use unless you're proficient with electrical wiring. For the life of me I can't figure out how it's possible to remove the mirror housing from the car w/o breaking the top pins. It reattaches fine since it's bolted in but it's always annoying. I may try to superglue those back on. Make sure you keep some handy. If you want a hand let me know.

Oh and the insulation on my puddle lights (the gray part that goes around the light that fits between your mirror housing and the puddle light itself) was coming off. It could use a little more glue. Not very impressed with the quality but I suppose for $80 it's what I should have expected.

 

Glad to hear your SS is feeling better Ryan. As for the wire taps on your puddle lights. There are special wire taps sold at Radio Shack, at least there used to be when I worked there, that are designed for that. They are somewhat bulky so I don't know if you would have had enough room in there for them.

 

There's plenty of room. I'm sure I can find something but I probably won't mess with it unless the taped connections come undone. Nothing wrong with old fashioned electrical tape.

 

Wire taps can be your friend:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

There are metal tabs that cut into the wire when you squeeze the tap closed... like a keystone for RJ11 and RJ45 network jacks. Simple to use!

 

Yup...that's them. Nothing to them. Well worth the money. Ryan...if you are going to leave them just under electrical tape you should soldier the connection together.

 

New wheels and tires were a hit at Northfield!!! Here are a few pics =)

 

I've got hundreds of those things left over from when I owned my own car audio/performance parts business. I used them a lot in order to prevent a hack job on an expensive car's wiring. They sure make for clean work.

 

My Durango needs manifold work and it's not the kind of thing I would attempt myself (known issues with snapped of bolts, potential need to hoist the engine, etc.). It's just old enough that I don't want to drop the coin that the Dodge stealership would charge me. Anyone know a reputable mechanic on the west side?

 

I used to take my Celica and Stealth here back in the day. They have been good to me in the past. Might be a little further West than you were hoping for though.

Palange's Automotive
7585 Race Rd
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
(440) 327-9012‎

 

Haven't heard from Doc and how his Accessport is working out for him!
Did you get your STFT and LTFT situated and within the proper AFR?
Did you need a map from MazdaManiac or are you still using the AP NA map?
I've also been reading that people have noticed an improvement on MPG, how about you?
I'm on page 64 on the Cobb AccessPORT discussion thread... so I'm half way to the finish line
The more I read, the more I want one... but I'm going to wait until after I install MazSport's ignition coils.
And yes... STILL waiting for Scott to ship out my mid-pipe

 

Congrats to Beth who turned in an AWESOME performance at Nothfield. Top 10 PAX time!!! Personal best for Beth! Way to Go!





I used the basic MazdaManiac map and it worked from the start. I haven't done much driving with that, so I don't know about improved fuel.

Definitely noticed a change in exhaust fumes.

 

We haven't heard from Ben about our next gathering, so let's set a date. Meet at Rush Hour in Twinsburg. How about Friday July 18. We can make it 7:30, since it seemed that was a better time for folks.