Okay so I did some research on this topic and still have a few questions. I was planning on getting this piping and this intercooler. Now for the questions...Do I need a boost gauge and AFR or is it just more of a recommended thing? Could i still use the stock bpv? because I don't want to VTA, and could I still somehow use my cold air intake or do I need to buy the short ram? The mods i currently have are the GT28R, Tubular Turbo Manifold, and Cold Air Intake.
hornsfan10609
Certified Mazda Tech
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- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege x2
You need the piping kit that includes 2 180* bend pipes, it will also have 2 90*, 2 45* and 2 straight pipes which I didn't use. You will also need a few extra couplers I used some 90* couplers that came in handy, and slim fans if you don't have them help to make room for the piping be sure to get at least a 12" fan or larger. You can run the stock BPV but it is very insufficient in flow, it is highly recommended that you upgrade you can recirculate any BOV. Boost gauge and Wideband are absolutely necessary, you really need to know how much boost you are running and if you tune the car which you certainly should you will need the WBO2. The cold air may still work or you can convert it to a short ram if you need room for the IC pipes. You also can use a spare piece of piping and buy a $20 filter to make a short ram intake, that's what I did.
I am definitely getting it tuned just had the engine rebuilt and the turbo put in so tune is coming soon. But before the tune I wanted to do either the upgraded SMIC with hard piping or just go for the FMIC. I see its all going to get pretty pricey lol but what do you think would be the cheapest route (broke college student)? is it worth all the trouble of cutting the crash bar and all that custom work for the FMIC?....and if i do a upgraded SMIC with hard piping is that worth it? just worried about diving into to this and messing something up the car already went through so much lol
hornsfan10609
Certified Mazda Tech
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- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege x2
I have the ebay FMIC kit and I installed it without cutting the crash bar. I paid about $350 total for the IC core, piping, couplers, clamps, slim fans, and a used HKS SSQV V2. A larger SMIC would probably suit you fine but I wanted the front mount for the heat here in Texas. The FMIC core does block the AC condenser so you may notice the AC will get warmer if you are just sitting idling but it works fine when you are moving. Also with the FMIC kit you can run a full size radiator depending on your pipe routing, with the SMIC you are stuck with the OEM short radiator which is more expensive to replace.
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TheMan lives in Texas and has the same smic that I do here in Florida. The MSP raditor and fans provide outstanding cooling as is with no need to change unless you go fmic. You cannot get the piping & an upgraded smic for what you can piece together the ebay fmic kit for. That was not an issue for me as I never wanted to go that route and have spent less money on improvement mods than the typical MSP owner. My stock BPV functions great even with 104,450 miles on it.
So if you are truely a broke college student don't waste your money replacing parts that you do not have too unless you have tested them and they proved to be in need of replacement.
So if you are truely a broke college student don't waste your money replacing parts that you do not have too unless you have tested them and they proved to be in need of replacement.
so that kit fits ok? I have been looking at a kit for awhile.. you have a photo of the setup?Yea I ended up just getting the weapon r hard pipes and called it a day it fixed my boost leak problem so im satisfied
keithdiamond
Member
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- 2003 Mazdaspeed Protege
hornsfan10609
Certified Mazda Tech
- :
- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege x2
The CF intake he has alone (simota?) is worth a LOT more than the weapon r kit!
hornsfan10609
Certified Mazda Tech
- :
- 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege x2
The hump couplers he has are definitely not from weapon R.
