Question: What order to do mods

[farmurr]

So this coming spring or sooner I'll be starting a mp3/msp conversion of my blue 2003 lx 2.0. I just have a few questions for those who have done this before, regarding what order is best to upgrade, and also if I'm missing anything (or am i being too advantageous?) What about timeline?

I'm looking to do:
- upgrade to new 17" rims/ summer tires
- paint or install new calipers (mine are rusted and ugly as s***)
- install msp spoiler
- side skirts
- coilovers / lowering springs (should i do this AND 17", or lower with 16"?
- 35% tint
- speakers / amp / sub (already have new pioneer deck installed)
- swap the big ugly automatic shifter for something smaller, with a boot
- new exhaust system (or maybe just the tip for now for aesthetic purposes).

I'd really appreciate any info from you experienced people, this is my first car and I can't wait to have it looking as amazing as those I've seen on here.

 

[Metallic36]

Hmm.. with these mods there isn't really any "do this before you do this" to tell you. I guess you'd want to do all the tire stuff at the same time, maybe the short shifter around that time also since you'll be in that "area." What side skirts are you wanting? If I recall, the side skirts on the MP3 are the same as the ones on the MSP. I parted out a MP3 before, so yeah. As for the exhaust, what exhaust are you thinking of?

I guess if I had to put it all in order, here's what I'd do:

- upgrade to new 17" rims/ summer tires
- paint or install new calipers
- coilovers / lowering springs (depends on how low you wanna go)
- swap the big ugly automatic shifter for something smaller
- new exhaust system - may as well go for the whole thing, not the tip.

- install msp spoiler
- side skirts

- 35% tint
- speakers / amp / sub (already have new pioneer deck installed)

 

[Dparks7]

is it even possiable to swap the shifter?

 

[farmurr]

Thanks for the advice, Metallic. Im definitely looking for the msp side skirts because of their clean look. After reading A LOT in the 3rd gen owners thread Im now debating replacing the front bumper or just a lip. Any advice there?

As for exhaust, the only ones Ive been looking at are magnaflows, although the corksport on protegegarage.com looks pretty good as well. Im going into this modification as purely aesthetic this year, then under the hood next year - So as for exhaust Im looking for something that just looks and sounds great.

As per the calipers can someone point me in the direction of a part #, or size for replacing JUST the calipers (got new pads only a month ago). Looking for something red/yellow to really stand out when I get the new rims.

is it even possiable to swap the shifter?

I sure hope so - I found a lot of auto. shifters online, but the only one I like the looks of so far is the momo auto one. Has anyone else replaced the automatic shifter with something smaller/sleeker with a boot?

Thanks for the help so far peeps

 

[farmurr]

Also, at the rate I'm going through headlights, add a 6000k HID kit to my list as well.

 

[farmurr]

I actually just found a blue MP3 for sale, it has 105,000 km (65,000 miles) and is priced at $8,000 CAD ($6,700 U.S). It is in great shape, has a new CAI and tein suspension so the only mod I would need to do is paint the calipers, and install the HID's.

Do you guys think it is worth it to spend a little more money and get essentially all the mods done for me, or rather invest ~$5,000+labour and time into my 03' LX and make the conversion myself?

 

[Dparks7]

just get the MP3 they are collectors items and they have the covated MP3 ecu

 

[t3xazboy]

well i found this guy wanting to trade his blue mp3 with 100k miles for a automatic car. his g/f thought she wanted to learn how to drive standard, but said she didnt like it...so i offerd him my 2000 protege 1.6 LX ? he said Yeah, he wanted to see sum pics of my car, then try out eachothers cars, i got to get mine painted, but if he does want to switch cars, it's be wat ever color they want.. i mean nothing expensive. but anyways. is this good deal?

 

[SubXer0]

mp3 for 1.6 i'd say def a good deal just check the car out and make sure its at least as good as yours lol

 

[SubXer0]

So this coming spring or sooner I'll be starting a mp3/msp conversion of my blue 2003 lx 2.0. I just have a few questions for those who have done this before, regarding what order is best to upgrade, and also if I'm missing anything (or am i being too advantageous?) What about timeline?

I'm looking to do:
- upgrade to new 17" rims/ summer tires
- paint or install new calipers (mine are rusted and ugly as s***)
- install msp spoiler
- side skirts
- coilovers / lowering springs (should i do this AND 17", or lower with 16"?
- 35% tint
- speakers / amp / sub (already have new pioneer deck installed)
- swap the big ugly automatic shifter for something smaller, with a boot
- new exhaust system (or maybe just the tip for now for aesthetic purposes).

I'd really appreciate any info from you experienced people, this is my first car and I can't wait to have it looking as amazing as those I've seen on here.

i'd do the lowering first then get wheels and while your putting em on paint your calipers i think 17's on a car this size suck but thats just me personally i have a thing for 15 and 16 inch rims but its whatever like was said earlier with these mods theres no real order they HAVE to be done in just have fun with your car and welcome to the forum!(breakn)

 

[farmurr]

i'd do the lowering first then get wheels and while your putting em on paint your calipers i think 17's on a car this size suck but thats just me personally i have a thing for 15 and 16 inch rims but its whatever like was said earlier with these mods theres no real order they HAVE to be done in just have fun with your car and welcome to the forum!(breakn)

Thanks for the reply! I think that what you suggest is a good idea - do the suspension, wheels and brakes at once, then body work, then the cai etc.

On another note, I keep getting tempted to buy new cars instead of working on my protege. As mentioned above, there is an mp3 still for sale in my area, but now there is also a Yellow MSP for sale @ $8,900 (USD) and has only 31,000 miles!

Should I take the MSP? Damn the boost is sooo tempting (humpleg)