Lewis7789 2002 Protege5 build thread (tons of pics)

[princess peach]

Riding in a car with a certain suspension means next to nothing because your butt really isn't going to notice a 50 lb difference in spring rates unless you're actually driving it.

QTF, I thought the BCs were awesome till I drove Teds 8... I don't remember what he has but riding and driving that car is a completely different experience. Whenever I get something for the MSM it will definitively be better than BCs, will be money well spent

 

[THE Phen]

Ted has the JIC FLT-2A's.

The nice / crappy part about when you look for something for the Miata is that there are a lot more to choose from than for the 3G Proteges.

 

[iracemine]

http://www.jic-magic.com/SearchProducts.aspx?CarMakeID=5&CarModelID=23
ummm.....

 

[iracemine]

also looks like the kw you cant adjust the height like you can with the Ksports, also it looks like you also need helper springs. I did talk to Ksport and he said that Brees is running to much of a rear spring for the model struts he has. He also recommended a different model and would put any rate spring that I would want on them before shipping out, and much less than they are listed on their web site. Trying to button up this so I can get started on the steering rack.

Sorry if I am robbing your thread man.

 

[Lewis7789]

You're not robbing the thread at all, mate. The more info I learn the better. Post post post away! Hell, the more info I can get from you about your P5 the better.

And that LSD make me soil my knickers. oops.

 

[THE Phen]

http://www.jic-magic.com/SearchProducts.aspx?CarMakeID=5&CarModelID=23
ummm.....

Probably discontinued since it's an old platform. I know of 3 people that used to have JIC's on their Proteges. And what do you mean you can't adjust the height on the KW's?
http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...utoModel=Protege+5&autoYear=2003&autoModClar=

Looks adjustable to me?

 

[justanothermp5]

Well that picture doesnt show the actual setup for this car, but yes, there adjustable just like any other coilover. Im pretty sure SwirlFX is running them, and he is actually pretty low.

 

[THE Phen]

True, it's a stock photo. The description up in the right hand corner says adjustable regardless.

 

[iracemine]

sorry bad English. "like how you can" I meant.
I am a fan of not changing the perches to change the ride height. I would rather change the lower strut attachment itself. That way you don't need helper springs, and you don't loose any suspension travel.
"Most applications utilize an adjustable lower mount, which means you adjust height without losing suspension travel like some other coilover designs do."

 

[THE Phen]

Aaah, right-o. I can understand your reasoning... but I know that a)80% of the people on here with coilovers don't mess with their height frequently, and b) most people in the world don't understand the benefit, or harm an adjustment could do. I've always said that you could give a monkey a piece of sports equipment that has adjust ability built in... doesn't mean he knows what to do with it... and neither do most of the people that buy it. I will gladly admit that I pretty much fall into that category as well.

From a product quality standpoint though... they are better than many of the other products out there.

 

[sm76]

Yes, my spring rates are way too high for Ksports. I am constantly driving around the lack of grip, but that is still faster than not having enough spring. My car would be at least a second faster at Mid-Ohio with a nice set of JIC's or Motons but I just can't afford them right now. I love the value of the Ksports though and would never complain about what I am getting out of them for $800.

 

[iracemine]

Yes, my spring rates are way too high for Ksports. I am constantly driving around the lack of grip, but that is still faster than not having enough spring. My car would be at least a second faster at Mid-Ohio with a nice set of JIC's or Motons but I just can't afford them right now. I love the value of the Ksports though and would never complain about what I am getting out of them for $800.

and right there.... sold on ksports. Thanks Bill! I too am also broke after buying that diff, needing to do a plexiglass conversion, coilovers, steering rack, new set of tires, brake rotors, pads, (would like a fire suit that fits), don't have my list next to me but you get the point. April is coming FAST! (get it)

 

[ihone]

Lewis - I'm facing something strange with my KL swap. Mind guiding me best you can....or someone else that knows:

got the engine in, fired up, all is well. At first - when I had things wired, the slimfan would turn on immediately with the key-on. This is still through the P5 harness. Now, after getting things trimmed, P5 coolant temp sensor in place (it's reading now that it's plugged in...), and wiring just about finished - my fan won't turn on at all. I watched the temp climb to 3/4 of the scale on the dash, and still no fan. I don't want to ruin anything due to overheating it - just being cautious. This car has seemed to spit in my face at every convenience....

What's a good check to see if in fact something is just not wired correctly? What did you do to use your p5 wiring to control the cooling fan?

 

[JKPgt96]

Is there a relay on the fan? Could have popped that..just a shot in the dark.

On my PGT, when I wired up the slim fans, I popped the relay, and ended up re-wiring them and replacing the fan...but the fan did work for a bit, until the relay went on it..

 

[ihone]

there's a relay indeed. How would I go about shorting it through, just for a test though?

Just take some wire and put it into the 2 poles that complete the circuit? If I cannot get this to work - I'm gonna have to just run the fan on a switch of some sort, in order to just make sure it works for now.

 

[Joost27]

ihone, i suggest using an aftermarket thermostatically controlled fan relay. They have one type that can screw into a coolant temp sensor fitting, or the style i use that is just a probe that sticks through the fins on the radiator. When it hits the temp designated by the kit(or u can buy adjustable kits and adjust. it to the temp u want) it will turn on and then shut off at the temp it is set for too. Very simple to wire up, and usually has compatibility to run a/c fan with the a/c or to turn on two fans at the same time. Lots of flexibility and for $25-$60 depending on the kit.

 

[JKPgt96]

Bingo..that is what I would do. I myself have one of these sitting on my shelf in the garage awaiting install.

 

[magnumP5]

I highly recommend the threaded-type sensors as you'll be reading actually coolant temperature and not the air around it. Take one of those and tap a port right before the thermostat and you're golden.

 

[Joost27]

While i would love to have the thread in type, the probe that goes in the fins really isn't bad. I have had mine for 1.5 years now and ~41k miles with absolutely no issues at any time

 

[JKPgt96]

Tapping into anything right near the thermostat would be tough anyway on a KL..you would almost have to weld a threaded insert onto the outside of the thermostat neck, since the tubing to too thin to tap.