Starting mods?

[LTD-Scott]

Hey all, I just bought an 02.5 Protege5 over the weekend. I'm used to RWD V8 cars, but I really like it a lot and I'm sure my wallet will thank me the first time I hit the gas pumps.

Being a gearhead, I can't leave the car well enough alone, so I am looking to start doing some of the common mods. I want the car to stay quiet and not ride any rougher than stock, so exhaust and springs are out.

My first plan of attack is replacing the shifter and bushing. My LTD and my fiancee's Integra have nice crisp shifters, so the P5 feels like rubber and the throws are very long. Kartboy is just down the street from my work, so I'll pick up some of their stuff. Then window tint is next on the agenda.

What else? I'm just wondering if there are any other "necessary mods" that everyon makes. Thanks in advance!

 

[Replica]

A cheap intake is nice, but the car will be alot louder. Doing spring doesn't make the ride noticibly more rough depending on the springs. I installed an Eibach prokit with the 1.5 inch drop and my girlfriend didn't even notice it. When you get the car in some turns, it makes quite a difference though.

I wish these cars had a distributor, quite a bit of fun can be had just by advancing the timing a bit. Ah well....

 

[Erci]

Hey all, I just bought an 02.5 Protege5 over the weekend. I'm used to RWD V8 cars, but I really like it a lot and I'm sure my wallet will thank me the first time I hit the gas pumps.

Being a gearhead, I can't leave the car well enough alone, so I am looking to start doing some of the common mods. I want the car to stay quiet and not ride any rougher than stock, so exhaust and springs are out.

My first plan of attack is replacing the shifter and bushing. My LTD and my fiancee's Integra have nice crisp shifters, so the P5 feels like rubber and the throws are very long. Kartboy is just down the street from my work, so I'll pick up some of their stuff. Then window tint is next on the agenda.

What else? I'm just wondering if there are any other "necessary mods" that everyon makes. Thanks in advance!

That's what I've done so far too (tint and Kartboy shifter/bushings).
The only other mod I've done was to disable door chime (check it out in "how-to", if you're interested). It's nice to be able to listen to music with doors open and not have the chime go off, while I'm getting ready for a bike ride

 

[aceP5]

My first "performance" mod was to take off the stock intake's front air resonator and the second resonator (Helmholtz resonator?). What is left is about 1" of tube before the air filter box and the rest of the intake. I think the car may be a bit faster although it is hard to tell. It is louder but not by much, its noticable with the window open but you can't tell with music on. the car is deeper and not whiny anymore. It actually sounds like a Saab. Try it, it is kind of cool because all it takes is taking off 6 or so bolts, then reattatching 2. Not much time at all. If you don't like it put it back on. See for yourself if you think there is any added power. What I will do next is attatch some extra tubing to the end of the air box and direct the outlet to a colder area of the engine bay (a very cheap CAI).

Oh yeah, some people also modify the grill so that air can get into the the stock intake system. If you look at the stock intake from the top, there is a piece of plastic that actually blocks air flow to the intake inlet. They say that by removing this plastic there is no extra noise but the extra air seems to increase throttle response. You might want to try that too, try doing a search or PM me if you can't find it.

EDIT: Oh yeah, the Racing Beat Cat-Back is supposedly nearly as loud as stock, if you want quiet. I think its a mazdaspeed part so it fits very well and is one of the quietest exhausts out there. You might want to look into it (I've never actually heard a sound clip. Someone should post one).

 

[LTD-Scott]

I didn't really want to get a cold air intake (I'm not into the chrome look), but the removal of the air silencer sounds like a good option, and I've done it on every other car I've owned that had one. Any instructions online or is it self explanatory?

 

[protegemp52000]

My cold air intake isn't chrome, but rather red anodized aluminum.(not a big fan of chrome on new cars either) It compliments the red silicone noses, and convoluted tubing. You could also try painting the brake calipers. I think the G2 kit is 30 or 40 bucks. You can also get the Duplicolor kit at Wal-Mart for like $15.

There's lots of mods to be had for cheap, or little dough...making locks flush, rewire fogs for always on, remove chime, etc. Just check the How-to section, you get detailed explinations on everything.

Good luck, and post some pics!!!! (rockon)

 

[LTD-Scott]

I'll post some pics soon, but if you've seen one silver P5, you've seen em all!

I'm not a fan of the "short ram intakes" because they draw in hot air from the engine compartment, basically negating the point of getting an intake. Cold air intakes are similar because the metal piping that's used absorbs heat as well. I hang out on a lot of the Mustang boards (my LTD is pretty much a 4-door Mustang) and that is an issue that is mentioned, especially with forced induction cars. There are a few companies that make ABS plastic CAIs specifically for this reason.

I think I might remove the air intake resonator/silencer for now and eventually drop in a K&N panel filter. Cheap and efficient. I didn't buy this car for raw power! But one thing at a time. Gotta do the shifter first.

 

[Pretzellogic]

Intake and exhaust are the first things someone usually attacks. I know you don't want an CAI or SRI, but a Racing Beat exhause may be more to your liking.

Also, changing upi the suspension is something you should look into if you want a handling machine. Eibach springs, Tokico struts, and a new rear sway bar will have you attacking the twisties in no time.

 

[FC3s Boy]

is this the same guy from the drag races @ qualcomm, i remember that ltd, give me a call we have a mazda shop up in ramona- chris @ spd 760-787-5759

 

[FC3s Boy]

i run a mazdaspeed axel back with a thermo wrapped sri and it sounds great, for shifter i use the twm and a awr motor mount is a must ( my girl drives this car and she loves it)

 

[LTD-Scott]

is this the same guy from the drag races @ qualcomm, i remember that ltd, give me a call we have a mazda shop up in ramona- chris @ spd 760-787-5759

That's me! The LTD is still my "race" car, so I just want to make some practical mods to the P5 to make it a nice daily driver. I'll give you a call when I need any work or parts.

 

[LTD-Scott]

BTW, what is an AWR motor mount?

 

[billzebub]

www.awrracing.com

 

[FC3s Boy]

yea i remeber you on the sdstreetracing.com boards, not to many ltd out there - chris

 

[FC3s Boy]

BTW, what is an AWR motor mount?

take a look right under the rad, there is a small motor mount, it basiclly keeps the motor from moving back and forth, the stock one tends to fail and makes the motor move around a lot. The mount adds a little more vibration at idle but it really make the car feel solid. Hit me up when you come up here i'll let you drive mine with the mount and Short shifter. chris

 

[LTD-Scott]

Wow, I haven't been on the sdstreetracing boards in ages. I kinda got out of that scene (then again so did everyone thanks to SDPD!). Actually I'm on my 2nd LTD now. I didn't have this one when I was on there.

I'll definitely have to check out your car.

 

[protegemp52000]

Scott, the LTD is schweet!Sleeper city! (smoke)

 

[Pretzellogic]

Cool ride!

 

[FC3s Boy]

i'm telling ya that thing was pretty quick back int he day, nice little sleeper for sure

 

[Action Jackson]

After looking back at my limited number of mods. I would've done the tires and brakepads first.