JosueP5's '03 Protege5 Build Thread.

[Josue6WGN]

This has got to be one of the quickest build threads I've seen. Good work buddy!

Thanks mang! I don't mess around!

 

[CheeseHelmet]

The OEM mounts appeared to be in decent condition still. No cracks or dry rott or anything. And I hosed the EGR valve out with throttle body cleaner before installing the manifold, but maybe I didn't do a good enough job?

Did you put some oil on the valve stem and the actuator? It might help a little. I *think* I remember Evan talking about cleaning his EGR in the past so it's probably on its way out.

Why not try the valve from the old motor?

 

[Josue6WGN]

LOL...it is my valve. The only thing of Evan's is the block and head.

I didn't oil anything though, just shot a bunch of cleaner in there, dumped it, then let it dry overnight. I couldn't see a way to get anything in there to wipe it out?

 

[CheeseHelmet]

doh!

You can take apart the valve, there are 4 Philips screws that hold it together. Then you'll have better access to the valve stem and the actuator.

 

[o0n8]

you drove to Tennesee, bought the car, drove back, did a motor swap and had it all running before I finished mine. Man I work slow.

everything looks great! I would bet on the egr maybe dirty giving you the rough idle. I've never deleted my butterflies from my intake so i wouldn't know if that would do it.

 

[bullshark524]

dude those headlights look mint and great job on getting it running

 

[Josue6WGN]

Haha....well, in my defense, we only drive to Elizabethtown, KY. hehe Alot of this time was spent waiting as well! Bought the car on a Saturday, didn't tear it apart until a Sunday, 8 days later, then had to wait for Evan's motor the following weekend, then picked it up 3 days later, timing belt and accs. the next day, dropped it in 2 days later, and had it running the next day! If I could've gotten the motor the week I bought the car, I could've had it going the following weekend.

Little things on the agenda now. My Prosport Voltmeter gauge should be here this week, might try to better clean that EGR, and big audio overhaul, and I need to put the wife to work detailing the interior. She used to detail cars when we 1st met.

Put about 70 miles on it today though! Doin WORK!

Hahaha

The wife driving it. She was having more fun than ME!! She says it's like a big go kart. LOL

One of our boxers, Henley, on his 1st ride! He's only 5 months old, and he hopped right into the back. I love this thing already!

He gets tired after class...lol

 

[CheeseHelmet]

^Awesome

I also find the rear suspension to be a tad soft; add weight back there and the whole ass of the car is dragging. It's good to see it's not just my car...

 

[Josue6WGN]

I honestly don't care for how low the back sits as it is. I don't know if the rear is physically lower than the front, or if it's just an illusion from the shape of the lip, but it looks like the back is lower than the front. Not a fan of "cali-style"...

 

[goodfornothing]

Look great man! I'm glad you're enjoying the p5
Super quick build! Btw, I received the boost gauge and vac block. It's awesome

 

[Josue6WGN]

Thanks!

Glad the stuff made it there ok. I decided to keep the water temp gauge, and I ordered a voltmeter last week...cool gauges!! Now I need to research where to hook them into. I know there's probably thousands of people running gauges on here, it's so much easier for someone to just tell me...."Hook the white wire to THIS wire, hook the red wire to THAT wire, best ground is found HERE" etc...hahaha

 

[goodfornothing]

I tapped into my radio harness since I installed an aftermarket head-unit. It was pretty easy since the radio harness wires were labeled; I just soldered the constant 12v, acc/ign 12v, and ground wires from the gauges I'm running to make it's own harness then used T-Taps to connect them to the according radio harness wires. So my gauges go on when the radio is on

If you need more info let me know, unless someone else recommends doing it differently.

 

[CTt3P5]

Congrats Josh! Engine bay does look good...I see you opted to keep the ForceFed vc and installed Evan's header. And those headlights look fantastic! Sux about the CDM lights...that was one helluva bargain...damn UPS.

 

[Josue6WGN]

I tapped into my radio harness since I installed an aftermarket head-unit. It was pretty easy since the radio harness wires were labeled; I just soldered the constant 12v, acc/ign 12v, and ground wires from the gauges I'm running to make it's own harness then used T-Taps to connect them to the according radio harness wires. So my gauges go on when the radio is on

If you need more info let me know, unless someone else recommends doing it differently.

I'll keep that process in mind!

Congrats Josh! Engine bay does look good...I see you opted to keep the ForceFed vc and installed Evan's header. And those headlights look fantastic! Sux about the CDM lights...that was one helluva bargain...damn UPS.

Yea, that VC is a really nice piece. I saw he's having a hard time selling his, and keeps dropping the price. So, by the time I would be able to sell this one, I'd probably have to drop the price under $100 or something, and it wasn't worth it to sell it.

On the fence about the header still. I just installed it because I don't have a stock mani/cat yet. It sounds cool and all, but I can see it getting annoying real quick. It's not too bad now, because this is such a new experience to me to be driving this car, we'll just have to see what happens.

 

[ProjectBlack]

Looks great! What exhaust are you running? I love that tip (TWSS)!

 

[Josue6WGN]

It's a Magnaflow system. Sounds pretty good, little ricey, but not bad. The header is a good part of it as well.

 

[ProjectBlack]

I'm running OBX header, Hi-flow cat, and a Megan cat back...that is freakin RICEY!! I will probably be ditching the Megan muffler and welding something else up.

 

[Josue6WGN]

I forgot I also have a Mayhem Brothers midpipe as well. It's cool buzzing around town now...we'll see how long it lasts. lol

 

[CTt3P5]

First I have heard of the Magnaflow sounding ricey even with a header. Is your midpipe catted?

 

[Josue6WGN]

Yup! And there's also a resonator on the system as well.

I might be exaggerating a bit though. I've never been around these things period, let alone with exhausts. So, I might not be the best to judge the sound. It might be quiet to you guys? I just hear "that sound" and kind of automatically think rice. Haha

I bought the wife a new Nikon that also shoots 1080p video, maybe I'll make one and post it.