MM: what kit did you go with? Or is this one of famous "one of a kind MM specials"?

 

Kinda both.
Its a GT Factory hinge (Chaser Auto comped it to me after SEMA in 2004), but it required a bit of fabrication to make it work.

 

hmmm.... there goes Plan A.

 

I'm no photographer but this is my car



I had my car down at GT Factory in San Diego where they did measurements for their new prototype bolt-on hinge. They manufactured the hinge and I went back down for the install and they didn't charge me.

Dan there is a really cool guy and he is a breeze to work with as well as being very responsive.

 

your car is lookin' pretty hawt! You just need the front lip on your car. (I forget what it's actually called)

 

Thanks, but I ordered a friggin Ings bodykit in November and it still isnt here yet!!!!

God I wish that kit would get here soon.

It would look alot better with the kit but I'm still stuck with the stock bumpers.

 

patience my young padawan....

Can't wait to see pics of it all completed. You BETTER be at Sevenstock

 

I hope so too. I went last year but my car was mostly stock. This August I'm leaving for college up in Montana. I'll try and fly down for the weekend since my 8 is staying in SoCali.

I'll be at the lax meet this wednesday so that's where it'll make its debut!

 

What fab work did it take to get the door to fit properly?

 

The front fenders need to be cut on the inside to allow the mechanism to work. The bolt-ons are pretty straight forwards since its already adjusted for our cars but just in case there are adjustment screws to insure an OEM fit. The weld-on kits are a whole nother story. I don't know but I'm sure MM would know.

 

Yeah, the weld on kits take some skill to install.
In the long run its worth it because they are stronger, stay aligned better and don't flop around like the bolt-on kits do.

 

I'll have to do some homework on that. Thanks for the info

 

Those would probably work better, be more practical, and just might look cooler then lambo doors.



Ah, I didn't know there where two types. Someone posted a video oh an 8 with Lambo doors and they looks so flimsy and aquward to use. Like you have to baby your doors or they'd fall off.

So, it just looked cheap and super duper wanna-be-ish with a (un)healthy dose of ricer.

 

I don't doubt the weld-on kits are probably stronger since they are...welded to the frame but this new bolt-on kit from GT Factory is just like the weld on version but with a large back plate pre-drilled for mounting with 6 screws in 3 locations. I didn't want to get anyone else's vertical door kit since I saw how flimsy they really were but this GT Factory kit is a major improvement over other vertical door kits.

 

what does the kit retail for?

 

$1600

www.gtfactory.jp

they don't have it on their site yet since their site doesnt get updated too often but give em a call and he'll tell you exactly what you need to know

 

I went with the LSD bolt-ons. Very light - aluminium cast.
GT Factory stuff usually weights 2-3 times more!
They have TÜV approval!!! - so no hassle with authorities, here in EU.



<- Closeup

 

I got my VDI kit today, gonna put it on Wednesday

 

Jedi, you can get it much cheaper than $1600. Mazdaparts.com has it for $1024 (weld-on kit). But for the weld kit plan on around $1000-$1500 for installation unless you are super handy with a welder and an angle grinder and have mega confidence. You also have to add about 6 inches to the doors wiring harness.

 

This is the bolt on kit that includes everything you need for 1600. The install only takes about 8 hours and the only modification is the cutting of the fender.

If you order the weld-on kit direct from GT Factory its 999.

 

now its even harder to get into the front seats!