So, old Protege5 owner here so I'm well versed in the 2.0L engine, but not so much in the 1.6L. My wife has a '01 LX with the 1.6L and the midpipe has sheared off right behind the main catalytic converter. I'd rather replace the pipe with a used one instead of having this re-welded but I've only be able to find 2.0L midpipes for sale. Can someone put to rest whether the midpipes are the same on 1.6L and 2.0L engines? I always assumed they were the same from the j-pipe back but some people have thought otherwise.
1.6L Exhaust Question
- Thread starter magnumP5
- Start date
j-pipe, and all piping after is interchangeable. The only thing that wont be a good idea is a MSP mid-pipe because it has two cats of it own, so that would make the 1.6 or other 2.0 have 3 cats. My old 00 lx 1.6 had my friends old exhaust from his 03 es 2.0 except the axle-back which i had the 03.5 msp axle-back. Hope that helps
AzteCypher
black ops modifications..
- :
- 2001 Mazda Protege LX
I concur. My 1.6L currently has an MP3 exhaust on it.
So just in case anyone was wondering there actually is a pretty significant difference in exhaust between the 1.6L and 2.0L. They will still interchange just fine but the midpipes are completely different (cat is bigger and further back on the 2.0L) and the exhaust diameter is slightly different (2.0L seems just barely larger). It may be possible that Mazda redesigned their exhaust system after 2001 as well. Either way, I just swapped out the stock rusted-out exhaust (j-pipe back) on my wife's 2001 Protege LX 1.6L with one from a 2002 Protege LX 2.0L. Just thought it would be a good idea to put this out there.
AzteCypher
black ops modifications..
- :
- 2001 Mazda Protege LX
I just acquired a midpipe for a Mazdaspeed. I'm going to see how well it fits my 1.6L and post my results hopefully by next weekend.
Well based on my experience today I'm pretty sure I can answer this with certainty. The MSP midpipe has two cats on it and a O2 sensor bung between them due to the turbo stuff further upstream. However, depsite that difference I'm certain it will bolt into place without any issues because all Proteges have the same parts down there. Hopefully you have a header or something because you definitely won't be seeing any gains with 3 cats!
