3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

Comparisons and fuel economy.

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Old March-29th-2002, 08:16 PM
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Comparisons and fuel economy.

I was wondering how many kilometers you guys get with 47L of fuel. (I'm from Canada). Before I installed my intake, I only got 320km. But now after the installation of the Ractive intake a dramatically increased 470km.
I know after I mention the name Ractive, people will criticize it as a cheap, incompetent alternative product to AEM, Injen, etc. While no one is stoping them, I must say that the Ractive intake is not that bad. It gets me increased fuel economy, better throttle response, a decent growl, quiet at low rpms, and more power. I'm not a riceby defender, if anyone preceives me as one, I'm just trying to bring awareness that Ractive's products are not garbage compared to other brands. Maybe it's because of they're cheap price that gives them a negative image or maybe because many riceboys use them.
But take a look at the Protege 5, which some people says its inferior because it IS made by Mazda, like a intake IS made by Ractive. Some people I know ridicule the Protege 5, and saying what is a Protege 5? or it's only a f&*&ing Mazda. But just because it sells for less than a Corolla or Civic doesn't mean its worse. In my opinion it's better. Does Corolla or Civic have standard 16 inch rims; a 2.0L engine; a tightened suspension; a nice looking interior; a bodykit; large foglights; and rear discs? No they don't. I don't care if people say the Protege 5 is garbage, and it IS only a Mazda. The fact is I got a better buy, and they didn't and it makes me feel good inside again everytime. Long live Proteges!(and Ractive hehehe....).
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Old March-30th-2002, 11:18 AM
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I guess obviously, most of us "southerners" weren't willing to do the math to give you any comparisons.

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Old March-30th-2002, 02:39 PM
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So far my car is bone stock and I get about 530km to 47 litres of fuel. I will be adding an intake soon. Maybe my economy will increase over the 600km mark? I think I'm going to go with the short ram AEM. I've never heard of Ractive and the Injen is a cold air intake which I don't want. Where is the Ractive made? I know the AEM is made in the USA. I bought the protege5 over a civic, it's sportier and has more bang for the buck. Who cares what other people think of your car, as long as you like it. All my bonehead friends drive overpriced trucks and don't understand what the sport compact car thing is all about. I need new friends.

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Old March-30th-2002, 05:55 PM
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Mine holds 14.5 gallons, so I guess that's 55 liters.

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Old March-30th-2002, 08:32 PM
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The MP5 holds 55 litres. 47 litres is at what point the low fuel light comes on or the gauge is on empty. Either way it seems to be the point when it's time to fuel up.
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Old March-30th-2002, 08:42 PM
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Talking fuel economy

I get about 560 outta 47L of fuel~ but I usually drive at the optimum speed (80km @ 2000rpm) and rarely get on the brakes (hehe~ lucky me...not getting busted by the cops)

after the Ractive intake...I get slightly worse fuel mileage...mainly due to the fact that I stump on the gas more to hear the "swoosh"

I dont get why ppl diss the Ractive intake...in Canada, where the climate is much colder than the likes of LA and California...there's really no point to get the Injen CAI...and for those who drive AT Pro5's...the AEM will be shitty, cuz it's close to the AT box, sucking in hot ambient air near the AT box

besides...for the Ractive intake, you can fit a RAM AIR tube (just get those aluminum tubes found in any hardware store) to the hole below the coolant reservoir (just relocate the coolant reservoir...simple nuts and bolts) and point the tube to the Ractive intake

That beats having the Injen CAI without having have to worry about sucking in water in puddles (hey...that **** happens a lot in Richmond)

and beats the AEM, price wise, cuz you can also fit a ram air tube from below the car to the AEM

costing more isn't aways equal to better products~ DIY rulez!!!
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Old March-30th-2002, 08:47 PM
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hey SJDMP5~ trucks aren't all bad!

the new lines of trucks are quite awesome actually!

the new TrailBlazer, Jeep Liberty and the mighty Chevy Avalanche are pretty awesome machines...but I would never wanna drive a truck...unless one day I'm towing a race prep Protege5 to the tracks~ hahaha~
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Old March-30th-2002, 10:09 PM
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They had thing about the new Jeep Liberty on CNN the other day. The slalom driver (who's run all the slalom tests for CD for many years) managed to get the Liberty upside down during the test, without even trying - Wasn't a pretty sight.

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Old March-30th-2002, 11:12 PM
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err...slalom with a Jeep Liberty which has high centre of gravity?
I mean...I know that they do it with every car they get hold of...but racing a SUV through a slalom course is just not rite

trucks of the likes of TrailBlazer, Liberty and Avalance belong to rugged outbacks...

only those 1/2 breed SUVs are good on the streets...RX300, Explorer, RAV4, CR-V...etc~ those things can handle the slalom no problem...but put them through the back country and by the end of the day, you'll be looking at expensive suspension repairs!

hmm...off topic...haha~
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Old March-31st-2002, 12:33 AM
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Hey, those of you with the Ractive intake. Do you hear a loud suction sound "shruuuuuush" when you turn off the engine?
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Old March-31st-2002, 05:32 PM
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I don't hate trucks. My project is a 65 GMC shortbox fleetside that's getting the resto-rod treatment. My problem is what they charge for these trucks, now they market them and most of the people that drive them. I don't mind the trailblazer, I love the new I6 engine. I don't mind the liberty, but am concerned about that slalom thing. The reason they run them through the high speed slalom is to test how they react during an emergency. I absolutley loathe the avalanche! Will GM please stop putting cladding on everything! The worst part is the price. I would have a 330CI or IS300 (or hopefully a Mazda 6) in my driveway before I would spend $60,000 on a piece of junk such as the avalanche. While I'm ranting the other thing that I hate is black mirrors and/or door handles on cars. It makes a car look cheap. Automakers spend a few cents and paint them body colour!
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Old March-31st-2002, 05:56 PM
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yep~ big swoosh sound with the Ractive intake when shutting the engine off...

doesn't that happen with AEM and Injen as well???
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Old March-31st-2002, 11:03 PM
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I'm not too fond of the Avalanche either. Why not just buy a regular GMC crew cab and skip the stupid "Midgate". You get less cheap plastic crap that way. As for the Trailblazer I like the I6 too. I just noticed that it gets similar fuel economy and power to the V8 engines available on the competitors. With fuel economy being one of the reasons to stay away from a V8 I think it was kind of stupid on GMC's part to over-engineer a I6 instead of underengineering a V8. As for the halflings they are not so bad. But because of people driving those things alone on the freeway my city has just instituted a nice 55 mph speed limit on all the freeways. Texas just needs an extra SUV polluting jerk tax on each of those and should raise the speed limit for all of the ULEV vehicles. Then there should be a higher speeding ticket for anyone driving anything with crappy gas mileage. Maybe that would make those people think twice.
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Old May-23rd-2003, 06:00 PM
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Originally posted by sjdmp5
So far my car is bone stock and I get about 530km to 47 litres of fuel. I will be adding an intake soon. Maybe my economy will increase over the 600km mark? I think I'm going to go with the short ram AEM. I've never heard of Ractive and the Injen is a cold air intake which I don't want. Where is the Ractive made? I know the AEM is made in the USA. I bought the protege5 over a civic, it's sportier and has more bang for the buck. Who cares what other people think of your car, as long as you like it. All my bonehead friends drive overpriced trucks and don't understand what the sport compact car thing is all about. I need new friends.
man, a truck is almost a requirement... how else are ya gonna tow your stuff to track days and haul mulch around? just get the biggest v6 (please get a v8 if you get a full sizer) and 4wd and 5spd for the fun part... i doubt you'll ever haul manure in your p5... or stick some grundgy mtnbikes in it... potholes are no problem as is lite-offroading... parking lots to trail heads and driving on the beach! trucks rule! but to each his own...

next car... p5 or a ford ranger...
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Old May-23rd-2003, 06:02 PM
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Originally posted by Don M
They had thing about the new Jeep Liberty on CNN the other day. The slalom driver (who's run all the slalom tests for CD for many years) managed to get the Liberty upside down during the test, without even trying - Wasn't a pretty sight.

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when i say take a truck to a track day, i mean by towing it! slalom on a liberty is like taking my dx off-roading!
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