Lewis7789 2002 Protege5 build thread (tons of pics)

[Perro del Sol]

Simon, I read somewhere that their AEM wasn't as accurate as their friends brand. I'm not saying that AEM's aren't accurate, that's just silly. AEM makes good stuff. I was about to pull the trigger on an AEM since they dropped the price but read that so I'm looking into Innovative as well. I'm sure yours is accurate, as are most of the AEM widebands, just gotta do more research is all.

Wes, I'm thinking the same thing and totally agree with you. It's not like it's impossible to drive on a track without an LSD. Hell, I'm sure there are tons of cars on track with 160+whp without LSD's. But again, it comes down to my plan of "doing it right". I have the transmission already out and am in no rush to get the swap done (other than wanting to feel some more power already, jeez!) and I might as well swap in an LSD now while it's easier to do and I have the spare cash. Than waiting until later in the summer, pulling the tranny out, dropping it off at a shop and waiting a week without a car.


Just get the LSD and enjoy!
I saw a video (I think here on 247) of a Mazda3 with before and after video of the MFactory LSD on an auto-x track and it really does make a big difference. Well worth $650+install. I'm not saying it's absolutely necessary like Phen and Rob are saying, but I agree with them that it is well worth it. Those Miata guys, pffsht... (you're in that group too, Ryan. haha)

 

[thejeans]

Simon, I read somewhere that their AEM wasn't as accurate as their friends brand. I'm not saying that AEM's aren't accurate, that's just silly. AEM makes good stuff. I was about to pull the trigger on an AEM since they dropped the price but read that so I'm looking into Innovative as well. I'm sure yours is accurate, as are most of the AEM widebands, just gotta do more research is all.

not trying to sound like a dick, but judging by what i read, your saying you were gonna buy the AEM, then read someone say that there AEM was reading different than someone elses other guage did... correct? (this is the part that could sound like a dick) but did it ever occur to you that the OTHER gauge could be the inaccurate one??

i know Mike (where we had the dyno day) says AEM's are the closest reading brand gauges to his tuning software

 

[Perro del Sol]

not trying to sound like a dick, but judging by what i read, your saying you were gonna buy the AEM, then read someone say that there AEM was reading different than someone elses other guage did... correct? (this is the part that could sound like a dick) but did it ever occur to you that the OTHER gauge could be the inaccurate one??

i know Mike (where we had the dyno day) says AEM's are the closest reading brand gauges to his tuning software

I checked with my guy @ Big 3 and he swears by AEM and I just had him install the AEM UEGO on Spicy!

 

[PrinceValorum]

It comes down to my plan of "doing it right".

I totally got you. That's why I like this build.

 

[Lewis7789]

HK (Sorry, I forgot your name), I'll post a link when I get home. I'm at work right now and on a 15min break. I'm getting my LSD from "MFactory".

Levi, I should've worded my original post about the AEM better. I'm not saying that they are not accurate, just maybe not the best option. For a few dollars more, I would rather have something that is very accurate. Like I said, I didn't mean to say AEM widebands aren't accurate. I was basically thinking outloud (which I do a little tooooo much in my build thread). But I understand and totally agree with you, no worries there, mate.

If Mike at OST and the cat at Big3 swear by AEM, then it's AEM for me. Done deal. I take the opinion over people who have hands on experience way more than someone I've never met just talking s*** online (which is probably what that fellow was doing I read in a forum anyway). I just was going to research all my options for the best one but will stick with AEM.

This is off on a bit of a tangent, but has anyone else ever noticed how no matter how good or bad a product someone has they still think it's the best thing in the world? That's why online reviews are basically pointless. For example, if someone buys a set of Brand X motors mounts and they say they are awesome, no matter what. Even if they had two of them break and had a friend weld brackets on the other ones, they still think they are the best because they are currently on that persons car. Like when I was doing clutch reviews, I couldn't find many negative comments because everyone thinks their clutch is the best. haha! It's just funny how people rarely mention flaws in any of their parts... [end rant]

 

[Perro del Sol]

HK (Sorry, I forgot your name), I'll post a link when I get home. I'm at work right now and on a 15min break. I'm getting my LSD from "MFactory".

Levi, I should've worded my original post about the AEM better. I'm not saying that they are not accurate, just maybe not the best option. For a few dollars more, I would rather have something that is very accurate. Like I said, I didn't mean to say AEM widebands aren't accurate. I was basically thinking outloud (which I do a little tooooo much in my build thread). But I understand and totally agree with you, no worries there, mate.

If Mike at OST and the cat at Big3 swear by AEM, then it's AEM for me. Done deal. I take the opinion over people who have hands on experience way more than someone I've never met just talking s*** online (which is probably what that fellow was doing I read in a forum anyway). I just was going to research all my options for the best one but will stick with AEM.

This is off on a bit of a tangent, but has anyone else ever noticed how no matter how good or bad a product someone has they still think it's the best thing in the world? That's why online reviews are basically pointless. For example, if someone buys a set of Brand X motors mounts and they say they are awesome, no matter what. Even if they had two of them break and had a friend weld brackets on the other ones, they still think they are the best because they are currently on that persons car. Like when I was doing clutch reviews, I couldn't find many negative comments because everyone thinks their clutch is the best. haha! It's just funny how people rarely mention flaws in any of their parts... [end rant]

Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one......I just express mine based on my personal experiences, I love the ones on tires, brakes, wjheels, etc.....some of those post can be really funny...

 

[THE Phen]

Oh, you mean the entire car community is based on personal opinions, not scientific evidence? Say it ain't so!

 

[Lewis7789]

Hahaha! Yeah, I greatly appreciate everyones input, facts, experiences and hands-on knowledge, especially with the KL. Don't get me wrong. But when researching summer tires it seems like every review is "These are the best tires I've ever had! They are awesome! Buy them! -signed, Johnny Ricer who has only bought one set of tires in his life".

 

[Perro del Sol]

Hahaha! Yeah, I greatly appreciate everyones input, facts, experiences and hands-on knowledge, especially with the KL. Don't get me wrong. But when researching summer tires it seems like every review is "These are the best tires I've ever had! They are awesome! Buy them! -signed, Johnny Ricer who has only bought one set of tires in his life".

Withthat in min, the Nitto NT-01's are hands down the best tire I have everun at Mid-Ohio,,,wellllllll I think the Kumho V710's.......nah the Yokohama AD-048's...are.......maybe if the BF Goodrich R-1's............the hell withtat, it is the Toyo 888's.....who know's as I just got a set of MP3 wheels with Hoosier R6's on them......what do I know.....

 

[Lewis7789]

s***, Marlon. Your opinion is worth about 5 other cats opinions. haha! Because I know that you know your s***. If you say "buy these tires." I say "okeed dokee." Done.

 

[03zoomzoom]

Not to mention, alot depends on what you want for the end result. If you want a stiff suspension and really sticky tires, it's gonna beat you up and you'll have to replace more tires. If you want MPG's, you won't have the power...etc...

 

[roy obanion]

Heh, I do have an open diff in my miata, LOL!

 

[Perro del Sol]

not trying to sound like a dick, but judging by what i read, your saying you were gonna buy the AEM, then read someone say that there AEM was reading different than someone elses other guage did... correct? (this is the part that could sound like a dick) but did it ever occur to you that the OTHER gauge could be the inaccurate one??

i know Mike (where we had the dyno day) says AEM's are the closest reading brand gauges to his tuning software

Hello dick! where's your bumpit?

 

[Perro del Sol]

s***, Marlon. Your opinion is worth about 5 other cats opinions. haha! Because I know that you know your s***. If you say "buy these tires." I say "okeed dokee." Done.

Actually dollar for dollar, from a pricing stand point, the Nitto's are a great track tire, the wear is incredible and they do hols there on on the track, which you will see in about 90 days! Looks reg is going to open on Monday for Mid-Ohio!

 

[PrinceValorum]

I think a lot of the deal with the amount of positive reviews for a lot of not-so-good products is people have a need not to feel stupid. If they've invested a lot of money in something that they heard it was good, then they want it to be good. It's embarrassing to spend X amount of dollars on something and find out it's not quite what you expected. Some fly into a rage and leave a rant review about how the company owners should rot in hell and others try to hide the fact that it's bad as if they have something personally invested in it, and they do (money, time, research, ego, etc). I could get into how the unconscious mind likely plays a role, but I'll spare you lol.

I value opinions when they come from people (for the most part) who stand nothing to gain from it. If a guy at the tire shop tells me that these are the tires that he'd run on his car, and they aren't the most expensive and aren't making him the most money, then yeah, I'm likely to believe him. The problem is finding people like that.

 

[Lewis7789]

Well, I got my lightweight flywheel and SS clutch line today. I ordered the clutch/flywheel/ss clutch line from RR-Racing.com and as stated earlier I went with a Clutchmasters Stage 1 clutch and flywheel and verified with Rafi (customer service rep, proabably the only one who works there anyway) that they include a Clutchmasters flywheel and he said they did. So I got the flywheel today and it's from Aasco Motorsports, not Clutchmasters. I sent him an email asking if I can return it as it may have been a simple mistake. I did some research on Aasco and apparently they are a pretty good brand and well known in Porsche racing clubs, but I'm not familiar with them so I would rather have the Clutchmasters flywheel as I was expecting.

The clutch is coming from Clutchmasters so I should see that sometime this week as well.

 

[KZL_99ES]

oooo! shiny!

 

[HKPRO5]

Bait and switch. lol

Hope you have a good time at the track.

 

[THE Phen]

Yeah, that sucks if it was advertised as having a particular flywheel. Although, you never know... sometimes the lesser known brands can be better and at a greater value.

 

[PrinceValorum]

How much does it weigh?