My 1988 323L 1.3 Carb build thread

[chris]

Hi guys. Here is the few mods that I have already done on the vehicle before joining this forum. The car is a 1988 model and was driven by an old lady and has never had a real accident, only a few scratches and a low speed prang (thanks dad for that )into the back of a Hi Ace which we could fix ourselves. She currently has just over 120000KM on the clock which is amasing for a 23 year old car!

What she looked like in the beginning after I only changed the wheels (don't have any pics with the steelies):




Changed the bumpers(This had to happen after my dad had a low speed accident into the back of a Hi Ace:







Changed the front seats that didn't have head rests to some nice buckets I picked up for R800 a pair:




Cleaned the car nicely:









Changed the dials from the stock 1.3 ones without the revcounter to this one:



The way to pap 1.3 still in good nick after all the years:




Gearbox with cable clutch F-Series gearbox(Because its pre 1991/2):



My car representing the Mazda club:



The only time it's given me trouble (dizzy electronic internals blew):


And that's about it. The short term plans are to:
1: Hopefully get a front sway bar from jdmmonkey (Want one really badly)
2: Get the rear valence thing between the lights without the numberplate recess.(If anyone knows where to find one please let me know! I have checked numerous times at mazda scrap yards near me)

Long term plan is definately B6T swap as the 1.3 is great for what it is but really too pap for what I want! If I can get the cash together (I'm a first year student ) I want to try do it end of the year.
Let the comments roll!  

[chris]

Some Mazdas representing the Mazda owners club at a BMW and Opel top speed event at gerotek. The red 323 has the 1.8 16 Valve BP motor out of the Astina fitted. There were some more mazdas on that day but I didn't get pics of them

[jdmmonkey]

Good start, I was going to switch to those bumpers but decided to keep the original old school look on my own 323. Looking great though and those seats look super comfy for daily driving.

2: Get the rear valence thing between the lights without the numberplate recess.(If anyone knows where to find one please let me know! I have checked numerous times at mazda scrap yards near me)

can you post a pic of what you need? Can't put part in context, maybe i've got a spare already (and I will get back to you on sway bar because I am fitting one to mine too. Will be getting 2 in total - so if others would like, please let me know. Will share pricing as soon as I know myself)

[chris]

Thx Jdmmonkey. The seats are great, were easy to fit and a real bargain! Very good everyday buckets. They were so comfy driving down to durban last year.
Cool keep me posted on the sway bar, It will be very much appreciated!
The valence is the black (in most cases) thing between the rear lights. Mine still has the recess for the numberplate because of the old bumpers. The one I need looks like this:

Please let me know if you can help with that! I also wouldnt mind the one that is the same colour as the taillights like this:

[jdmmonkey]

mmm that part is rare, I'll find for you. The pure black one. I still have recessed one too ;-)

[chris]

Yeah I know how rare it is... Have been going to the same scrapyards weekend after weekend incase one comes up... Same with the sway bar. But the yards here in PTA are pretty useless when it comes to 323's

[jdmmonkey]

Chris, I've sourced you everything brand new. I'll let you know during course of day parts involved and cost (selling entire kit).

Cheers.

[chris]

Wow, that is great news! You da man!  haha.

[jdmmonkey]

Hi Chris,

Full kit landed excluding local delivery by my courier will be 67,000 JPY. This kit includes everything you need to install and use the setup (1 stabilizer bar and 48 pieces - bushings, bolts, nuts, washers, spacers etc.)

It's not listed in store yet but if you would like to order I'll put priority on it.

Regards.

[chris]

Am I right in saying that is R5631.35? That is a bit more than I was expecting. Can't afford it at the moment. Will they still be available in a few months time?

[jdmmonkey]

Yup unfortunately pricey and that's unfortunately the best we can do on this specific item. Not sure of a few months time but please keep checking with us. Thanks for the opportunity though Chris!

[chris]

I will definitely try to make a plan as I really want the stabilizer bar for my car. So I will contact you soon hopefully!

[jdmmonkey]

Hi Chris,

Let me see what I can do to negotiate further  This part is more a neccesity rather than a want. It really makes a huge difference in cornering ability for the chassis.

[chris]

You are 100% right. I have done some calculations and I will definitely be able to make a plan after payday (End of the month) and keep the cash aside. So if you can manage to get the price down a bit I will appreciate it otherwise end of the month I will be able to pay that amount. Keep me posted, then we'll make a plan! The good thing is that everything is brand new 

[chris]

So, I'm sitting with the following issue: Buy the sway bar and postpone the engine transplant by about 4 months  or leave the sway bar for later, not knowing if I will be able to get one then... Damn decisions... Also I want to try get the motor asap to get the best one I can get my hands on.
Any advice guys?

[jdmmonkey]

Bit of a catch 22, I'd say sway bar setup, because all the motors youre going to find are used. The sway bar setup is new and a lot rarer here.

[chris]

Could we get the price down a bit if I get some more guys to buy one?

[jdmmonkey]

Yup, less 5% only you and less 10% if you bring me more than 3 people interested.