New Owner of a 2003.5 MSP

[City_of_Champs]

Hey everyone, i'm the proud new owner of one of the 125 yellow 2003.5 Mazdaspeed protege's in Canada (wish i could find my production # but, im a canuck, so no such luck). I'm the second owner, 35,000km on it (about 22,000miles), with absolutely no modifications to the car whatsoever, however, it has got brand new front and rear suspension bushings, "the reflash" and a new turbo in the car. Overall, the thing is gorgeous!

Aside from introductions... I love my car, but i've got a question, why is it that the car feels incredibly strong (powerful) for the first 2 minutes or so that its running (essentially a cold engine), but then feel progressively less so as it warms up. It's not like it starts to feel "week" or anything, there's just significantly less "zoom zoom" when it gets up to temperature.

Anybody know why this may be, and what can be done to help (or fix) it?

 

[Rush]

Welcome to the wonderful world of a crappy stock intercooler that gets heat-soaked in what feels like 5 minutes.

Your solution? Either an upgraded side-mount intercooler, or you can go all-out and get a front-mount intercooler.

EDIT: Oh, take a look at this thread to find out your production number. If you know your car's VIN, you can figure it out! Check out the second post -- it has links to PDF files that list the VIN of every single MSP that was ever produced. Just make sure you look at the list for the 03.5 .. NOT 03. http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123653104

 

[City_of_Champs]

thanks for the advice, i think im going to go with the CustomMSP SMIC, but im thinking about getting hardpipes as well to "finish the job", and have seen that the set from turbohoses and the "weapon r" kit from protegegarage seem to be the most availible, anybody have any comments on which would be best?

 

[1moreMPH]

hardpipes are...well, hard pipes. one set won't be much better than any other. So i would say the cheapest/best looking is the way to go. the CustomMSP intercooler is perfect for you, and you should be very happy with it. happy modding