skynex

Where did you guys learn about how to do all of the modding on your cars? I'm amazed by what you guys can do just by yourselves. I have a '93 mazda protege, and I want to change my whole interior, but I dont even have the slightest clue how.. I also want to get a new exhaust and things like that, but I dont know what's good and what's not. How did you guys learn what's good/what's not, and how to install it all?

Identity_X

First off, seeing as that you are new here, welcome!

There is not a one definate answer to your question. Learning can be done simply be researching. The internet is a great place for that. You can learn a lot just by keeping up with the threads on this board. How exactly do you want to change the whole interior??? I know that you can get MX-3 seats for your Protege as they are a perfect fit. The MX-3 seats are lower and more sporty. As for exhaust. Are you looking into getting a cat back or do you just want to replace the muffler. Replacing just the muffler will simply change how your car sounds, but getting a proper sized cat back will give you some horsepower gains. If you have any additional questions make sure you do a search. A lot of topics regarding our cars have been covered more than once. Search button is at the top right corner of your screen.

skynex

Well, the thing is.. I don't really know how I want to change my interior.. heh. I'm fairly new at this whole thing.. I have an idea of what i want my car to look like though. I want it to look something like this car: http://www.sounddomain.com/id/tomchsmke
But I want everything to be black. Black exterior, and all black interior as well. I don't know how much it would cost, or how to do it or whatever, but I just want everything on the inside to be black.. everything. I don't know any of the names such as MX-3, or cat back, so I guess I'll just keep up with these forums as much as possible, and learn as much as I can. Thanks for the invite

Identity_X

First off, is your car an LX or a DX? Manual or auto ? MX-3 is another Mazda that you've probably seen around. Do a search somewhere on the net for a few pics. Cat-back is basically your exhaust piping from the catalyctic converter backwards. The cat is a small and muffler like You can't miss it if you look under the car. Getting that look will be quite costly. I replied to your other post regarding the kit. It is not available in the US yet so getting it imported here will cost you quite a bit.

Loginology

Yeah...modding your car the right way is heavy on the wallet. That body kit will run you $1500 + the cost to import it, plus the cost to get it put on if you can't do it yourself, plus the cost to paint it once you get it on. You'll notice once you get into working on your car that nothing every costs what it's retail value is. For example, getting a GTX engine costs $1200...but in order to have a properly functioning setup, it'll run you $3000 in the end.

The point is...the way to learn is to research and research, then once you feel like you know what you're doing...try your best to do it yourself. You can't expect to know everything right off the bat, or get everything done that you want done. Gotta set goals and work towards them. If you're looking to redo your interior, you first step is to learn the interior. once you know how it's peiced together, that'll make it easier to decide what you want to do.

these forums are the place to learn. When I first signed up...I didn't know anything. Now i know enough to want to buy a 323 along with my protege

skr33t_rac3r

heres a cool thing it isnt exactly legal or cheap. go to a hardware store and get some stell tubing like 2 1/2 inchg will work. then make ur self a straight through exhaust no cat or muffler. it'll be loud as hell and give it good hp gains.

Identity_X

I wouldn't do that. It is illegal and bad for the environment. By doing a straight through exhaust you'll have to remove everything including the resonator, which is imoprtant for back pressure.

Loginology

Yeah I had straight thru from just cat and back and it sounded like ***...not to mention it's illegal. If you went straight thru and deleted the cat...that would be louder and all hell, sound like ***, be illegal, bad for the environment, AND IMO stupid.

Identity_X

Imagine how it'll sound on the highway going 80mph

skr33t_rac3r

i did the straight thru right from the header. it was loud *** **** u could hear it from like 2 miles. i used to go driving a like 2 in the mourning and do neutral drops in front of peoples houses. i would get shot at chased and have cops come but it was worth it.

skynex

Sorry for the delay, but it's an automatic LX.

funkdaddysmack

Yea, only cool guys have both hahahaha...

4WDSlug

i have a 91 corolla with the header pipe as the only exhaust appuratus . it is going to be wrecked in a demolition derby though, so never fear nature lovers.....lol....

Loginology

It's because of stuff like this that they make laws about these things which restrict us in the first place