New Member Need Help

[onefast5]

Hey everybody this is my first post and I recently purchased a 2002 Black Protege 5. I luv the car and i have read many interesting posts on this site. I currently have no mods to the car. My budget for the car is definetly not real high. I need the most effective mods for the best price. I really want to tighten up the shifter and i have read that kartboy is a good purchase. I also am interested in the Injen CAI but i have read good and bad about it and since winter is coming do u think i should wait since the winter hear is pretty harsh and i might be driving thru some heavy snow? Any of your input would be great. Also for each mod i do i am constructing a do it yourself mod website with tons of pics. Mazda's Rule!

 

[low_psi]

Welcome! The kartboy shifter w/ bushings should met your needs. I'd get some AWR motor mounts now, and then get an Injen this spring.

 

[onefast5]

What do i need the motor mounts for?

 

[CruzinAltitude]

The motor mounts really tighten the engin up so you dont loose some of the power of the engine by having the soft ass stock mounts absorbe them. Everyone who has purchased them said that they can chirp when shifting into second. I can only do that on the right surfaces, ie wet concrete or in hard cornering (I dont have the AWR mounts, but will some day).

 

[onefast5]

Is the motor mounts an expensive modification because i really dont have that much to spend and would like to keep it under a 1000

 

[CruzinAltitude]

Hell, the motor mounts are cheap as hell to do! In reality most people just change the front one ( the other two are supposedly a major pain in the ass to do). Your looking at a whopping 150 bucks (last I heard) and the time it takes to do it. If you go to the top of the forum there is a search button, try putting in Motor mounts, and then How to as the forum to search, and you find all kinds of info!

 

[VengefulTick]

I would go with either a Kart Boy, or a B & M for short throw shifters. I personally am chosing to go with the B & M when I get back.

As far as intakes go. I would go with an AEM short ram intake. "Why" you ask? I have a theory on that, and I'm actually going to start a thread right after this post.

Engine mounts? Bah. While they may succeed in providing a minescule amount of torque....I don't think the cost/gain ratio is enough. (Please don't take that personal Cruzin or MX3, its just my opinion) I mean, how much does you motor really move on its original mounts?

Exhaust is a must. Exhausts are a proven way to improve hp. You can go with expensive stainless steal cat-back exhausts, ("cat" refering to catilitic converter). Or axle-back exhausts. Whichever fits your budget. You can get great performance from axle-back exhausts, such as HKS's. You may want to go with a larger exhaust pipe from the cat back to the HKS, but this can be a standard galvanized pipe.

Well, thats my 2 cents...hope it helps.

 

[CruzinAltitude]

No offense taken, Ive just heard that a lot of people who get the motor mount really like the diffrence in the feel of the car. True that any actual Tq diffrence would be minor the feeling from my understanding is pretty obvious and desireable. The same thing can be said for exhaust. Any HP increase is going to be relatively minor (probably up to 5 max), but there is a diffrence on the sound of the car, which gives a percived diffrence in proformance.

 

[jcywong]

i am in australia do you know any site i can order the mount from thank you

 

[bazooka joe]

welcome onefast 5! you'll find a lot of useful and informative info on this site!

 

[wscottl]

i am in australia do you know any site i can order the mount from thank you

Protege5 Online

AWR Engine Mounts (bottom of page)

 

[onefast5]

Thanks guys for all the info

 

[jared]

welcome to the site!
people here are cool as hell


on a complete side note
you say you have a 2002 in your post. is that your car in the pic? because i think that is an '03 judging by the wheels and side marker.

 

[onefast5]

well i think its an 02 but yes thats my car. As far as suspension goes what springs would you guys recommend. I looked at the TEIN springs which look pretty nice for 240 and coilovers are just too expensive

 

[BadApple]

well i would go with the Tein, they are the best for the buck!
you can find them pretty cheap on...www.iapdirect.com/item.asp?invid=330

 

[BadApple]

Where did you get $240 thats crazy....? THats a big rip off!!

 

[onefast5]

wow this shop by my house is a total rip off
Thanks guys.

 

[onefast5]

The next question i have is do any of you feel a difference from the axle back exhaust. I know you can hear the sound but i dont know if u can really feel like a 5-hp difference

 

[BadApple]

I have a cat-back exhaust system and a magnaflow muffler....i didnt really feal the extra power until i got my Cold air intake. i basically just heard the difference (If that makes any sense at all to you) ...most likely just putting on a muffler your not really going to fell the boost in power....but i am possitive you will love the effects of a muffler (Especially when your showin off cruzing the streets)...If your looking to feel the power a little more your best bet would be get a good cold air system after you buy the muffler...i know you wont regret it....
-peace

 

[onefast5]

Since im thinking about adding the Tein springs, i really just want my suspension to be really tight and stiff, do the springs just lower the car or due they tightnen it up as well