Msp+fmic+mbc=???

[Lawerence]

I've been thinking about what im going to do to my MSP.
Considered waiting for mazdaspeed parts, but normally manufacturers parts are very pricey and not necessarily the best.
My goal is 230-250whp and I dont think mazdaspeed parts will get me there.
First thing will be getting rid of all the plastic piping and replace with metal. But instead of replacing the IC piping, I will probably put on an FMIC. After that I was thinking about a 2.5' turboback (replacing up/downpipe and removing cats).
Next step would be a cai to let this puppy breathe a little better. Last, but definitely not least swap out for a larger turbo and put in an MBC. I want to get this all done within the year, but dont know if its really possible seeing as how there are zilch parts for the car.
Anyhow do you protege' gurus think I will attain my goal of 230-250whp with this setup? Another thought in the back of my head is the tranny/clutch...does anyone know how much hp it can take?
I will probably end up replacing them as well.

This isnt my final goal, just for the first year (in perf. department). Once it has all this power im thinking there will have to be some suspension tweeks to keep the handling good and get the power to the pavement?

Questions, comments, reactions?

 

[OrangeAppeal]

no guru here, but (not trying to criticize here, but) why didn't you just get a non-MSP protege and buy a turbo kit for it...probably a lot cheaper with the price diff you would save on a base model. It sounds like you want to completely replace the turbo system, along with the exhaust.

Just trying to understand your reasoning here?

 

[Lawerence]

As I understand the stock ECU doesnt handle boost very well (especially below 4000rpms), and have been reading numerous problems from people with turbos, bad idling bad power spikes etc.
The ECU in the MSP should be able to handle the boost much better because, well, it was designed for it

I would also need to replace the suspension to bring make it handle as well as the MSP (I imagine this would cost a good amount).

Also I like the superficial parts of the MSP, and some things you just cant buy seperately. I love music too but could never justify spending money on a car system so there is another reason.

But really it should be easier to massage more power out of the MSP due to the ECU. (or maybe im retarted )

 

[OrangeAppeal]

Ok, all valid reasons, and I accept that. Something to keep in mind with your quest: from what I understand, there is a cutoff with the ECU when boost over 10psi is read. A possible solution to this would be to find a MAP sensor that you can fool the ECU to think that it's reading less than 10psi. Don't know enough about Mazda MAP sensors to even substanciate my statement, but it's something to look into.

I don't think that the 230 hp goal is unachievable, but if you plan to go any higher than that, you might want to look into replacement of internal components...keep in mind, you are running a stock internal ES 2.0l motor.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know, but i'm sure others will have some input for you too.

 

[Kooldino]

230-250whp is doable off of stock parts.

but you're gonna totally replace that turbo system in the meantime.

sell that turbo system, but a spool stage 4 kit.

 

[big_ben]

You will not reach your 230 to 350whp mark mainly because the rods won't take it. Shawn from mazdaformance said that one of the engineers from the Mazdaspeed Protege said that the rods are only capable of handling up to around 225 hp. Also, there is no "up pipe on the Mazdaspeed. You might be thinking of the WRX. The Mazdaspeed only has a downpipe. I think the downpipe is big enough though. If I were you, I would put at least a 2.5" exhaust from the turbo back. Personally, I would use 3" from the turbo back. You will have to get it custom made. But don't let that scare you. If you know how to shop, it won't cost you much. Here is how I see it.

If you buy a current premade cat back that is on the market now, it will cost you at least $600. If you order all the 3" tubing you will need from JC Whittney, it will cost you less than $300. Then buy a new muffler to handle that size tubing, that's and extra $150. Then a highflow cat, $150. Flexpipe maybe, $50. That's a total of $600 plus $100 for labor. I believe that is a better deal.

As for the FMIC, a direct fit isn't made yet and won't be made for probably 1.5 to 2 years. I would buy the kit that Spool Turbo offers, and it's a great price. Most other FMIC kits will cost over $1000. As for the CAI, make it yourself. It is too easy to make, don't waste your money on a premade one. The tubing that all CAI's are made of is simply mandrel bent exhaust tubing. Go to JC Whitney and buy some tubing yourself, go to Lowes and buy a hacksaw, cut it to the right dimensions, mark it where it needs to be welded, take it to any muffler shop, and pay $20 to have it welded. Then either spraypaint it or have it powdercoated.

I know that is a lot of info thrown at you, but it whould answer all your questions.

 

[slug420]

srt-4

 

[Lawerence]

thanks for the info Big ben.
I knew the internals couldnt hold that much, but I was under the impression you could get at 250whp out of them reliably.
I suppose I'll need to get some forged rods and pistons if they are as weak as you say.

I havent taken a look at the exhaust system yet but I hear its pretty congestive. I was also under the impression that the downpipe was less than 2', if so it would definitely need replacing.

There is a great shop by me that does custom exhaust so Im not worried about that so much. But 3' seems a little big? Im not shure if running the relatively small amounts of boost would need that much.

I've also tried to contact Spool Turbo, I told him my goals but im still waiting to hear back from him.

 

[big_ben]

As stated from the book maximum boost from Corky Bell, "in a turbo system, zero restriction exhaust is the best exhaust". With turbo, you don't have to worry about scavenging. A turbo needs the least restriction possible. If you are worried about sound, the turbo takes care of that by chopping up exhaust pulses. That makes it much quieter.
If I were you, I'd take off the down-pipe and take a look at it to see how big the internal diameter is. I am pretty sure it is cast iron also. If you want a new bigger one. You will have to get it custom made from steel, and you will also need flex pipe for sure.

 

[Lawerence]

I dont want an SRT-4. I want a good amount of power, but I want a complete package to which the SRT-4 IMO is not.
Its not like I have some crazy goals and am trying to make a 11 seccond car. The setup im looking at would probably (again my protege knoweledge is very limited) net me somewhere in the 13s...which isnt all that fast.
But im not only doing "power" mods. I want this car to handle even better than it does stock.
AutoXing and road courses are mucho fun!

 

[Lawerence]

As stated from the book maximum boost from Corky Bell, "in a turbo system, zero restriction exhaust is the best exhaust". With turbo, you don't have to worry about scavenging. A turbo needs the least restriction possible. If you are worried about sound, the turbo takes care of that by chopping up exhaust pulses. That makes it much quieter.
If I were you, I'd take off the down-pipe and take a look at it to see how big the internal diameter is. I am pretty sure it is cast iron also. If you want a new bigger one. You will have to get it custom made from steel, and you will also need flex pipe for sure.

Ok well sound is definitaly one concern of mine, but I just didnt want anything "excessive".
If a 3' will be the best than thats the route I will go.
When I get home tonight I'll take a look at the downpipe and measure it.

 

[big_ben]

If I were you, I'd wait until the weekedn so you can take it off and measure the inside diameter. It it's cast iron, the walls are probably just under 1/4" thick.