2000 Protege LX sleeper?

[MTBiker_Boy]

Hey there,

I’m new here, but i’ve had my 2000 mazda protege LX for about 4 years. It was my first car, and i’m 21 now. It’s kinda getting old. The paint is absolutely trashed, it’s got rust on it, cosmetically it is in bad shape. It was supposed to be a beater car until i became a good enough driver, and could afford a nicer car, ( i got this for 300 bucks) but this ****** just won’t die.

It also still holds a special place in my heart because it was my first car. What i want to do is double the HP of it and have it be a dope sleeper.

So basically my question is how would you guys go about getting ~300 hp out of this car? Would it be a full engine and trans swap from an MSP? Build the current motor and slap a turbo on? It is also automatic right now and i would be more than happy to swap a manual on there.

Sorry in advance as i am sure this question has been asked before, but i am pretty bad with searching forums, and i don’t even know what to ask without writing an entire post.

 

[Protephile]

Don't get me wrong, I love the Protege, but don't waste your money---even 15 years ago when parts were easier to get, 300 hp on a NA Protege was a LOT of work, even if adding a turbo. Proteges are fun to drive even without a ton of power. Keep it as a beater and look for some used mods if you want.
But if you really love the car, look for an MSP in decent condition. You'll be surprised how much fun 170hp is.

 

[AzteCypher]

I have 2001 Protege with the 1.6L (about 98hp) but good suspension work and good tires make it blast to drive in the twisties. With enough money, you can build a 300hp Protege, but that would just be an exercise in engineering. I agree with getting a Speed Protege as at least you start at a higher level of HP.

 

[flipriley]

I have a 2002 LX 2.0 with the dual OHC. I just read that you can install performance chips
and run better spark plugs to increase HP and gas mileage. If this is true, will these changes affect other engine components??

 

[Protephile]

I have 2001 Protege with the 1.6L (about 98hp) but good suspension work and good tires make it blast to drive in the twisties. With enough money, you can build a 300hp Protege, but that would just be an exercise in engineering. I agree with getting a Speed Protege as at least you start at a higher level of HP.

You're still around too!?

 

[Protephile]

I have a 2002 LX 2.0 with the dual OHC. I just read that you can install performance chips
and run better spark plugs to increase HP and gas mileage. If this is true, will these changes affect other engine components??

Nope. Performance Chips are a useless waste of $$ and may even interfere with the ECU.
OEM-style Spark plugs are fine when you change at regular intervals.

 

[MTBiker_Boy]

Is the MSP drivetrain a Drop in swap or is there a lot of differences?

 

[Protephile]

iirc the only difference is the MSP has a limited-slip differential, but it has been a long time and
there may be other differences.

 

[AzteCypher]

I have a 2002 LX 2.0 with the dual OHC. I just read that you can install performance chips
and run better spark plugs to increase HP and gas mileage. If this is true, will these changes affect other engine components??

The best benefit I ever saw from a chip was the removal of my speed governor on a 1997 Ford Escort I had years ago. Didn't ever see much benefit beyond that.

 

[AzteCypher]

If you were looking to swap the MSP engine into your 1.6L Protege, it would be best to swap the whole driveline as you'd need the transmission, axles, and hubs. Our 1.6L are 4lug and MSPs are 5 lugs.

 

[TheMAN]

@AzteCypher

 

[Protephile]

@AzteCypher

Funny, I was just gonna say the same thing to you! Dude, people would get so pissed at you when you spoke the truth.

 

[TheMAN]

Funny, I was just gonna say the same thing to you! Dude, people would get so pissed at you when you spoke the truth.

As what happened here: 2016~2022 - Dealer Service Recommendation: Fuel Injector Service?

Dude got banned after I called him out and he condescendingly berated me for demanding proof that spark plugs made the "most dramatic effect on an engines performance than any other part".

You know what they say about liars: the ones who gives the biggest reaction and angrily respond in denial are the ones who are usually lying.

My last response got deleted though, which had lots of juicy bits basically (professionally) outlining why he's full of s***. The other guy there said he sounded like he's on the other forums, and the evidence seems to corroborate that it is the same boomer who likes to flaunt his ego.

 

[AzteCypher]

LOL! I'm still here and I still have the Protege but it needs a lot of TLC. Life got in the way and such.

Thought about selling it, almost convinced myself to do it but... couldn't follow through. My cousin is slowly going to help me bring it back up to snuff mechanically. He's a Mazda fan as well, though Mazda-less at the moment.

 

[AzteCypher]

@TheMAN knows his info!

I still refer to your ProtegeFAQ.net by the way. Still an outstanding resource.

 

[TheMAN]

LOL! I'm still here and I still have the Protege but it needs a lot of TLC. Life got in the way and such.

Thought about selling it, almost convinced myself to do it but... couldn't follow through. My cousin is slowly going to help me bring it back up to snuff mechanically. He's a Mazda fan as well, though Mazda-less at the moment.

Mine just turned "drinking age" 6 months ago, and I finally ordered the JDM bumper I long planned for. The mint MP3 fog lights I bought 20 years ago is still sitting in the box, in the attic!

I need to order the EDM headlights next, and get a custom harness built for them. That should pretty much wrap up what I always planned for the car.

 

[Protephile]

Mine just turned "drinking age" 6 months ago, and I finally ordered the JDM bumper I long planned for. The mint MP3 fog lights I bought 20 years ago is still sitting in the box, in the attic!

I need to order the EDM headlights next, and get a custom harness built for them. That should pretty much wrap up what I always planned for the car.

You can still get the JDM bumper??