Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
Those plastic pipes would break most likly, hell i had a crack on mine with 6psi, and the stock intake is trash.
What can i do to 3k
- Thread starter neysha_eddie
- Start date
IMO, an FMIC would be a colossal waste of money. I'm convinced most of the people who go this route either don't know better, or are mostly interested in the looks. Assuming you're not going to install it yourself, the cost for that alone will be relatively high (since you have to take the front bumper off and all.) By contrast, an upgraded SMIC is something almost anyone can install themself. Hell, I'd be willing to bet you can find a good deal on one online with it not costing much more than what a lot of shops might charge for an FMIC install. As it's already been stated, the MSP engine isn't strong enough to handle high (10+) boost levels. This pretty much defeats the purpose of an FMIC. While $3k might seem like a lot, after and LSD and some of the other more essential mods, there won't be much left to piss away.
This is why, in my opinion, the MSP isn't worth going crazy building unless you have a fetish for torque steer or are out of your mind. By the time you fix all the problems with the MSP before building it (LSD, forged motor, intercooler, tune, etc. etc.) you have at least spent 3k, more like 4 or 5. And by the time you have fully built it, you've dropped 7 or 8k into this car! It's not even worth that much money to begin with! Lets remember, most of us still use this car to get back and forth from work with and one day, we're going to have to sell it!! Plus, for that kind of money, I'd just buy something like a WRX because it can handle more power + it isn't gay front wheel drive.
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
Man, this car is the best looking tuner car I have ever seen. That is why I and most others decide to put money into this car. I love the interior of this car, the handling of this car and most importantly the looks of the car. If you have a WRX and you roll into the Wal mart parking lot or where ever the "Car guys" hang out in your area everyone expects it to be fast (Assuming its not 100 percent stock). If you have a MSP built or not, and you roll into a parking lot many people will not only not know that it is fast but they will also not even know what kind of car it is. That is why i love my MSP.
KrayzieFox
Member
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- 01 MP3 Turbo
I fail to see how an SMIC can be considered "upgraded", when there is virtually NO direct airflow through it in the stock location. CHICO2003, you're right that most people do it for looks, but on the MSP an FMIC is definitely a better option simply due to the fact that the stock SMIC location is so poor. It gets zero airflow and is practically right next to the turbo, so you get massive heat soak and minimal cooling. And they're not that much cheaper than FMICs.. PGarage sells just the SMIC core for $445, and no one really offers SMIC hardpipes anymore. So if you do find them add another $200 for that and you're already in the $600-$650 range.. which is what I paid for my Turbolife FMIC.
As for modding the MSP, that all depends on the person who owns it. In my opinion, I think it's well worth it as the MSP & MP3 are super rare. You don't see them everywhere you go, and when you do it's typically a very nice one. Also, MSPs are much cheaper than STIs, EVOs, etc. so that extra $4K that you spend to get the MSP where it should be is what you would pay for a bone stock STI.
I honestly think that the MSPs are fantastic cars considering how much we all paid for them. They're super fun to drive, insane handling, very rare, stylish both outside and inside, and most of all aren't cop targets like other popular sport compacts. The styling is sleek but not outrageous, so we still manage to blend in with the rest of traffic unless we have a super loud exhaust or drive like dipshits. But most of all, the car has so much character and puts a damn smile on my face every time I drive it. You can't buy that..
As for modding the MSP, that all depends on the person who owns it. In my opinion, I think it's well worth it as the MSP & MP3 are super rare. You don't see them everywhere you go, and when you do it's typically a very nice one. Also, MSPs are much cheaper than STIs, EVOs, etc. so that extra $4K that you spend to get the MSP where it should be is what you would pay for a bone stock STI.
I honestly think that the MSPs are fantastic cars considering how much we all paid for them. They're super fun to drive, insane handling, very rare, stylish both outside and inside, and most of all aren't cop targets like other popular sport compacts. The styling is sleek but not outrageous, so we still manage to blend in with the rest of traffic unless we have a super loud exhaust or drive like dipshits. But most of all, the car has so much character and puts a damn smile on my face every time I drive it. You can't buy that..
i paid almost as much for my MSP as an 03 WRX 
it takes me a while to get over the feeling of being suckered.
but, as me and hondaeat-r have talked about, theres about a dozen WRX's near me, and 0 other MSP's. he's just out of walking distance, so he doesnt count. i get pissed when i see someone wearing the same sneakers as me, i cant imagine how id feel if i drove past someone with the same car every single day.
it takes me a while to get over the feeling of being suckered.
but, as me and hondaeat-r have talked about, theres about a dozen WRX's near me, and 0 other MSP's. he's just out of walking distance, so he doesnt count. i get pissed when i see someone wearing the same sneakers as me, i cant imagine how id feel if i drove past someone with the same car every single day.
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
Im not being mean but you should have done more research before you bought your car. I wanted a 03 WRX when i got my msp but I got it for way less than a WRX at the time. thats why I got the msp cause it was so much cheaper and looked so much better than the WRX.
neysha_eddie
Member
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- MSP
I have done the research i had my MSP over 3 years and i love it.. i had plenty of times to get rid of it but i'm to damn attach to it because if i dont mod it now i'm just gonna get rid of it and get something different
HondaEat-R
Member
FMIC's can be had for around the same price as these overpriced SMIC's for the MSP. If the price is the same, then there's no reason to not get a FMIC...Yes there's some bling, but they just coole better and with negligible difference in boost lag. I'm actually considering getting rid of my FMIC and getting either a different one, or a SMIC, just because I hate not having the crash bar w/ my Perrin.
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
My turbolife had no boost lag for me.... I noticed a GAIN of preformace with the FMIC. Even with its massive core. So What you are saying doesnt make sence.
In the end we still have a small turbo, and a SMIC vs a FMIC doesnt really matter all that much unless you plan on sprinted driving.
I would go with a FMIC due to better cooling, as long as you keep the pipes from not being to long (just copy off the Turbolife's pipes) and if you dont want it to be "flashy" powdercoat it black....
In the end we still have a small turbo, and a SMIC vs a FMIC doesnt really matter all that much unless you plan on sprinted driving.
I would go with a FMIC due to better cooling, as long as you keep the pipes from not being to long (just copy off the Turbolife's pipes) and if you dont want it to be "flashy" powdercoat it black....
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
You wouldnt want to powdercoat it cause it will take away from the heat transfer rating or what ever. If you wanted it black you would need to use radiator paint.
im assuming this is directed at me...
believe me, if i knew about the forums and everything available here, id have done my research in places other than just test drives and reliability reports from... well not here.
9k wasnt horrible at the time, but i see what they go for around here. way, way less.
and i test drove about ten different cars, including a WRX and i liked the feel of the MSP the best. says something about these cars...
end threadjack.
Outlawstar98
Member
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- 2003 MazdaSpeed Protege / 2013 BRZ
"# I want my car to remain a sleeper/stealth. Can I paint or anodize my intercooler so it is not easily visible?
Yes! It is not uncommon at all for an intercooler and endtanks to be anodized black to keep attention away from the car and help it maintain a sleeper appearance. A very light coat of paint on the core and endtanks is also another option, usually much cheaper and easier than anodizing, with a negligible performance loss. "
From Garrett
Yes! It is not uncommon at all for an intercooler and endtanks to be anodized black to keep attention away from the car and help it maintain a sleeper appearance. A very light coat of paint on the core and endtanks is also another option, usually much cheaper and easier than anodizing, with a negligible performance loss. "
From Garrett
littlemimus
fear the mighty sandvich!
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- Mazdaspeed protege 2003
i know mishimoto sells their intercoolers blacked out already...theirs are powder coated black. so im sure if it wasnt good to do it they wouldnt do it lol.....http://www.mishimoto.com/mishimoto-universal-intercooler-small-black.html
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
there is a big difference in powder coat and anodizing. I just said they couldn't be powder coated.
littlemimus
fear the mighty sandvich!
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- Mazdaspeed protege 2003
huh??
SeR_Cyclops
Member
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- Mazdaspeed Protege
they are two different processes completely. You would not want to powder coat it cause it will not be effective at exchanging heat. Radiator paint it what to use. Im telling you all.
