front end conversion

[Joe Cool]

Hi - My wife has a 2002 plain-jane Protg, and the front end was wrecked a few days ago. I joined this forum to get info on HIDs, which I now have, but now I've been hooked on the whole conversion. I dont want to do the entire conversion; I just want the front end, since my wife may think the entire car would be too much. Can someone give me details on how to do the front end? I see there is an MSP conversion, MP3, etc. Are they all the same?

Also, I will need to give this info to the bodyshop that is repairing the car, so I need as much detail as I can, if possible, since they need to order the parts. I already read the entire thread (below), but there are so many differences. Please help!

Thanks all!

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23762

 

[wannabe]

there isnt much of a difference between the msp/mp3 and p5 bumpers. the only real difference is that the p5 has side marker. the mp3 and msp are the same bumper, the msp has an additional lip that attaches to the bottom of the bumper.

to do the front end correctly, you will need:
Front bumper cover--BN7H-50-031-AA--MSRP--$204.25+paint
Lower mesh grille--B30P-50-1T1A--MSRP--$27.00
Radiator grille--BN7H-50-710A--MSRP--$58.10
Right fender splash shield--B30P-56-140A--MSRP--$66.05
Left fender splash shield--B30P-56-140A--MSRP--$66.05
Bumper reinforcement--BN7H-50-070A--MSRP--$204.55
Fog lights--BN5V-51-680--MSRP--$125.60 each
Fog light jumper harness--B30P-51-688A--MSRP--$40.10

to do it cheaply, you only truly need the first two items, but i would not recommend this because you will have to modify existing items and will have gaps.

 

[Joe Cool]

Thanks for that great reply! One look that I think is real smooth is when the Mazda logo is not there, just an empty area (or mesh?). Do you know how I can achieve that?

Also, with what you have listed, can you offer a link with pictures of what it will look like when finished? Or just post the pictures here?

Thanks again!!

 

[Joe Cool]

there isnt much of a difference between the msp/mp3 and p5 bumpers. the only real difference is that the p5 has side marker. the mp3 and msp are the same bumper, the msp has an additional lip that attaches to the bottom of the bumper.

to do the front end correctly, you will need:
Front bumper cover--BN7H-50-031-AA--MSRP--$204.25+paint

Is the bumper you have listed here the one with or without the lip (MSP or MP3)?

And here are some pictures showing what I meant by the grille not having the Mazda logo in case my last post didn't make sense. How can I get that look?

http://www.msprotege.com/members/joka1/photoshoot1/untitled.JPG


http://www.msprotege.com/members/fkmp5/sigpic.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/miaprotege/0009.jpg


Sorry for all the questions. Car's in the bodyshop ready to get repaired, so I need to give them all this information quick. (help) I have only been reading this forum since a few days ago, so it's completely new to me.

(crazy)

 

[wannabe]

Thanks for that great reply! One look that I think is real smooth is when the Mazda logo is not there, just an empty area (or mesh?). Do you know how I can achieve that?

Also, with what you have listed, can you offer a link with pictures of what it will look like when finished? Or just post the pictures here?

Thanks again!!

no problem.

the grill you speak of is referred to as the AutoExe style grill.
i have the Mp3 front end on my car. heres an old pic when only the front was done:

 

[wannabe]

Is the bumper you have listed here the one with or without the lip (MSP or MP3)?

same bumper. the lip is an additional piece that attaches to the bumper.

And here are some pictures showing what I meant by the grille not having the Mazda logo in case my last post didn't make sense. How can I get that look?

http://www.msprotege.com/members/joka1/photoshoot1/untitled.JPG


http://www.msprotege.com/members/fkmp5/sigpic.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/miaprotege/0009.jpg


Sorry for all the questions. Car's in the bodyshop ready to get repaired, so I need to give them all this information quick. (help) I have only been reading this forum since a few days ago, so it's completely new to me.

(crazy)

the first two are the Autoexe style lip. you can get it from a couple of the authorized vendors


http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?cPath=21_32_178&products_id=524

or

http://corksport.com/store/category/4qbx/99p-exterior_misc.html

the bottom one is a completely different front end, i believe that is the mint blue kit, but i'm not positive off the top of my head.

 

[D-rock240]

Hmm just realized the other thread was a duplicate post.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123653801

 

[CantCMe]

I had the same questions...thanks!!!!

 

[CantCMe]

Is the bumper you have listed here the one with or without the lip (MSP or MP3)?

And here are some pictures showing what I meant by the grille not having the Mazda logo in case my last post didn't make sense. How can I get that look?

http://www.msprotege.com/members/joka1/photoshoot1/untitled.JPG


http://www.msprotege.com/members/fkmp5/sigpic.jpg


http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y86/miaprotege/0009.jpg


Sorry for all the questions. Car's in the bodyshop ready to get repaired, so I need to give them all this information quick. (help) I have only been reading this forum since a few days ago, so it's completely new to me.

(crazy)

So how did the front end come out?

 

[Joe Cool]

pix of the car

So how did the front end come out?

It turned out quite well; thanks for asking! The bodyshop installed foglights, which I didn't have before, so that's very cool. The problem is that they didn't wire it up, since they only received the lights and no wiring assembly or switch. Beats me why they didn't take it upon themselves to get it, though. They also changed their minds and didn't install the HID system, either. They wanted to be sure if it malfunctions, it doesn't happen when we're midway driving home on the 5 hour commute. That's fine, but I wish he would have told me so my anticipation wsn't so high and so that I could have waited to get a better price on the HIDs. Anyway, please look at the link below for some quick pictures I took last week when I picked up the car (yes, THAT long - since Thanksgiving!). For some reason, after I posted those pictures, I can't post any more. (Is there a limit?) Please let me know your thoughts!

Anyway, here's the link. You may have to scroll up until you see my last post with pix of the maroon car:


http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2960078#post2960078

 

[CantCMe]

It turned out quite well; thanks for asking! The bodyshop installed foglights, which I didn't have before, so that's very cool. The problem is that they didn't wire it up, since they only received the lights and no wiring assembly or switch. Beats me why they didn't take it upon themselves to get it, though. They also changed their minds and didn't install the HID system, either. They wanted to be sure if it malfunctions, it doesn't happen when we're midway driving home on the 5 hour commute. That's fine, but I wish he would have told me so my anticipation wsn't so high and so that I could have waited to get a better price on the HIDs. Anyway, please look at the link below for some quick pictures I took last week when I picked up the car (yes, THAT long - since Thanksgiving!). For some reason, after I posted those pictures, I can't post any more. (Is there a limit?) Please let me know your thoughts!

Anyway, here's the link. You may have to scroll up until you see my last post with pix of the maroon car:


http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2960078#post2960078

Looks like they did a good job...would you recommend them for the full MSP conversion?

 

[Joe Cool]

Looks like they did a good job...would you recommend them for the full MSP conversion?

Sorry for not replying earlier; I was in Chicago over the weekend.

Anyway, no, I would NOT recommend that shop. Although the place has the word "custom" in the name of their place, they looked at me like I had 3 heads when I was asking about these little things. Like I said, they didn't even install the HIDs for me or wire up the foglights, and they HIDs still in the trunk in the FedEx box. I wonder how difficult it is to connect and if I can do it myself. Sorry, man.

My friend brought his BMW ///M3 from Chicago to get it worked on in a place in OH, however. I'm guessing he brought it way out there for a reason. I can ask him if they do custom bodywork, too. I know he's getting some evil engine mods. LMK, and I'll ask him.

 

[D-rock240]

Expert Auto Body off of S. Hanover Street in Baltimore does good work. Ask for Harl. But plan on leaving your car for a while, and he is not the best at returning phone calls. If you're patient they are worth it.