Hello! I'm a new member.

[Bad Company]

I just purchased a 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege last week and I've been digging it so far. My brother just purchased a 2005 SRT4 and as you know brothers one of us needs to have the faster sedan. I purchased my Mazdaspeed Protege with a couple modifications from the previous owner. They're as follows:
2.5" custom Apex'i exhaust, AEM intake with K&N filter, relocated MAF sensor, 2.5" Hi'Boost downpipe, Hi'Boost FMIC, Greddy Type-S BOV, stiffer AWR motor mounts, ported and polished head with port matched intake and turbo manifolds, polished valves, FELPRO MLS head gasket, Forged Motorsports wastegate with a stiffer spring suitable for 9PSI.

Where do I go from here? I understand I need to get an air-to-fuel ratio guage and a boost controller. Probably a new intake manifold, etc.?
With these upgrades what would be ''safe'' boost to run? By safe I mean max boost I could run for one or two pulls when my brother and I would race. Yes, I have read this.
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123677826

My other question is what are the lug/rim/stock tire dimensions?
Oh yeah, here's some photos. There is a bunch of snow up here in North Dakota so these photos aren't exactly up to date.

 

[i like speed]

Welcome car looks good man. Did you get it from a forum member? Are my colors off or is everything in that town pink?(uhm)

 

[Bad Company]

Yeah, the color ratio in the photos is pretty bad. I didn't take the photos. I have no idea if he's a member here but I do know that it's number 844. If that helps...??? The weather is starting to get better up here so once I get a decent 40-50 degree day I'll wash it and take some decent photos.

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

Welcome. BTW nice car.

 

[43975]

Nice start!!! at 9 psi ur pretty much at it's limit. until you forge the motor. Run a split second and "safely get maybe 12 PSI. Either way your brother is going to win head to head on the line. You'd have him beat on a road course tho...stock!
I didn't see a boost gauge listed that's important
626 intake mani is a cheap upgrade, you'll see some nice gains with an exhaust mani and better "s" pipe, and catless mid pipe. do you have a full Apexi exhaust or just the cat back section?

 

[Bad Company]

Nice start!!! at 9 psi ur pretty much at it's limit. until you forge the motor. Run a split second and "safely get maybe 12 PSI. Either way your brother is going to win head to head on the line. You'd have him beat on a road course tho...stock!
I didn't see a boost gauge listed that's important
626 intake mani is a cheap upgrade, you'll see some nice gains with an exhaust mani and better "s" pipe, and catless mid pipe. do you have a full Apexi exhaust or just the cat back section?

Would I really need a forged motor? Don't people on here run 10lbs daily on a stock motor?

Aren't manifolds like these better then a 626's?
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_163&products_id=260

What's an 's' pipe?

Yes, it does have a boost guage. It's an equiss guage that doesn't look too flashy but it gets the job done.

I was just posting stuff about the motor. It's got some suspension mods too. It has Tein springs and full racing beats tuned suspension. It also has seats that I've never seen in another Mazdaspeed Protege. What are these? How much are they?

 

[HighwayUFO]

Bitchin ride, and I don't care where the seats came from, those seats are BADASS!

 

[br289165]

That link is a 626 manifold.

Would I really need a forged motor? Don't people on here run 10lbs daily on a stock motor?

Aren't manifolds like these better then a 626's?
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?cPath=32_163&products_id=260

What's an 's' pipe?

Yes, it does have a boost guage. It's an equiss guage that doesn't look too flashy but it gets the job done.

I was just posting stuff about the motor. It's got some suspension mods too. It has Tein springs and full racing beats tuned suspension. It also has seats that I've never seen in another Mazdaspeed Protege. What are these? How much are they?

 

[LASERBLUE135]

welcome! Are you near MN border? That's a really nice friggen ride you got there, pretty well sorted out. The seats are S E X. The seats are likely ebay style with custome sliders. (check the sliders to make sure they are safe FYI).

The "S" pipe is the pipe that come directly off the turbo, its almost a foot long and is the shape of any S. You have the rest of the exhaust replace with the "downpipe" and the "catback" sections, but the "S" section is pretty restrictive (and a pain in the ass to replace). If you are really looking to go nuts you could look into a cutom "S" pipe, get yours ported, or look into the aftermarket which is very limited (corksport makes one that is known to be fragile).

Next after boost and a/f gauge you could probly look into a ecu. Good money is spent on a full system like microtech or haltech (spendy but worth it if you really want to go nuts).

Rims are 17x7 55 offset 5x114

If you want to keep up with your bros srt...probly not gonna happen, it looks like you've got a great car there (really well sorted by the previous owner), I'd stick with subtle tweeks to the suspension and just have fun with it. If you want big power you'll have to forge the motor.

If you're up for a road trip, whe're doing a dyno day here in the twin cities at the end of April...see what kind of power you're putting down.

http://www.mnmazda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3164

 

[Outlawstar98]

Welcome to the ever much growing smaller club of MSP's hahaha. Hopefully your ride treats you well.

 

[Bad Company]

Welcome to the ever much growing smaller club of MSP's hahaha. Hopefully your ride treats you well.

Thanks guys! I guess I'm going to have to rely on autocross' to beat my brother. I suppose that would prove who's the better driver.

 

[LASERBLUE135]

Thanks guys! I guess I'm going to have to rely on autocross' to beat my brother. I suppose that would prove who's the better driver.

Absolutely! Your bro goes st8 faster, you turn faster. Enjoy!

 

[HighwayUFO]

Actually, he turns and looks better while beating his brother at autoX

 

[i like speed]

Actually, he turns and looks better while beating his brother at autoX

You win at autox and at the show. He wins at the drag. 2 out of 3 ftw.

 

[jagass]

Your car looks good...Welcome, I'm new here too...

 

[Bad Company]

You win at autox and at the show. He wins at the drag. 2 out of 3 ftw.

Thanks guys! I'm actually pretty impressed so far with my MPS and you guys too. I like how you don't get that stereotypical *we'll flame you for anything* feel from here like you do at Honda-Tech and a couple of other forums.

 

[Bad Company]

What is it that's exactly 'weak' on these motors? Is it the bottom end? If I put in Forged Pistons and Rods would that be enough for...say 14 psi?

Which one of these would work better? Let me rephrase that, which one would simply work?

http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?products_id=1168

http://www.***************/Steedspeed_MSP_Turbo_Manifold_p/susteedmsp.htm

What is the difference between a Turbo Manifold and an Exhaust Manifold?

Where can I get an ''s'' pipe? What's a good brand?

The only stores I know for the MSP are *************** and ProtegeGarage.com - are there any other good ones?

I'm here to learn so feel free to ''school'' me.

 

[LASERBLUE135]

=Bad Company;4484753]What is it that's exactly 'weak' on these motors? Is it the bottom end? If I put in Forged Pistons and Rods would that be enough for...say 14 psi?

NOTE:all the responses are based on the "everyones overall" opinion of this car. Each car has its own issues. And everyone has their own opinions.

The rods are weak, pencil thin crap. A little over 200hp to the wheels is about the safe range. And this car is nice and light, so 200hp to the wheels is fine. Guy in MN ran 13.5 at 105mph at 200whp. I saw it with my own eyes.

Which one of these would work better? Let me rephrase that, which one would simply work?
both "work" the thunders had issues in the past with cracking, but should be resolved with the new versions, the steedspeed is PIMP, dyno proven to make more hp than thunder (by its own manufacturer(eyeballs)), but it is really well made and fits in the stock local, looks great and is HUGELY recomended if you can afford it.
http://siteground207.com/~protegeg/product_info.php?products_id=1168

http://www.***************/Steedspeed_MSP_Turbo_Manifold_p/susteedmsp.htm

What is the difference between a Turbo Manifold and an Exhaust Manifold?
Manifolds (turbo manifold is the "exhaust" manifold Thunder,steedspeed, etc.), the "intake" manifold replacement is the 626 manifold style.

Where can I get an ''s'' pipe? What's a good brand?
Good luck, Corksport makes one, but it is known to crack, get yours honed, or get a custom one, or you can find a GHL or ION one thats used for $$$$ but is worth it. I've got a custom one and its great, custom S pipes are not too uncomon. Guy in MN has his stock one honed and it works very well. (I'd probly recomend buying a used Stock S pipe for $50 bucks or so and have it ported/honed etc. not a bad idea. Or if you can have your ride down for a while you can have one custom made. I don't know what kind of shops are around your area.

The only stores I know for the MSP are *************** and ProtegeGarage.com <----all you need to know seriously there are just a handful of protege specific vendors, many are very good, and protege garage is a great vendor.

Basically from what I've seen, 200 whp msp's are great, mine doesn't even quite do that yet and is hella fun. If you build your motor and do 15 psi your looking a big expenses, larger turbo, forged internals, etc and you can hit 300 whp and then you start shredding gears, then you have to get PAR gears that cost a lot etc. Its all about how much you want to spend If you're looking at serious money.

Weld LSD $ / quaffe $$
fully forged built engine $$$$
Microtech/haltech ecu $$
PAR gears tranny $$$
steedspeed manifold $$
626 manifold $
GHL exhaust $$
big turbo $$
^^^ that's your 300+ whp formula

 

[Rush]

Belated welcome to the forums!

Along with what everyone else has said -- unless you really want to go crazy with your MSP, and essentially wind up rebuilding the entire engine bay, and spend a TON of money in the process, you won't be getting any big numbers as far as horsepower is concerned. But considering how light and nimble the car is, IMO, gargantuan power isn't really needed.

My MSP had a stock block with all the 'bolt-on' mods, pushed a bit over 200hp at the wheels, and felt great. I never got the desire to forge it -- it was my daily driver and a damn good one at that.

However, some MSPs seem to be 'factory freaks'. As in, they can handle more boost when most other MSPs would blow themselves up. After having my MSP for six years, and knowing what I put it through, I think I might have owned one of those. Just something to keep in mind while you're modding yours -- there are some MSP mutants out there!

An excellent thread to read through is this one:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123677826

You can also check out http://www.SpeedCircuit.net for some Protege items -- the owner of the site is on here, his name is Kooldino.

As far as the s-pipe is concerned -- the Corksport will do fine IF you have the rest of your exhaust rebuilt at the same time and add in a flex pipe, and if you have stiffer motor mounts.

Good luck!

 

[SeR_Cyclops]

I drove my MSP for about five months when i first got her with a bad WGA at about 15 pounds of boost stock. and she never blew. I love my msp.