Beating the dead horse...

[mustangsvo85]

I may be late to the Protege performance scene, but I love my 2000 ES with the 1.8. Currently have a crappy header, aem cold air intake, and mazda speed cat back. I'm ready to build the engine. From what I've read, the fsze intake and exhaust cams are the way to go, but now I'm concerned with the stock computer and it's limits.

If I run the fsze pistons for 9.7-1 compression vs my stock 9.1-1, will I have issues without a new tune or piggy back system? It's a daily driver.

Is there a slightly lighter than stock flywheel option or am I stuck with a 7-8 lb aluminum one?

Any reason why the entire SR pulley set isn't a great idea??

Is the fsze intake manifold swap fairly easy or do I have to reprogram or add additional engine management for that?

I like to at least polish exhaust ports and the combustion chamber when I have heads torn down, anyone have any guides to slightly porting or at least un-boogering the head on these engines?

It's a daily driver, I'd prefer not to do piggy back ECU stuff, but I have no problem getting it tuned if someone has figured out how to manipulate these computers.

Sorry if these questions have been asked a million times over, I've spent a least 24 hours searching the whole web and I'm just more confused haha.

 

[03protolx]

Hello!

What are you trying to accomplish? The ZE pistons are considered "high Compression" and mixed with a stock ecu you're not going to see much of a gain. They do make many flywheel options.

The ze intake manifold will work, but the 626 intake manifold is better. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123735161-Tips-on-installing-626-intake-manifold

If you want to go turbo, keep your stock pistons.

 

[mustangsvo85]

I'm failing to understand why running slightly higher compression won't just make more power with the stock ecu, could you explain it to me??

I have only found super lightweight aluminum flywheels, around 7-8 pounds, I think I've read that mine is around 18-22 lbs. I have read there is a mazdaspeed flywheel available around 16lbs.

Definitely not going turbo. I know its the only true path to respectable power, but it's just a daily driver that needs an engine rebuild. My goal is to liven this old car up. I'd be ecstatic with 25-30 extra horses over stock.

Thanks for the help!!

 

[03protolx]

Having only the ZE pistons and not having the intake, cams, and exhaust manifold (eliminating most of the ZE's counterparts) wont get you much of a gain. Now...im sure others will chime in as well, but if you're wanting to go all the way ZE..youll want to get a different engine management system and eventually turns into high $$$ for just a daily driver.

If all you need is a rebuild, get yourself forged rods and some aftermarket pistons and you'd be set. no need to scorch the internet for overseas "stock" pistons.

with a header/intake manifold swap to 626 intake manifold/exhaust (the mazdaspeed racing beat exhaust is a popular option)...you could look to gain about 10-20 hp.

As far as a lightweight flywheel, you're not really making more horsepower you're just making your engine rev easier. the mazdaspeed flywheel is one of the best options that were designed for our cars and anything under that is either going to shatter or is for extreme race applications.

The stock ecu already has "pre-set" air/fuel/ignition tune and changing the way the three combust will honestly probably make it run like crap. Im not too sure with the fs as i've never dealt with high compression pistons in the fs, but that's the usual issue.

 

[mustangsvo85]

I've called a few of the bigger Mazda performance parts companies and there just isn't anything left on the shelf.

SR Motorsports still has their 9lb flywheel available as well as the drive and accessory pulleys.

Corksport and Racingmazda.com doesn't have much for NA protgs.

Protege garage is under new ownership and they are pretty much don't with protege parts.

I guess I'm stuck with a stock rebuild.

 

[hornsfan10609]

Swap an FSDE and turbo it

 

[mustangsvo85]

i was under the impression that the 2.0 swap isn't worth it for my model. Turbo sounds like the only way left though.

 

[03protolx]

the fs is a GREAT motor, just when it's in the original N/A form. you could always go forged, and go up to 15-18 psi (based off of what I learned on here).