For those who have done n/a mods

[drgnzadiel101]

for around town...do you think it was worth it? im talking intake, header, exhaust, ss. i dont want to get into cams or 626 IM. just basic mods. do you like the car more than before? i've been tossing up if i just want to save up and get another car or just do those basic mods and leave it be. i'm not into racing or any of that jazz. just sound and looks. your input would be great!

 

[MazdaSpeeder]

If you just want sound and looks, then n/a mods are definitely worth it. Intake/Header/Exhaust will give you a nice sound and make the car a bit peppier, and if you add an MP3 ecu you'll have a nice ride. It won't be a drag car, but fun-to-drive will improve. A SS is a must in my opinion also. Good luck.

 

[TWISFM]

fun to drive improves... i approve for daily driving...except mm...

 

[Flash5]

do whatever will make u happier, i have spent much $$$$$ on my na mods, and i would do it all over again if i had to!

 

[StealthWyvern]

The best bang for the buck for NA would be a header.

 

[Rockin03mp5]

for around town... a good stereo!

cant go too fast in town.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

for around town... a good stereo!

cant go too fast in town.

haha already got a decent one with a 10inch sub.


i worry about the header though. on hondas and on my b15 sentra when a header is put on, they sounded like a wet fart. do any of the headers for this car do the same or would i just have to go and buy an extra resonator for the exhaust just in case?

 

[fishdonotbounce]

If you're strictly about looks and sound, A corksport power series exhaust with the stock header sounds pretty awesome. With an OBX header not so much. Do your research when it comes to the exhaust portion of the whole thing cause it may end up sounding ricier than all hell (ask me how I know lol). I can't wait till my turbo install if only to get rid of the bad sound from my exhaust.

There's a guy reflashing stock ECU's now and flashing them with the MP3 ecu which was never available before. For 150, you get more hp and torque and the powerband is MUCH smoother. I would say get that first and build from there. Motor mounts will make your cabin vibrate so I don't suggest those. Maybe some inserts which will stiffen it up a bit but not give you much cabin vibrations. Good luck and keep us updated. (thumb)

 

[Rockin03mp5]

i would say, the mp3 ecu is the best mod... if you have a 5 speed (can't tell)

smoooooooth power, and a little more of it.

 

[cfpkiller]

i did all those mods at 1st header, aem cold air, pulleys,exhaust, mam midpipe with no cats, in the end i couldnt take having no power so i went turbo. was happeir after that. what did it in for me with na, i was driving down the road one day and a toyota 4 runner was running next to me i wanted to get over in the next lane , i guess he didnt want me to so he accelerated and my protege couldnt keep up. Now with a turbo i had the same senerio, a supercharged nissan frontier was going next to me and i needed to get over, well i guess va beach has some assholes so he got offended when i tried to pass well he didnt know i was turboed and i blew him out of the water. with the money turbo is the way to go, with all these used kits springing up i wouls get that instead. I sold my kit on here 3 years ago for 1500 for everthing, msp ecu, kit intercooler, exhuast, programmer.(cryhard)

 

[Lewis7789]

I bought a short shifter and bushings online the day after I bought my P5. It makes daily driving easier. I originally just bought the P5 to carry my gear (I'm a musician) and was going to keep it fairly stock. But then the mod bug bit me and I haven't found a cure. Intake, header, exhaust, ECU are all easy bolt ons and will add decent power and make your car sound better, though highway drone is the payoff. I thought about going turbo but I love the reliability of my N/A and I know my car isn't going to beat anything fast, thus my license plate. But it's peppy, fun around corners and gets a thumbs up every now and then. Best of luck with your mods!

 

[Kurtanius21]

i did all those mods at 1st header, aem cold air, pulleys,exhaust, mam midpipe with no cats, in the end i couldnt take having no power so i went turbo. was happeir after that. what did it in for me with na, i was driving down the road one day and a toyota 4 runner was running next to me i wanted to get over in the next lane , i guess he didnt want me to so he accelerated and my protege couldnt keep up. Now with a turbo i had the same senerio, a supercharged nissan frontier was going next to me and i needed to get over, well i guess va beach has some assholes so he got offended when i tried to pass well he didnt know i was turboed and i blew him out of the water. with the money turbo is the way to go, with all these used kits springing up i wouls get that instead. I sold my kit on here 3 years ago for 1500 for everthing, msp ecu, kit intercooler, exhuast, programmer.(cryhard)

That's awsome. This is the true story of the Protege's life. It's a tale of defeat and humility. So many cars leave it in the dust. Even SUVs and trucks embarras it. The protege is a slow car, and as each and every car puts it in its place, the protege still has something going for it. It's an fun car. Even though, turbocharging is a rise against the odds.

First you were humiliated, now you stood against the opposition and gave your protege a chance. It's like all the classic sport movies: Rocky, Rise of the Titans, Angels in the Outfields. And finally with the turbo, the Protege overcame the odds and passed a Truck! What a victory!

 

[blueprotegelx]

First you were humiliated, now you stood against the opposition and gave your protege a chance. It's like all the classic sport movies: Rocky, Rise of the Titans, Angels in the Outfields. And finally with the turbo, the Protege overcame the odds and passed a Truck! What a victory!

That's hilarious! lol

My car is currently NA, as for the end of the week it will be boosted! Honestly, my Protege is a great car as is for the individual not willing to obtain massive horsepower, but enough to have nice responsiveness and willing to go when need be. I feel that the header and the MP3 ecu/Ported intake manifold w/ vtcs removed were the most noticeable gains. I ended up selling the ecu in order to acquire more boosted parts. With the NA mods I had (I am decent at driving) I was able to dominate quite a bit on the backroads and even being NA I surprised a few cars since I am able to take off pretty well. Good luck with your build!

The most NA parts I had at one time was: NSN thermal spacer, Ported Intake mani w/ vtcs removed, custom 2.5" exhaust w/ hi flo, OBX header, AWR Front MM, short shifter, Eibach Prokit springs, and MP3 ECU.

 

[cfpkiller]

That's awsome. This is the true story of the Protege's life. It's a tale of defeat and humility. So many cars leave it in the dust. Even SUVs and trucks embarras it. The protege is a slow car, and as each and every car puts it in its place, the protege still has something going for it. It's an fun car. Even though, turbocharging is a rise against the odds.

First you were humiliated, now you stood against the opposition and gave your protege a chance. It's like all the classic sport movies: Rocky, Rise of the Titans, Angels in the Outfields. And finally with the turbo, the Protege overcame the odds and passed a Truck! What a victory!

lol yeah took $3000.00 to pass that truck smart ass(cool)

 

[jonridinhi]

You can read my list but the header was the most bang for you buck. I would recomend it.

 

[Lewis7789]

It also seems like your car aint s*** without boost these day... No matter how well it can do on an auto-x course, if there isn't a big gnarly intercooler peering from behind your front bumper, your car is a POS. Haha, maybe I'm just jealous. I mean, I love a turbo car just as much as the next fella, but to me it's not a necessity.

 

[SocialStealth]

What exactly does upgrading to a mp3 ECU do?

Do the mp3's have a better alternator than proteges? (more amps?)

Is this an easy upgrade?

 

[SocialStealth]

And as for useful information for the op,

I started my mom's 2000 nissan maxima to back it out of the drive way, and the engine-starting sounded muffled and it just made the car feel of higher quality. I don't know how to explain it. I started my dads 2007 subaru wrx sti and it was muffled and the lights in the dash went on in series and it just made me feel like I was in an airplane cockpit.

When I start my car, i hear the rumbling of the engine and the vibrations, and it just makes me feel like I'm driving a piece of crap 1990 honda.
And if you've ever driven over 65 on the highway, not only is the noise a bit harsh, but the car vibrates and it makes me feel like im driving a piece of aluminum foil.

I'm going to try to add some sound deadener (RAAmat, CLD tiles, etc). to improve my sound system, give my car that sturdy feel, and get rid of that engine/road noise. I'll let you know how it works out

 

[StealthWyvern]

I'm going to try to add some sound deadener (RAAmat, CLD tiles, etc). to improve my sound system, give my car that sturdy feel, and get rid of that engine/road noise. I'll let you know how it works out

Try gettign a torque damper.. it will rid yoruself of most of the vibratiosn and noise that bugs you so much. Also have fun doing the firewall to get rid of the engine noise. That does not look like fun.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

yea i have a 5spd. well im still deciding but i just want something out of this car without doing a lot of engine work. the bolt ons sound nice...the header though, i suppose, i have to do my research on. i do NOT want raspy fart sound.

oh and the mp3 ecu comes off of what car?