Just got a P5 what now?

[pony5oh]

Hello All,
I jsut bought an '03 Protege5 with 23k miles. I really like the carting to do some mild stuff to it. I was thinking of a cold air intake but saw tons on e-bay and wanted to see if anyone has any pics of a cold air intake installed on the Protege and how well it works?

Also what are the "must do" mods? Intake? Exhaust? Chip? Wheels?

THANKS!

 

[mogi]

if you want to stay N/A, most people here do intake/header/exhaust
if you want F/I, look into the MAM or HiBoost turbo kits
there is also a super charger in development called WOMP on the forums here, haven't checked up on it in a while, but it has been under flame wars between forum members for a while, hehe

 

[Protege52003]

welcome to the board and nice choice on the P5. the ebay intakes are fine.

i use a SRI ebay intake on my car and it is nice. you save good money going with the ebay version.

there are pics of the CAI.....sure someone will post one for you.

there are many exhaust options. some are louder than others.....

 

[stdntDrvr]

1. lower it & tint the windows
2. intake
3. header
4. catback
5. cams
6. wheels & appearance

i have an injen...but if i had to replace it, i'd get the k&n typhoon...a lot of people have the ebay intakes...but i like the looks of the injen

 

[nate0123]

must-do mods IMO:
Kartboy short shifter and bushings (if manual)
Stiffer lowering springs

then for a bump in hp:
OBX header

and sound:
AEM short ram intake (if you go generic, make sure you get one with a good filter)
Mazda sport axle-back exhaust

for appearance and to keep the car cool:
20-35% tint

appearance mods are up to your tastes, really - as far as wheels and tires, the stock wheels are reasonably light (16 lbs) so if you want an upgrade, some 205/50-16 or 205/45-16 performance tires would do the trick

 

[pony5oh]

Kooooool,
Thanks for the pics...is that the cold air intake? I am going to keep it NA, and I already tinted the windows. Its a black one with no sunroof.
How about exhaust? Maybe a full catback system that isnt to loud? I have been looking for a performance exhaust that wont make everone else in my apartment complex want to kill me.?
Pics of engine compartmets are great! how about some nice wheels? Anyone know any killer looking black ones? Mabe 17's

thanks again

 

[nate0123]

full catback system that isn't too loud - Racing Beat - here ya go <a href="http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110427">click</a>

 

[Protege52003]

..is that the cold air intake? I am going to keep it NA, and I already tinted the windows. thanks again

n/p....

short ram intake on my car.....
there is no difference in gains from SRI or CAI.....
racing beat makes a nice exhaust for our cars.....

get yout windows tinted, drop your ride and put a nice sound system put in....

-R

 

[SlimMilkMan327]

only difference between sri and cai is the sri is pulling in air from the engine compartment to the engine, meaning it's bringing in hot air to power the car, the cai is bringing air from outside the vehicle, bringing in cooler to cold air to the engine. The colder air is healthier for the engine, but idk if it will give any gains or not

 

[Protege52003]

Search the Photo section:

You will see many cars with nice pics of different things you can do to your P5.

Here are some new pics of my ride:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=108040&page=1&pp=15

 

[J dragon]

You get air Either way from the outside weither it's SRI, or Cai, Just CAI's get it up under the fender well, and SRI's get it from under the entire hood which at times is Hot air...

CAI's - hydrolock
SRI's - Heat soak

It's your decision....and don't believe what some say...YOU DO GET GAINS!! get an intake ^_^

 

[stdntDrvr]

i've had a cai for 2 years...no hydrolock

 

[SkinnyJoint]

only difference between sri and cai is the sri is pulling in air from the engine compartment to the engine, meaning it's bringing in hot air to power the car, the cai is bringing air from outside the vehicle, bringing in cooler to cold air to the engine. The colder air is healthier for the engine but idk if it will give any gains or not

ok well technicaly yes it would cause gains because cold air is more dense and we should all know where im going with this

 

[memo79]

Yay for another black p5!!!

 

[SlowPro98]

First thing I did was changed the Headunit, then dropped in a K&N.

 

[Protege52003]

^^^

what are you going to be driving saturday bill? where ever we go?

 

[WRCprotege]

i have a e-bay cai, and it made a differance.. i changed it alot, short ram to cai, and i can say that the cai works a little better, and with the longer intake the midrange power keeps its punch and dosnt drop off at the upper end, and the short ram lacks that mid punch and mabey pulls a little bit harder at the very upper end, which without the MP3 ecu i dont think the car can use this range very well, overall i think the cai is best.. i also have the MP3 ecu, which helped the most, the car keeps pullin to redline.. the stock MSP exhaust, good note , not to loud, and a little better performance...if your looking to drive your new car then, a rear swaybar and springs/coilovers are a must.. i have skunk2s and the AWR 21.5 mm rear sway.. a few more mods on the way, but the car is fun to drive and seems to do everything well... just remember, to mod you car is to improve it, so dont change something just to chage it, improve the things that need improving, in the order that fits YOU, and you will have a respected car
and congrats on the ride!! a good choice

 

[INGREXCO]

if your low on funds you could just get rid of the airbox resonator and drop in a kn panel filter...

 

[snowblazin]

if your low on funds you could just get rid of the airbox resonator and drop in a kn panel filter...

^^^ I just picked one of these up a few days ago, what a difference!

 

[Mad Hatter]

full catback system that isn't too loud - Racing Beat - here ya go <a href="http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=110427">click</a>

Thanks, before I get rid of it, I'm going to try installing a catless midpipe.