Purchasing an MP5. What should I look out for?

[Nismosis]

So I'm trading in my Mazdaspeed Miata for the more practical and slower MP5. I've noticed a lot of threads on the butterfly screw issues and was just wondering what else I should look out for. If I can get some feedback, then I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. What major problems should I look out for?
2. How do you like your MP5?
3. Is it really safe to boost these cars?
4. How good is the aftermarket for the MP5?


Thanks to all for an feedback/advice.

 

[nealric]

1. I cant think of any others...
2. Love it, it just needs a bit more go-go juice (which will eventually be fixed)
3. The mazdaspeed protege is the same engine boosted. So I would say yes generally. Of course zoom zoom boom is certainly a possibility if things arent done right.
4. Pretty good, but of course nothing like it is for hondas and such.

 

[Nismosis]

Zoom Zoom Boom? lol

 

[Replica]

In this thread i bring up quite a few things. All of it can be backed up by doing searches for the specific topics.

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115724

Also search for the term "TSB" or "TSB's" to get an idea of common problems.
The aftermarket isn't up to par for me. But it may be great for someone else. Best way to know is to look. Randomly go to summitracing.com or nopi.com or whatever company you want and search for P5 parts. I don't think the FS-DE is good for running serious boost, but that is very debateable. There are a "few" people doing it successfully.

 

[1sty]

So I'm trading in my Mazdaspeed Miata for the more practical and slower MP5. I've noticed a lot of threads on the butterfly screw issues and was just wondering what else I should look out for. If I can get some feedback, then I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. What major problems should I look out for?
2. How do you like your MP5?
3. Is it really safe to boost these cars?
4. How good is the aftermarket for the MP5?


Thanks to all for an feedback/advice.

1. People hacking them up with modifications that even they regret later.
2. I loved it.
3. Depends on you. IF you keep the boost very low, then yes its safe. If you ave the need for speed and wat 200 whp from the car, then no. The car is designed to handle 130 hp, nothing about it is ment to handle much more so the transmission, axles, and engine have all been nuked in the search of power. If you need a fast car, don't buy a p5.
4. Decent but again the cars aftermarket is limited by the cars abilities. Most people that made turbo kits, stopped making them. This is true of other products aswell. The protege just is not a good candidate for all out speed.

 

[nealric]

4. Decent but again the cars aftermarket is limited by the cars abilities. Most people that made turbo kits, stopped making them. This is true of other products aswell. The protege just is not a good candidate for all out speed.

There are 6 kits that I know of (3 mam)
I havent heard of any being discontinued.

200whp is more than obtainable and probably not terribly dangerous as long as there is good engine management from what IP hear.

 

[1sty]

There are 6 kits that I know of (3 mam)
I havent heard of any being discontinued.

200whp is more than obtainable and probably not terribly dangerous as long as there is good engine management from what IP hear.

The original kit manufacturer was Spoolin who droped out long ago, then Flyinprotege called it quits, then there sister compnay BEGI stoped production aswell I believe. The remaing kits are MAM, Wagner, and Hiboost. I am not sure of any others.

As for what you have heard, well, I have lived it. I had one of the first Turboed 3rd gen proteges. #7 if I recall . That was back in 2002 and I have been on this board since it began. The reality is that 90% of the boost Proteges out there are simply not reliable as daily drivers. Most people that do that level of mod ( and trust me they rarely post about it) tend to regret it with these cars. Atleast 50% of the member here that at one time had a turbo protege, no longer have that car. I have yet to see someone run the needed boost on a P5 to get 200 whp and have that car:
1. hold up for even a year/12,000 miles
2. not need constant retweaking or new parts to fix short comings.

Not to mention, most everyone underestimates the tuning needed to make a good EM. almost no one here has the experience to custom tune a car as needed to run 200 whp on these cars. Hell, most people that invest that deaply in the car, never even get it running solidly for a month before its either back under the knife or sold.

This car simply will not be a daily drive once boosted to that level. Again there is nothing on the car that was built to handle that power. Even if you get it to 200 whp, its becomes overly useless as the car is 1 wheel drive. With a really good limited slip dif, the power is wasted with tire spin and torque steer.

2.

 

[SkinnyJoint]

So I'm trading in my Mazdaspeed Miata for the more practical and slower MP5. I've noticed a lot of threads on the butterfly screw issues and was just wondering what else I should look out for. If I can get some feedback, then I'd greatly appreciate it.

1. What major problems should I look out for?
2. How do you like your MP5?
3. Is it really safe to boost these cars?
4. How good is the aftermarket for the MP5?


Thanks to all for an feedback/advice.

1. wouldnt reccomend getting a auto, clutch chatter is another problem people have, bad paint
2. i love it, roomy, great handling, feels comfortable
3. yea as long as your not going for like 2 bar on stock internals or somthing
4. decent, i cant really think of nething that i want thats not out there. i mean what do people want that we dont have besides maybe a lil more variety but its all there

 

[PhreakV]

...practical...boost...MP5?

three words that just don't go together. the car itself is great but other than suspension and mid-level NA stuff you really just start pushing it beyond its design. I loved mine and its hard to not want to boost once you've been in a boosted one but once you start hearing the stories of woe that attach themselves to most boosted P5s it loses its appeal (or it did for me at least...).

as far as things to look for, I'd just check to see if the TSBs are in order and also to check the wheel wells for rusting (some have it, some don't). you can also check the VIN for build location and try to get one from the Hiroshima plant as they have tended to have less problems (on average). that's about it. I'd pick one up and just drive the piss out of it with suspension, tires and i/h/e.

 

[nealric]

A good database of boosted expereiences:

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52902&page=1&pp=15

 

[Replica]

The original kit manufacturer was Spoolin who droped out long ago, then Flyinprotege called it quits, then there sister compnay BEGI stoped production aswell I believe. The remaing kits are MAM, Wagner, and Hiboost. I am not sure of any others.

As for what you have heard, well, I have lived it. I had one of the first Turboed 3rd gen proteges. #7 if I recall . That was back in 2002 and I have been on this board since it began. The reality is that 90% of the boost Proteges out there are simply not reliable as daily drivers. Most people that do that level of mod ( and trust me they rarely post about it) tend to regret it with these cars. Atleast 50% of the member here that at one time had a turbo protege, no longer have that car. I have yet to see someone run the needed boost on a P5 to get 200 whp and have that car:
1. hold up for even a year/12,000 miles
2. not need constant retweaking or new parts to fix short comings.

Not to mention, most everyone underestimates the tuning needed to make a good EM. almost no one here has the experience to custom tune a car as needed to run 200 whp on these cars. Hell, most people that invest that deaply in the car, never even get it running solidly for a month before its either back under the knife or sold.

This car simply will not be a daily drive once boosted to that level. Again there is nothing on the car that was built to handle that power. Even if you get it to 200 whp, its becomes overly useless as the car is 1 wheel drive. With a really good limited slip dif, the power is wasted with tire spin and torque steer.

2.

Oh god, thank you for posting! You said everything i wanted to but no one would care if i said it because I haven't done it.

 

[chicagoP5]

sell you my car its on autotrader any interest or questions feel free to call me my number is on auto trader website here is the link http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=185434631&dealer_id=56567308&car_year=2002&make=MAZDA&distance=25&lang=en&max_price=&model=PROTE5&end_year=2006&min_price=&certified=&address=60651&search_type=both&advanced=&start_year=1981&isp=y&cardist=0

 

[Nismosis]

I appreciate all the feedback guys. I did talk to the dealership and got the numbers to where I wanted, but once at the house and making the final decisions, I just couldn't do it. The MP5 I drove was a nice ride and I had no complaints. It's just that I can't see trading my RWD Turbo Convertible for a FWD NA Hatch. I appreciate all the help and info.

 

[Replica]

I appreciate all the feedback guys. I did talk to the dealership and got the numbers to where I wanted, but once at the house and making the final decisions, I just couldn't do it. The MP5 I drove was a nice ride and I had no complaints. It's just that I can't see trading my RWD Turbo Convertible for a FWD NA Hatch. I appreciate all the help and info.

(thumb)

 

[bazooka joe]

The original kit manufacturer was Spoolin who droped out long ago, then Flyinprotege called it quits, then there sister compnay BEGI stoped production aswell I believe. The remaing kits are MAM, Wagner, and Hiboost. I am not sure of any others.

As for what you have heard, well, I have lived it. I had one of the first Turboed 3rd gen proteges. #7 if I recall . That was back in 2002 and I have been on this board since it began. The reality is that 90% of the boost Proteges out there are simply not reliable as daily drivers. Most people that do that level of mod ( and trust me they rarely post about it) tend to regret it with these cars. Atleast 50% of the member here that at one time had a turbo protege, no longer have that car. I have yet to see someone run the needed boost on a P5 to get 200 whp and have that car:
1. hold up for even a year/12,000 miles
2. not need constant retweaking or new parts to fix short comings.



Not to mention, most everyone underestimates the tuning needed to make a good EM. almost no one here has the experience to custom tune a car as needed to run 200 whp on these cars. Hell, most people that invest that deaply in the car, never even get it running solidly for a month before its either back under the knife or sold.

This car simply will not be a daily drive once boosted to that level. Again there is nothing on the car that was built to handle that power. Even if you get it to 200 whp, its becomes overly useless as the car is 1 wheel drive. With a really good limited slip dif, the power is wasted with tire spin and torque steer.

2.

you just miss all that time you spent looking for fuel leaks and whateva else!!!

 

[1sty]

you just miss all that time you spent looking for fuel leaks and whateva else!!!

Fuel, boost, oil, and coolant to be exact.
I just LOVED having that 6 ft high gusher of fuel when I tried to redo everything.

Give this young man a breif account of your expeirence with Turbo's thus far and how you'd feel if this was your daily driver.

 

[bazooka joe]

Fuel, boost, oil, and coolant to be exact.
I just LOVED having that 6 ft high gusher of fuel when I tried to redo everything.

Give this young man a breif account of your expeirence with Turbo's thus far and how you'd feel if this was your daily driver.

(lol) i hear ya!