Protege 5 upgrades?

[k2dave69]

I just aquired a 2002 protege 5. this car is great!. It is pretty quick and loves to rev. Just like my old 1984 RX-7 GSL. I am looking to upgrade the exhaust and suspension. I already modified the air intake by cutting out most of the filter box and opening up holes in the grill to get better airflow. I put a K&N filter in and the car already feels like it revs a little bit quicker and around 3k RPM the car has a nice growl to it. I am currently looking at the Mazda speed cat back exhaust or the HKS one. I am on a budget so HKS is a little bit cheaper. I don't want the car to sound like a go-kart with rasberries like my old VW GTI's used to sound like. I am also looking to swap out the sway bars for some better performance in the handling dept too. I was driving home from work tonight and a new Civic Si took a chance wih me and I lit him up. He couldn't hang with my mazda. I toped out at 130 MPH at 5200 RPM in 5th gear.....NOT BAD!.....But need more speed please any suggestions are welcome!!. I am probably going to start autocrossing the car when I am done....

 

[carter1551]

uhh yeah, i dont think he was trying, the si should have had no problem taking you and i dont think our cars can surpass 115 or so, so unless your turboed this is a hard story to buy. Welcome to the forums and look into a racing beat catback

 

[Nomad]

Did grandpa know you were racing him? Sometimes you "win" because the other guy is smart enough not to go too much over 95 on public highways.

Anyhow, search around the forums and you'll find all the info you want. Welcome to the forum and chill, drive smart and keep the P5 classy, not rice.

 

[NCZ13]

how many states did you cross in your quest for the 5th gear 130 mph mark? lol

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

130 kmh?

 

[aMaff]

I am probably going to start autocrossing the car when I am done....

Thank you, and please, for the sake of all of us, keep the racing there...

 

[P-Funk!]

Good start on the mods. Be aware - the sedan and P5 exhaust lengths are different.

 

[Mr.Ames]

uhh yeah, i dont think he was trying, the si should have had no problem taking you and i dont think our cars can surpass 115 or so, so unless your turboed this is a hard story to buy. Welcome to the forums and look into a racing beat catback

I'm not encouraging anyone, but i dragged with my buddy in his 2000 civic si at the airport (it was an organized event) and by the time i shifted into 3rd i was a car length ahead... Not so much when he drives his NISMO Skyline though, ha ha

 

[JoshP5]

Welcome to the forum.

FYI your numbers don't work out. With the P5s gearing, 5200rpm corresponds to about 115mph, plus or minus one or two mph depending on tire size.

You can upgrade to the MSP swaybars but replacing the front one is a huge pain in the ass. You have to practically take the whole front of the car apart, usually a 5 or 6 hour job by a professional. Most people just do the rear bar, which is pretty easy.

 

[JC-MP5]

how many states did you cross in your quest for the 5th gear 130 mph mark? lol

lol

 

[Mr.Ames]

bigger front sway bar gives u understeer anyway

 

[sc323owner]

yea ive had my car past 115 plenty of times so i can believe it goes past that the 130 mark no esp at 5200 maybe 6500 bc 120mph is 5500

 

[Bastian]

really had to bump this from 4 years ago....?

 

[tweety2300]

This forum needs to resort to that of honda tech. Search first read check date before you post