I have a 2003 Protege5 and it has no mods done to it yet. I would like to know what mods are the best to do first. Also money is an issue right now. I was looking into HID conversion that I can get for $125 taxes in at a local shop. The other problem is that the car is an auto (which sucks). Please HELP me.
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Best mods
- Thread starter RDDGN
- Start date
- :
- 2002 22A P5 and 2007 TR MS3
Best mod is very, very, very ambiguous...
#1 is lowering springs/struts...Appearance and performance...
#2 is tint
THen it's off to the races...header/cat-back/intake....and you keep going and going...
#1 is lowering springs/struts...Appearance and performance...
#2 is tint
THen it's off to the races...header/cat-back/intake....and you keep going and going...
id prolly say get lowered first, cause im not a fan of exhausts on autos
haha ya me too kinda pisses me off everytime i hear them.
new springs AND struts is hands down the best mod. our cars are so much more fun to drive with both. springs alone wont do it. if you want to go a lil cheaper i would say rear sway bar. i first did springs and rear sway bar....thought it handled pretty dang good. finally got some tockico blues and havent connected the rear sway bar again cuz i need new end links. the sprngs and struts pretty much perform as well as my previous setup and thats without the sway bar. cant wait til i get my endlinks. right now i can hit circle on ramps to the freeway at 50mph with no squeel from the tires. its beautiful.
shane02pro5
25ish_psi
- :
- New Caney TX
I'd hold off on the struts unless they are bad they'll last a while with lower springs! Mine were still good after eibachs with 2 coils chopped off of them for like 2 years before switching to full coilovers.
And for the 5speed definately look into a shortshifter.
And for the 5speed definately look into a shortshifter.
- :
- 03.5 YLW MSP
tint, wheels, header, drop
fishdonotbounce
Registered Zombie
- :
- 08.5 CWP Speed3
It really depends on the springs that you get. Mine are a 2" drop and at least 1 strut is not blown after about 6000 miles. If you're gonna lower it, get both struts and springs like the other guy said.
As far as HID's go, if you're not sure about the reliability of whatever you're thinking about getting, Xenon Expert, an authorized vendor here, sells a DDM slimline kit for 130 with a lifetime warranty. Every single person that has it has said nothing but good things about it. I haven't seen a single complaint. Take it slow though and don't let the mod bug bite you too hard like me lately. I just spent a good 1200 on getting the lip painted, new grille, new intake, new exhaust, new........ so you can get a little carried away.
Make sure to also look at the For-Sale forums a lot. There are some AMAZING deals that pop up and you just gotta call dibs on stuff before the vultures get it lol. I almost forgot though. The struts you're gonna want are probably the Tokico HP blues since the illuminas (adjustable) are quite a bit pricier and a lot harder to find used.
I have an auto too so just realize that other than getting some naturally aspirated mods such as intake/header/exhaust and motor mounts and a few more little things, you really can't do much. Some have turbo'd their auto's but most of these guys are ppl that have other cars to rely on.
My advice is if you're wanting a couple of performance dealios (yes i said dealios), get an ebay intake such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZD...011QQitemZ320264375918QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW. I just bought it and it fits perfect. Also, since you don't really wanna sound ricey and annoying since the car is slow, get this exhaust. It's $110 and its a Mazda part so it fits perfect http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123710907. Add a header like OBX and you're set. The muffler and intake should cost you about 160 for the two and make sure to buy a K&N filter for the intake to replace the bad one that comes with it.
There are also a bunch of easy, basically free mods that make the car look a lot better such as headlight blackout, side moldings shaving and a couple other. Just look on the How-To forum and you'll find a couple of them.
Good luck man and keep us updated!
As far as HID's go, if you're not sure about the reliability of whatever you're thinking about getting, Xenon Expert, an authorized vendor here, sells a DDM slimline kit for 130 with a lifetime warranty. Every single person that has it has said nothing but good things about it. I haven't seen a single complaint. Take it slow though and don't let the mod bug bite you too hard like me lately. I just spent a good 1200 on getting the lip painted, new grille, new intake, new exhaust, new........ so you can get a little carried away.
Make sure to also look at the For-Sale forums a lot. There are some AMAZING deals that pop up and you just gotta call dibs on stuff before the vultures get it lol. I almost forgot though. The struts you're gonna want are probably the Tokico HP blues since the illuminas (adjustable) are quite a bit pricier and a lot harder to find used.
I have an auto too so just realize that other than getting some naturally aspirated mods such as intake/header/exhaust and motor mounts and a few more little things, you really can't do much. Some have turbo'd their auto's but most of these guys are ppl that have other cars to rely on.
My advice is if you're wanting a couple of performance dealios (yes i said dealios), get an ebay intake such as this one http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/MAZD...011QQitemZ320264375918QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW. I just bought it and it fits perfect. Also, since you don't really wanna sound ricey and annoying since the car is slow, get this exhaust. It's $110 and its a Mazda part so it fits perfect http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123710907. Add a header like OBX and you're set. The muffler and intake should cost you about 160 for the two and make sure to buy a K&N filter for the intake to replace the bad one that comes with it.
There are also a bunch of easy, basically free mods that make the car look a lot better such as headlight blackout, side moldings shaving and a couple other. Just look on the How-To forum and you'll find a couple of them.
Good luck man and keep us updated!
I'd hold off on the struts unless they are bad they'll last a while with lower springs! Mine were still good after eibachs with 2 coils chopped off of them for like 2 years before switching to full coilovers.
And for the 5speed definately look into a shortshifter.
i recommend to switch the struts as well is for the different valving over stock. not for the life of the shock itself... i drove over a year with only springs and didnt feel any better handling other than maybe lower center of gravity
Rockin03mp5
Member
- :
- '13 Mazda3 / '13 Edge / Your Mom
I say.
Stereo first, then whatever is cheapest on ebay or here on the forums.
(lol2)
Stereo first, then whatever is cheapest on ebay or here on the forums.
(lol2)
P5 Buffalo
Member
I am in the middle of builing my new 02 P5. I have to order a new engine still, so i have no idea how it drives, but i would stay away from the B&M short shifter. It was a pain to install for me and according to the instructions i still don't have it on correctly.
All i am saying is, if i could i would get a different ss. IMO.
All i am saying is, if i could i would get a different ss. IMO.
shane02pro5
25ish_psi
- :
- New Caney TX
I have the B&M and am very happy with it...they are all a pain in the a$$ to install!
fishdonotbounce
Registered Zombie
- :
- 08.5 CWP Speed3
Not trying to put you on the spot or anything but the guy DID say that his car is an auto so what would a shortshifter have to do with this thread?
I am in the middle of builing my new 02 P5. I have to order a new engine still, so i have no idea how it drives, but i would stay away from the B&M short shifter. It was a pain to install for me and according to the instructions i still don't have it on correctly.
All i am saying is, if i could i would get a different ss. IMO.
shane02pro5
25ish_psi
- :
- New Caney TX
Foxy5 said he was stock too and a 5spd looking for options.
fishdonotbounce
Registered Zombie
- :
- 08.5 CWP Speed3
ahhh I got ya. I was like wtf? lol my bad
Best Mods--- Totally depends on where you want to go with the car.
Show car?
Autocross?
Drag(pfffbbbttt!!! lol)
Rallycross?
F&F drift racer?
Or just all around fun daily driver?
Best mods all vary depending on what you want the car to do.
Show car?
Autocross?
Drag(pfffbbbttt!!! lol)
Rallycross?
F&F drift racer?
Or just all around fun daily driver?
Best mods all vary depending on what you want the car to do.
Last edited:
shane02pro5
25ish_psi
- :
- New Caney TX
Umm how about F&F drift racer!?
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