OK, so I'm in the AF and getting stationed at Peterson in April, and I've read a couple threads about the activities you guys have out there, group wise, but I'm still left wanting to learn more. Does Colorado Springs have their own little group or does everyone trek up to Denver or somewhere else? And what kind of motorsports are the most popular out there, what is everyone into? I'm in NC now and we're into Autocross, road racing, spirited backroad drives, that kinda stuff. I know you guys have some good curvy mountain roads out there right? Haha.

Also, how much time out of the year can you drive the 7? It doesn't get too bad in the winter right? I mean, I know it's in/near the mountains and everything, but my commander here in the desert (I'm currently deployed btw) was stationed there and he said the snow melts right away. Anyway, just checking before I get out there.

Oh, I have a 94 MB FD, and it's still in the build up process. I'm rebuilding the engine when I get back, adding my dual oil coolers and V-mount IC, and doing whatever other work needs to be done to get it running again and properly. Take it easy guys (and gals if there are some).

 

hey speedjunkie, I think we need to start up a smaller group in the springs. I won't be up there until what looks more like may/june time frame. I'm in Iraq, currently at stationed at bragg but switching over to carson when I return. Seems like there are alot of RX7 owners in the springs. I do more drag than anything based on my engine setup. But I like to do some weekend drives in the mountains and what not.

Just gotta get some work done before I'm ready to do much up there. I understand that the springs have emissions, which is really gonna suck for me. I think I'll just have to register it someplace else to get it on the street. Oh and keep notes on that V-mount install, I want to the same with mine!

 

GTFO, you're at Bragg? I'm right there at Pope, HAHA. How long have you been there? I've been trying to start a group in Fayetteville for like two years now, where the hell have you been? HAHA. I've been hanging with NCRotaries in Raleigh for the past couple years, they're like family now. And I'm in Kuwait, so not too far from you even now, hahaha. So do you go to Freaky Friday out at the track in Fay?

I have my cars registered back home in Illinois right now, they don't even have inspections. If they let farm trucks on the road, they'll let pretty much anything on the road, haha. I just pay about $73 per car every year and don't have to worry about emissions or anything. After I install my V-mount when I get back, I'll just help you install yours when we get out there or back at Bragg, we don't need no stinking notes, hahaha.

I'm down for starting a group in the Springs though if one doesn't already exist. From what I read before it seemed like everyone would drive to Denver or something, but it would be good to have a group of our own down there.

 

http://homes.realtor.com/search/list...rcnt=42#Detail

Seems like a good spot for a future race track compound...drag, road racing, autocross, etc. Anyone want to go in on it with me? HAHA

 

My 7 is a daily driver (in Denver) and it's rare that I'm snowbound.
Your commander is correct that snow is generally off the streets within 24 hours.

Obviously there are exceptions but in the case of major storms, nobody is going anywhere so you're not alone.

Last year was one of the heaviest winters in recent memory (almost set a record) and I think I was unable to drive for a total of maybe 7 days.

The worst part of winter driving out here is the plethora of SUVs.
Even if they're not driving like idiots, in a low slung car like the RX they block your view and sling crap all over your windshield.

Your car's biggest enemy out here won't be snow, it'll be UV exposure.
We have more sunny days than Miami and because of the altitude, less protection from the sun.
Tough on paint.

You'll probably love it out here once you acclimate to the altitude.

 

^Cool, thanks for the info. Good to know I'll be able to drive it most of the year. Except for when it's down for maintenance, which this time has been since this past March (that's the longest it's ever been), I DD mine too. I just have to, I love it too much not to drive it every day. I had no idea about the UV exposure, damn. My paint already isn't great, it needs a paintjob soon. I was thinking about going flat black (that way I could touch it up when it needs it haha) or black satin, but I might go ahead and just do a normal paint job with a ton of clear coat. Do they use salt on the roads when it snows or do they use sand?

Do you guys have a group out there? If so, are you pretty tight knit? Our group in NC is like family, I'm just hoping that's what it's like out there.

 

I'm in Colorado Springs and I am part of the Colorado Mazda Club which is all mazdas. The group in the Springs is growing. We have 3 RX-7s and I think 3 or 4 RX-8s in the springs. We have only been around since Sep. of this year and are now over 100 Mazdas. So far we have had 2 mountain drives. Next year we plan on really taking off.

PM me or go on the site.

 

No salt.
Lots of sand and some magnesium chloride.
I haven't found rust to be a big deal- we have very low humidity in general and no nearby oceans.

Your most immediate- and probably, biggest- concern will be passing the emissions test.

 

just to let you know colorado springs has no emissions anymore got rid of it last year

 

I need to move.

 

Awesome! That's what I like to hear. Sounds like things are happening for you guys like they are for our club. I'll go ahead and join the site the closer I get to coming out there. I have been offered the orders but you never know what can happen with the military. Everyone else had their orders for about a month before I got mine, and the other two guys coming with me from my base out to Peterson, they were waiting too.

Well no salt is good.

Even better! I'm loving this more and more, haha. Although I'm not sure how much it would have affected me anyway. Right now with my car in NC but registered in Illinois, I don't have to have an NC inspection or anything done every year, I just go by Illinois laws.

 

Actually I've never had my 7 out in north carolina because of deployments and training schedules. Never had the time for it, thats why I'm moving to a new unit,, so I can have time for my hobbies. I know of Freaky Fridays and always wanted to get out there but just never had the chance. Mostly just partied when I had the chance out there.

I really hope you come out to colorado, would be nice to have someone to work on stuff with out there.


As far as the emissions go I've been searching and and fount a gazette article about it. NICE! Should make my life easier, cause I couldn't pass an emissions test to save my life. Just got new coilovers on my car I'm really happy. Now for some water/alcy injection and I think I'll be done with most performance stuff for now. Interior restoration will be my next project! As well as hopefuly the V-mount!

 

Yeah I hear ya man, you guys are gone ALL the time. What unit are you in? What is your job? My buddy Victor Rivera has a TII, he's there at Bragg in Field Artillery. I don't suppose you'd know him? LOL He lives right down the street from me right now. Freaky Fridays are pretty fun, but unless they bring the big dogs out to race, the cars aren't very fast. But they bring bikes too. It's fun just hanging out with friends though.

Yeah I did my initial assignment briefing today, so I'm coming to CO. I'm pretty excited. It's good to know I already have a maintenance buddy to help and get help from too, haha.

Your plans sound pretty similar to mine. My suspension is complete now, just finished up with SuperPro bushings in Feb/March, and I put some STANCE coilovers on May of 06, along with RB sway bars, a strut bar and harness bar, RE toe links and trailing arms, and Mazdatrix sway bar mounts and end links. My engine/engine bay is what's getting worked next, then interior. Or maybe both at the same time if money allows, haha. I'm putting on E-6 Jan 1st, so that should help.

 

I'm 2nd Brigade, 82d right now. Don't know any Victor Riveras though.

Yeah sounds like were in the same area of work on our cars, i'm done with suspension and rear end. I have a kaaz lsd, mr coilovers, and the rx7.com full launch kit. Only thing left is a diff brace and I'll be pretty happy with the rear end. Far as the engine its done, just want to do some cosmetics, shine some things, V-mount, and re-paint the engine bay. Right now i'm running a t78 w/ full race port. 850's 1600 cc injectors, modified fuel rail, and nx dual purge. My interior is fucked though, needs some serious restoration, alot of old holes and rips from previous performance setups. So I think we may have a couple projects we can tackle together on both fds.

Good to here its finalized that your going out there, my orders should be cut any day giving me a time line as well.

 

^Nice, it's a plan then.

I don't have anything done for the rear end...no LSD, launch kit or anything like that. I'm more into road race/autox type stuff. I like watching drag racing, and it would be fun to do, but I LOVE curvy roads. I can't afford a turbo kit from this deployment, so I'll have to wait til later, probably gonna go with the GT35R though. My interior isn't messed up from previous mods, but just wear and tear. The regular hole in the side bolster of the driver's seat (which I'm hoping to replace with Bride Gaias someday), the carpet I got replaced for free with the carpet GB here on the forum (they used my car as the mold, but I'm still waiting for my floor mats from over a year ago already, haha), and most of the other stuff is the interior plastics that normally break. The engine I'm building when I get back has an aggressive street port, and I have brand new rotors from Rich Farrell, the rebuild kit I got from Atkins but I think I'm gonna get RA classic seals to use instead, and I'm staying stock twins right now but I'm gonna try to fit the V-mount in there and put in the dual oil coolers too. And I'm still trying to get a hood made specially for the V-mount setup, so we'll have to hook you up with one of those too, haha.

So does anyone else out there in the Springs and surrounding area get together to help with each other's cars? This is something I tried to get going in our group in NC but so far nothing has happened with it. I like working on my car myself, and most of the time it's by myself with the occasional help of a friend, but I'm interested in working on other's cars as well, especially when I'm bored. I'm a mechanic in the AF, but it's on ground power equipment for the aircraft. Alot of what I know from my job can be applied to cars too, which helps me out alot.

RX-7 Chris, I noticed some MS6's on the site...I was looking at getting one of those a few months ago, I hate that they're changing the body style for next year.

Oh yeah, here's my cardomain page if you guys wanna check it out. I don't know how up-to-date it is, I think I added some stuff a couple weeks ago.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/719631

 

Glad to hear you will be coming this way. Perterson is a great base. I work for a architects office and we do work there. I have been there a number of times.

I also do all my own work on cars, I have never been to a mechanic.

Will you be stationed on base or will you have your own place?

 

^I'll be working on base but I will almost definitely have my own place off base. I'm looking at places online right now, still trying to decide if I wanna buy a house again or just rent an apartment or something. The only thing is I'd like to have a 2 car garage haha. I only real care about the garage actually, the rest of the house can be in shambles, haha. Well not really, but you know what I mean. I've been looking at houses like this...

http://www.realtor.com/search/listin...lsn=2&srcnt=42

...but it's such a good price it has me wondering if it's low income housing or retirement housing or what. It's a few miles north of Peterson. That would be perfect though. And any of the apartments I'm looking at have at least a 1 car garage.

Yeah I've done all my own work so far too, and I plan on doing all of it, even body work and paint, although a good buddy of mine with experience in NC was going to help me with it and he has a paint booth set up in his garage. I'd paint it when I get back but he said it doesn't go as well when it's cold out, the paint ends up running or something like that.

Well maybe I'll see you onbase sometime too. Oh, do you guys design race tracks too by any chance? HAHA

Oh yeah, I have an 84 RX-7 at home in Illinois too (not sure what model, I think it's a GSL or something like that), I might try to bring it with me so I can start working on that when I'm finished with the FD.

 

Oh yeah, Et3rNal, when are you getting back from Iraq? I'm hoping to make it to DGRR 08, it's a great time and if you're back and the Army isn't making you do anything stupid you should go, it's a blast! It's a weekend the first couple weeks of April but I don't remember the dates for sure right now.

 

I back sometime in february. Not sure exactly what date as of yet. But I should be there until arround then, my orders arn't cut yet but I'm expecting a report date of late may early june. But I'll take the maximum PCS leave. I'm lookin for a house as well, not exactly sure if I'll rent or buy. I need a three car garage though, I have 4 cars, and maybe a 5th. Lookin at getting a 91 FC for a project car. Have one lined up for only 1k.

Give me a link to DGRR 08 or keep me updated and I'll try to fit it in. I want to get out and do some snowboarding in maryland to when I get back. Oh your car looks real clean man, very nice. I don't have to many pics of mine, I'll try to dig em up and post em

 

Haha, I'm getting back sometime in February too, at least that's the word right now. Damn, 4 cars, nice. I have 3 if you count the FB, I have a 97 Prelude too but I think I might trade that in for a new truck, possibly a GMC Sierra w/ E85. I talked to a soldier at the gas station on Pope one day about his, he said it gets great gas mileage and he really likes it. ANYWAY, I haven't looked for a house with a 3 car garage yet. Hmmm, if I bring the FB i'll probably need one. I'd like to get an FC too. I have an N/A FC engine that I got with the FB (I got both for free from my uncle), so all I need now is a free FC shell, haha.

I have alot to do when I get back too. Trying to go to NYC to see Rich Farrell, stop by Ramy in VA on the way up, see a couple other friends in VA, see family and other friends in FL, take some leave at home on the way out there, not to mention DGRR...still trying to decide if I wanna do a DITY move or what. Decisions decisions.

Here is the link for DGRR 08, it's where you go to register.

http://www.dealsgaprotaryrally.com/

I haven't registered yet because I'm not sure if my car will be running by then, but if it is and I don't get any trouble from my shop I'm 100% going. They've talked to Isami Amemiya about coming over too, and he said if his schedule permits he'll probably be there. I've been wanting to meet him for years now but haven't had the chance. It's free to drive the road, so the only thing you'll be by registering is the T-shirt, meals and stuff like that.

We should go snowboarding out in CO. I've never been, but it would be worth a shot.

Thanks man! There is much work to be done to it though. Yeah let's see the beast, if you can find the pics.

 

Good deal man. Snowboardings awesome, one of the reasons I chose CO as my new duty assignment.

For others in CO, Springs area where do you guys go to get PFC tunes? Let me know....

-the avatar is a pic of my car just really small lol

 

I live in the springs, i love it here, as they said earlier, the snow disappears within 24 hours, there is the occasions with the storms. there isnt emissions here currently, but rumor that they want to bring them back and charge more for testing. ya'll will probably have to retune your cars due to altitude though. but the car scene here in the springs is growing pretty big. there is shows every weekend during the summer, and alot of people cruising/ street racing on weekends (a good turn out is around 100-150 cars), i dont approve of street racing where we cruise, take it somewhere else and have at other wise.. bottom line is there is plenty of people that give tuner love around here and lots of action. drag wise there are 2 places to go, both places about an hour away, denver or pueblo. pueblo's is cheap and works but ghetto (PMI), and denver is really nice (bandimere). we do a few meets a year in denver, always a good turn out. its nice to see ya'll showing interest on the site before ya get here. by the way, peterson is a nice base, isnt really all that big but has what ya need. co springs is growing pretty rapidly and tons of people. night life is growing and a few clubs to go to aswell as tons of bars.

 

[QUOTE=clokker;7644187]
No salt.
Lots of sand and some magnesium chloride.
QUOTE]

First of all, CDOT uses plenty of salt. Its a rock/salt mixture and its laid all over the place (expecially at intersections). The Magnesium chloride is like liquid salt, its horrible for your car(rust) as well as concrete and when it dries on the road it turns to magnesium cloride dust. Wash your car after you drive it to be safe.

 

You may be right but of all the winter environments I've lived in, Colorado is by far the most benign.
Go to Michigan or Pennsylvania and it's common to see cars rusted up to the beltline.
Here, not so much.

Personally- at least in the Denver area- I don't consider rust to be much of an issue.
YMMV.

 

Hello

Congratulation for you guy's to be able to be station on this part of the country!

I retired out of the Army in 04 after 22 years. Luckily I got orders to be stationed here back in 94 and I been here ever since. I few short tours in between, Korea,Cuba,Colombia,Iraq..........

You will love it, its a beautiful and peaceful place to be.

During the summer people hang around at an empty now, Grocery Warehouse food store parking lot, lots of nice cars.

I see you guy at GW one day, I be the guy with the Old School Mazda,

Andres