Help Me Spend My Money!!!

[Browder]

I'm a new owner of a used Protege5. 2002, all black with black leather. AS of right now, the only additions it has are a K&N filter, BFG sticky tires, and a portable Pioneer XM.

Its time for the 90,000 service. Dealership wants way to much, so I'm going to do the plugs and wires myself, get Express to do the tran flush, and my tire guy to do the wheels. I'll find someone to do the timing.

I need suggestions on the following:

1. Plugs and Plug wires (Longevity and Performance)
2. Exhaust ( something nice but not annoying, especially on the highway)
3. Brakes and Rotors (performance and looks)
4. Stereo (CD/Cassette with Ipod capability)
5. Speakers ( I already have a sub and amp, looking to replace the front and rear door speakers. I'm a professional writer so my car is an extension of my office)
6. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? I'm not looking to race, just enjoy my driving experience.

 

[Action Jackson]

Hey Welcome!

Stock wires are fine.
Racing Beat Catback is one of the most quietest and just over a 4 hp gain by itself.

 

[flipmode815]

I have some racing beat springs for sale that would look good on your ride : )

 

[whitemp5seattle]

Hey Welcome!

Stock wires are fine.
Racing Beat Catback is one of the most quietest and just over a 4 hp gain by itself.

I was about to suggest the racing beat catback from a mazdaspeed protege or mp3. It sounds great - just a touch louder than stock, but hardly noticeable. But it looks/sounds great and a lot of members on this forum (including myself) have "upgraded" to this catback.

 

[ipleadthe5th]

1st thing 1st. At 90k remove the seats and door panels, ship them to me and you should be good to go.

Nice ride, very clean. Lower her!!

 

[Browder]

HA. Ya i bet. should I send the engine as well?

 

[Nomad]

Nah, who wants that underpowered lump when I have one of my own?

That car looks familiar...

Ditch the stock antenna and get a short one, buy springs, tint the windows and get a racing beat exhaust for quietude. Get a K&N drop in filter and then stock plugs/wires.

If you want to add good sound you'll either need to get a new headunit and speakers, or get a small amp to power the front speakers and get components for the front.

Better yet, since you need help spending your money, send the money to me and I'll spend it for you to save you the hassle.

 

[NCZ13]

+1 on racing beat catback

perfect sound, not to loud, but has a nice tone at 4rpm

 

[Riken]

1. Plugs and Plug wires......NGK Iridium or long reach
2. Exhaust.............Racing Beat FTW!!!!
3. Brakes and Rotors..... Hawk HP brake pads and you can get some crossed/drilled rotos off ebay.
4. Stereo.....to many to list
5. Speakers.....some one else could help him in this. lol
6. ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS? Drop it, maybe Racing beat springs, work on your suspension. Go to protegegarage.com racingbeat.com and corksport.com and check what they have.

 

[BlkWidow]

welcome to the fourm, u picked the best color. i really like the greddy catback exhaust.

 

[Riken]

Oh and silver are faster.

 

[fatti03msp]

i have the Ebay drilled rotors and i like them, i know someone posted ebay rotors already but i paid 150 for all 4 drilled rotors look nice, and work great.

 

[Riken]

Search on ebay rotors here, I started a thread about them. Lots of info and reviews.

 

[aMaff]

You could always just send me your money. I can assure you that I can and will help you spend it. I can not assure you that it will be on your car, but it will be spent none the less


Welcome to the club

 

[whitemp5seattle]

oh, and as for the springs, check out the espelirs...lots of good reviews

 

[ricci76]

I'll second the NGK Iridium plugs and Hawk pads.

 

[p5power]

one suggestion: don't waste money on rear speakers. i did, and found out that the rear ones hardly contribute to the overall sound. You can turn them completely off without even noticing a difference. Do yourself a favor and spend the money on a good pair of front speakers and a quality head unit. that's where you'll notice a difference.

 

[Browder]

i wish you guys were more sarcastic.....

I am cracking up at some of these replies, or should I be terrified? Either way its been very beneficial.

 

[P-Funk!]

i agree with all above. if you don't have the 2002.5 with sail panel (behind the mirrors) for tweets - then get some. Upgrading to 5" separates with 1" tweets (yes - they will fit in stock panel).

Do the struts at the same time as the springs if they have never been changed.

Wait until the timing belt is due at 105K miles and then do the water pump as well.

You know the formula! Intake Header Exhaust for the motor first. Then start getting motor mounts, under drive pulley, etc...

Have a PLAN for the end product. Budget and performance goals.

 

[Riken]

i agree with all above. if you don't have the 2002.5 with sail panel (behind the mirrors) for tweets - then get some. Upgrading to 5" separates with 1" tweets (yes - they will fit in stock panel).

Do the struts at the same time as the springs if they have never been changed.

Wait until the timing belt is due at 105K miles and then do the water pump as well.

You know the formula! Intake Header Exhaust for the motor first. Then start getting motor mounts, under drive pulley, etc...

Have a PLAN for the end product. Budget and performance goals.

Well said. On the pulleys, Brach is making some pulleys for our MP5, good price too. Check it out on the FS section.