Some basic mods for a Protege5

[Superdude87]

Hey guys. I'm currently in the process of locating my ideal Protege5. I really want a black or dark blue 5 speed, but it's hard to find one with decent miles in my area. I've been checking around surrounding states that are within driving distance, but no luck yet.

ANYWAY, once I get this thing, I want to do some basic modding to it. Nothing too crazy, just tint the windows, get some rims on it, and probably lower it a little bit. I'm a total newb to all this stuff though. I'm really not car savvy at all, so obviously anything I have done will be done professionally.

I was just hoping to get some input on how to go about finding out what I need to get and where to get it done. I've been checking out threads of other protege5 owners and have an idea of what I want to get done.

And while I'm here, are there any differences between the 02 and 03 protege5? For some reason, the 03 front end looks a little more pointy and the 02 is a little "boxier", which I like. I'll probably end up getting an 02, they just seem to look a little more like what I'm going for. Thanks!

--Steve--

 

[Tasty]

The only difference on the exterior was the wheel design IIRC. Use the search button as far as mods go, this question has been asked 1,000 times. Wheels, drop, exhaust, rank among the most popular mods. Tinted windows on a car are a must IMO unless it's not legal where you live.

Where are you located?

 

[Superdude87]

Portland, OR. I didn't realize they weren't legal in some areas, weird.

Yeah I wish how to do this stuff myself and have a nice little project car to work on. But I guess everyone has to start somewhere right?

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

Exterior differences from 02-03: side marker lights on the fenders for 03s, different wheels (better looking IMO) on the 03. The front fascias are totally identical. More options available with the 03s and 03.5s, so I would look there if I were you. As far as mods, I agree with above...search around and you'll see there are a ton. I recommend motor mounts or at least inserts if you're manual and planning to mod...you'll destory those stock mounts quick. Welcome and happy modding!

 

[sung]

tinted windows are only illegal if they are too dark. there's a percentage of visibility for window tints and different states have different percentage limits. i don't know if they are outright illegal in some areas. in ny, the legal limit is 70% but most people have far darker tinted windows. once in awhile they'll pull people over. I have 30% and i've been pulled over 3 times in the past year. others have 30% and never gets pulled over.

as for other mods, it depends on what your intentions are with the car.

 

[MP5_Joe]

I love living in Canada for the window tint. You can paint all your windows black (so you can't see through them), as long as your windshield is pretty much untouched, and your front door glass is less then 35% (don't quote me on that though.)

 

[Tiffers]

^thats pretty much right... You have to be visable from the fronts and windsheild cannot be tinted at all (unless medical reasons) Backs can be as dark as you want

 

[Valk]

yea right. here in bc they scratch your tint off if its on the front windows <_< this isnt gonna stop me from trying a 75ish tint on the fronts though >_>

Im kinda like you thread op, I am not that car savey and im just getting into the mods on my 02. had it for about 7 months now. Hooking up with other people in your area will really really help though. Sincing I went to that first bcprotege meet, i grew some potato sacks and started breaking things heh.

Lots of great information here. howto's what you should buy and people who have been there.
so, welcome =).

 

[BadKarma]

I love living in Canada for the window tint. You can paint all your windows black (so you can't see through them), as long as your windshield is pretty much untouched, and your front door glass is less then 35% (don't quote me on that though.)

No tint allowed from the B-pillar forward in BC.

 

[Superdude87]

Cool thanks for the replies.

Just out of curiosity, what's the purpose of replacing the motor mounts prior to modding? Why would I burn the old ones out?

EDIT: And speaking of that, what other basic things do I need to do to prepare the car for modding? And just for your info, I don't plan on doing any serious engine work. I don't race or put much importance on engine power, etc...I just want the thing to look nice. I drive like a grandma anyway lol.

 

[XK49]

In New Hampshire absolutely no tint can be on the front passenger and driver door windows, and only a six inch band on the top of the windshield is allowed. This really sucks because I've bought both my previous cars (camry and P5) out of state and had to remove the tint at inspection time. Now I only have a half cool car.

There are web sites which list what is legal or illegal for your state.

 

[robe024]

Welcome to the boards! Nice to see another P5'er Oregonian around. I live in Salem.

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you as I don't know much about cars and will have to get everything professionally done. That, coupled with the lack of money, has kinda limited me into doing more modding on my car.

In regards to the motor mounts, last year I had Corksport in Vancouver put in a Cold Air Intake and they talked me into them. Unless you're gonna do some serious modding (and it doesn't sound like you will), I'd go against them. No offense to the others on here, but they darn near rattled the fillings out of my head!! There was NO WAY IN THIS WORLD that the wife & kids would allow me to keep them on there!! Just too much shaking and vibrating going on for any kind of enjoyable ride IMO.

Apparently the stock ones are kind of weak and can get sloppy if you do too much into the engine. However, if you're kinda like a granny driver like I am, stay away from them! lol! I don't know about the motor inserts, as Corksport replaced the whole mount, so maybe that would offer you a little smoother of a ride. (Also, I have an automatic, so I don't know if that would be any different for a manual transmission.)

Anyway, enjoy your time here. Good luck finding your ideal P5 and happy modding! But be careful. . . . . IT'S ADDICTIVE!!

-Brian

 

[Superdude87]

Welcome to the boards! Nice to see another P5'er Oregonian around. I live in Salem.

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you as I don't know much about cars and will have to get everything professionally done. That, coupled with the lack of money, has kinda limited me into doing more modding on my car.

In regards to the motor mounts, last year I had Corksport in Vancouver put in a Cold Air Intake and they talked me into them. Unless you're gonna do some serious modding (and it doesn't sound like you will), I'd go against them. No offense to the others on here, but they darn near rattled the fillings out of my head!! There was NO WAY IN THIS WORLD that the wife & kids would allow me to keep them on there!! Just too much shaking and vibrating going on for any kind of enjoyable ride IMO.

Apparently the stock ones are kind of weak and can get sloppy if you do too much into the engine. However, if you're kinda like a granny driver like I am, stay away from them! lol! I don't know about the motor inserts, as Corksport replaced the whole mount, so maybe that would offer you a little smoother of a ride. (Also, I have an automatic, so I don't know if that would be any different for a manual transmission.)

Anyway, enjoy your time here. Good luck finding your ideal P5 and happy modding! But be careful. . . . . IT'S ADDICTIVE!!

-Brian

Thanks man. Yeah I'm going to get cold air intake, so the place I choose (wherever that is) may also be able to replace the motor mounts? From what I gather it's simple but I really don't trust myself to start replacing stuff on my own vehicle.