Lewis7789's 2003 Protege5 build thread

[bikingpro5]

^^^ That's what I thought, Larry. haha

they were placed the in the box the first time to stop it from folding at the seam..guess i did not put them back where they were originally. But the ricer comment is funny wish i had thought of that. Im just happy they made it in one piece

 

[JDM_Pro5]

And JT, I'm not sure if your buddy was playing a prank on me or you, or if it was you. But there were some chopsticks in the box... (scratch)

When I got my package from JT, I also had chopsticks. It's for structural support of the package. Consider it JT's calling card

 

[Lewis7789]

Haha! Right on. JT, you so crazy.

 

[bikingpro5]

When I got my package from JT, I also had chopsticks. It's for structural support of the package. Consider it JT's calling card

Haha! Right on. JT, you so crazy.

no more packages for either of you... next time ill use something different..

 

[JDM_Pro5]

 

[Lewis7789]

So here's what I'm thinking for a cooling system.

I'll use the Mishimoto Universal radiator which has very similar dimensions to the stock P5 rad, but just a wee bit smaller in length.
http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-universal-aluminum-radiator-mmrad-uni-25.html

Since this radiator doesn't have a cap, I'll use the coolant fill cap on the motor as a pressurized cap. Located in the pic in yellow;

Then use a universal coolant overflow tank mounted in the bay coming from the radiator.

Anyone have any advice on this setup?

 

[StevO_ProtO-5]

How did the K-sport camber plates turn out? Did you get the screw problem fixed?

 

[Protege03ak46]

Check this... http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Speedway-Ford-Mopar-Universal-Radiators,7347.html

They make several, check it out...

 

[CR3 Motorsports]

What about using a swirl pot and using that as a remote fill point?

(you would have to get one with a pressurized cap)

 

[magnumP5]

So here's what I'm thinking for a cooling system...

Anyone have any advice on this setup?

I would make sure that location is suitable for a pressure cap. Some of the older RX-7's had a similar setup but the cap at that location was just a "flat cap." If there's a provision for a coolant overflow line at that location you're good.

 

[Cleverfrog]

I've got a mishimoto in my MSP. Great cooling and customer service.

 

[Lewis7789]

How did the K-sport camber plates turn out? Did you get the screw problem fixed?

Yup, just ground the bolts down a bit and now they fit great. I'll be putting them in tonight.

I didn't know what a swirl pot was so I googled it. That's a clever idea. I'll look more into that setup for sure. And Jon, you're right, it is just a flat cap. But why would Mazda mount a flat cap there and on the RX-7's? What's it's purpose? More research to be had. But thanks for all the tips and info, guys!

Last night was a pretty good night wrenching. This car is freaking spotless. I still had to cut the endlinks but two actually unbolted from the sway bar. Haha. That is unheard of in Ohio. But I got the struts/springs out last night and sprayed all the bolts several times in preparation to remove the control arms and RSB tonight. And I pulled the trunk cage in prep for paint, but decided to just leave it orange but paint the blue plates black (just for you, JT). And the front strut bar end plates black. Nothing like some good funk on the stereo and not being rushed while wrenching.

Oh, and I emailed Mishimoto yesterday if that universal radiator has an inlet/outlet plug for an overflow tank and they wrote back right away saying it doesn't. So I asked if I could jsut drill into the top fan mounting bracket on top of the tank and use that as the inlet/outlet and he said that will work well. Great customer service already. I'll order one from CR3 soon.

 

[bikingpro5]

. And I pulled the trunk cage in prep for paint, but decided to just leave it orange but paint the blue plates black (just for you, JT). And the front sway bar end plates black. Nothing like some good funk on the stereo and not being rushed while wrenching.

you know it would have bugged you as well... Nothing better then tunes and a nice peaceful garage to get done what you want at your pace.

 

[Teeson]

The P5 passed e-check last night after work. Catless and everything. Go figure. Haha!

Just a fun fact: your test was a plug in right? no sniffer? the p5 ECU doesn't have a way to recognize if the cat is working. Therefore your car shouldn't fail on a plug in test. And because of this new method of testing they stopped recording the emissions output of new cars (at least up in canada), so they just have a 'par' your car must be under. OBD2 KL's do however have a way to tell if the cats there, making modding them legally even more annoying.

Am so excited to see this beauty getting going. They're are just so many good builds going on right now..

and I was looking just the other day at that rad! the outlets are pretty much perfect for the swapped proteges

 

[magnumP5]

^^^ All Proteges do have means of confirming the proper operation of the primary catalytic converter; the second oxygen sensor. It's sole purpose is to check the oxygen levels in the exhaust. If you remove the primary catalytic converter without "tricking" (resistor, spark plug non-fouler, etc.) the oxygen sensor it will trigger a check engine light. I don't know what Evan's doing to trick his sensor...

 

[Lewis7789]

Thanks for the info Teeson, but when I get the KL in it will essentially be OBD1 93-94 Probe GT. But by another 2 years my GF and I will have our own place probably in the country with no E-check.

Currently, the header on this P5 has a non-fouler. Worked great with my old P5 and header setup too.

Another busy day today! I got a lot done last night and will get more done today. Pics later tonight.

 

[Teeson]

^^^ All Proteges do have means of confirming the proper operation of the primary catalytic converter; the second oxygen sensor. It's sole purpose is to check the oxygen levels in the exhaust. If you remove the primary catalytic converter without "tricking" (resistor, spark plug non-fouler, etc.) the oxygen sensor it will trigger a check engine light. I don't know what Evan's doing to trick his sensor...

Weird cuz theres no sensor after the cat. whataminute! I'm talking about the main cat after the header assembly though, I guess your talking about the primary cat which is directly after the manifold off the head.

 

[Protege03ak46]

The second oxygen sensor is simply a cat monitor, it does nothing but tell the computer that the cat is working proberly. The second cat does nothing but help the first one...

 

[Lewis7789]

My arms are shot. I'm getting old. lulz. But another great day wrenching. I love this car. Not one seized or rusted bolt. So I got everything out and bolted back in without any problems. Of course, I've only done this about 6 times on a P5 now.

When I was taking the GT Spec trunk cage apart to get the old stuts out I noticed this bolt by the hatch. It's stupid small (M8) and not functional at all. This bolt is supposed to prevent chassis flex? Haha, riiiiight...

So after some running around town for metric hardware I drilled out the whole and tapped it for an M12 bolt. Which would you prefer?

I got the rear camber plates in. The way the bolt pattern is on the P5 they don't mount perfectly straight like the fronts. But AAC said they got -1.5 degree of camber out of these plates. So we'll see when she gets aligned this week.

I'm also curious to see if these HardRace lower control arms are really a stiffer durometer. I think I may have gotten hosed... But here's everything all bolted up. Not that no one has ever seen a coilover before...

The roof rack deletes will go in Tuesday when Ivan comes over to give me a hand since he's done them before. Then photoshoot time for CR3!

 

[bikingpro5]

looks like you had fun, does your cage have the bar that goes across the back door as well?