Okay, I have had my protege for a week and have decided I hate the way it revs. It just seems so slow to rev compared to my Honda's. It's weird because it seems a bit more powerful in the lower RPMs than my SOHC VTEC in my hatch did but the SOHC VTEC 1.6L definately gets to red line a lot quicker than the mazda 2.0. Does K&N make a drop in for the 2.0 ES? Any dyno sheets around to see what better breathing does. I don't plan on racing the car or anything I just want it to rev quicker with having to get into the flywheel and such.

 

try searching, but yes K&N does make one, there are NUMEROUS CAI's out there, the engine is chocked off on intake and exhaust sides.....i've done some free "ghetto" mods to my intake set up and have been pleased with the outcome...

 

Are the ebay CAI's engine specific? Meaning, will a 1.8 intake fit a 2.0 or do I look for a CAI specifically for the 2.0? The Typhoon looks nice but i doubt the extra price is worth it.

 

concerned with rev speed? Invest a free flowing exhaust and a nice 9# flywheel...it'll rev like a motorcycle.

I own the Ebay SRI and personally love it. So much in fact I sold my AEM CAI and modified stock intake.

the reason your Protege feels stronger than the civic is because it is!! It's a little thing called Torque and Honda's don't have it...not even in their 200hp RSX typeS, the protege's still have more. Do a few mods, learn to launch the car at the track and enjoy the look on those RSX owners faces! I do.

 

I know rev speed can be increased but is it the gearing that's also slowing the revs? Oh, and trust me, my civic coupe has plenty of torque

 

With the clutch out and the car in gear, revving=acceleration. This is then dependent upon the gearing and how much power your car has. Only real option is to give it more power, then it will rev faster! There is one company that has a slightly steeper final drive ratio for our car, but I'd be hesitant to use it on a daily driver, our cars are geared pretty tall as it is.

 

who do you speak of, 03ESPro?

 

Well, I couldn't remember who it was, so I did a little searching for you. Shane Racing (SR Motorsports) has a 4.30 final drive set for $699, MazdaMotorsports has a 4.833 for the G type tranny (not sure if this is the Protege or not), and it looks like Tri-Point Engineering probably has a few available, although they don't list specific models on their site.

 

i've been eye-balling the 4.30 at srmotorsports...trying to decide if i want it or not...besides, i need to save up for it...so i have plenty of time to think about it.

 

Man, I am no engineer. What does that final drive ratio equate to? I have an extra NX nitrous kit laying around, what is safe on the stock 2.0 engine? The rule of thumb generally is up to have the stock horsepower on stock internals.

 

roddimus said in another thread that a 60 shot is safe on stock internals...but don't go higher

 

Final drive gear ratios are basically the overall gear rate that each individual gear has to turn with in order to turn the axles.

Ever hear of a mustang owner say "I upgrade to 4.10 gears"...same thing...only the stock 2.0L final drive is 4.22. the higher the number the more low end power/torque you make but the higher your rpm's at cruising speed.

Example.... my 1995 honda civic cruised at 80mph @ 3100rpms my 2003 P5 cruises at 80mph @ 4000rpms. See? the P5 will obviously beat the snot out of the civic around town and lower in the powerband but it has to compromise for worse mileage on the interstate.


As for your nitrous question Shoot no more than 60hp shot, make sure your plugs are 1 heat range colder and you have a new FRESH fuel filter and 93 octane gas or better.

 

I have used nitrous many times before i just have no experience with teh mazda 2.0 so I don't want to blow it. escpecially since it's my daily driver and I probably should'nt be messing with it anyway. If I hurt this car seriously my wife will shoot me. As it is she is pissed I did'nt sell my coupe to get the protege.

 

the advice i gave you is for the protege. Our rods are like champagne glasses so take precautions. Colder plugs, good gas and new fuel filter are MANDATORY.

 

Roddimus, the "colder plugs" reference. When I first joined this forum (March '04) there were some postings about this, maybe an NGK part # and such, but I never got into them. I'm due for new plugs this weekend in my '02 2.0L DX. Enlighten me if you would please. Thanx