For those who have done n/a mods

[Breeegz]

yea i have a 5spd. well im still deciding but i just want something out of this car without doing a lot of engine work. the bolt ons sound nice...the header though, i suppose, i have to do my research on. i do NOT want raspy fart sound.

oh and the mp3 ecu comes off of what car?

the MP3 was a version of Protege sold in 2001 (I thnk), basically it was the precursor to the Mazdaspeed Protege.

Intake, OBX Header, and Exhaust (custom Axelback) is basically what I did, I didn't notice much more power, but the car responded to my right foot much better. The revs were a lot quicker. It made the car a lot of fun to drive, but the best bang for the "fun to drive" buck IMO was the short shifter I installed. The short shifter gets my vote for first mod.. you won't regret it.

 

[Breeegz]

the MP3 was a version of Protege sold in 2001 (I thnk), basically it was the precursor to the Mazdaspeed Protege.

Intake, OBX Header, and Exhaust (custom Axelback) is basically what I did, I didn't notice much more power, but the car responded to my right foot much better. The revs were a lot quicker. It made the car a lot of fun to drive, but the best bang for the "fun to drive" buck IMO was the short shifter I installed. The short shifter gets my vote for first mod.. you won't regret it.

Side note... I think I would have spend a little bit more that the $60 I paid an exhaust shop to fab me an axelback. I would save up for a bolt on kit next time.

I bought the universal tip on EBay and had him install it... I had horrible highway drone without the silencer, with the silencer it was much better, but I don't think I gained much exhaust flow with that setup.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

well i planned on replacing my mazdaspeed axelback with a racing beat. might get a simota CAI and add a bypass just in case(in florida). not sure yet. seems like everyone was happy with it except for the power lol. but thats fine by me.

and looks like short shifter is the most popular. ive tested a short shifter on a nother car and wasnt fond of it (miata i think).

 

[SocialStealth]

What exactly does upgrading to a mp3 ECU do?

Do the mp3's have a better alternator than proteges? (more amps?)

Is this an easy upgrade?

any answers to this?

 

[fishdonotbounce]

The MP3 ECU is tuned MUCH better from the factory than the stock ECU. You get a gain of 4-5 horse and about as much torque but the power band and torque curve are MUCH MUCH smoother which does wonders.

I don't believe that the MP3 alternators are any different than the regular ones.

Oh and yes, it is a very easy upgrade. Just take out your ecu and put in the MP3 ecu.

 

[drgnzadiel101]

have to switch to 93 oct correct? hmm if anyone is selling one i wouldnt mind buying it asap. i know switching ecu's on hondas are easy as eating pie.

 

[fishdonotbounce]

I believe you do have to switch to premium. There's a guy doing a reflash of the stock ecu now for only 150 dollars. He basically takes your stock ECU and turns it into the MP3 ecu by flashing the MP3 software onto it. Kind of a big breakthrough for the protege. Before then, the MP3 ECU would go for about 300 dollars.

 

[hondajunkie01]

ok i just did a header,cold air intake,lightened/under drive pulley,short shifter and bushing and the car feels so much different...

i told my self that this thing is not going to be fast so im really happy with it...

and im getting my mp3 ecu tomorrow so im sure this thing will be amazing ...

also with these mods my gas mileage went up

if your looking for something better but not a race car NA is the way to go and you don't have to worry about watching ur a/f ,oil temp,oil pressure and all the no since

 

[probin94]

i told myself i was done after my mp3 ecu..but i think camshafts are next in my future....sigh(money out the window again)

 

[Ian!]

Who's reflashing ECUs? I'd be in for $150

 

[Breeegz]

will a reflash fix that hole in my block?

 

[drgnzadiel101]

i'd reflash if i could get it within 2 days. its my DD so it isnt convenient for me

 

[Rockin03mp5]

will a reflash fix that hole in my block?

duct tape

i'd reflash if i could get it within 2 days. its my DD so it isnt convenient for me

i believe you pay 250, and he sends one to you, and then you send him yours, and he refunds you 100. so you wont lose your car for any time.

click here

 

[SocialStealth]

Isnt the mp3 a 2001 model ?

Is it possible my ECU is not-as-bad because its a 2002 protege?

Is this strictly for the extra horse and torque, or does this add any other perks such as better gas millage?

 

[hondajunkie01]

Isnt the mp3 a 2001 model ?

Is it possible my ECU is not-as-bad because its a 2002 protege?

Is this strictly for the extra horse and torque, or does this add any other perks such as better gas millage?

i know the hp and tq is better and the power curve is better because of the timing and the fuel ....but im getting mine today in the mail(hopefully) and i will let you guys know how it does on gas

 

[Breeegz]

duct tape

I'll try it and let you know how that works, should I do a little video?
(ricer)

 

[BoostedPR5]

I'll try it and let you know how that works, should I do a little video?
(ricer)

Please duct tape your block and try and start it, documenting the whole thing....

 

[drgnzadiel101]

^haha


well that aint bad at all. maybe that should be my first mod then?. it'll probably be a few months before i decide anything.


did any of you have smiles on your faces when you guys did the basic mods?

 

[Breeegz]

Of course!

otherwise why would we still be going?

 

[drgnzadiel101]

hmmm total for intake, header, exhaust would be like what..$1k max right?