OBX Header - Sound obtrusive?

[Captain KRM P5]

Damn guys...you're making me want to grab the udp's now too...I thought I had read that there were bad side effects of the pullies though. Time to search.

Oh, here's another question - do you need to jet coat the headers before you use them?

no one has ever damaged or destroyed a protege engine thanks to an underdrive pulley. the argument is that a lighter pulley will throw the engine out of balance. the protege engine is balanced internally before a flywheel or pulley is ever attached to it. if a pulley was going to destroy it by virtue of balance or wearing the oil pump, then so would a lightened flywheel. its really that simple.

 

[Nutari]

I do as well Nutari...have you already posted your setup?

Thanks bumpin...I could have sworn I saw bad feedback from pulleys. Must have been with the smaller diameter - thanks for the info.

i LOVED the way my p5 sounded with the OBX header, MAM midpipe stock resonator.. and Ractive axleback..

I have a video..

let me find it..

eh.. its too big for the site.. but yeah.. I can email it to people if you want.

 

[MyZmZm]

Damn guys...you're making me want to grab the udp's now too...I thought I had read that there were bad side effects of the pullies though. Time to search.

Oh, here's another question - do you need to jet coat the headers before you use them?

The only 'problem' you have to worry about with the UDP is getting new belts since your stock ones won't fit properly.

Jet coating... I'd say it's probably split about 50/50 for people who have the header; I have never coated mine and have no problems. Just make sure you completely clean/wipe down the header after you install it and BEFORE you start your car for the first time. If you don't, your fingerprints will be on the header permanently.

 

[.Grendel.]

The unorthodox pulley from Ken at protegegarage.com is the same size, only alot lighter

How does the UR UDCP underdrive the accessories if its the same size as stock?

 

[Dragg1e]

I have just purchased an OBX short Ram Intake Kit. and the sound is awesome.. Although I must say the HP gain isnt that noticable..
I do have a 12" sub in my trunk which is pretty heavy. So that might be why i cant really notice the HP gain but it is awesome though!

 

[ctt 1982]

bumpin must be mistaken cause the unorthodox is definately smaller. there's another brand that is lightweight but not underdriven, can't remember the name. something like r&r racing l/w pulley???

 

[Nutari]

I have just purchased an OBX short Ram Intake Kit. and the sound is awesome.. Although I must say the HP gain isnt that noticable..
I do have a 12" sub in my trunk which is pretty heavy. So that might be why i cant really notice the HP gain but it is awesome though!

heh.. intakes dont do much for the protege as far as gains go. Just adds a nice sound.

I had pretty much every possible 'minor' bolt-on on my p5 and it wasnt really that much faster than stock..

 

[bumpin_p5]

bumpin must be mistaken cause the unorthodox is definately smaller. there's another brand that is lightweight but not underdriven, can't remember the name. something like r&r racing l/w pulley???

I meant to put I think it is slightly smaller, sorry bout that.

 

[Lord_Zath]

RR-Racing and Unorthodox Racing UDP are both smaller diameter.

The only lightweight stock-diameter pulleys that were ever made are in Beau from MAM's drawing board...

 

[Matthew1785]

heh.. intakes dont do much for the protege as far as gains go. Just adds a nice sound.

I had pretty much every possible 'minor' bolt-on on my p5 and it wasnt really that much faster than stock..

You might not think so lol but i noticed a gain when adding SRI, and a exhust is going on this saturday. stack that up with a P&P im sure us N/A folks see a difference i know i do. if i didnt i would have left it stock a long time ago

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

The only 'problem' you have to worry about with the UDP is getting new belts since your stock ones won't fit properly.

If that's a problem then don't forget to worry about the alternator not turning as much so your AC & bass will be dimming your headlights when idling. There's several threads in here that have the shorter belt part numbers in them. It's not a problem, just a different one from oem. As for the lights, just don't idle.

 

[.Grendel.]

I’m sure there is some cushion built into the factory engineered pulley and belt system, but IMHO, it’s not worth the alleged few whp gained or possible complications. I know I wouldn’t want to be underdriving my water pump or A/C with the summertime temps here in NC.

 

[Lord_Zath]

I have yet to feel that the A/C isn't cold enough. Or that the alternator wasn't keeping up.

As for the water pump, I drove 7.5 hours non-stop to Minneapolis one time - so about 380 miles in warm summer heat. No problems...

 

[.Grendel.]

I have yet to feel that the A/C isn't cold enough. Or that the alternator wasn't keeping up. As for the water pump, I drove 7.5 hours non-stop to Minneapolis one time - so about 380 miles in warm summer heat. No problems...

Great info

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Oh I wasn't saying the AC wasn't always cold or that there were ever any issues with charging system either, just that at night with all of that running you might see headlights dimming to your bass hits (with oem stereo) or dimming at bit every time the compressor cycles. IMO all the apprehension about UDPs is a bit overdone. I still have the factory battery, alt, stereo & have had the UDP for 2 1/2 years at least with no problems with anything. Battery health would probably be the determining factor.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Yeah I have noticed some dimming going on... but honestly for me the performance increase outweighs that.

I've been on the stock battery for the past 3 years (bought in June of 03) and I have yet to have any problems with it. UDP's been on for about a year and a half now... maybe two.

 

[Hy8us]

i've only seen a gain in the 80+ mph range, ex going from 80-100 is more easy than it is stock. I havnt noticed much low end loss but thats just me.

 

[ProtoType5]

I've got the stock Pully and my lights dim with the compressor, so WTF is everyone worried about...The alternator SUCKS and there is no sure way to upgrade....Even people with grounding kits and Optima batteries sometimes have the dimming...It's a curse from the JDM gods...."Mazda will always be underpowered in all aspects"

EDit***Wasn't this a thread about the sound of the OBX header???????

 

[Captain KRM P5]

just so those interested know - i have only TWO headers left at the sale price

 

[Pro5Lani]

The alternator SUCKS and there is no sure way to upgrade....Even people with grounding kits and Optima batteries sometimes have the dimming...It's a curse from the JDM gods...."Mazda will always be underpowered in all aspects"

I have a red top optima and a grounding kit and yup, still the dimming just like you said. Yes, the alternator is sure to blame.

But, as far as underpowered in all aspects, I doubt it. I say Mazda has one of the best handling aspects out there compared to honda, toyota, and mitsu. I get lots of compliments on how well my p5 handles and I have the stock strut bar, lower front gt spec strut bar, and wheel spacers. But, I got most of the compliments when I didn't have the spacers. That's just my theory though. And, with Mazda owning laguna seca, I think that has something to do with the great handling...that one portion of the course is killer! Even in Gran Tourismo (haha).


That's just my two cents to further help anyone that is looking for this info. (RTM)