My first Turbo

[silverboost]

Hello!! I recently picked up a MAZDASPEED Protg and I am loving it!! This is my first turbocharged car and I am new to the modding scene. I have been searching through the forums and a lot of my "noob" questions have been answered lol. Such as the "clunk" which I will be ordering the awr bushings soon. Not looking to heavily mod but I have looked into doing SRI, exhaust, FMIC or SMIC + hardpipes. Just looking to obtain a little more pep out of this already peppy machine lol. Any advise or input will be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Ceasar1010]

Hello!! I recently picked up a MAZDASPEED Protg and I am loving it!! This is my first turbocharged car and I am new to the modding scene. I have been searching through the forums and a lot of my "noob" questions have been answered lol. Such as the "clunk" which I will be ordering the awr bushings soon. Not looking to heavily mod but I have looked into doing SRI, exhaust, FMIC or SMIC + hardpipes. Just looking to obtain a little more pep out of this already peppy machine lol. Any advise or input will be appreciated. Thanks!!

Welcome! im new also and this is the place to be to get some solid advice

 

[silverboost]

Welcome! im new also and this is the place to be to get some solid advice

Thanks! Yea I have been getting used to the forum and there is a lot of great information on here!

 

[clement_ghost]

Nice for you man! Turbocharged cars are always a blast to drive!

Start by SMIC upgrade + hard pipes + MAF reloc.

Then upgrade exhaust to a non-restrictive 2.5" mandrel bent, AFC SS + wideband, stiffer engine mounts, one step colder spark plugs, etc...

But before all that, take care or the rust, don't let it rust!

 

[silverboost]

Thanks! Yea I am hooked on boost now

I have read that the Turbohoses SMIC and hard pipes are pretty good. I did some browsing and found this FMIC kit. Does this seem like it would work? I see a lot of other MSP owners have used some ebay kits but couldn't find any reviews on this particular one. Just going through all my options before I decide. Stiffer engine mounts and colder spark plugs are also on my list of things I want to do.

Haha thanks for the heads up I will be sure to inspect the car for rust and take care of it.

 

[clement_ghost]

The kit you showed should do the job. As I always say, a pipe is a pipe. So by having this universal kit, you'll just have to cut and fit a few pipes. (I'm sure there's some "how-to" on this forum, just search for it) As for the core, you'll see... anyway if you boost lower than 10psi it should be alright. The necessity of having an expensive high quality intercooler is when you're on high boost. You don't want the intercooler core to leak, because that way your turbo is gonna die faster because he'll always want to compensate.

The only thing missing is a 2"-to-2.5" coupler for the turbo outlet, 2 couplers 2.5"-to-2.75" for the MAF and a BOV flange. Also some T-bolt clamps for these couplers.

But be careful to mount everything at the right place. (turbo-hot pipe-intercooler-BOV-MAF-throttlebody)

Also, lot of people have installed FMIC kits without AFC SS and car was not running evenly. You could also install a SMIC upgrade but they're not cheap.

Expensive but bolt-on: http://www.***************/MSP_Hard_Piping_p/sumspapk.htm Dam link that doesn't work; go check on street unit dot com, section MSP, sub-section intercooler

The two first best upgrades on these cars is MAF relocation and AFC SS. Even on a completely stock MSP, just with these you're gonna feel a difference!

Good luck!

 

[silverboost]

I have found some "how-to" that give pretty good instructions and explanations. I would only be looking to crank the boost to 8 or 9psi no more especially on stock internals.

In doing a SMIC upgrade how quickly does it get heatsoaked or does it at all? I know the OEM SMIC gets heatsoaked rather quickly. Will the car run evenly without SSAFC if I do a SMIC upgrade.

Regards to a MAF relocation where would it be relocated to?

Thanks for the info!!

 

[Gabi]

I upgraded to an ETS SMIC and have yet to experience heat soak with it. Then again I really don't drive on stop and go traffic. The MAF sensor normally gets relocated to the cold pipe. That would be the one going from intercooler to the throttle body. The MSP is also my first factory turbocharged vehicle and other than some minor issues I love it.

 

[silverboost]

Thanks! That helps me out a lot. Are the minor issues something that I would experience as well?

 

[neroxix]

Welcome aboard, I am new as well. I would suggest looking into the your plugs NGK V Power stock #4291 gap to .028 - .031. Then the SSAFC if you dont have one already installed. Also if you have the "turkey" kill it asap.
As far as issues goes, there is the hesitation and studdering that everyone of us have due to the fuel mix being too rich SSAFC will fix that. Heat soaking of the stock SMIC especially if you are in stop and go traffic. I think a couple of us have a squeaky clutch pedal and issues with the radio and or sub failing. Also it seems like the stock wastegate seems to have issues. Or so I'm told.
Hopefully you enjoy your MSP Just dont boost in 5th

 

[silverboost]

Thanks and Welcome aboard to you as well! I am actually going to change out the spark plugs this weekend as well as put in the awr bushings the "clunk" is getting annoying lol. I do not have the "turkey" (knock on wood). I have looked into geting the SSAFC which will come later down the road. As far as the cluutch and radio no problems there. I have read about some issues with the wastegate and that upgrading would be best. I am very happy with the MSP it always puts a smile on my face. Thanks for the tips!