ryan1215

Hey guys, new to the site. I am the proud owner of a 5speed 1.6l 1999 dx mileage 95203 . I have been relatively happy with this vehicle so far but there have been several nagging problems with it and now that I am getting a real job and a real paycheck I wanna clean it up and and make it more fun to drive. I am thinking struts are gonna be the first replacement. Any advice? I am gonna try to do the front first then the back as funds become available. Do I have to do springs too? I am not looking to lower my car I just wanna tighten it up. I will have pics up ASAP. Also anyone from upstate NY in here?

black 99 Protege 1.6l dx
current mods:
pioneer head unit
2 12' rockford punch xlc subs
mtx box/**** amp
future mods:
struts,tint,short shifter/****
tires,alloys, anything to make it faster...????

Roddimus Prime

faster is harder. If you want it faster then gut it out. Remove those subs and keep it as light as possible.

14gal fuel tank X 8lbs/gal = 112lbs on a full tank of gas.

Here's a neat trick to figuring up your wasted horsepower.

take your vehicles brake horsepower divided into your vehicle curb weight. The resulting number is your lbs per hp. This will tell you how many horsepower you'll gain by dropping weight.

For example...

2600lb Protege5
130bhp
---------------------

20lbs per hp.

For every 20lbs you remove from your car you've received the equivilant of 1hp. If your sub/amp stuff weighs 100lbs then you just made 5hp.

This is the easiest, cheapest way to make power. Also, less weight means better handling, braking and acceleration.

Start there before spending more money. Then when you get ready invest in some good suspension. I suggest Racing Beat springs and Tokico struts. Racing Beat sway bars and a good header.

You'll be very pleased.

kargoboy

Welcome to the forum. Take heed to the above advice. Every little bit helps.

ryan1215

Thanks for the advice guys. while I am looking to make it faster I am really just hopin to make it run cleaner and make it fun to drive. I have no illusions about my mazda bein a race car hahah. My main focus is supsension then some work to clean up the idle and power lag and maybe a few appearance mods to make it look real smooth. Any other advice for a noob?

Jackelope

welcome 2 the club!

Roddimus Prime

I'd suggest an intake, header, catback, 1.8L coil conversion, NGK Iridium IX plugs and NO appearance mods....wait did you say you had a 99 protege?

what about doing an 01+ conversion. That would be kinda cool.

ryan1215

yea its a 99 dx with the 1.6l 5 speed. I have been thinkin about spark plugs and wires since its comin up on 100,000 but which ones and how much? and whats this about a 1.8 coil conversion? more juice? and u say ur doin an 01 conversion? that a total swap of everything ?

macdaddyslomo

1.8L conversion wont work on the 1.6L...Kargoboy is the only good source for a header, combine that with his catback and intake, and you should see a decent gain, maybe 8-12 hp(not bad on a 105hp car)..he is the only reliable source for 1.6L parts that I ever saw....if you need new struts, I'd go for some new springs as well and get some racing beats along with tokico struts...I wouldnt bother with any big fat rims...you'll just make a slow car even slower...go for some decent 16" rims and no bigger....

Roddimus Prime

werd...i keep thinking everyone has the same cars as me! The 1.6L is a beast. With some money thrown at it you could be VERY competitive on the track. Biknman had a wagner turbo on his gutted 1.6L and he destroyed Z06 vettes and Vipers all day long.