New MSP owner

[angeloTNT]

Hey all,

I just bought my MSP (blazing yellow), this Nov. But due to personal Reasons
I dont pick it up until Jan (what a teaser huh...). Im still proud to have it and be part of this forum. I was browsing through msprotege.com and i found a lot of helpful people. (you can say it was a reason to join).
On the car came with a Cold Air-intake and Cat-back exhaust system.
I dont want the car to be a "RACE CAR" but i want it fast prolly a little over 210HP+ u guys have good ideas on where to start? Sorry i cant post the product number must wait until Jan

 

[bazooka joe]

welcome aboard!

 

[Alejo_NIN]

Hey all,


I dont want the car to be a "RACE CAR" but i want it fast prolly a little over 210HP+ u guys have good ideas on where to start? Sorry i cant post the product number must wait until Jan

hehe, everybody says that
what a cliche!

anyways, welcome...
take care of it..it isn't a racecar...not quiet yet

 

[angeloTNT]

well its true for now... i dont see myself pouring money into it right now... even tho its a very very sexy car... but basic upgrades would be nice... so please... give me tips on what to do... i feel like such a newb... but im sure with this forums HELP it would point me to in a some what "right" direction

 

[RacerXGirl]

Congrats on the new ride!

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

welcome

 

[Alejo_NIN]

pointers:
don't waste money on CAI, make yourself a SRI
replace exhaust piping, muffler is ok, the piping is the one with the problem...
replace cats for high flow or gut cats if possible (loss of emissions)
start saving money for a FMIC kit...
don't waste time looking for headers..the only ones that work are 1000$

invest money in making the car go fast..forget about looks..it already look nice

just my opinion

well its true for now... i dont see myself pouring money into it right now... even tho its a very very sexy car... but basic upgrades would be nice... so please... give me tips on what to do... i feel like such a newb... but im sure with this forums HELP it would point me to in a some what "right" direction

 

[angeloTNT]

well i didnt actually waste my money on the CAI... b/c it came with it when i bought if from the previous owner.. (i am the second owner) same goes for the Exhaust... sorry but i have to ask what is a FMIC kit... and a SRI ^^ be nice im clueless right now

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

FMIC = Front Mount Intercooler
SRI = Short Ram Intake

 

[angeloTNT]

right on...
and how much would those go for in ur experience?

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

well you have an Injen CAI so you already have a SRI lol....just take off the cold pipe & mount the filter to the end of the MAF sensor....makes it easier to get to the filter to clean it & a CAI isnt neccessary.

And FMIC will run you in the neighborhood of $1k

 

[angeloTNT]

-_- 1k... thats 1 paycheck... gah!....
so FMIC...SRI would be first on my shopping cart...
hmmm sounds easy enough...
please more thoughts on what to do... loving the advise here.

do i need a turbo timer? i have 2 pod gauges... air and oil...

*Alejo - u mention headers... when would be a good time for headers to be purchased?

i live in toronto canada by anychance do anyone know a good
performance shope ...

 

[VermZ06]

With the mods your car already has i'd go with an upgraded side mount intercooler with hardpipes. You'll save a lot of cash and not have to hastle with cutting, or taking apart too much. Plus it will work much better than your stock setup. Other than that you should have a pretty sweet ride. Just watch for that damn limited slip differential, clunk, and horribly unreliable stock head unit. Congrats on the ride!

 

[angeloTNT]

whats better front mount or side mount intercooler?
pros and cons mayb?

unichip... ive been seeing this around... whats this about?
although i have an idea what it does im still confused of the purpose

 

[VermZ06]

Typically the front mount is what you want for big horsepower and many more mods than you're looking at, usually an engine tune and even forged internals. The front mount intercooler rests visable from the front bumper usually right in back of the plastic grille. Between your fog lights.

The Upgraded Side Mount Intercooler bolts right up to the stock fitting and replaces the old unit with a much more effiicient core to maximize engine output. Again this option will be leaps and bounds better than stock and more than efficient to run the type of numbers you want.

However, Front Mount Intercoolers provide the least amount of heat soak as they're placed at good distance away from the engine's power soaking heat. They also look badass and very intimidating on the road. Only problem with the FMIC is that they're expensive and a pain in the ass to install on your own. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Boosted03MSP]

SMIC is cheaper, by a few hundred and easy to install. FMIC maybe a little more efficient, but I prefer a sleeper look so i dont have some big stupid blinging intercooler in my front grill.

 

[VermZ06]

Not 100% sure what the unichip does, but i'd stay away from upping the boost too much on the protege. These are great cars, but if you're internals are stock and you up the boost a fair amount prepare for a little boom boom action. I think the mods you have with an upgraded intercooler will make your car a pretty good ride and quite possibly close to 200 horse although a full turbo back exhaust or a cut out will definitely get you there.

 

[angeloTNT]

wow.. thats a lot of useful information thats crazy.
Do i have to remove the front grill if i have the FMIC? i rather like the front grill.. but im guessing it wouldnt make a difference.. do i need a turbo timer? and what does it do exactly?

 

[cable43]

congrats man!
Welcome!

 

[angeloTNT]

What do i need to get flashed in order to stop this hesitation that everyone is talking about? and can the dealer only do it? or anymore performance shopes?