Opinion on "Turboing" an Auto (non-sport)

[GMalatrasi]

Ok, I love my P5 in every way except, I keep looking for a little bit more power everytime I drive it. I know this isn't the best car to go fast for little money, and even less if it's automatic, but I need more power!... (big surprise there) I'm not looking for 300whp just enough to feel that pull on my head when I get on the gas, ie: 150-200whp.

So here's the question: If I somehow get $2500 out of a hole in the ground or something, should I get the turbo kit or just keep doing the N/A type mods I've been doing so far????

Any imput is greatly appreciated,
Thanks

 

[thaikim]

That's been my dilemna as well... I've been contemplating it for a while now with little to no results... I'm pretty sure a large majority of P5 owners on here have had similar thoughts at one point or another while they've owned the car... That's the one thing that bugs me about Mazda is unless it's a Speed version they don't offer engine/power options.

 

[Tengo]

i have an auto too. i would turbo it. but ppl say u NEED to put an oil cooler and s*** and to just be careful on the tranny. oh and keep at like 5 psi and no higher. i would just go with the msp kit. good bang for the buck and its not totally mess up yur engine or tranny if your careful.

 

[thaikim]

Basically what I'm starting to realize is that turboing this car is gonna come with a price, most likely in the form of money or headaches.

 

[GMalatrasi]

See that's the thing I cant afford all the other things that I would want to do to it, like a racing tranny and torque converter, if I buy the turbo kit. I even looked at some rear-mounted turbos to keep down the engine bay mods, but those are expensive.

 

[GMalatrasi]

I'd like to hear from the guys that have turbo P5s, auto and stick.

 

[Thekid760]

I want to turbo my auto P5 also.
The big problem for me is the same as everyone's though, No money.

Look on the bright side though, if you turbo your P5 and toast the tranny it just an excuse to upgrade it. Lentech Automatics makes a a complete performance rebuild for our trannys in a few stages. They are capable of handling anywhere from around 175whp (it's just an upgraded valve body and torque converter) to an auto trans that can handle 500whp.
I doubt any of us will make that kind of power (I know it can be done, but the average joe isn't going to do it.)

 

[thaikim]

I would suggest not turboing it unless you can afford to do some of those other mods cause chances are if you don't then you may be rebuilding the engine/tranny anyways.

 

[Thekid760]

Opps I forgot, here is there link:

http://www.lentechautomatics.com/fwdmodels.html

 

[Brian MP5T]

The Tranny will not take well to the added power withiut extensive modifications.

Swap out to a MTX and then turbo

 

[GMalatrasi]

MTX = manual or ???

 

[GMalatrasi]

Opps I forgot, here is there link:

http://www.lentechautomatics.com/fwdmodels.html

Thanks, that's what i meant by racing tranny.

 

[Micah]

I was the first turbo'd auto. Also the first blown turbo auto.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36075&highlight=blew+engine

Live and learn. Pay off your Mazda and buy a faster car that gives you a better starting point. If you really want to do it though, I would recommend slapping yourself in the face and realizing that your 130hp budget car is not intended for high levels of power.

Stick with NA, enjoy the car for what it is. The handling on Protege5/ES is great.

Flame away if you want, I don't care. I've been on this forum for a long time, hardly on here anymore. Just wanted to save you automatic guys alot of trouble.

 

[Jack Daniels]

I was the first turbo'd auto. Also the first blown turbo auto.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36075&highlight=blew+engine

Live and learn. Pay off your Mazda and buy a faster car that gives you a better starting point. If you really want to do it though, I would recommend slapping yourself in the face and realizing that your 130hp budget car is not intended for high levels of power.

Stick with NA, enjoy the car for what it is. The handling on Protege5/ES is great.

Flame away if you want, I don't care. I've been on this forum for a long time, hardly on here anymore. Just wanted to save you automatic guys alot of trouble.

Excellent advice.

I prefer manuals, but auto + turbo can be a very good combination.

 

[GMalatrasi]

I was the first turbo'd auto. Also the first blown turbo auto.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36075&highlight=blew+engine

Live and learn. Pay off your Mazda and buy a faster car that gives you a better starting point. If you really want to do it though, I would recommend slapping yourself in the face and realizing that your 130hp budget car is not intended for high levels of power.

Stick with NA, enjoy the car for what it is. The handling on Protege5/ES is great.

Flame away if you want, I don't care. I've been on this forum for a long time, hardly on here anymore. Just wanted to save you automatic guys alot of trouble.

What kind of hp did u get with that set-up?
I wouldnt mind doing 4-5psi at first untill i can afford to get the Lentech tranny and torque conv. and better rods.

Honestly what I REALLY want to do is put a root charger on it... From the boost curves I've seen, it's much smoother power increase and easier for the engine and tranny to deal with the power. But I would have to custom fabricate everything cause no one has a kit for P5s.

 

[Brian MP5T]

MTX = manual or ???

MTX = Manual Transmission

ATX = Auto Transmission

 

[GMalatrasi]

Ok thanx
Just making sure I was correct

 

[GMalatrasi]

i dont think that switching to a stick without switching cars is an option, way too involved.

 

[bumpin_p5]

I wanted to turbo mine since I have had it. But when I read all the horror stories about it, I backed out and just couldn't understand why Mazda would make such a weak automatic transmission. I thought of trading in one time, then I figured it would be cheaper to go turbo, but then again, if I did as everyone said and only go at with 4-5 psi, I may as well be farting for horsepower. The other option, which some peeps have done on here, is to trade your auto for a manual. But, as for me I am going to buy either a MS3 or a MSP(haven't decided yet) and private sell mine. Good luck.

 

[gimpo2]

yeaaah don't do it unless you wanna lose confidence in the dependability of your car.