New FSP build

[Jas00x]

I am starting to build my 2000 ES for FSP. I have talked with a few of you guys about it already, but wanted to start a thread to get some info out there for others wanting to prepare a 99-00 Protege with the 1.8L.
I have owned the car since new in 2000, and I have raced in Stock for a few years, then STS a little. I then raced an RSX Type S for a few years, and have decided to go back to the Protege.
Since my car has 150K+ miles, I am doing a bit of preventative maintenance and performance upgrades at the same time.
My first stage is ordering up the AWR suspension with Bilsteins. I like the Bilsteins for the durability, acuracy, and the non adjustable shock will make tuning simpler (swaybars, tires, and alignment).
I have already pulled the tranny (with ALOT of help from a friend), and have dropped it off at OPM for the LSD treatment.
I've got the Fidenza flywheel, which is the first snag. The Fidenza Flywheel (I found this weekend) is not designed to fit the standard F-type pressure plate. I have found a pressure plate that I am told is designed specifically for this purpose, so I will let you guys know a little more once I know it works for sure.
Part of my maintenace has been replacing wheel bearings. I thought I had a bad lower ball joint, so I ordered new control arms (with new bushings). It turns out the new control arms look to have improved structure over the original parts that were on the car. Probably a change when they went to the 2.0L or Mazdaspeed models. In any case, it got me wondering what other suspension parts were beefed up (rear trailing arm???).
I also have my set of 14x8 Diamond Racing wheels which I am planning to get some Kumho V710 225-50-14's on.
I (with ALOT of help from a frined) am also doing some basic maintenance like replacing the timing belt, water pump, engine main seals. My goal is to have a decent running engine before I start to really mod it for power. I am shooting for my first event at the Dixie Tour on February 24/25. There are already some top notch competitors signed up. I'm not expecting to win at all, but see how much work will need to be done in order to realistically compete with the big boys.
By the time of the event I should have the suspension parts on (but not tuned), the LSD, flywheel and tranny overhauled, and the fresh set of tires.
Future plans are uping the horsepower with intake, ecu and exhaust...right now thats all bone stock!

 

[Captain KRM P5]

awesome sounding build, think we spoke about the flywheel if i am not mistaken, it was a good learning experience for me as well on that so let me know how it all works out!

 

[xelderx]

Awesome...looking forward to another FSP Protege in the Southeast.

 

[Shadow102]

Good luck and look foward to seeing you out at the auto-x this year if you need any help besides what kevin is offering let me know

 

[Jas00x]

There is just something about getting a box-load of car parts in the mail that just makes me giddy. Street Prepared is much more fun than Stock class. I just hope my credit card can make it till this part of the build is complete.
Kevin is the man! We..I mean...He got the tranny off in like 2 hours!
I'm really excited about racing the car. It should be really fun to drive.

 

[Vanimaniac]

Good luck at the Tour! I can't wait for our season to start. But we've had snow on the ground for over 40 days straight so far.

Van

 

[Jas00x]

Love/hate mazdaspeed motorsports

I really love Mazdaspeed Motorsports for their excellent deals on parts. But when you ship a package to my old, old house in Florida...arrrg I need the parts here in Atlanta!
The pressure plate and motor mount I ordered on Monday arrived today to my old, old house in Florida. Fortunately, I happen to be going to Florida this weekend, so I will be able to pick them up. But I don't understand how that address came up?!!?! I JUST had two shipments sent to me last week! AND all of my account info online is upto date!
Looks like the test fit won't happen untill next week.

 

[khaosman]

haha. I need to call MMS and get my account setup so I can start ordering the rest of the parts I need.

Your build should be quite interesting to watch, can't wait to hear how it goes.

 

[kcbhiw]

I really love Mazdaspeed Motorsports for their excellent deals on parts. But when you ship a package to my old, old house in Florida...arrrg I need the parts here in Atlanta!
The pressure plate and motor mount I ordered on Monday arrived today to my old, old house in Florida. Fortunately, I happen to be going to Florida this weekend, so I will be able to pick them up. But I don't understand how that address came up?!!?! I JUST had two shipments sent to me last week! AND all of my account info online is upto date!
Looks like the test fit won't happen untill next week.

That sucks. I guess that answers what we won't be doing tomorrow evening. I'll be out of town Monday and most of Tuesday. Perhaps we can take a stab at the pressure plate Tuesday or Wednesday evening.

 

[Rogue]

good luck Jason.

 

[Jas00x]

Thanks. I will be down in Florida untill Monday or Tuesday, so Tuesday or Wednesday will probably be good for me. Looks like I will be closing on my house late this week or early next week! THAT will definately help fund the build!!!

 

[miata_racer]

The Protege is fast in stock form and SHOULD make about as much power as the Miata in FSP trim. Contact Fuji-Racing.com about their ITB setup. Ask Robert Palmblad about the engine setup on his car. It's DAMN fast and it works. Your only hope with the protege is the UD/BD to a DX model with no options and making a crapload of power with big tires. Try to fit the 275 15" hoosier. That might work.

My wife had a 99 LX and now has an 02 LX and it handles great stock but would rock in SP.

 

[aMaff]

I've seen Fuji's ITBs and they're freakin HOT! I'm glad I'm doing STS2, or I may have broken out the credit card...

 

[Jas00x]

The Protege is fast in stock form and SHOULD make about as much power as the Miata in FSP trim. Contact Fuji-Racing.com about their ITB setup. Ask Robert Palmblad about the engine setup on his car. It's DAMN fast and it works. Your only hope with the protege is the UD/BD to a DX model with no options and making a crapload of power with big tires. Try to fit the 275 15" hoosier. That might work.

My wife had a 99 LX and now has an 02 LX and it handles great stock but would rock in SP.

Actually the UD/BD with the DX isn't that big of a deal. Most of the parts are shared between the ES and DX. The ES adds Cruise control and AC, which can both be removed... and power door/windows are marginal as far as weight savings. so it really shouldn't matter if I have an ES or DX. The DX is just that much more work to swap engines and wiring.

 

[Tom03es]

Out of curiousity, what kind of parts are available through the Mazda Motorsport Program?

I have a friend here who has a CSP CRX that he's been working on over the years. His co-driver trophied at Nationals and he finished just outside the trophies this past season. He works at a composites design/manufacturing company and has machined some 2.5lb wheel centers for his 3 piece wheels and designed/built a carbon fiber intake manifold. He recently dropped some major coin on a flywheel/dual clutch set up that weighs about 14 lbs total. He's going to try to find another 2lb in the flywheel on the CNC mill. One thing I've picked up from his car is: Be VERY weight conscious. He went through his car and cut off the extra threads on bolts and further machined down his underdrive pullies. If you can find titanium fasteners (check ebay), use them where you can- especially in rotating assemblies.

Good luck and take your time. Like I said, my friend has been working on his car for years. A true racecar is never fully developed.

 

[Jas00x]

Mazdaspeed Motorsports has a variety of stuff. First off is the stock parts program in which you can get stock parts for the car that you are racing at basically wholesale cost. This is great if you have an older car that needs new bushings, control arms, or even a crate motor!
Then they have aftermarket stuff. Most of the aftermarket stuff is support products for their road racing efforts- Like SCCA Showroom Stock and SPEED Touring and GT racing. AWR designs and produces alot of the stuff for Mazdamotorsports, and I am sure there are other shops that do the same. The aftermarket stuff is "regular" pricing, so no rediculous deals there- but in the case of the Protege they have some great niche products, like the pressure plate that I ordered. Sometimes the sales guys don't even know they have this stuff... in the case of the Pressure plate, I talked to AWR and they told me exactly what to ask for- Tim at Mazdamotorsports was like "I'm not sure if.....ah here it is! We do have that!".
So its definately a good place to look for stuff. The online catalog can be a bit limiting and a pain, so I like to just call them up for questions or orders (I usually talk to Tim).

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

with 150k on the odometer, dont' you think it might be time for an engine build up? if your'e oing w/ N/A power, high compression and ITB's is a great idea. check out your options. don't wanna burn up that old motor. and maybe an AWR baffled oil pan for the quick /spirited driving.

 

[Jas00x]

with 150k on the odometer, dont' you think it might be time for an engine build up? if your'e oing w/ N/A power, high compression and ITB's is a great idea. check out your options. don't wanna burn up that old motor. and maybe an AWR baffled oil pan for the quick /spirited driving.

I would agree that 150K is about ready for a new motor/build. However, its not in the current budget and time frame for this phase of the build. The engine is running pretty well, and I have heard stories about rebuilt engines (specifically the bottom end) actually making less power than an older one because everything is "looser" on the older engine. I have been told (by the STS Civic guys), that all you really need is the headwork. Since FSP doesn't allow much in engine work, its alot of time and money with little payback in terms of horsepower. Currently I want to focus on transmission and suspension. Then focus on the big gain power bolt-ons. I really wasn't planning on doing the engine work until after this season. If the engine goes this year, it will suck, but it I be ok since I have a second car.
I have been racing my car since it was new and the only time I had problems with the oil was when I tried to race it with 1.5qts of oil (but thats another story). So I don't really feel like I need the modified oil pan- hey that extra oil is extra weight! I do check my oil before every race, and every time I fill up with gas. So I'm hoping that regimen will get me through this season.
In the "gettin-er-done" column, I have painted my rims, retreived the misdirected package from florida, and I am planning to close on (selling) my house in Florida tomorrow!

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

I would agree that 150K is about ready for a new motor/build. However, its not in the current budget and time frame for this phase of the build. The engine is running pretty well, and I have heard stories about rebuilt engines (specifically the bottom end) actually making less power than an older one because everything is "looser" on the older engine. I have been told (by the STS Civic guys), that all you really need is the headwork. Since FSP doesn't allow much in engine work, its alot of time and money with little payback in terms of horsepower. Currently I want to focus on transmission and suspension. Then focus on the big gain power bolt-ons. I really wasn't planning on doing the engine work until after this season. If the engine goes this year, it will suck, but it I be ok since I have a second car.
I have been racing my car since it was new and the only time I had problems with the oil was when I tried to race it with 1.5qts of oil (but thats another story). So I don't really feel like I need the modified oil pan- hey that extra oil is extra weight! I do check my oil before every race, and every time I fill up with gas. So I'm hoping that regimen will get me through this season.
In the "gettin-er-done" column, I have painted my rims, retreived the misdirected package from florida, and I am planning to close on (selling) my house in Florida tomorrow!

well it's all in the break in process a lot believe. as far as holding up power. I have to break in the motor i have built,(bought built), it's brand new. We'll see how it goes, but i'm sure it'll net me better gains than my stocker.

Good luck on selling the house, i sold my condo not long ago. I'm saving up money to get another house. just remember, in selling/buying, as i've been told " whatever can go wrong will" so, be weary of this, i knoiw it happened to me. VERY discouraging. but, good luck.

 

[Jas00x]

just remember, in selling/buying, as i've been told " whatever can go wrong will" so, be weary of this,

OH I am VERY aware of this! I probably will not be looking to buy a house for a long time because of it.