Page last updated 3/24/07 - Finally got around to moving to a new file-host, since FileLodge apparently went away. Funny thing is, no one told me they couldn't get to the files?!
Remember to PLEASE UPDATE YOUR BOOKMARKS TO http://schwinn.hopto.org - that way, any potential future site moves will not cause you to lose this page.
DOWNLOADS HAVE BEEN FIXED - sorry for the delay. Hopefully, this file host will not just disappear like FileLodge did! As always, if you have any issues, drop me (schwinn) a PM at Probetalk.com or MX6.com and I will be sure to address your questions.
Call me paranoid, but whenever I find a good site on the web, I bookmark it. Years later, when I go to reference that information again, I find out that the site is down or dead, and/or I don't remember enough about it to find any mirrors or search for it again. In an effort to avoid this, I have begun collecting useful information so that I can't "lose" it to the web or whatever.
Based on this work, I have collected the following files from many places on the web. Some of the files are compiled from posts on the forums at MX6.com and Probetalk.com since I am, after all, a Mazda MX6 owner (member name "schwinn" at both sites). Other files are simply PDF prints (in ZIP files) of the webpages which I have linked - for fear of losing them as I have in the past. Wherever possible, I have provided a link to the original posts at these sites, and of course I always try to give credit to the original posters in each document, and I don't pretend to be the originator of this information.
Before delving into the file list, I want to provide a disclaimer:
That being said, we (the members of MX6.com and Probetalk.com) are more than willing to help anyone with issues. Just post at the site(s) and we will be happy to help! We don't bite!
Now, on to the list of files:
Filename |
Description |
| Probe/626/MX6 FAQ | (Link only) This is the famous Probe/626/MX6 FAQ. An excellent resource for new and experienced owners of these cars. This should be the first stop for ANY new or prospective owner! I didn't bother to PDF the site yet, as it's very detailed and complicated. Maybe some day... |
| Alternator_Replacement.zip | (With pics) A quick and simple procedure on how to replace the alternator on the V6 Probe/MX6, provided by Greg94PGT by way of Steelsmack, and with further edits by yours truly, of course! |
| 10_Dollar_Endlinks.zip | This is a good writeup by Probetalk member olson2cm on how to build custom (front) endlinks for the Probe/MX6 because the OEM endlinks cost too much and/or take to long from Mazda/Ford. Rear endlinks can be replaced with 1995 Nissan Altima links, but they don't work for the front sway bar, hence the need for this document. If desired, you could probably use the same procedure for custom rear endlinks. |
| MX6PGT_OBDI_Reading.zip | This is a PDF of the original website that was created by MikePGT (I think). His site no longer includes this information, but it is mirrored at least once somewhere else on the web. |
| Leska_Timing_Belt.zip | (With pics) This is the famous MX6/Probe timing belt replacement procedure. It's pretty detailed but doesn't have the best pictures of timing marks, which is why I recommend using the next file as well as this one. |
| Cam_Timing_Mark_Pics.zip | (Only pics) This file goes well with the Leska procedure above, as
it has nice, detailed pictures of the timing marks. No text in here, just
pictures. This document also includes camshaft gear timing marks. |
| TPS_Tuning_Procedure.zip | (With pics) Excellent procedure by mvaughn at Probetalk. Great details. |
| Timing-TPS-Idle_Adjustment.zip | (No pics) Good list of steps to perform these adjustments. |
| Control_Arm_Removal_and_Installation.zip | (No pics) Self-explanatory |
| Rear_Motor_Mount_Removal_and_Installation.zip | (With pics) Self-explanatory |
| O2_Sensor_Testing.zip | (No pics) A good document detailing how and O2 sensor works and how to test it for proper operation. |
| O2_Sensor_Conversion.zip | (With pics) Procedure for converting the 4-wire sensors to a 1-wire sensor |
| PCV_Filter_Mod.zip | (With pics) Procedure to install a filter/trap on the PCV line |
| Ignitor_HEI_Replacement.zip | (With pics) Original procedure by Joe Bialy on the HEI ignitor fix. List of steps with a bunch of pictures with arrowed-details. |
| JBialy_Ignitor_Fix.zip | (With pics) A re-compiled procedure by Joe Bialy on the HEI ignitor fix. Includes information by OmahaPGT for '95 Distys and a link for MSD hookups. |
| Window_Adjustments.zip | (With pics) Rayodunne provided this information to me originally, so all credit goes to him! Pretty self explanatory - adjustment procedure for inboard/outboard and height are included |
| Moonroof_Adjustments.zip | (With pics) Rayodunne provided this information to me originally, so all credit goes to him! Pretty self explanatory - adjustment procedure for gap and height are included |
| CAI_Testing.zip | A great test summary (MX6/Probe specific) with data about CAIs - performed by member mimmp. Feel free to draw your own conclusions from this data. |
Filename |
Description |
| Cross_Drilled_Rotors_Thread.zip | This is a compilation of postings from a forum thread at CelicaTech.com located here. It compiles a bunch of information regarding Cross Drilled rotors, and why they aren't the amazing performance booster people think they are. Granted, I agree with this stance on the matter, but there are many links to references about this highly contested issue. In addition, there is a good presentation of the physics (no numbers or math) behind braking, too. Couple this with the braking article from TeamSCR below, and you can see that drilled rotors don't seem to be worth the hype. |
| Brake_Fluid_1A.zip | Brake Fluid 1A is of the many good articles from StopTech's Whitepapers, this one goes over the differences between the different brake fluids available in the market, and the pros and cons of each. Hint: Silicone Brake Fluid isn't necessarily the best! |
|
Braking_Systems_in_Plain_English.zip Those_Poor_Rotors.zip |
Team scR is a webpage for a Saturn racing team, but they also have some excellent tech articles worth looking at. Two of my three favorites are Braking Systems...In Plain English, which explains why just putting on bigger brakes don't usually improve stopping power. Those Poor Rotors talks about solid, cyrotreated, slotted, and crossdrilled rotors (and why the latter is not all it's cracked [sic] up to be.) (The third is listed further below, regarding underdrive pulleys.) |
| Backpressure_the_Myth.zip | A simple article detailing the myth behind the typical statement of "my car needs backpressure to make power". |
| Backpressure_Exhaust_Velocity_and_Scavenging.zip | Another short article about the myth of needing backpressure, but this one goes into a little more detail with exhaust velocity and scavenging discussion. |
| Backpressure_and_Xsectional_area.zip | A nice, even MORE detailed article on exhaust systems and topics therein. |
| Exhaust_Theory.zip | NSXPrime.com has this excellent article posted about Exhaust Theory. The simple truth is that bigger is not always better. A great read for anyone thinking about changing their exhaust system. Note that some of the brand recommendations in there are obviously geared towards other vehicles, and not necessarily the MX6/Probe. |
| Torque_and_Horsepower.zip | A good document explaining the difference (and relationship) of torque and horsepower that I found here. Nice explanation, with good examples and written in an easy to understand manner. |
| Underdrive_Pulleys.zip | Team scR is a webpage for a Saturn racing team, but they also have some excellent tech articles worth looking at. Above, I referenced a my two favorite braking articles. Here I link up about Underdrive Pulleys which talks about the questionable gains provided by smaller/lighter crank pulleys. |
| Ignition_Timing_Tech.zip | This guy, Tuan, has some excellent articles posted on the site where this data was pulled from. Unfortunately, I cannot contact him on that site since the forums are locked down now. In any case, this is an AMAZING article and discussion on ignition timing and how it makes power. A great read for ANYONE interested in advancing their timing and such. Keep in mind, you MX6/PGT owners - our V6 automatically controls ignition timing based on the knock sensor, but this is a worthwhile read anyway. |
| Break-In Secrets.zip | Break-In Secrets describes an alternative way to break-in your engine - by flooring it! Most people say that you should be gentle during break-in, but this page says otherwise. I can't find fault with the theories presented, so it's up to you if you believe what is presented. |
| Engine_Oil_Filter_Study.zip / Allied_Signal_Letter.zip | A popular engine oil filter study that is not being updated anymore. It highlights some of the issues with Fram filters (low filtration area, cheap construction) as well as providing a letter from an Allied Signal production engineer. |
| MTYEWTK_About_Motor_Oil.zip | More Than You Ever Wanted To Know About Motor Oil is a great page on some of the specifications and additives of motor oils, as well as the purposes of these specs/additives. There is also a nice viscocity chart on there, along with a good deal of reference data for many types of oils. |
| About_Spark_Plugs.zip | About_Spark_Plugs is a good document about spark plugs, how they work, and the issues of platinum vs steel vs split-electrode type plugs. |
| Air_Filter_Detailed_Test.zip | (Original site has gone down) ISO 5011 Duramax Air Filter Test is a great, detailed test of different air filter types. Granted, this test is specific to the Duramax Diesel engine, but the findings about filter quality, flow rate, and how the gauze type filters perform is pretty interesting. (In summary, as expected, gauze filters flow better, but filter worse.) |
| Perf_Air_Filter_test.zip | A great article on a Toyota Supra website has another similar test (as above) on high performance air filters. The great results of the Apexi filter shows that there are good, higher flowing filters out there... but most of them don't filter much. Note the HP gains posted there are for a Skyline, so your results WILL vary. |
Site |
Description |
| Synthetic Oil Life Study | This website details an ongoing test of synthetic oils. It started out with Mobil 1, then went to Amsoil. It has now returned to Mobil 1 testing, to see if the car was still "breaking in" or not. Bottom line is that the oils lasted far beyond 10k miles. And this was with M1 oil that was sold before the new 15,000 mile oil that is being advertised. Not bad at all. |
| BITOG (aka BobIsTheOilGuy.com) | In the same vein of oil testing and analysis, we have this site for tons of oil information as well as experminentation. All I can say is that the forums are LOADED with information, if you have the patience to read and search. In addition, I often link people to a page dedicated to a test of Lucas Oil additive at that site. This is what keeps me from messing with anything but Mobil1 in my car! |
| SpeedZones.com | Speedzones carries out an annual Radar and Laser Detector test which is rather invaluable. They are an independent tester, so the results are pretty believeable. What's more, they also do some detailed testing of laser-specific devices. A good read if you are in the market for a detector. Just be sure you keep safe out there - no one likes a reckless speeder. |
| National Motorists Association | The National Motorists Association (NMA) is the only organization of its kind, and I am a proud member of this organization. Simply put, they represent the driver in our legal and governmental systems, and they promote using sound engineering methods to improve safety, as opposed to "heavy handed enforcement" and other well known and ineffective tactics that are in use these days. Take a look at their site for more info. If you enjoy driving, you should be part of this organization. |