Project Black has Begun! - Colorado

[ProjectBlack]

Hi Everyone!

About 8 years ago, I was pretty heavily into imports. Mostly Honda's, then I got a job that required a different type of vehicle. I ended up with a Pro5 (named Missy The Mazda) because of the hatch, it was senseable, sporty, and got the good mileage. I was also talked out of the manual transmission by a coworker because of the amount of driving that was required, so I'm stuck with the 4-speed w/ tiptronics. I am the original owner and drove it off the lot. It is a 2003 with about 150K on it. I was looking around at all kinds of new cars, but decided that was an unnecessary expense to impose on my family...

...sooooooo, I decided to show the Pro5 some well deserved love. Below is my list of upgrades to start ProjectBlack. I am open to opinions, and tips, but please be nice. It's been quite a while since I have been in the scene, but I think I'm making some good choices.

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/d...apwcid=P1135867996W43b3f85c7ab9e&apwidrR6uHxC - Injen Intake - DONE - SRI

http://www.eracingzone.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=OBXMAZDA-10 - OBX Header

http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/d...apwcid=P1135867996W43b3f85c7ab9e&apwid8BY5Exk - Magnaflow Cat

WTB RB Cat back exhaust...

https://www.amazon.com (commissions earned) - Dynaflex B2 Kit - NEVERMIND NO KIT just straighten body.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230589901138&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT - Motegi 5 star flats w/ red stripe 17 x 7

http://www.hopupracing.com/toilse1dradh11.html - Tokico Illumina Adjustables 1" drop

and...

http://www.carbonfiberhoods.net/vis-mazda-protege-5-0203-4dr-oem-carbon-fiber-hood-p-1706.html - OEM Carbon Hood - EVO not very good for Colorado weather...

It will most likely need to be done over time, but I can't wait. Please, if you are experienced with these upgrades on this car share your story.

Thank you,

Steve

(stash)

 

[azuelke]

Welcome to the best Mazda forums around! Here's my take on your picks:

Injen Intake - Good intake, watch the FS section. Or better yet, just buy a cheap intake off of ebay and put on a good filter... same result, saves you money.
OBX Header - Decent header. Again, watch the FS section. Headers always go up for sale.
Magnaflow Cat - Get a high-flow cat, Magnaflow makes great ones.
HKS Hi Power Exhaust - Another great item to get, but if you are looking for cheaper, try a Racing Beat or MazdaSpeed axle-back.
Dynaflex B2 Kit - Many here will say no to body kits. I agree, but I am partial to the Buddy Club 2 kit (this one). If you want a different look, the 03 speed lip is great.
Tokico Illumina Adjustables & Ibach Springs - Great setup.
VIS Evo Carbon Hood - Do NOT pay full price for a CF hood, wait till one pops up in the FS section.

 

[ProjectBlack]

Sweet! Thanks for the feedback! I'll be browsing the FS section regularly. Overall, it sounds like I'm headed in the right direction with my set up.

 

[peavey]

Welcome to the best Mazda forums around! Here's my take on your picks:

+1!

 

[ProjectBlack]

Well, after some advice from azuelke, I went ahead and purchased one of these. Should do the trick and save me about $140! Thank you for the advice.

I have also resurfaced my headlights (getting ready for some charcole Lamin-X), and both of my fog lights were broken (looked like someone got them with a BB gun...HATER), so those are replaced as of yesterday. I might post a pic of that one, cause they were messed up! LOL. Anyway, we're making slow progress.

 

[tunerPro5]

In regards to the Intake I would suggest get a Injen CAI instead of getting the cheap one's that doesn't work. Those ebay short works on Honda's but definitely not for proteges. Trust me I experience that already and end up getting the injen just be careful not to submerge into deep water when is flooded. I live in chicago winter and summer no problem...If U decide to go for the ebay short ram mine as well just use your stock one would be a lot better and just buy the Oem style K&N filter in it.

 

[azuelke]

Most ebay intakes are short... to get the most out of an aftermarket intake, a long intake would be best to get to the cold air. People will debate back and forth between SRI and CAI. Either way, it is still more cost effective to get a short (on the cheap) and get some extra pipe to make it long.

 

[ProjectBlack]

Yeah...I ordered the ebay one for $32 bucks, so no real loss if it sucks. I'll just trash the filter it comes with and get a K&N that will fit, and I think it will be just fine. My thoughts are that a polished aluminum pipe is simply a polished aluminum pipe. I think the only real difference between SRI's would be the logo, and that's not going to help anyone gain HP. There's no real need for a higher quality aluminum because it is not under any real pressure. The real difference I think will be between SRI and CAI and, of course, the actual filter itself as opposed to the actual piping. Living in Colorado, I'm a little nervous about the CAI because of more exposure to the elements but I don't know that much about the Injen set up or the location of the CAI filter. I just know it's lower to the ground and probably a bit more exposed.

 

[ProjectBlack]

In regards to the Intake I would suggest get a Injen CAI instead of getting the cheap one's that doesn't work. Those ebay short works on Honda's but definitely not for proteges. Trust me I experience that already and end up getting the injen just be careful not to submerge into deep water when is flooded. I live in chicago winter and summer no problem...If U decide to go for the ebay short ram mine as well just use your stock one would be a lot better and just buy the Oem style K&N filter in it.

Why would SRI work on a Honda, but not a Protege?? The engine sits almost identically. The Hondas I had were either 1.8L or 2.0L as well. I'm not sure how a Protege could be that different. Also, I plan to cut up the stock intake set up because it seems to have a duct that directs colder air from the front near the grill to the stock filter.

 

[tunerPro5]

Why would SRI work on a Honda, but not a Protege?? The engine sits almost identically. The Hondas I had were either 1.8L or 2.0L as well. I'm not sure how a Protege could be that different. Also, I plan to cut up the stock intake set up because it seems to have a duct that directs colder air from the front near the grill to the stock filter.

I'm not trying argue you'll see what happen when u install your short ram from ebay. Take it for a test drive. I already used one in the past I end up spending more coz I end up buying the Injen CAI. I agree with Azuelke when you add another pipe that goes to your fender to suck a cold air would work. For some reason the way the injen work it suck better quality air with 2 3/4 pipe than having a universal 3" pipe....I used to have a 95 honda and Acura GSR the pipe is longer even if short ram. Unlike the protege is a little different setup also with MAF is in between the pipe. I just cannot explain why doesn't work with protege's...Also there's a lot people here that sell Injen just keep an eye of it you might get lucky. I sold mine already coz I'm turboed now...

 

[JiggaBro]

its $32.... whats there to lose? if anything you can see where its faulty and build from there.

I on the other hand will be putting a hole in my hood and point the intake straight up......... wish me luck! >.<

 

[mrwicked]

You left the "Cant wait till vtec kicks in world" lol welcome and enjoy your P5

 

[JiggaBro]

actually i flashed my ecu so vtek is always active, thats like 17psi right there! i dont know if my rotary can take it!

 

[mrwicked]

dont blow the pistons on that rotary

actually i flashed my ecu so vtek is always active, thats like 17psi right there! i dont know if my rotary can take it!

 

[JiggaBro]

im not worried about it, its my mom's car anyways. i'm just waiting for my lotus to get out of the shop with the full carbon fiber body kit

 

[Taus-MP5]

it is still more cost effective to get a short (on the cheap) and get some extra pipe to make it long.

THANK YOU! I THOUGHT NO ONE ELSE COULD THINK THAT UP!

(since i was thinking of doing this combo-mod, where would you go to getthe 'extra piping' ? I was thinking one from autozone, or Lowes?
[haha - i have a buddy that used pvc on his saab93- but it works! ]

 

[ProjectBlack]

I'm not trying argue you'll see what happen when u install your short ram from ebay. Take it for a test drive. I already used one in the past I end up spending more coz I end up buying the Injen CAI. I agree with Azuelke when you add another pipe that goes to your fender to suck a cold air would work. For some reason the way the injen work it suck better quality air with 2 3/4 pipe than having a universal 3" pipe....I used to have a 95 honda and Acura GSR the pipe is longer even if short ram. Unlike the protege is a little different setup also with MAF is in between the pipe. I just cannot explain why doesn't work with protege's...Also there's a lot people here that sell Injen just keep an eye of it you might get lucky. I sold mine already coz I'm turboed now...

No worries! I'm not trying to argue either, just wondering. Like I said, I've been out of the game for about 10 years on the import stuff.

On another note, I just ordered Gun Smoke Lamin-X for head lights, fog lights, and tail lights. Should look pretty clean! Will post pics as soon as I can. Also, I'll be painting that intake tubing matte black, so that should look nice too!

 

[ProjectBlack]

Looking for feedback on this...

It's a chip that looks to be a nice little upgrade.

 

[azuelke]

NO chips work... it's all snake oil.

 

[ProjectBlack]

That's all I found when I searched the forum too. Good to know! Thanks!