Mazda 121 B8-ME Build

[Garvin]

Hey guys, last friday I bought a 121 with a B8-ME swapped into it.

I'm a dutch guy and this car seems to be pretty rare over here, so after doing some internet research I ended up at this community. And I am happy it exist, there is a shitload of info over here and you guys seem very friendly. So more about the car, for now it's the ultimate sleeper, it's ugly and rusty as hell. Yet I am loving this little car, the previous owner builds drag cars and also tried this swap for fun! It's stripped down and is doing 0-60 in 6.5 (that's the time he measured), I will measure this myself soon.

I am planning to make a track build and am thinking about things such as, bucket seats, roll cage, upgraded brakes, coilovers etc. etc., this is of course how I stumbled against the first problem. It seems to be pretty hard to find some decent price/quality coilovers, only some expensive ones in the US, so my first question is:

What is the best way possible to lower (using coilovers) a 121 with average budget and no crazy modification needed, I read something about mk2 golf Coilovers (which they have plenty over here) but I am not to sure how doable this will be. So tips will be welcome, or any links to build threads, thanks !

Here are some pics of the 121:

[Advancedynamix]

Nice ride, and it's a pleasure to have an active member in The Netherlands. If you have some metalworking skills and tools then mk2/3 VW golf front coilovers can be made to fit, along with mk1 golf rear coilovers. It's possible that the whole setup from a MK3 (6n) Polo may work with some mods, but we haven't tried it yet because we didn't get the Polo over here in the U.S.
No matter what setup you get, the spring rates will most likely be way too firm, even with your heavier b8 engine.

[Garvin]

Thanks! Ordered some cheap Polo 6n coilovers on your and a friends advice so I can do some test fitting and modding, so lets see if that works out

[- SB -]

Cool a 121, I mounted Golf 2 coilovers on my Canvas Top but it was too rigid.



:wink:

[Garvin]

Ah, that looks awesome man! Loving the rims btw. Did you have to do a lot of modification to fit the mk2's? It seems they are the same as n6 coilovers, just a bit shorter, I could be wrong though!

[- SB -]

On this post is to explain the changes for mounting.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?29733-Coil-overs-from-mk2-3-golf-on-festiva-write-up-(pics)&highlight=golf+coilovers

It's easy to do.

My rims are for sale.

More pics on this post.

http://www.fordfestiva.com/forums/showthread.php?56351-quot-88-amp-quot-90-Mazda-121-from-France

[Garvin]

First small mod done, big improvement though! Installed a LTEC Racing wheel I still had lying around, it's a bit too high tho. Going to correct this when i'm going to install a bucket seat!

[Advancedynamix]

A seat with more support is going to help you tremendously on the track. Those stock seats are worthless around corners. you can also shim the steering column lower by using washers between the mounting tabs and the body of the car where it mounts. 10mm is the most I would shim this part, but that's probably equal to almost 20mm at the wheel. The hardened seat belt mounting spacers will probably work good for this. there should be a bunch of them on your rear seat belts that you probably won't need anymore because your most likely taking the seat out and never putting it back.