Turbocharging my Protege 5

[ChaRLeS23]

Guys, I would like to make my Pro5 a bit faster. I already have AEM CAI, MP3 ECU, Magnaflow High-Flow Cat+ Full Catback exhaust, OBX headers but I want a little more out of this car. It has 76K miles on it and I have approx. 2000$ to put on parts. I know I have to go turbo, and would like to go in the 200hp area. Is it possible or am I dreaming here? If so, what would you suggest?

Thanks!

 

[Safe Zone Msp]

I'm not sure, but I know msp setups can be had for relatively cheap, then some sort of afc, and probably a few other parts and pieces, 200 hp for 2000 should be doable, make a build thread.

Thad.

 

[Spiced MSP]

msp turbo setup, fmic, ssafc, boost controller, boost and wideband gauges, exhuast, motor mounts, also clutch and LSD are wise options,

 

[Brian_K]

Guys, I would like to make my Pro5 a bit faster. I already have AEM CAI, MP3 ECU, Magnaflow High-Flow Cat+ Full Catback exhaust, OBX headers but I want a little more out of this car. It has 76K miles on it and I have approx. 2000$ to put on parts. I know I have to go turbo, and would like to go in the 200hp area. Is it possible or am I dreaming here? If so, what would you suggest?

Thanks!

with $2000 it should be fairly easy, the only difficult part might be just sourcing the parts themselves. I've been collecting parts for my turbo build for the last 5 months and i'm at around $1300 with only about $100 more to spend on oil/water feed/drain lines, etc.


main thing is to read this:

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/show...ng-your-P5-Here-s-a-guide-for-getting-started


and skim these every other day

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?362-MAZDASPEED-Protege-(MSP)

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?360-Protege-P5-MSP-amp-MP3-For-Sale

i believe there are a few almost complete kits for sale right now for less than $1000

goodluck! (drive)

 

[P-Funk!]

This is why you need a 'plan' for the car...

You now need to remove and sell the:
ECU, header, and CAI.

For you - consder an underdrive pulley and intake manifold work.

Save the rest of the money for maintenance and a new car.

A turbo for $2k will reduce reliability.
Time for a good used MS3?

 

[ChaRLeS23]

Thanks for the replies. Brian_K, thanks for the info and the link. P-Funk!, I know I have to sell these parts since they won't fit if I go turbo... as far as a MS3, I already thought about that but insurance rates here in Canada are extremely high for these cars. I never had a single claim and I'm 25 years old and I won't pay 3000$ for insurance that's for sure! Every time I see 20-year old guys driving MS3 or STI I tell myself : " Now we know where all the money goes for that guy! " lol. I've been thinking about installing an underdrive pulley but was wondering what to expect... did you see a noticeable difference? What about electric supply? Does everything still works fine, what about the A/C? Still blows pretty cool?

 

[P-Funk!]

UD pulley is a good mod.
Engine spools faster and there has been no degradation on alt or a/c performance that i can tell.

Okay - so you spent the money on the turbo and didn't tell your insurance co. to save the money on premiums...
If the car is stolen or totaled you will only get 'blue book value' for the car - your $2K investment is 'gone'.

Gotta' see the 'Big Picture'.

 

[ChaRLeS23]

Good to know for the pulley from someone who is using one that it's a good mod and that the electrical supply to the car is still good. I'll definitely buy one from corksport. About the insurance I had already call and asked, it's 300$ something more / year, so it's still in the "acceptable" range I'm willing to pay. Of course the MS3 would be great and probably even better than my current Pro 5 but I can't afford it. What I would need, since I don't know that much about cars, is what you guys suggest for approx. 2000$ like, you need that type of turbo, that, that and that. I've been reading Brian's link about turbo on P5, but I have no idea what's good and if everything I would choose will fit. As far as installing I should be fine since my sister's bf is a mechanic but he doesn't know the proteges, so he cannot tell me what's good or not.

 

[P-Funk!]

Could you find a wrecked mazdaspeed protege and pull all the turbo guts from that? It would have everything you needed and then you could part-out the carcass.
I base this on CL listing for a MP5 with a 'blown head' FS for $2000...

And of course keep cruising the FS section here.

Good luck!