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Nope. I ran a Racing Beat rear sway bar with AXR bracket kit on my Protege sedan for many years. With the AXR brackets, the rear sway bar was VERY stiff, but never felt like it wanted to come around on me.

Manual transmission from MP3 should be the same as the Protege5. Mazdaspeed Protege had an LSD, but pretty sure that was the only difference. Adding the rear sway bar from the MP3 will make the Protege5 feel much more responsive in the corners. Paired with the Racing Beat springs will make...

My old Protegé had that fuel issue. All the screws broke trying to get it out, too. I ended up drilling them all out and tapping for some bigger screws. Then used all stainless for any future servicing. (never needed to go back in there, but had peace of mind) I would love to get another as...

My first thought was air still in the system. Glad you found the issue.

Due to the better materials being used, and manufacturing techniques, along with factory procedures, modern engine "break-in" after purchase is really just to seat the rings in the bore. The bearings will be "broken in" at the factory during the first few minutes of engine operation. By the...

Looks great!

If you will be fully opening the manifold to check it all out, I would most definitely add some Loctite tot he VICS screws.

Here is an old thread for VTCS removal... https://mazdas247.com/forum/t/vtcs-removal.123664420/ When you get into the manifold, the VTCS are the butterflies at the head ports, and the VICS butterflies are the ones inside the intake manifold. Leave the VICS butterflies alone!

I would have to go back in my logs to see if I had any record of what I did on my Protege... I know I swapped over to an MP3 ECU. (the MP3 didn't have the VTCS system) But, I can't remember if I removed the whole system or not. I am pretty sure I removed the butterflies, though. Can't say...

It isn't that hard to remove the intake manifold to find out if it actually is the VTCS. If its just a rattle, could be the VTCS butterflies loose on the shaft. Easiest way to delete the system is just to remove the plates and leave the shaft and everything else in place.

Back in the day, I did a similar conversion on my Protege from H4 bulbs to H7 / 9005. Here is the wiring diagram for the conversion. The first diagram is to convert dual bulbs to H4 with a relay, and the second is to convert H4 to dual bulbs with no relay needed. Might have to check the H4...

Man, you've been busy!! These pictures look like they could have been taken 20 years ago. Looks like a great meet-up! The wheels and brakes look great too. That thing will have the "Stops" for days! And then that engine bay looks co clean. I am seriously loving this build. Has me...

That guy is obviously not Mazda's target demographic...

Pretty sure those headlights use LEDs for turn signals already, and they are hard mounted to the internal boards - they are not replaceable bulbs. As such, the only option would be to code them to not be on when the headlights are turned on, if such an option exists.

You can usually tell if the coil overs are "designed" for the Mazda5 vs the Mazda3 by the spring rates. Mazda5 coil overs will have slightly higher spring rates due to the extra weight of the car. That being said, the two models are interchangeable, and the dampers included are probably the...

Exhaust sound is probably the most subjective topic on any car forum. What one person finds too loud, another will find too quiet, or another will find just right. Substitute raspy, rumble, burble, bassy, boomy, etc.... When I had my Protege, I absolutely loved the exhaust sound I ended up...

Looks great! Pearl white, and is that tan interior? I don't think I've seen that combination in that model year.

Yes, there are two buttons on the sides of the cover. Squeeze, and it will pop off.

Yes, advanced keyless entry system. The key that's hidden in the fob is backup for if or when the fob battery dies. You can use the key to get into the car and start it. The ignition "key" is just a cover that removes, and the key will slot in like a traditional system.

Nice! Any pictures to share?