I just got my 8 last week. I've already had the windows blacked out, got a custom catback exhaust with MagnaFlow mufflers installed. And just today... new shoes. I got 18" Enkei ZR1 wheels. Some guy had them on Craigslist here in Houston and I pretty much stole them, couldn't resist. What do you guys (and gals) think?

 

niceee !!! you picked the sexiest color. BB FTMW !!!!

 

def nice wheels whats the width though?

 

nice car n nice rims ... now drop it ... where in houston you located???

 

18x8 running stock tire size. Prob get wider wheels at some point but got a deal on these. I'm near I-10 and the Beltway. U?

 

nice, you should come and hang with some of us mazda guys tonight.

 

Hey I'd love to, what time and where will you be? PM me for contact info. Also, do y'all think the S-Techs are too much of a drop for Houston streets? I guess there really aren't that many potholes and steep driveways.... I plan to use OEM shocks. Opinions or suggestions?

 

Nice wheels. As mentioned above the next step should be a drop.

 

sorry man i didnt read your post till i got back, by the time i got back to the forums it was too late. send me your number over pm and i will tell you when the next meets are. and s-techs arent too much of a drop either, thats what im a be getting soon

 

Wow...with a quickness! Can't blame you. The car is looking nice.

 

looks nice

 

Ha ha I have those same wheels! How much did you "pretty much stole them" for?

 

Skirts or aero flares and drop.

 

mine is dropped on s-techs and i do just fine around town

 

They are awesome wheels. I found them on Houston Craigslist and offered the guy $400 for all four, still wrapped up in boxes. I even had to screw all the center caps on they were so new!

I really appcreciate all the comments everyone. I'll order my S-Techs today, but I want the next performance mod which should be... ?

The plan I guess Intake, cat pipe, Cobb AP. But what is a good cat replacement pipe that I can pass Texas emissions test? And do I really need the BHR ignition management device?

 

What do y'all think about the Tanabe GF springs? Are they good? I found a deal on a new set. I'm worried about the rear being too low, but the spring rate is close to the TEINs...

 

nice ride, welcome to the club!

 

Thanks, I appreciate it. So much good information here already. I'm hooked on this damn forum...

 

i thought about those too but it seems like the rear sags a lot compared to the front.

 

Nice Wheels... and you did steal those...They go for around $200 each online... Good Job!!!!!

 

Personally I'm not a fan of s-techs; they're too soft and the rear sits up a touch higher than the front, which looks bad. Get springs with a more even drop.

Honestly I dont think any aftermarket midpipe (even hi-flow) will pass TX emissions. I barely passed last year with stock cat and JIC catback. With the intake, either get RacingBeat or AEM, everything else is simply not as good.

 

Everything Ross Dawg said except there is no way in hell you will pass an emissions test in Texas with a midpipe.

You don't "need" the BHR ignition, but stock coils/wires suck pretty bad to be honest. Some people can go 50-60k somehow, but most people have problems by 20-30k. BHR coils should be good for much longer than that.

 

Thanks for all the great advice everyone. I just got my Tanabe springs installed and will post pics later today or tomorrow when I can wash it. Thanks for all your support and look forward to meeting some of you Houston 8 owners next Friday.

 

Update: This is how the car looks now. Had a little fender bender so I'm getting a Mazdaspeed replica front bumper this week.

 

Looks good man.