I think I am shooting for an NA build that looks stock under the hood, for the most part. I've read way to many things on here though. Here's what I think I'm going for and in order of importance that I'm tracking right now. Feel free to let me know where you think I'm at on this sequence. Also, let me know which of these things you think might be best to hold out for on the used market place. I just don't want to wait 5 years for it, and I don't want it to be a part that is sketchy used.
#1. Cams. Unless I can find some of the better stuff (integral or twiggy) for less than insane prices I was going to go with the corksports. They will probably run better for a simple setup anyways...
$260 CS Intake Cam: http://www.corksport.com/j-spec-mazda-fs-ze-intake-camshaft-2.0l.html
$181 CS Exhaust Cam: http://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-exhaust-camshaft-for-2-0l.html
#2. Adjustable cam gears.
$400 @ http://www.srmotorsports.com/Mazda_Protege_Performance_Engine_Parts.html
- Are these really worth it? This is the only place I really found them new.
#3. Get higher compression.
I can definitely use some help here. I have seen a million combos on here of pistons and various rods.
Pistions: Are the HC pistons from SR Motorsports good? Anything better/better priced? (same website as cam gears)
Rods: No idea. I saw someone on the forum claiming modified 3sgte rods yielded best compression. I'll admit I have non idea what the modification would be, or even if getting different rods is worth it at all for NA.
#4. Intake. Injen the best? CAI vs Short Ram?
$278 Injen Intake: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/inj-rd6060p
Wild Card Stuff.
Lighter pulleys worth it? $400 @ http://www.srmotorsports.com/Mazda_Protege_Performance_Power_Pulleys_Parts.html
Intake Manifold worth it? $400 @ http://www.speedcircuit.net/index.p...folds/cast-single-runner-intake-manifold.html
(I've heard a lot of people on hear say the IM is the most limiting thing on this engine, but I don't really know if the SC one is a true improvement. Any experience?)
Headers? My gut tells me the cat is the most limiting thing in the exhaust, and that without changing that headers won't do too much. I could be wrong though, just let me know why and if it makes sense I'll believe you.
Head work. Most likely absolutely worth it, but I don't know a good shop for this in my area (Central Missouri). I'm also not well versed on this stuff since I can't do it myself. What should I be asking for? How much should I expect to pay?
Cylinder Bore. I'm not trying to do the 100hp per liter challenge...but I'm not gonna blow the bank if this won't help too much. What's the word out there?
I'm also hoping to keep my MP3 ECU stock til I get done throwing stuff on there. Which of the above will not operate on the MP3 ECU?
And I know half of everyone out there is going to say turbo...maybe you're right; but something tells me that for my skill set, all of the above is easier. My only experience is rebuilding a 71 mustang. No turbos or ecu changes/hacking/tune on that one, so those things scare me a little. I want to be a DIYer. You might talk me into it though. Never know...
#1. Cams. Unless I can find some of the better stuff (integral or twiggy) for less than insane prices I was going to go with the corksports. They will probably run better for a simple setup anyways...
$260 CS Intake Cam: http://www.corksport.com/j-spec-mazda-fs-ze-intake-camshaft-2.0l.html
$181 CS Exhaust Cam: http://www.corksport.com/corksport-power-series-exhaust-camshaft-for-2-0l.html
#2. Adjustable cam gears.
$400 @ http://www.srmotorsports.com/Mazda_Protege_Performance_Engine_Parts.html
- Are these really worth it? This is the only place I really found them new.
#3. Get higher compression.
I can definitely use some help here. I have seen a million combos on here of pistons and various rods.
Pistions: Are the HC pistons from SR Motorsports good? Anything better/better priced? (same website as cam gears)
Rods: No idea. I saw someone on the forum claiming modified 3sgte rods yielded best compression. I'll admit I have non idea what the modification would be, or even if getting different rods is worth it at all for NA.
#4. Intake. Injen the best? CAI vs Short Ram?
$278 Injen Intake: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/inj-rd6060p
Wild Card Stuff.
Lighter pulleys worth it? $400 @ http://www.srmotorsports.com/Mazda_Protege_Performance_Power_Pulleys_Parts.html
Intake Manifold worth it? $400 @ http://www.speedcircuit.net/index.p...folds/cast-single-runner-intake-manifold.html
(I've heard a lot of people on hear say the IM is the most limiting thing on this engine, but I don't really know if the SC one is a true improvement. Any experience?)
Headers? My gut tells me the cat is the most limiting thing in the exhaust, and that without changing that headers won't do too much. I could be wrong though, just let me know why and if it makes sense I'll believe you.
Head work. Most likely absolutely worth it, but I don't know a good shop for this in my area (Central Missouri). I'm also not well versed on this stuff since I can't do it myself. What should I be asking for? How much should I expect to pay?
Cylinder Bore. I'm not trying to do the 100hp per liter challenge...but I'm not gonna blow the bank if this won't help too much. What's the word out there?
I'm also hoping to keep my MP3 ECU stock til I get done throwing stuff on there. Which of the above will not operate on the MP3 ECU?
And I know half of everyone out there is going to say turbo...maybe you're right; but something tells me that for my skill set, all of the above is easier. My only experience is rebuilding a 71 mustang. No turbos or ecu changes/hacking/tune on that one, so those things scare me a little. I want to be a DIYer. You might talk me into it though. Never know...