dissecting a GTX

[F3BZ]

as i get into detailing and bringing this GTX down to US specs for state inspection i thought i'd keep pictorial tabs on any differences i see between the mazda built gtx and made in korea festiva. first chore was to replace the JDM filler tube which doesn't have an unleaded gas pump nozzle restrictor flap with one i had from 4G that does.
first i had to remove the rear seat trim panel to access the tank inlet access plate. the trim panel felt pounds heavier than a festivas and here's why.





i don't know if all this insulation is only on the higher end JDM festivas or all of them. i like the additional sound insulation but not the weight. i was always curious about the cloth insert you see on the rear trim panel on these cars and the mazda 121s. this turns out to be a formed piece of sheet metal covered with foam and cloth. more weight but a classy touch.







and for some reason, the tank access panel on the X doesn't have the tacked on side shield that is on the festivas.





next project is replacing the excellent H4 headlamps with 80s halogen technology.

[Damkid]

Definitely cool to see these differences!!

[jhntu]

Is there anything else that's difference in comparison?

[bravekozak]

That settles it. I am adding sound deadener to my entire vehicle, starting with the headliner. Dynamat time. This is my 8000th post.

[TominMO]

That settles it. I am adding sound deadener to my entire vehicle, starting with the headliner. Dynamat time. This is my 8000th post.

How much Dynamat do our cars need, and what is the optimum thickness?

[william]

Tom read this. Lots of awesome info here.

http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

[jhntu]

Tom read this. Lots of awesome info here.
http://www.sounddeadenershowdown.com/

Anyone interested in getting a recommended guide for our beasts?

Says down the bottom, if your vehicle isn't listed email them to organize it..

Better to have a plan than no plan at all..

[william]

I was going to do that but I don't have a computer and typing that out on my phone would suck. Let us know what they say if you email them. I'm thinking the escort zx3 would be the closest thing on their list.

[jhntu]

I'm not in the states..

[bravekozak]

How much Dynamat do our cars need, and what is the optimum thickness?

This much.

[fastivaca]

An alternative to Dynamat is B-Quiet. You can find it here. Used it on my red car and really liked it, partly because it was less expensive than Dynamat. Took just short of 100 square feet to do just about everything except the roof.

[TorqueEffect]

There was a cheaper sound deadening meant for use in houses, and you can just pick it up at any major home improvement store and it peels and sticks just like any of the automotive sound deadening material. I don't remember what it is called.

[bravekozak]

The idea is to determine if it is butyl or asphalt. Butyl is more expensive, sticks a lot better and doesn't smell.

[Advancedynamix]

This is an awesome thread! Lets see more GTX goodness!

You can also spray rubberized coating on the interior surface of external body panels. It quiets the resonating sound, while also rustproofing the car a bit and it's lighter and much easier than matting type insulators. It may not be as effective, but this technique is used by many automakers. German cars have had rubberized sound dampened panels for 30 years now.
I use the rubberized leak seal spray sold at home improvement stores. There are several brands. It is very similar to what is on a Festiva fuel tank.

[azgtx]

funny how we were just talking about this