New Member, 01LX, noob questions.
 

Hey guys, just picked up my 01 Protege LX this weekend. new to the Mazda scene but not to cars. I built a 355 1982 Trans Am when i was in highschool/college, but had to get rid of it when my wife and i had a baby. i also have a 1994 CBR600F2 which is modifed for WERA supersport.

I'm looking forward to digging into the Protege alittle bit, but will most likely stay very conservitive with mods because a) my wife wont let me spend the money (lol) and b) because reliability is of the upmost importance. So, here is what i'm thinking: axle back exhaust, K&N drop in. Mazdaspeed seats, short throw shifter, springs and shocks, wheels and tires. Done.

so with that in mind, i've started to look for the exhaust and have come to find two things, Racing Beat is a popular choice and apears to be afileated with mazda though i'm not sure exactly how, and two, Maxdaspeed makes an afordable axleback, but it is louder then the Racing Beat. My problem is this: i haven't figured out where to buy either. Mazdaspeed's website is terrible, and i didn't see axlebacks on Racing Beats--only a catback for like $500.00 or something rediculous. also, from reading the manual and poking around i beleive my car is a 1.6, though i need to take another look now that its light outside.

anyways, thanks for the help and sugestions. later,

Craig.

1st, congrats on the new car. Although underpowered, I'll bet the balance of your little Pro will surprise you.

Here's a good place to start looking for parts. Ken's a nice guy and easy to deal with.
http://www.mazda3online.com/

balance, exactly. i think this car handles amazingly for a stock suspension. quick steering rack and a firm feeling, plus good balance mid corner. the first time i drove it i found myself driving entirely too fast in parking lots. which is what made me think about this modding route. heck, just with new seats, a short throw shifter and some sticky tires, this thing would be a seriously fun autoX car.

Welcome to the forum.

Racing Beat has developed suspension and exhaust components for Mazda for many years. The stock suspension on the Mazdaspeed, for example, is made by Racing Beat.
That said, it all depends on how much you want to spend. You could purchase the full Mazdaspeed setup for your car, which, although expensive, is a good choice if you want to auto-x from what I understand.
Or you can just lower the car with some nice springs, I have the Eibachs, but there are many others.
As for exhaust, the Mazdaspeed axle-back is very noisy even at highway speeds. The Racing Beat cat-back is generally considered the quietest of the cat-back systems.
If you want to go just axle-back, though, Racing Beat also made the axle-back for the 2001 MP3 model. That is what I currently have.
You can try and find a used one, or check with your local Mazda dealers. Tell them you want the Mazda "Sport Exhaust", not the Mazdaspeed. THey may still be able to get one for you. It's the only place I know of for this axle-back.
Also, not to give myself a plug or anything, but I'm going to start importing a cat-back and axle-back systems for the 3rd gen Proteges. Very nice quality. Just waiting for the first ones to arrive for test-fitting. You'll have a choice of two different mufflers...

Short-shifters, I've got the Kartboy which is really nice, but there are others (B&M, TWM).
Tires & wheels, I love tirerack...

Also, check out Protegegarage.com--Ken is a good guy, carries a LOT of 3rd gen stuff at good prices.
He'll probably poke his head in here to give himself a plug.

Natey, and Gary pretty much summed everything up. Welcome to the forum and have fun with her! If you think you may want to auto-x, look into the AWR Baffled Oil Pan. I just got mine a few days ago and it's awesome quality.

How long have you been racing bikes? I'm waiting for my '06 R6 to arrive!

Thanks Kargoboy, i'm going up to the Mazda dealer today to ask...so say, "Sport Exhaust" ok, cool. and keep me updated on your system. if its not too ricey sounding i would be game for sure.

Scotty, i've been riding on the street (read riding hard on very twisty streets) for about 4 years and have done a few track days this past summer. Still collecting all the gear to do a real season. The bike is WERA prepped as it belonged to my uncle and we wrenched on it and went racing long before it became my bike.

If you see this before you get to the dealer, the exhaust does say "Racing Beat" on the tip.

you are correct :)

welcome to the forums! feel free to drop me a line and check out my site any time

I noticed you want a short throw shifter. I know you dont want to spend much but, may I suggest getting some shifter bushings (like Kartboy) to complement the shifter. I think they are only like $25-$30 and are easy to install. Compared to the stock, the Kartboy ones are hard as rocks. Had mine 'bout 3 years and I'm very pleased for such a cheap mod.

Thanks RipperSnapper, thats a good suggestion.

So, i went up to the mazda place and they looked at me like i was crazy and said, "we can't reallly get any of that stuff...."

???

i was like, errright, and left. so i guess i will need to locate this stuff online.

Ken, i sent you an email on my AOL account but haven't checked it. if you want to give me updates here that would be cool too.

later,

Craig.

Here's a pretty good deal on an exhaust:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...spagenameZWD1V


lol, if you're into racing bikes, check out his other auctions.

Some dealers won't bother. When I bought mine, the one parts guy had absoutely no idea what I was talking about. I had to eduacate him, then the other guy walked past and said, oh, yeah, I think we sold one of those once!

thanks for the link eggynatey. i don't think i'm going to get it used. but that gave me the part number. 0000-88-C15. racing beat axle back exhaust from the 03 MP3. so, now the what i need to know is if that bolts up to my car or not...

oh, and another mazda dealer was trying to look it up for me and gave me two part numbers, one for a mazda speed muffler, and the other for the cat. but neither one had that number and i don't think they even came with pipe so i know that's not right. i find it kinda wierd that these guys don't know more. i worked at a chevy dealership for a while and all those guys were gearheads that could tell you everyting about GMPP...but ok, we're gettting there.

another question: how do the stock shocks react to drop springs? i've always been one to want to do springs and shocks together...it just seems like the right way, but i like the stock shocks and they seem to be in good condition....so on a protege, is it generaly excepted that springs will wear out the shock, or that the stock shocks work pretty well with drop springs? i'll probibly get a pro-kit.

thanks again,

Craig.

I would get new shocks with the springs. If the car was basicly new you could get away with for quite a while, but seeing as you got a 2001 I would just save yourself some trouble and do it once. I got my Tein springs 4 months after I got the car brand new (2002), an the stock shocks have been fine, but I'm figuring I'll be changing them prolly by the fall.

If you have the money, get yourself some Tokico struts. At some point that's what I'll do.
But, I've got about 40k on my stockers and Eibachs and so far no probs...