Choices for upgrades?

[ejdesign]

Hey all, what's up?
I'm new to this forum and being a mazda owner as well.
Just bought a '02 Protege 5 and I want to do some mod's on it, but i have never done anything like this before.
Any suggestions on where to start or what to start with :
Cold air intake, throttle body spacer, muffler...etc.

And by the way, I was looking for throttle body spacers online and didnt find much...any suggestions of manufacturers to look at?

Thanks all.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Hi, welcome to our awesome protege forum.
My suggestion is get muffler and intake first and then do other things
oh..be sure to get DaveB's custom chrome guage rings and justin's custom made antenna.
you can check my sigs to their emails or pictures.
good luck~!

 

[Sir Nuke]

hey dude....and Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. (stash)

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!! (stash)

where you would start would depend on where your interests are.....handling? speed? audio?

 

[haig]

I say speed

Sir Nuke, I think for the new p5 owner, getting more power is what is needed, since the handling is alright stock...

ejdesign: the real question is NA (naturally aspirated) or FI (forced induction, read turbo/supercharged)...after that is answered though, I think it's all about budget!!!

if you're going NA, then intake and exhaust are the first and relatively most inexpensive choices...

the decision to be made is SRI( short ram intake) or CAI (cold air intake)...significant price difference, but not that much more HP from the CAI...with intakes, it's all about throttle response...

anyhow, after that, how about a Racing Beat cat back exhaust...

if you go CAI and RB catback, I say you would gain about 7-10 WHP...someone correct me if I'm wrong...

if you're going FI, that's a totally different story into which I would not want to mislead you, as I am not FI-ing my p5...

 

[1sty]

If you want any real power gains then you need a turbo, no other choice!
If not buy audio equipment .

 

[Bijou-MP5]

1st MP3 in NH, I didn't know you were tweeter installer.
yesterday, I went to tweeter to get 4 guage amp wires and I saw tweeter selling car audio stuff and man...they were really expensive...

 

[1sty]

Actualy we have the same if not lower advertise prices then any chain retailer or even small shops. We only put up the minimum advertised prices set by the manufactures.

In fact we even have an entire devision that will automaticly mail you a check if there is a sale in another store on a product you just bought from us. You don't even have to scan the papers for adds, we do it.

We also have a book that is updated once a week on everything we sale and what are compeditors have it for. We are always the same or less.

Te only reason we seem more expensive is we simply have a level of equipment you can NOT find at bestbuy or circuit city.

We have brands like Martin Logan, B&K, Sonus Farber, Vienna Acoustic that are ONLY high line.

In car audio we crry the brands that other people do but we carry the best models other stores will not.

Example, right now from us you can get a Kenwood KFW3005 12" sub in a 12" sub box (POS R/T) and an alpine MRP-T130, 130 watt rms ( No peak power bulls***!) for $149.99

Take the Alpine CDA-9805 as another example. We have it for $199, At Circuit sity it is the same damn price and small stores will sell it for $220.

On the highline end we carry the MB quart Q series component speakers and the Boston Acoustics Z series. The alpine V12 Series amps and the entire JL audio line of equipment.
After $200 we only carry the Kenwood Excelon radios not the regular kenwood line. We also have the Kenwood excelon amps.
Also if one of our porduct manufactrers makes it we can order it, try that in Best buy. The only limitation is I can't get Alpine f1 status equipment.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Te only reason we seem more expensive is we simply have a level of equipment you can NOT find at bestbuy or circuit city.

that was it, I could only see the high quality units such as plasma TV's and other electronics.
THank you for your nice information

We also have a book that is updated once a week on everything we sale and what are compeditors have it for. We are always the same or less.

do you guys to price match then?

 

[1sty]

that was it, I could only see the high quality units such as plasma TV's and other electronics.
THank you for your nice information

[/b]

do you guys to price match then? [/B]

Yes we price match but it is totaly unneeded.
We actualy shop our compeditors twice a week and scan all there adds. We basicly price match long before you can ask us too.

However on the off chance you do see it for less somewhere else and it was not a limited sale or part of something else (like a free DVD player but only if you buy a Plasma deal, although we do put together similair deals based on competition now) or refurbished/open box unit the we call the store to make sure that is the price and thats what we will sell it to you for.

Another note is there is a month long sale on right now and ALOT of stuf is actualy marked down about 10-20% Example the kenwood KDC-4022 head unit is usualy $179.99 and that is what I have sold it for for 3 months. This month it is down to something nuts like $151! (wow)

As for Plasmas we have them from $3500 to $20k.

On another side if you need a plasma, contact me directly as I work fulltime for another retailer that I can get you a Fujitsu Plasma for a SERIOUS discount that has a full manufacturer warrenty. I can ship them anywhere too.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

As for Plasmas we have them from $3500 to $20k.

On another side if you need a plasma, contact me directly as I work fulltime for another retailer that I can get you a Fujitsu Plasma for a SERIOUS discount that has a full manufacturer warrenty. I can ship them anywhere too

1st MP3 in NH thank you so much for your offer, however, plasma is too much for me right now...
I am currently looking for car audio upgrade. I have sony mx600 and I like the looks but I don't like the sounds of it.
and how much tweeter usually charge for HU installation?

 

[1sty]

Basic install is $45 and then its only $15 for the kit and $15 for the wire harness.

The porblem is we don't carry a good install kit for the Protege yet, so you may even get a discount on a custom dash mount.
Can't hurt to find out atleast .

 

[Bijou-MP5]

hey 1st MP3 in NH, I don't want to be really cheap but right now circuitcity and bestbuy offers free installation on any purchase of receiver above $99.
do you know if this will apply to the tweeter too?
I don't feel comfortable buying things from other stores anymore. When I see tweeter, bestbuy, and circuitcity at same time. I can only see tweeter as professional vendor. they seems to know stuff where others just say don't have it or don't know.
thanks
btw...tweeter guys are really friendly and nice

 

[akhilleus]

Ummm Yeah tweeter sux. Overpriced when u can go to Crutchfield and get the same stuff for less. The one near me has a horribly small installation bay and they have screwed up numerous installs unlike Best Buy and they dont even have that good of a selection ..just Alpine(Yeah) Eclipse kenwood and Boston...not much.Crutchfield all the way.

 

[1sty]

akhilleus

Crutchfield and Tweeter sell for the same damn price, PERIOD!

Tweeter has the entire Alpine, BA, JL, Kenwood, Eclipse, and Pioneer lines. Thats alot of product!

If you r local tweeter has messed up an install, Go directly to the store manager. He he is not resposive call coperate.
They don't F-around.

Tweeter has the most responsive cooperate offices of any retailer I have ever known let alone worked for.

If you have had issues and can't find who to contact let me know and I will get you on the right track.

 

[Bijou-MP5]

akhilleus.. like 1st MP3 in NH said, don't just judge how bad they are if you only been to one place or two.
Whenever I need something, I go to different store location but same store to compare.
for circuitcity, I have been 5 different places to look for 4 amp guage wires and only one place was kind enough to give me good information.
however, I ended up buying wires from tweeter for really good price. circuitcity was waiting for their shipment but they didn't know when their shipment comes.

 

[akhilleus]

Umm yeah i talked to them...they blew me off and unlike tweeter crutchfield can do various payment plans, also they carry brands that tweeter doesnt like Infinity which are much better than boston. They didnt have the new alpine subwoofers when i went and i had to get them through Crutchfield and finally their mobile audio dept looks like s***..empty spaces and low selection. Sorry, i tried them when they first opened a couple of years back but they have just gone downhill.

 

[1sty]

hey 1st MP3 in NH, I don't want to be really cheap but right now circuitcity and bestbuy offers free installation on any purchase of receiver above $99.
do you know if this will apply to the tweeter too?
I don't feel comfortable buying things from other stores anymore. When I see tweeter, bestbuy, and circuitcity at same time. I can only see tweeter as professional vendor. they seems to know stuff where others just say don't have it or don't know.
thanks
btw...tweeter guys are really friendly and nice

We will VERy rarely allow a free radio install. Theres a few reasons for this.
First, Installers at tweeter are on commision. If they do a radio for free then they get $0!
Second, are installs are warrentied for the life of the car!
Thrid, we will reinstall your factory equipment for you if you decide to get a new car in the future.

The free install is a powerfull tool as a consumer though. As is crutchfield offering free dash kits and harnesses. If I were on the other side of the counter today I would bring these up at the very end of the sale when you have decided what you want and the salesmen has invested time with you. Mention that another retailer ( CC, BB, Crutchfiled, who ever) has it for the same price but is doing free install or has kits for free. Many times they will say no first but if you go to leave they will offer a discount on a radio to get you closer to the price of another retailer.

As a salesmen at Tweeter, if you came in and I helped you find a deck and we got ready to write it up and you mention the free install I will offer what I can if you've been cool. If you are a royal pain in the ass and basicly wasted my time I will tell you no way, we aren't matching the price just to get you to go away.
Ahh, honesty, refreshing huh?

Also keep in mind many other stores say free install but then charge you a materials line seperate from the dash kit and harness. Materials to install a radio consist of $0.20 worth of butt connectors and tape. Often they will charge $10+ though. The free install is only for VERY easy cars many times. 96 Corrollas come to mind. Otherwise its the full $40 or whatever.

Enjoy!

 

[Bijou-MP5]

Second, are installs are warrentied for the life of the car!
Thrid, we will reinstall your factory equipment for you if you decide to get a new car in the future.

I'm saving money right now for new HU. I will visit tweeter shortly. thank you 1st MP3 in NH for prompt and good infos (thumb)

 

[1sty]

Umm yeah i talked to them...they blew me off and unlike tweeter crutchfield can do various payment plans, also they carry brands that tweeter doesnt like Infinity which are much better than boston. They didnt have the new alpine subwoofers when i went and i had to get them through Crutchfield and finally their mobile audio dept looks like s***..empty spaces and low selection. Sorry, i tried them when they first opened a couple of years back but they have just gone downhill.

All the stores are different.
What was the issue and did you talk to the manager?
Did you pursue with corperate?
Do you still want to let someone know what happened?

As for infinity being better then BA. NOT ON THERE BEST DAY!
The BA Z series components ($1000) are one of the best speakers I have ever heard! Even BAs rally series componets are 20 times smoother then Infinity, not to mention can take a royal ass beating!

The Alpine subs are rarely carried, simple reason why. EVERYTHING SMACKS THEM AROUND.
I won't even put them on the floor anymore. Even the older crappy kenwood subs can sound as good if not better then the type S subs. Next to the JLs they just aren't any good. The Type Rs are better but for the price point still won't win any AB comparisions with our other gear.

Id that facility is in that bad of shape, I would personaly consider it a huge favor if you wrote cooperate a letter about it. Many times mobile audio is treated like the bastard child of Tweeter. For example my store is getting $180,000 for renivations. Every room of home audio is being rebuilt and updated. NOT ONE DAMN THING IN MOBILE IS BEING TOUCHED:wtf:
I have Boards that predate 8 guage wiring for amps for christ sakes. Yep thats right 10 guage wires to all my amps. Ever try to run a kicker 1200.1 with 10 guage! The only part of the mobile department that is being changed is the desk becuase its ugly. THATS IT.

OK, I am calm and done now .

 

[1sty]

I'm saving money right now for new HU. I will visit tweeter shortly. thank you 1st MP3 in NH for prompt and good infos (thumb)

Do you know what you wanted yet?