That sounds about right. And if you got a kick from the stock suspension, some nice struts/lowering springs and a thicker rear sway bar will make you giggle like a girl. Thats when I really started to love my car.
boostracer Poor Teenager Budget Build
- Thread starter boostracer
- Start date
xtreme velocity
Member
- :
- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege
Lookin good man. So glad I read your thread. Now I'm going to beating people up for the obx header and the mp3 ecu. Hoping to get my exhaust soon! Catback. Which brings me to a couple questions to ask everyone that might help us both out.
When installing the mp3 ecu, is it just a plug and play?
When installing the obx header, what is done with the two o2 sensors?
Finally, where do you find the obx under drive pulley?
And question for me, is all of this possible with a 1.6L? Or is it just header?
When installing the mp3 ecu, is it just a plug and play?
When installing the obx header, what is done with the two o2 sensors?
Finally, where do you find the obx under drive pulley?
And question for me, is all of this possible with a 1.6L? Or is it just header?
An MP3 ECU is probably the most cost efficient mod for a 2.0 Protege.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Sorry for the long delays in between updates guys. I haven't really gotten anything done lately except for an oil change with Castrol GTX and a K&N oil filter.
Some more pictures, some with my brother's car.
Probably my favorite picture of my car so far.
Going to the Oregon coast this weekend to see some of the redwoods and of course the ocean. Gonna be looking for an MP3 ECU here soon.
Some more pictures, some with my brother's car.
Probably my favorite picture of my car so far.
Going to the Oregon coast this weekend to see some of the redwoods and of course the ocean. Gonna be looking for an MP3 ECU here soon.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
I'm looking to lower the car, and I'm having trouble figuring out what lowering springs to get. I don't want too spend a s*** ton of money.
I was looking at these... has anyone tried these before? http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/2001_2003_protege/suspension/lowering_springs/apex_suspension/apes00166381.html
Any other suggestions? My spending limit is probably around $200.
I was looking at these... has anyone tried these before? http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/2001_2003_protege/suspension/lowering_springs/apex_suspension/apes00166381.html
Any other suggestions? My spending limit is probably around $200.
protegedude25
Member
- :
- 01 mazda protee
Where did you get shift knob at and does it screw on.
For now it'll be an axleback, but once I get the money saved for it, I'll have the Magnaflow catback.
Did some more work to the shifter, because the last one broke. So I put some electrical tape on there and tightened it, and voila! I'm really liking my new shift knob too.
For your springs, u could always buy used springs for a very good price. Hit up scratchnsniff. I got my like new eibach prokit for 150$ shipped to canada (it was 80$ shipped to us) and they are 330$ new.
Edit: i would also very much so recommend you to get new struts while you are doing ur suspension.
Edit: i would also very much so recommend you to get new struts while you are doing ur suspension.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
I'll probably get new struts when I actually get the lowering springs.
And @protegedude, it's actually a shift knob from AutoZone, so it screws on with the 3 hex screws.
My birthday is coming up, so I'm trying to figure out what I can squeeze out of family members performance parts wise for presents.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
I've been busy with MMA training and work lately, but I had some extra time on my hands last weekend, and repainted my rims a different color. I'll get some pics up when I get a second.
I'll be getting a SRI for my birthday from my brother, and I'm trying to find something special to get myself as well. I have either seats, lowering springs, sway bar, or strut tower bar in mind.
I'll be getting a SRI for my birthday from my brother, and I'm trying to find something special to get myself as well. I have either seats, lowering springs, sway bar, or strut tower bar in mind.
xtreme velocity
Member
- :
- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege
Sounds like a sweet idea! I finally shortened my shifter! Thanks for advise, although I lighter did not work for me. But a torch done the trick no problems. Lol
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
New bronze rim color. I've had black rims since I had my Fiero, and I felt it was time for a change.
And yes, before anyone asks, I tried to paint the rear right wheel with the wheel on the car. I took it off to do it the right way later. Lol.
I got some Plasti-dip, and I'm gonna take a whack at painting some interior pieces today.
And yes, before anyone asks, I tried to paint the rear right wheel with the wheel on the car. I took it off to do it the right way later. Lol.
I got some Plasti-dip, and I'm gonna take a whack at painting some interior pieces today.
xtreme velocity
Member
- :
- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege
I dipped most of my interior you better have a lot of dip cause out interior will take several coats. I think I have 7 or 8 coats on my door panels. Lol but looks good!
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
Small update since I finally have a weekend to relax.
Got my brand new intake, and plasti-dipped the center console. I'll probably go back over it later. This is the first time I've ever had a real intake, and it's awesome. Lol. The battery that's in the picture is gone, since the battery post was so corroded it actually broke off when I tried to take the terminal off.
I got the window switch trim too, and I'll have to go over that again too. I also found out that the tabs in my stock stereo are broken, so I can't take it out the easy way. Is there another way to get it out without having to go under the steering column?
Got my brand new intake, and plasti-dipped the center console. I'll probably go back over it later. This is the first time I've ever had a real intake, and it's awesome. Lol. The battery that's in the picture is gone, since the battery post was so corroded it actually broke off when I tried to take the terminal off.
I got the window switch trim too, and I'll have to go over that again too. I also found out that the tabs in my stock stereo are broken, so I can't take it out the easy way. Is there another way to get it out without having to go under the steering column?
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
2 months have flown by with nothing really special being done to the Protege.
Did a tune up with Royal Purple oil, a K&N oil filter, Pulstar spark plugs, and OE style spark plug wires and coils.
Adventured some more with Plasti-dip, plastidipping the mirrors and the thing above the license plate. I also pulled off the side moldings and I'm satisfied with the results.
And lastly, I tinted the 3rd brake light and turn signals on the side, along with re-doing the tails for the last time.
Did a tune up with Royal Purple oil, a K&N oil filter, Pulstar spark plugs, and OE style spark plug wires and coils.
Adventured some more with Plasti-dip, plastidipping the mirrors and the thing above the license plate. I also pulled off the side moldings and I'm satisfied with the results.
And lastly, I tinted the 3rd brake light and turn signals on the side, along with re-doing the tails for the last time.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
I ordered the stock P5 strut bar for my Protege, and I can't wait to see how much it helps with handling.
I also painted the intake piping low gloss black yesterday and I really like how it turned out.
The valve cover is next when I have the time.
I'll be cleaning out my EGR valve tomorrow since the Protege has been idling a little rough lately. Does anyone have any tips for cleaning it? I was planning on using Brake-Kleen and a small putty knife to scrape out the carbon.
I also painted the intake piping low gloss black yesterday and I really like how it turned out.
The valve cover is next when I have the time.
I'll be cleaning out my EGR valve tomorrow since the Protege has been idling a little rough lately. Does anyone have any tips for cleaning it? I was planning on using Brake-Kleen and a small putty knife to scrape out the carbon.
Pro tip: don't lose the gasket that's between the EGR valve and the intake manifold. Mine stayed attached to the intake manifold when i took the valve off, so i didn't know there was one in the first place. I figured there probably was one, so when i felt around in there for it, it fell off and went on the floor somewhere. Don't lose it when it falls on the floor, and if you separate the valve from the solenoid be careful with the screws holding the two together- they're extremely week and if the heads don't strip the screws will probably snap -_-
...i hate screws.
...i hate screws.
boostracer
Member
- :
- 2003 Protege ES & 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT
I hate screws too lol. I've lost count of how many screws have been broken when I've worked on a car. I'm ending up doing this today since it's about 10 degrees cooler outside and I don't have a wicked hangover.
still looking to lowwer the car for cheap these are not the best because the lowwing rings are stuck in the front but they would prob be good for ya
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123789765-Ksport-coilovers/page4
and i say turbo the car... im doing mine hopfully this weekend
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?123789765-Ksport-coilovers/page4
and i say turbo the car... im doing mine hopfully this weekend
