New owner

[miker27]

Just wanted to say hey. Been driving this about a month and so far very pleased, excuse the filth and lousy photos.

just for kicks

cheers

 

[azuelke]

Welcome, any plans to mod?

 

[miker27]

Well, I've already done a DIY cold air intake. I suspect I'll buy another set of alloys for snow tires. I would like to do some light mods to increase mpg and power, but I'll be driving the car from MA to montana for the year come fall so reliability is key. Any suggestions? Thanks
- Mike

 

[azuelke]

Oh boy, where to start (rofl2)

Header, high-flow (or catless) mid-pipe, different axle-back, blacked out headlights with projectors while you are at it, MP3 ecu if your car is a 5 speed, short shifter (see prior), grill, lip...

If you are going to be DD it and in winter, I wouldn't dabble into springs/coils, but maybe different sway bars.

 

[iamthewheelman]

I would say he could get away with an Eibach Pro-Kit for a DD

 

[miker27]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in search of some less shiny 17" rims, not a chrome fan here. I think major engine and suspension mods will have to wait until I'm back on the east coast. But I think working on the stereo could be fun, the car has an aftermarket alpine head unit but the rest of it could use an upgrade. I'm totally new to that area so we will see. Having fun with it as stock as it is now still. Some more lousy photos for you folks in the mean time.

 

[FORZWIN]

Welcome! Car looks great and I'm diggin the hardwood cargo floor! (nana) Is that peal and stick, vinyl, laminate or actual hardwood?

Good stuff man, those last pics look pretty good.

 

[miker27]

Thanks, the floor is laminate, leftover ikea package from the floor in my room. Was a fun project. Question for all a ya'll. There are some mazdaspeed factory springs from an 03 msp for sale in my area, these should be compatible with the protege5, right? Will I blow my shocks and other components if I install these spring but change nothing else? Is it a terribly difficult install? Thanks
-Mike

 

[MasonMetcalfe]

those are some great HDR photos mike

 

[visiongt9506]

welcome to the site man, i have noticed quite a few people are from MASS on this forum

 

[miker27]

update on what has been dubbed "the blueberry"... so manly. Car made it to Montana without issue, but has been feeling the abuse of the dirt roads. Here she is in winter mode, shouldn't be too long now.

 

[FORZWIN]

...There are some mazdaspeed factory springs from an 03 msp for sale in my area, these should be compatible with the protege5, right? Will I blow my shocks and other components if I install these spring but change nothing else? Is it a terribly difficult install...

Super late with a reply...

They are compatible, but sit lower in the rear; the perches on the MSP struts sit higher to give it more travel. Unless you were to grab the struts as well, the drop would be uneven. The install isn't very hard for the avg DIYer.

 

[Bastian]

just gotta say... i'm loving your roof rack.

 

[iamthewheelman]

Super late with a reply...

They are compatible, but sit lower in the rear; the perches on the MSP struts sit higher to give it more travel. Unless you were to grab the struts as well, the drop would be uneven. The install isn't very hard for the avg DIYer.

I believe the drop is still a little uneven with the Tokico's as well

 

[miker27]

Hopefully I wont be inxing myself for posting this too soon, but 2000 miles or so into the drive back to mass things are looking good. It's been a major downer crusing back east, but I should make it back to Montana in a couple years. Here she is in North Dakota

Hopefully I can clean her up well and play with the suspension now that it wont be used as a snowplow, I'm sure I will have many questions and updates shortly. Cheers,
Mike