Mazdaspeed Protege Build - Feels Good To Be Back

[MP3Night]

Welp, picked her up today. Feels like I just stepped in a time machine. I can't express how excited I am to have bought another msp. Well the MP3 was pretty much the same animal.

This is going to be fun. I'm going to document here, it dosen't seem as active as I remember but I know the greats will enjoy.

So glad I saved this relic. Operation revival

I want to start a build list to help keep track of what I need to still get or possibly missing, or need to add to the list. I'm not going for an insane build (250-275hp).

137k on current motor.

Current List: Continually adding and adjusting.

ENGINE
Wiseco Pistons ( Pending Bore )
Cometic Hg - (Br: 84mm - Thcks: .030)
King Connecting Main/Rod Bearings
ARP Head Studs - >( Acquired )
ARP Main Studs - >( Acquired )
GT2871R
NGK Wires - >( Acquired )
Molnar H-Beam Rods - >( Acquired )
Boundary Oil Pump - > ( Acquired )
AWR Full Engine Mount Kit 88

TRANSMISSION
South Bend stage 2 clutch
Welded LSD or M-Factory LSD
Exile Autoworx G-series reinforcement plate
FSDE Trans Saver
Link Shifter Bushing Kit
1st/2nd Gear Dbl cone Synchro Conversion
3rd/4th Gear Dbl cone Synchro Conversion
( Or MFactory Forged Gearset )
Urethane Shifter Bushings
SS Clutch Line
Short Shifter > ( Undecided )

COOLING
FMIC + Piping ->( Acquired )
HKS Bov
Mishimoto Aluminum Radiator
Mishimoto Fan Shroud
Mishimoto Low Temp Thermostat ->( Acquired )

FUEL
WRX 440cc injectors - >( Acquired )
Jay Racing Fuel Rail - >( Acquired )

Suspension
AXR Clunk Fix ->( Acquired )
GTSPEC Trailing Arms ->( Acquired )

BRAKES:
SS Brake Lines
2013 MS3 Front Brakes
StopTech Slotted

Exhaust Components
Custom 3" Exhaust ->( Acquired )
Steedspeed Turbo Manifold ->( Acquired )
Pope 3" downpipe

GAUGES / TUNING
SSAFC V2 ->( Acquired )
AEM UEGO Wideband ->( Acquired )
Pro Sport EVO Series: Oil press
Pro Sport EVO Series: Oil Temp
Pro Sport EVO Series: Water Temp
Pro Sport EVO Series: Boost psi
Glowshift 3 Pod Radio Mount ->( Acquired )
Force-fed Colum Gauge Mount ->( Acquired )


MISCELLANEOUS:
Mazda OEM Oil Jet - Set of 4 ->( Acquired )
Mazda OEM FS Freeze Plugs ->( Acquired )
All Gaskets
Gates Belts->( Installed )
NEW OEM Water Pump ->( Installed )
NEW Gates Timing Belt ->( Installed )
NEW OEM Tensioner ->( Installed )
NEW OEM Mazdaspeed Grill ->( Acquired )
OEM KENWOOD Rear Sub Deck ->( Acquired )
OEM Mazdaspeed Floor Mats ->( Acquired )
OEM Mazdaspeed Seat Covers ->( Acquired )

 

[njaremka]

Nice! I always did like the Spicy Orange. Interior looks a little crusty. Hope it cleans up good. Body relatively rust free? Looking forward to see what you do with it.

 

[323]

SUBBED. Probably don't have to tell you this but the mp3 seats and steering wheel are far superior in feel and quality.

 

[MP3Night]

Nice! I always did like the Spicy Orange. Interior looks a little crusty. Hope it cleans up good. Body relatively rust free? Looking forward to see what you do with it.

Yeah, she's a little crusty. The guy I bought it from said he would always see it parked behind this guys fence off a country rd. After 6 months passed, he noticed the guy sold the MSP stock wheels and saw it on blocks. He walked up to the dudes house and made an offer. He said an old guy owned it as a daily for work and the second it had an issue he parked it in his backyard. Sitting outside (Sad) he bought another car to replace it and parked the speed.

I'm really trying to find the MSP/MP3 OEM seat covers but have only find one with a little rip.

I really don't want to buy MS3 seats or racing seats. But I might be against the wall on this one.
Definitely was easier 10yrs ago lol

SUBBED. Probably don't have to tell you this but the mp3 seats and steering wheel are far superior in feel and quality.

Haha oh yeah, the MP3 had the perks. Seats looked brand new the day I lost it. I don't get it, they should have just used the same material. The MSP seats feel weird. I most likely will just get new seats all together. Front and back of course.

Crazy to see you still here (I'm still here, lol) Good to see familiar ppl.

Great car, saw one for sale in Japan for 20k

MAZDA FAMILIA MAZDA SPEED FAMILIA | 2001 | BLUE | 54567 km | details.- Japanese used cars.Goo-net Exchange

Japanese used cars and Japan car exporters. 320,000 used car stocks.Website 'Goo-net Exchange' shall make all of customers satisfied to buy Cars from us.Search for used MAZDA FAMILIA MAZDA SPEED FAMILIA details.

www.goo-net-exchange.com

 

[MP3Night]

Blank Slate: Engine bay shots.
Buddy also had some oem paint. I'm going to need a lot more haha.

I plan on doing a compression test this weekend. Hopefully the motor is in good health and I can comence building.

 

[MP3Night]

Few random parts on the way.
OEM - foot panel, missing moldings.
New headlight assembly
Clips, caps, trunk interior panels, wheel studs, lugs, swaybar bushings.

I drove 40miles home with three lugs on the rear wheel, sheesh. One looked a little shoty. Also the duct tape swaybar bushing. Oh my God I saved this car.

Hopefully get everything squared up this weekend and get the forged pistons and rods orderd.

Also on the way is a SSAFC. Probably ordered the last brand new one in existence lol.

Just going to go the AEM wideband route again.

If I remember right...the msp also had a weak oil pump? Correct me if I'm wrong. Looking at possibly scooping this item.

Mazda FS FP High Flow Oil Pump Assembly – Boundary Pumps

FSFP-S2 FITS: FORD MAZDA KIA FS FP I4 1.8L-2.0L 1993-2006

boundarypumps.com

I'm doing research on the forged M-Factory gear set. Just curious about it, really. I'm guessing it will not be necessary.

I'll be happy with 250hp-275hp.

Any input on the M-Factory gears would be appreciated.

 

[duffbuster243]

Nice Find!

A bit has changed in the past fuel years. I have a nearly complete Blazing Yellow parts car, if you need and odds and ends let me know.

Word of advice, send that SSAFC back and go standalone, I'm successfully running a Speeduino (self tuned and cheaper than you probably paid for that SSAFC), But you can also go Megasquirt or Haltech if you have deep pockets. I ditched the SSAFC., and it's a night and day difference with how strong the FSDE runs with proper AFR and ignition timing without the factory ECU trying to take back control.

 

[MP3Night]

Nice Find!

A bit has changed in the past fuel years. I have a nearly complete Blazing Yellow parts car, if you need and odds and ends let me know.

Word of advice, send that SSAFC back and go standalone, I'm successfully running a Speeduino (self tuned and cheaper than you probably paid for that SSAFC), But you can also go Megasquirt or Haltech if you have deep pockets. I ditched the SSAFC., and it's a night and day difference with how strong the FSDE runs with proper AFR and ignition timing withough the factory ECU trying to take back control.

Thanks man, glad I saved her.

I had an excellent experience with the SSAFC when I tuned my MP3. I get where you're coming from on it though.

I just watched a dude build a Speeduino. Looks like a good option, I surprised I never came across this ecu. I'll have to do some more research on it but definitely not against it.


Since you offered. Do you by any chance have the Kenwood deck for the trunk?

Also, do you have the hard deck lid that covers the spare tire in the trunk?

 

[duffbuster243]

Thanks man, glad I saved her.

I had an excellent experience with the SSAFC when I tuned my MP3. I get where you're coming from on it though.

I just watched a dude build a Speeduino. Looks like a good option, I surprised I never came across this ecu. I'll have to do some more research on it but definitely not against it.


Since you offered. Do you by any chance have the Kenwood deck for the trunk?

Also, do you have the hard deck lid that covers the spare tire in the trunk?

I made a thread on the speeduino, you can get units that are 95% or more pre-assembled Guide: - Run your Mazdaspeed Protege on a Speeduino

I unfortunately only have 1 Kenwood rear deck unit that I am still using, I have a spare tire cover but it's definitely not in great condition, very warped from 20 years of heat/mositure.

 

[MP3Night]

I made a thread on the speeduino, you can get units that are 95% or more pre-assembled Guide: - Run your Mazdaspeed Protege on a Speeduino

I unfortunately only have 1 Kenwood rear deck unit that I am still using, I have a spare tire cover but it's definitely not in great condition, very warped from 20 years of heat/mositure.

Oh shoot, badass! Okay, I'll be using that down the road. Got that saved.

Damn I knew it was a stretch, fingers were crossed. I've been trying to find a few cool oem parts special to the MPS. I'll just go ahead and order that trunk lid cover from OEM Mazda parts site, it's only $50

If you ever see one pop up please let me know.

 

[MP3Night]

Welp, these are the only spots I found rust. I guess it could be worse. I'm going to need to take care of this nasty rust.

The car began it's life in California unfortunately.

 

[MP3Night]

Should I just grind out the rust and TIG weld new metal on it or try to source another door?

Just for the passenger rear door on the driver side. I feel like the other 2 doors shouldn't be too bad.

 

[duffbuster243]

If you have the ability to weld, that's definitely your better option, less paint work and you don't have to worry about matching paint since it's not on the outside of the door. Black paint would even suffice.

 

[MP3Night]

If you have the ability to weld, that's definitely your better option, less paint work and you don't have to worry about matching paint since it's not on the outside of the door. Black paint would even suffice.

Okay, yeah I'll just go that route. It will definitely be cheaper than having to ship a whole door from cali. I'm just slightly intimidated on the repair because where the rust is located but I'll be fine...I'm being lazy

Plus I have that little bit of oem paint so I could still try to match it. Throw some 2k clear on it and call it a day.

Speeds looking good

I did manage to scoop the whole Kenwood deck for the trunk! Didn't think I would find one so fast.

 

[MP3Night]

So I'm going with K1 Rods. I'm trying to decide on pistons. Does it really matter when it comes to these 3 brands Arias, CP, and Wiseco.

All seem to be pretty positive reviews and most fails look to be due to user error.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MP3Night]

Got a new welder and mask. I need a few more things and I can get rid of this rust.

 

[323]

Haha oh yeah, the MP3 had the perks. Seats looked brand new the day I lost it. I don't get it, they should have just used the same material. The MSP seats feel weird. I most likely will just get new seats all together. Front and back of course.

Crazy to see you still here (I'm still here, lol) Good to see familiar ppl.

Yep, still here with my MSP with a bunch of MP3 bits in it from my MP3 lol. Since all the build threads have died down, I've visited the site less often over the years. I randomly hopped on to look in the CX-50 and CX-70 section and saw you made some posts.

 

[MP3Night]

Yep, still here with my MSP with a bunch of MP3 bits in it from my MP3 lol. Since all the build threads have died down, I've visited the site less often over the years. I randomly hopped on to look in the CX-50 and CX-70 section and saw you made some posts.

Very nice! The MP3 was really great car. I haven't seen one for sale at least in the Texas area in a long time.

Unfortunately it really has died down, I miss the culture lol. Also the availability of parts for the platform too.

 

[duffbuster243]

Very nice! The MP3 was really great car. I haven't seen one for sale at least in the Texas area in a long time.

Unfortunately it really has died down, I miss the culture lol. Also the availability of parts for the platform too.

The platform is still quite popular on fb unfortunately. In my opinion fb sucks compared to the organization of forums, it's near impossible to search and find the information you need and it's full of scammers.

 

[MP3Night]

I agree, the culture I was talking about I don't see there lol. Oh yeah you ain't finding anything on there unless you're are scrolling and sifting through everything.

I'm cool with finding a car on fb ( which is how I found both speeds ) and going to meet the person for purchase. Definitely the shipping part.