RL8

Im going to install the full MS kit on the weekend with some help from a friend (except the wing, which is installed already). Any tips and advise on the install? TIA.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Unfortunately, I didn't see your post until tonight. Did you end up getting everything installed? I actually put on the MS sides this weekend and holy s**t, what a PITA. Took me quite a while to do the first side (read: several hours) by myself, but the other side went considerably faster. The instructions were excellent, but I don't know why Mazda didn't just put different brackets on the skirts so they could attach to some of the existing holes on the bottom of the car. This would save us from having to drill 4 extra holes on each side, right?.

Anyway, I'm REALLY happy with the results, even with my current Appearance Package front lip and rear flares. If you didn't get them installed this weekend and have any questions, just let me know. I'll also post pics of mine when I get a chance!

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

word of advice on the side skirts: don't bother using the template. hold the side skirt up to the car and mark the holes for the push clips. drill out the holes and then apply some touch up paint so rust won't develop. wipe the entire side down with alcohol and make sure it's clean for the adhesive to stick on to. the bottom portion is a bit of a pain, but same concept.

i tried using the supplied templates for the passenger side...took me up to an hour to install the right side skirt. then i just eyed up the driver side and took me 20 mins.

pikachu

Any advise for the front and the rear? Plan on doing mine in a couple of weeks also? Sides seem pretty straight forward, but I am not to sure about the rear. Cutting into my 2 month old car makes me kinda queesy to think about.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

The templates actually worked out quite well for me -- as opposed to the OEM side flare templates. They were completely useless to me (I never even drilled the holes and they stayed on just fine). With the MS kit, I was pleasantly surprised how well the clips matched up to the holes when I installed the sideskirts.

I'm not sure how I would have held up the MS skirt myself, while marking the holes. It would be much easier with two people, I guess. Did the 20 minutes include all the prep-work, cutting the stone guard, etc?

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

yeap...20 mins. but i have access to air saws, etc. makes work a lot faster. passenger side took forever!! first try is always the hardest with trial and error.

EZZY

use masking tape to hold the side skirts in place if you are by yourself.
probably a good idea for you to take the rear wheels off for drilling the holes

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

WOW... then that's impressive. I mean, I did use the templates and that took time, but there are just so many other steps in the instructions. But like I said, the second side didn't take nearly as long as the first.

RL8

Thanks people for the advices. Too cold last weekend and I was too lazy to install the kit.

Before I do a search, anyone kind enough to tell me how much does the MS front bumper lower then the stock? Also the side skirts? I think I need to raise the car before I install the kit (good benifit from coilovers).

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Wow, too cold in Cali, and here in Baltimore it was 80 degrees in mid-March. Go figure.

I don' t have the front bumper yet, but the sides are pretty low with stock ride height. I haven't measured yet, but I'm even hesitant to lower the car now because I'm afraid I'll start having driveability issues... scraping on driveways, etc. As far as I know the front matches the height of the sides. Anyone with the full MS kit, please confirm.

Im_DANomite

iTrader: (1)

i have the appearance kit with MS sides lowered on Tein S-Tech springs. i will scrape the front lip on big bumps and steep driveways...

8 is enough

A couple of us helped BigOlundh with his MS kit. The rear was somewhat easy, the instructions were kind of hard to understand where to cut. But once we figured it out, we grabbed a dremel and went at it. Not bad at all.

The Front was not to bad. There was a bit of work to get the fog light brackets on. But once you get them on the install is easy.

Side skirts have been covered pretty well.

8 is enough

They are pretty close if not dead even equal in height from what I remember from the install.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

my sideskirts never did line up right... bah