What have you done to your P5 today?

[BenjiHoggi]

This year the big thing was the transmission as I was wrestling with it getting out of first gear when it's been sitting overnight (morning sickness). Then I got some pretty headlights...

07/20/2024 - Transmission Valve Body - LenTech 7A100-4F27-STT valve body $559
08/08/2024 - Rebuilt Transmission $3.6K
11/19/2024 - Angel-Eye Projector HID Headlight Headlamp Black V2 for MAZDA LHD $625

It is so much better now and warrantied for 5 years. Peace of mind.

Edit: @144k now

Those headlights are SPENDY but wow do they look cool. I've definitely got the diy budget friendly version but they've been their own share of headaches. Just today I'm pulling one out to get the lens off and reseal it since it's leaked a bit.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

11/19/2024 - Angel-Eye Projector HID Headlight Headlamp Black V2 for MAZDA LHD $625

Wow. Definitely a lighting upgrade and while that looks expensive, if it's plug and play, it's probably quite the value. These cars need it so much. I did a projector retrofit for both of my Mercedes - removing the headlight, baking to release the butyl, install updated EvoX projector, reseal lens - and will probably go that route on the Protege as well. The DIY HID aren't too bad - $120 for EvoX projectors with lighting cutoff and $50x2 for the HID Ballast.

 

[TX_SilverP5]

Wow. Definitely a lighting upgrade and while that looks expensive, if it's plug and play, it's probably quite the value. These cars need it so much. I did a projector retrofit for both of my Mercedes - removing the headlight, baking to release the butyl, install updated EvoX projector, reseal lens - and will probably go that route on the Protege as well. The DIY HID aren't too bad - $120 for EvoX projectors with lighting cutoff and $50x2 for the HID Ballast.

It was plug and play! They provide everything including any adapters needed depending on the version.

 

[bugboy32337]

Zoom Zoom got a good layer of icy snow, here in Tallahassee, FL!!!!

 

[CTt3P5]

A good layer @bugboy32337, that will shut the city down for days! haha

I moved to Tallahassee the summer before my senior year of high school and that winter we got a 1/2" of snow one night. The next morning when I got up and started getting ready for school, my mom told me to go back to bed, school was closed. I looked out the window and laughed calling her bluff....she wasn't bluffing. After living in Rochester, MN for three years I never expected a snow day for a 1/2". I went back to bed thanking FL for not having the proper snow removal equipment and salt stockpiles at the ready. This was the winter of 1990/1991 so maybe things have changed? Damn, I'm old. haha

 

[bugboy32337]

A good layer @bugboy32337, that will shut the city down for days! haha

I moved to Tallahassee the summer before my senior year of high school and that winter we got a 1/2" of snow one night. The next morning when I got up and started getting ready for school, my mom told me to go back to bed, school was closed. I looked out the window and laughed calling her bluff....she wasn't bluffing. After living in Rochester, MN for three years I never expected a snow day for a 1/2". I went back to bed thanking FL for not having the proper snow removal equipment and salt stockpiles at the ready. This was the winter of 1990/1991 so maybe things have changed? Damn, I'm old. haha

@CTt3P5 ... I graduated high school in '86 ... so I'm older than YOU!

I remember that snow, and the black ice it created.

That experience helped me get to work today ... EASY on the gas ... EASY on the brakes ... EASY on the steering!

 

[CTt3P5]

@bugboy32337 hahahaha So you feel my pain when I ask "where did the years go?"

Yeah, same techniques I use up here in the NE as needed. Stay safe out there and watch out for those other drivers who don't have that experience!

 

[bugboy32337]

2022 Mazda 3 wheels that I just picked up for a GREAT price ... going on Zoom Zoom , with a set of 205/50ZR16 Conti DWS06+ ....

 

[bugboy32337]

They're on!
The Conti DWS06+ tires are SOOO much quieter than the crappy Nankangs that the previous owner put on.

 

[TX_SilverP5]

They're on!
The Conti DWS06+ tires are SOOO much quieter than the crappy Nankangs that the previous owner put on.

Thanks! Now I know what to get next time I need to re-up! What do you think of these wheels?
Voxx Orso

 

[bugboy32337]

Thanks! Now I know what to get next time I need to re-up! What do you think of these wheels?
Voxx Orso
View attachment 334493

I don't know much about Voxx, but the design is nice.

 

[Bruisermac]

Yesterday I replaced my alternator. Not totally brutal but it was a bit of a challenge. Worst part was it was hard to finally troubleshoot. It was overcharging. The reason I caught it was it died on me on my way to work and I had to get it jumped to get Home. Once I did my battery was at 65%. So after recharge and load test the battery checked out fine. I had replaced it last year. Corrosion on the positive terminal indicates overcharge typically. I have a good scanner so after watching The live data it would spike to 15.22 vdc and the regulator was erratic.

 

[TX_SilverP5]

I don't know much about Voxx, but the design is nice.

Discount Tires and I'm looking for ways to update the original road-rashed wheels and not break the budget. I saw this comment on the brand...

"They are about a 150-250$ wheel. When it comes to wheels, you honestly get what you pay for. If you use low profile tires, and you live near pot holes, expect bends, cracks, etc. If you use a more meaty tire, they should be just fine. Im not 100% sure what they are made out of, but im guessing aluminum cause of the price. I believe they last a long time as long as you take good caution of the road and avoid rough roads as much as possible."

 

[TX_SilverP5]

There's also these Enkei PX10's that are probably a little better quality.

 

[bugboy32337]

Discount Tires and I'm looking for ways to update the original road-rashed wheels and not break the budget. I saw this comment on the brand...

"They are about a 150-250$ wheel. When it comes to wheels, you honestly get what you pay for. If you use low profile tires, and you live near pot holes, expect bends, cracks, etc. If you use a more meaty tire, they should be just fine. Im not 100% sure what they are made out of, but im guessing aluminum cause of the price. I believe they last a long time as long as you take good caution of the road and avoid rough roads as much as possible."

I prefer a "flow formed" wheel, like Enkei or Konig.
Enkei has wheel designs similar to the image you shared, and are probably about $250 (or less) each.
I'd suggest fitmentindustries.com ... they have TONS of options on wheels (and tires), and you get a good discount on a tire/wheel package. They shipped my order (for my Civic) via FedEx. Well packaged and protected. Perfectly balanced.

 

[Diamond_Dave]

Discount Tires and I'm looking for ways to update the original road-rashed wheels and not break the budget. I saw this comment on the brand..

I know you have a budget, but why bother with crappy aftermarket wheels (because your budget only allows you to access the garbage layer of wheels) when you can get much higher quality OEM wheels from late model Mazda 3/6, Mazda RX8, Acura TSX, Acura RSX, Acura TL, Lexus IS - with plenty of choices in 16" and 17" and you can get a set for under $200.


TIRES are the most important thing. I've been buying tires for decades and most people don't understand how important a quality tire is to the feel and performance of their car. As a general rule, this Protege5 is a tremendously nimble and fun car to drive due to A) the suspension B) the tire choice. If you live in a warmer area (CA, AZ, TX, FL), a great tire is the Hancook Ventus V2. If you live anywhere else and need better performance in wet or cold weather, a great tire for this car is the Continental DWS-06 (I have them on my P5 and MSP).

 

[TX_SilverP5]

Great advice @Diamond_Dave! I'll look for future moves to OEM wheels and maybe go up to a 17". For now, I decided on the Enkeis.

My next small mod is the cabin air filter which hopefully I have all the parts I need.

 

[bugboy32337]

Great advice @Diamond_Dave! I'll look for future moves to OEM wheels and maybe go up to a 17". For now, I decided on the Enkeis.

My next small mod is the cabin air filter which hopefully I have all the parts I need.

You have a cabin air filter?
Mine doesn't seem to have one.

 

[TX_SilverP5]

It does NOT! that's the point.

• Install Cabin Air Filter since the US models didn’t have it, but the Japanese version does!
  • Video on this
  • TC86-61-J31 Seal, cooling unit
  • J001-50-171 license plate holder bracket
  • GE6T-61-J6X normal cabin filter OR CB12-61-J6X aldehyde filter
  • Forum thread about this
  • Picture of layout

 

[bugboy32337]

It does NOT! that's the point.

• Install Cabin Air Filter since the US models didn’t have it, but the Japanese version does!
  • Video on this
  • TC86-61-J31 Seal, cooling unit
  • J001-50-171 license plate holder bracket
  • GE6T-61-J6X normal cabin filter OR CB12-61-J6X aldehyde filter
  • Forum thread about this
  • Picture of layout

WE CAN ADD ONE?