Wee Bit of a Grind

[Sveivo]

Hey,

My second and third gear changes are crap! I've babied this car since I got it last year and the shifts to and from second and third gear are getting progressively worst. I'm thinking that instead of fixing the transmission, I'll buy a used 2003 manual transmission or maybe, if it fits, even an MP3 or MSP transmission.

I hear you on that! I babied the car too and the transmission is crap, to be honest.

From reading on here, the MP3 transmission is not that much better than what we have. I think a 2003 is a solid choice.

As far as an MSP transmission, there is something about getting your speedo to work correctly, since an MSP reads speed differently than a regular protege. If you search around, you should be able that info.

 

[P5inder]

Cool, thanks!

 

[Butlerg]

That is labor. I brought parts.

Think TWICE about installing a stiff mount (esp. the rear). While shifting may improve, daily driveability will suffer hardcore. I promise you that.

Yea, I'm not all crazy about performance. Would like to keep compfort in the picture. Was thinking about the SLS unless that's still crap with the vibrations? May sound crazy to just renew them with stock ones, but is that a good idea? Would they cost more than say, sls ones?

 

[Sveivo]

Yea, I'm not all crazy about performance. Would like to keep compfort in the picture. Was thinking about the SLS unless that's still crap with the vibrations? May sound crazy to just renew them with stock ones, but is that a good idea? Would they cost more than say, sls ones?

It's a gamble.

For example, the driving dynamics of the car were terrible with stock mounts. So I went aftermarket, but I am having a hard time getting used to them.

Just the front one will be fine, regardless of which one you get, but then you will probably wear the rear faster. So you see where I'm going with this....

I think it will work for a while if you get new stock ones. I do not think there is a solid solution to this problem, unless you want to drive like a gramma and shift at 2K with stock mounts. That is what I used to do. And perhaps this is what I will end up doing again. I guess this is not a race car, but I feel I should be able to wind it out in 1st and not have my engine fall out.

 

[Butlerg]

Thanks for the help and input. Appreciate it. I tried to take pictures of the mounts. I think the most shredded up looking mount is the right side, but I can't get a clear view of the others, so I stuck my camera up under there to try...hah...Necessary to replace asap? I'm kind of learning more towards stock mounts just because I want the comfort and all...but, I'm to indecisive...

 

[Sveivo]

Thanks for the help and input. Appreciate it. I tried to take pictures of the mounts. I think the most shredded up looking mount is the right side, but I can't get a clear view of the others, so I stuck my camera up under there to try...hah...Necessary to replace asap? I'm kind of learning more towards stock mounts just because I want the comfort and all...but, I'm to indecisive...

Hey man!

I'm glad the information was useful.

To be honest, your mounts look beat! Don't worry though, as long as you take it easy you will be fine. But what's the zoom-zoom in that?

On a personal note, today as I was driving home, I was taking off at a little above 1000 rpm and it felt great! No weird wobble, no vibration. Just nice takeoff.

As I posted in the other thread, stiffer motor mounts teach you to be a better driver as far as working the clutch and gas pedals. Just try out an aftermarket mount and see how you like it. You can always change it back. If you're not comfortable doing the work, the dealer can do it. Like I said $50 per mount did it for me.

Peace.

 

[Butlerg]

hmmm...what if I got stock side mounts and, say, a SLS front mount? Think it would be the best of both worlds? haha (nana) What's the best place to get stock Mazda parts? I was looking at mazda-parts.com

 

[Sveivo]

I think you will like that combo. After a week I barely even noticed the vibes when I had just the front mount.

I've dealt with Ken @ Protege Garage.com before. Other than that, I just go to my dealer. I know a couple cool guys there.

Here's the link to Ken's OEM parts thread:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123666484&highlight=protegegarage+oem

 

[Butlerg]

Sick. Thank you sir.

 

[Sveivo]

Sick. Thank you sir.

No problem! I hope you find a setup you like!

 

[ho bag]

I hear you on that! I babied the car too and the transmission is crap, to be honest.

From reading on here, the MP3 transmission is not that much better than what we have. I think a 2003 is a solid choice.

As far as an MSP transmission, there is something about getting your speedo to work correctly, since an MSP reads speed differently than a regular protege. If you search around, you should be able that info.

Yes and no, The MSP uses abs sensors for the speedo. If you car has ABS then the MSP tranny is bolt in. If not then you need a speedo ring gear and you need to remove the diferential and have the gear pressed onto it.

If you are gonna replace the tranny then i say go MSP so you get an LSD as well (might as well make it an upgrade right?)

As far as aftermarket mounts go... My front mount was non existant so i replaced it with a AWR 90duro mount (or what ever the uber hard one was). Yes it makes vibes in the car but only at idle. It made 100% difference in shifting and even though my other mounts are dieing i very rarely get wheel hope. Hell even my wife got used to it within a week!

In the end if you plan on modding or driving the car a little harder get the AWR. If you enjoy your non vibrating car then get a stock replace ment and be ready to do it again some year later.

 

[Sveivo]

Yes and no, The MSP uses abs sensors for the speedo. If you car has ABS then the MSP tranny is bolt in. If not then you need a speedo ring gear and you need to remove the diferential and have the gear pressed onto it.

If you are gonna replace the tranny then i say go MSP so you get an LSD as well (might as well make it an upgrade right?)

As far as aftermarket mounts go... My front mount was non existant so i replaced it with a AWR 90duro mount (or what ever the uber hard one was). Yes it makes vibes in the car but only at idle. It made 100% difference in shifting and even though my other mounts are dieing i very rarely get wheel hope. Hell even my wife got used to it within a week!

In the end if you plan on modding or driving the car a little harder get the AWR. If you enjoy your non vibrating car then get a stock replace ment and be ready to do it again some year later.

Thank you for clarifying that tranny business. I personally do not have ABS, for better or worse.

 

[ho bag]

No problem, and if i remember correctly the speedo gear is very cheap.

 

[5PADZAM]

hmmm...what if I got stock side mounts and, say, a SLS front mount? Think it would be the best of both worlds? haha (nana) What's the best place to get stock Mazda parts? I was looking at mazda-parts.com

That is the exact combo I am running. I am amazed at how much better the shifting is not. I used to have to pretty much come to a complete stop in order to shift down from 2nd to 1st. Now it slides in like butta. I notice a very small amount of vibration at idle, but nothing while driving. And I can actually drive at slow speeds in 1st without snapping off the necks of my passengers.

 

[Butlerg]

My SLS mount just came in today. Is it normal/not harmful for the innermost hole to be about a centimeter or so off and not flush with the rubber. I'm being kinda anal huh? haha...I'm going to follow this guide: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123675693 . Is there anything I should be informed on beforehand that will make it an easy as possible job? Are all the bolts holding the mount on all 14 and 17mm? Thanks


Oh, and what are the torque settings?

 

[Sveivo]

My SLS mount just came in today. Is it normal/not harmful for the innermost hole to be about a centimeter or so off and not flush with the rubber. I'm being kinda anal huh? haha...I'm going to follow this guide: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123675693 . Is there anything I should be informed on beforehand that will make it an easy as possible job? Are all the bolts holding the mount on all 14 and 17mm? Thanks


Oh, and what are the torque settings?

Can you post a pic of the mount? Most likely it's fine. When I tried doing my mount, I couldn't get the center bolt off. So I guess it's one of those "beforehand" notices. Try soaking the bolt in some liquid wrench or PB blaster or what have you. The job "looks" easy, though that can be deceptive.

I think the socket sizes are about right. Make sure to use deep sockets. I think the torque spec is ~60 ft/lbs, though it's been a long time since I looked at a manual, so I'm just guesstimating.

 

[Butlerg]

Here ya go. Did your SLS come with just bolts? So I'm assuming I just reuse the stock nuts with these bolts?

 

[Sveivo]

Here ya go. Did your SLS come with just bolts? So I'm assuming I just reuse the stock nuts with these bolts?

I do not have this particular mount. I am running another solution. See sig

But...

Can you push that thing that goes through the center so that it is flush on both sides? Looks like you should be able to do that. Try putting some pressure on it.

Not really sure if you can reuse stock nuts. I think you should be able to. Perhaps PM the member amsgator. He should know. He has that mount, I believe.

 

[5PADZAM]

Here ya go. Did your SLS come with just bolts? So I'm assuming I just reuse the stock nuts with these bolts?

You might have a little trouble installing the mount in unless you center that piece. You should be able to tap it with a hammer to center it. And yes, you reuse the stock nuts from your stock mount. That is how I installed mine since it came only with new bolts.

 

[Butlerg]

Alrighty. Thanks guys. I'm going to get started first thing tomorrow morning.