Just a couple questions...n00b

OK guys and gals, here goes nothing!

I bought an 03' Protege 5 about 2 weeks ago and I travel around 1,200 miles a week. Right now I'm getting 34.4 MPG and I was looking to increase that a little by adding the MazdaSpeend axle-back and maybe a K&N drop in. I'm not looking at modding the car much but I figure by opening up the air flow a little, I can free up some HP. I might bore out the air box like I did in my old Jetta, that seemed to hel a little.

I guess the reason for my post is to see if you have some insight or can tell me where to find the exhaust I speak of or a good place to get some parts for P5's?

Thanks all! :beer:
 
34.4 is really good actually, the mazdaspeed axelback wont give you any gain, and the drop in probably won't be noticable either...

I wouldn't balk at that kind of mileage, I wish I was getting that!
 
34.4mpg is incredibly good for a protege from what I've seen. Don't touch anything, you might upset the delicate balance. (boom01)

I'm lucky to get your mileage -10.
 
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A short ram intake, like the one AEM sells, will increase your milage a smidge. Also, make sure that your tires are fully inflated.
 
I guess my only concern is that the car revs at around 3,600 RPM's when I'm going 70...almost like it needs another gear. It still gets great gas mileage at that RPM but it seems hard on the girl. I'm at 364.9 for this tank and have just under a 1/4 tank left.

BTW...the car was a salvage that I picked up for $7,900 with 19,991 milles and only had minor rear end damage. No popped bags or glass and I had my father, who is a body man of 41 years at a look and the car was in great shape.
 
34 mpg? wow, do not change a thing! I get 31 on the highway, but that is after swicthing to full synthetic in the engine and transmission. I have a K&N, but it is on the endof an ebay intake, which I have had for 2 years with no problems. I just clean the filter. Also, the mazdaspeed exhaust is known for making a droning sound on the highway, which may make you go crazy. I think the Megan does not drone, according to reports. I have the Racing Beat $450 exhaust, and it does not drone, even with an aftermarket header.

the rpms are normal, I noticed that right off the bat. Too bad there is no 6th gear modification we could do. That would rock.

but 34 MPG is great! Congrats!
 
Yeah. I tried making a sixth gear out of some tinker-toys I had laying around. It didn't work the way I planned.
 
check out NSN, they are soon to be selling kit to increase gas mileage in the highest gear, PM Steve (Turfburn) for more details
 
Pretzellogic said:
Yeah. I tried making a sixth gear out of some tinker-toys I had laying around. It didn't work the way I planned.

try Technix or K'nex next time
 
Forgive us Bobby, we are all a little crazy. But we mean well!

And I am sure everyone knows that you just need to JB Weld a 6th gear from an RX-8 to the outside of the trans for it to work. Mine keeps falling off though.
 
ditto

I got 34.4 on my last trip......5-30 Mobil 1, racing beat cat-back, and K&N drop in......you'll love the deep not too loud sound.....
 
Ahhhh...you talk about being crazy?!?!?
I just unloaded my 01' Jetta....crazy?

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Anyway....so the MPG is good? Awesome, I won't touch anything right now!
 
doctormike said:
I got 34.4 on my last trip......5-30 Mobil 1, racing beat cat-back, and K&N drop in......you'll love the deep not too loud sound.....

is your racingbeat the mazda sport/mazdaspeed one, or the one like I have?
 
why did you unload that gorgeous car? I mean, I know a P5 is hard to resist, but man.....beautiful doesn't even begin to describe that VW


Hey, the name bobbydigital sounds really familiar, are you on any other message boards?
 
I mean, I LOVE my P5 and all, but, COME ON (ugh) ! Seriously, y'd u dump the VW? That thing roxxord ;)
 
bought it straight from racing beat

RaiderMP5 said:
is your racingbeat the mazda sport/mazdaspeed one, or the one like I have?
........not from mazda....and bolted it on myself....it's the best!!!!!!!
 
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