Bought a 2003.5 MSP missing the turbo

That engine shot shows what appears to be a NON-MSP transaxle. Same goes for the heatshield on the exhaust manifold.
 
That engine shot shows what appears to be a NON-MSP transaxle. Same goes for the heatshield on the exhaust manifold.

Now that would hurt. I have another MSP to compare it to. What is the giveaway? The transaxle that is. The heat shield is pretty obvious. Also where might be the VIN# or application code (e.g. Mazdaspeed) stamped on the motor?
 
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That engine shot shows what appears to be a NON-MSP transaxle. Same goes for the heatshield on the exhaust manifold.

there's NO difference, except for the LSD... so it doesn't really matter.. and he knows it's not msp exhaust.. as he bought it without turbo..so it's prolly got NA header on it.
 
well obviously the heatshield is going to be off a NA car because it was converted back to NA..

as for the tranny...the only difference is that the msp has a limited slip..(cant tell from the outside) and they have thicker axles... so i dont see how you are saying its a regular protege tranny
 
well obviously the heatshield is going to be off a NA car because it was converted back to NA..

as for the tranny...the only difference is that the msp has a limited slip..(cant tell from the outside) and they have thicker axles... so i dont see how you are saying its a regular protege tranny
rofl... exactly..
none of which you can tell by looking at it!
 
Looks like it might have had a FMIC on at some point since the rad overflow is moved I don't see nay other reason to move it
 
there's NO difference, except for the LSD... so it doesn't really matter.. and he knows it's not msp exhaust.. as he bought it without turbo..so it's prolly got NA header on it.

There's enough differences including the LSD. It would matter to me all things considered and makes me think its a KNOCK-OFF MSP!

But no it don't really matter as its not my $.
 
Now that would hurt. I have another MSP to compare it to. What is the giveaway? The transaxle that is. The heat shield is pretty obvious. Also where might be the VIN# or application code (e.g. Mazdaspeed) stamped on the motor?

The casting marks on the case is what I noticed first as being different.
 
Must have missed a zero there.

not really. you don't seem to need too much.most things you can get used for cheap. exhaust is a tradeable thing. and used parts work fine.


There's enough differences including the LSD. It would matter to me all things considered and makes me think its a KNOCK-OFF MSP!

But no it don't really matter as its not my $.

and, it's clearly not a knock off, as the vin number matches for the msp directory.
 
Well. finally got around to looking at it again. I cannot find any obvious frame damage. The radiator support was not pulled as I originally thought.

Body and paint are really good minus the bumper fit. Paint on the new hood is not as good. A few PDR-able dings and a scratch on the rear bumper.

I drove it around and it is terrible slow (and loud). Shifts fine. All original suspension pieces. A/C blows cold.

No MAF that I can see. One fan.

Fantastic interior. No smoke, no stains, no apparent wear.

This car is should be brought back. Will make a great car for someone who totalled theirs or wants to build something special.

I took a bunch more pictures. Here are a few.
 

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how does the thing RUN with no maf?! that would explain the painful slowness, but, with the ECU seeing NO maf voltage.. I don't know how thing thing even turns over.
 
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