Easiest/ most effective mods
#16
Originally Posted by Blarghman
Well if money isn't really an issue you can hit up a Hiboost turbo kit , which seems to be pretty reliable. That'll get you up to around 210 whp, or about 240 bhp. There are plenty of other turbo kits too.
Getting intake, header and exhaust (the simple ones) would probably get you up from 100 whp stock to around 110-115 whp.
Getting intake, header and exhaust (the simple ones) would probably get you up from 100 whp stock to around 110-115 whp.
Originally Posted by Phantom Cruiser
My "most effective" mods were the first mods I did: Kartboy short shifter/bushings, intake, cams, header, and exhaust. All for about $1k, done in the garage with the exception of the midpipe section of the exhaust that we had to have made for us. This gets you somewhere in the neighborhood of 140-150BHP, depending on how good your base numbers are. I've seen higher and lower dyno numbers over the past 2 years!!
#20
Originally Posted by THEGOLDPRO
if your mechanic skills are weak, and you want loads of power then do not buy a protege, if you want cheap easy power then buy a mustang.
#25
You know, installing all of the above parts is not rocket science. Even cams are not that hard, if you have a good shop manual and the proper tools, plus a lot of patience, a clean & dry place to work, and the time to do it. I had to start somewhere years ago, when I didn't know much but I had a heap of an old motorcycle that needed to be restored. Two parts bikes later, about $2500 of my student loans, and a year later, and she was perfect, inside and out. The hardest part was the hangovers from those long nights spent in the garage with the guys. I am sure others on this forum have a similar experience, some are professional mechanics, and some are fresh from the DMV with their license and eager to turn a wrench for the first time. But I would be willing to bet that nearly all of us get our kicks under the hoods of these little cars. If we stop modding them, it's not a hobby anymore. If you aren't into working on cars all that much, that's fine. But just remember, you don't get something for nothing, and if you want your Protege to be quick, it is going to take a little elbow grease and it might just be challenging.
#26
It might be fun too, and you might learn something along the way. I would start with the simple things, like putting your ebay intake on and learning how to change the brakes, and then when you are more comfortable with the car you can do the cams. It also helps to have a friend or two who are slightly more mechanically minded (you can offer them food or beer for their services) around when you are attempting to work on your car.
#28
I dunno, I think cam-swapping is in a higher class of work than brakes/intake/header....The reason I say this is that I've worked as a professional mechanic for several years and cam timing belts on FWD's still give me fits. It may be because I'm so "bulbous" but it's not the easiest of work. I can do them now if a few hours but they still give me headaches and make we swear a lot.
#29
Originally Posted by Roddimus Prime
I dunno, I think cam-swapping is in a higher class of work than brakes/intake/header....The reason I say this is that I've worked as a professional mechanic for several years and cam timing belts on FWD's still give me fits. It may be because I'm so "bulbous" but it's not the easiest of work. I can do them now if a few hours but they still give me headaches and make we swear a lot.
and then when you are more comfortable with the car...
#30
Originally Posted by Roddimus Prime
I dunno, I think cam-swapping is in a higher class of work than brakes/intake/header....The reason I say this is that I've worked as a professional mechanic for several years and cam timing belts on FWD's still give me fits. It may be because I'm so "bulbous" but it's not the easiest of work. I can do them now if a few hours but they still give me headaches and make we swear a lot.
Try doing one on the Probe v6 NO ROOM
At least there is a good amount of room around the FS