kyo

Ok, I've dug through the searches on a buncha sites, and found tons of information. But, there are a billion different opinions and a millon more possibilites that I probably haven't seen yet.. so I'm hoping to narrow it down a bit.. you guys seem pretty smart about this stuff.

I have a 2003 Protege 5 w/ the sport shift, stock. My question, what combination of things do you think would give me the most power/speed. I don't care about looks, I don't care about sound.. strictly performance. If you could list in order of importance it'd be greatly appreciated as well.. I only have a few thousand right now, but I'd like to get started somewhere. I've seen tons of individual things to do to a car.. but nobody ever really lists off a good combo of things. I know this is a pretty tall order to fill, but any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I'm pretty new to all of this, but I know the basics, just looking to expand

Thank you.

Kyle

UCSBgeek

Well, since you didn't list your budget, if you want to go fast:

• Good tires (for handling)
• Stiff springs / good struts to go along with it (for handling)
• Turbo + supporting parts (exhaust manifold, good intercooler, etc)
• HALTECH computer to control turbo
• Get HALTECH tuned well for maximum power / not blowing up
• Mazdaspeed LSD to be able to control power
• Performance clutch
• Injen Intake (or AEM, your preference)

Sorry...I don't know exactly how much zoom zoom you're looking for

Notice how I put stuff for handling first. I think you get far more fun out of that, rather than just raw horsepower.

kyo

whoops...left that part out sorry. My current budget is about $4000.. but I'm willing to put time into this.. don't need it all now. Thanks for the reply.

UCSBgeek

Sure!

$4000, you can get a lot of stuff that you'll like... not sure how much all the different parts cost since I have a first gen, so I'll leave it up to somebody else to help you out

Farsyde

4000 samolians will get you a turbo and the exhaust to match.

flyin protege
HiBoost
spool turbos

carguycw

Uuum, it's a sport shift automatic. That eliminates these two options.

UCSBgeek

Well, oops!

Sir Nuke

KYO, to obtain any really substantial power out of our cars....there really is only ONE way to go....TURBO. unfrotunately at the moment there is NO ONE that has a turbo set-up which is designed to run with an automatic......BUT.....you may want to consider getting ahold of FLYIN PROTEGE/FLYIN MIATA they are currently looking for a "SUBJECT" to do an install on and work out the bugs on an automatic....this could lead to substantial discounts towards the kit if YOU offer your car for the project......that is if you can stand to take your car off the road for a while. its worth considering.

Reffoxel

Well you mentioned you don't care about looks......Strip your interior of all panels other than dash and pull all the seats out other than driver. You'll have a decent weight savings and if your careful about pulling it out and wrap it up. When you sell the car you put the interior back in and it will be practically mint. Then I'd go into porting and polishing the heads. port and polish the intake manifold. Forged con rods and pistons, Titanium Valves(basically reduce rotational mass allowing for a much higher rev limit. More aggressive Exhaust and Intake Cams. And all the stuff they mentioned earlier. Build a really good N/A engine and when you do add a turbo it will be amazing. Was just reading an article about a 460hp Ford Focus and that was with just 22psi of boost and no nitrous.

carguycw

FWIW I've never really understood stripping the interior for the street. Yeah, you'll save *some* weight, but Jap economy car interior parts really don't weigh much in the first place. On a higher-end car, esp. one with power seats, you can save a LOT of weight this way, but you might be surprised just how little those foam rubber Protege seats and skimpy plastic door panels weigh. It's really not worth the work and hassle IMHO.

Of course, if you're REALLY serious about performance, here's what you really need to do... ditch the 4-speed "Sport Shift" automatic and get a 5-speed manual tranny. They shift faster, use less power, have tighter gear spacing, and weigh much less. The weight difference is probably more than the back seat and door panels put together.

Quote:

More aggressive Exhaust and Intake Cams. And all the stuff they mentioned earlier. Build a really good N/A engine and when you do add a turbo it will be amazing.

Actually, many n/a mods make things WORSE if you go turbo, specifically aggressive cams and high compression. Also, the high rpm breathing potential of the FS-DE engine is hurt by its internal architecture (long stroke and poor rod/stroke ratio) so n/a is really not the way to go. If you need proof, the World Challenge Protege race cars only make a reported 240 hp, but cost $17,000 and require frequent rebuilds. Out of the box, our engines work much better turbo than n/a.

pluto316

You are spot on right on both accounts.

kenchan

humm....first you should've chosen a MT because the 4AT's gear ratio's are spread apart too much. but anyway... get a wet nitrous kit. that'll get you going. or a small turbo kit...but even so,
your best 0-60mph is only going to be low 7sec and quarter mile maybe 15sec at best.

i suggest you get a different car for your performance hunger and drive our pro5 to work like me.

rowan

Essential Speed in Cambridge, Ontario has a turbo kit that works just fine on an automatic Protege.

dremadden

Hey

First of all i think that it is great that you WANT to do this to your car, But i feel that some one should bring up that your car is still very new and being as such you have a manufac warranty!!!

Now I am not forsure but I do believe that by adding and moding in the ways above you may be VOIDING the warranty.
Now if you are serious about the projects then I would contact you mazda dealer and tell them about the potential changes and see how it will effect you warranty. After all isn't that the great part about buying a new car?

Farsyde

yes you can kiss your warrantee goodbye if you do any engine modifications like turbo/pistons/cams. But, things that dont necesarily change the mechanical aspects of the engine won't kill your warrantee; say an intake/exhaust, etc UNLESS they are direct contributors to the malfunction