N/A? or Turbo?

Dragon_Reborn

Member
:
'02 Protege ES Sedan
okay if I don't go with a turbo and I add intake and exhaust cams, with high compression pistons, and a cat back exhaust and I add these items along with my already install Injen CAI and spark plugs and sparcko wires how much hp will I have? It would probably cost me about a grand for cat-back exhaust, the cams, and the high compression pistons, and to get them installed or more. If I go turbo I would pay a lot more, probably $3 grand along with intercooler set-up but I'd be at 200hp then hopefully, if I go n/a and get the listed parts above I would probably only have about 160hp, another thing, is it even smart to use high compression pistons with the cams? I wish I did not have an auto here either, if I had the 5-speed I'd also add in a heavy duty clutch with a light flywheel and s short throw shifter, but I can't do that either. I really wish I could drop the auto tranny and throw in a 5-speed and then add a turbo set up, but that would cost me a $hit load of $$$, it would probably be better for me to trade in my protg for a 5-speed and then go turbo, but I don't know. What's holding me back from getting the turbo is 1) the cost, and 2) I have an auto, not a 5-speed. Is there anyone on this site that has a boosted Protege/MP3 with an auto tranny? I doubt it...
 
MP3 only came with a stick...

As far as the N/A or turbo question goes, that's totally up to you. Each has its good and bad points.

You can use the high compression pistons with the cams, that is how it is set up in the FS-ZE.
 
I pulled about 148 whp on a NA setup with the 10.7:1 pistons, headers, cams, cam gear, intake, exhaust, and adjustable FPR. Go turbo NA isn't worth in on our motors we can't tune them well enough. Hence why my profile is the way it is now.....trust me i've been through N2O NA and FI go forced induction you won't be dissapointed.
 
Dragon_Reborn said:
damn only 148hp and all of those mods? WTF????!!!!! i guess turbo is best way to go.

that's 148WHp@to the Wheels so that's about 167-175hp or to the crank.
 
Get the internals, go turbo and be done with it, 50 would be a nice as well, i mean there have to be some places around manhattan that have the experience to get it done.
 
Since you hate your auto, just trade the whole thing in for a MS Proteg and get it all in one fell swoop.
 
turbo or n/a, the question that ponders throughout the forums. GO turbo, you get a lot of power, dont worry that the pistons could melt, or you could bend the rods, dont worry that there is no efficient way to tune the motor w/o standalone, dont worry guys just use an fmu its safe. trust me i want turbo like the next guy but it hasnt been proven enough on stock motor with fmu, people here and there have little problems. Now lets talk n/a when have you heard of bolt on messing up any motor except for cold-air intakes and water ingestion. Look chdesign made 148whp thats the same as the mazdaspeed dynoed stock. He didnt even really do headwork or anything. If you could get 170-180whp all motor which i know i can, thats over 200 flywheel, you could definately do damage to other cars on the street from a roll. It wont be a viper killer, well you know what im sick of this whats better and whats not, you guys have a great night hope you guys dont blow your motor, just one more thing "do it right the first time"
 
hey guys.

my 2 cents - you can never get the full benefit of a modification unless it is done right. a n/a HC piston upgrade is limited by the head, which is limited by the cams, which is limited by the throttle body...and so on. you can start and finish this where ever you like.

the only true way to REALLY get the full benefit of doing 1 or 2 things at a time is to chuck the stock ECU and get a new one. that way it can be programmed to what you have done to the engine.

all being said, i agree that both options are viable. myself i will be going the turbo route after warranty runs out, but in the mean time, getting the engine ready for turbo....head work coming shortly - and not just a port and flow, customer grind cams, valves, springs, retainers, intake manifold ported flowed and matched, throttle body ported flowed and matched...blah blah blah.

that's enough for me tonight (i live in brisbane australia and it's 10pm - WAY WAY WAY past my bed time).

later

twilightprotege (andrew)
 
If you plan on sticking N/A, and doing a little work at a time, I'd reccomend (in this order)
exhaust header
exhuast
engine managment - YES I'M SERIOUS, you need this to tune your mods ore they are useless.
maybe some kind of hot ignition kit
high compression pistons
head work & cams

We can get 200hp out of this motor N/A guys, but not without ENGINE MANAGEMENT.
 
agreed. 200whp out of this engine is a peice of p!ss if done right. as i said, you cant just bolt everything on and get 200whp. a new ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM is a must

later
 
you can get a haltec or tec2 for like 900-1100 depending on what condition it is. These things are all you need, everybody talking about 1500+ for standalone why, haltec costs about 1000 and most 8,9,10 second cars use them why not a 13 second protege.
 
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