jmc1986

ok im new to this fourm site. i got my 2002 mazda protege bout 6 months ago the only thing i have done to my car is put tein springs on 2-3(2 in the back 3 in the front) inch drop put red neons under the front seats and painted the stock rims black....so im looking to do a few more visual mods and looking into doing a few performance mods .....but im on a budget and i dont got that much money please help me out guys.....

Roddimus Prime

welcome to the forum. cheap and quality are not two words normally associated with each other in the car world.

My advice is to save up your money and do some homework on what mods you want....once you get cash saved up decide whether you'd like to use that to pay off the car (smarter) or mod it up (cooler).

Phantom Cruiser

What he said. Plus....pics or ban!

kargoboy

Welcome.
^^^ Agreed. Do some reading, and plan your mods. You'll be much happier in the end that you did not haphazardly throw something together.
BTW, 3 inch drop in front? I guess they are not the S-techs. Damn, I'm only dropped 1.4 in front and even with no lip/kit there are many drveways &tc where I can scrape the bottom...

Jackelope

^ sounds like its dropped more than mine! i thought mine was low, get some pics!

JDM-P5

Same here...I have the s-Techs and it's more like a 2" drop all the way around.
Also, you can get a cheap Ebay CAI for less than $50 shipped. I got a Short ram for $30 shipped. I also got my 2.5" Tsudo exhaust for $250 shipped from Ebay. Everyone here, pretty much knows from day one that I was on a budget and that my P5 is a "budget build" in my eyes. You can paint your interior (it looks really good) (SUPER CHEAP dress up!!). I did a write-up on that. You can wire your fogs (if you have 'em) to come on w/just your park lights. I also installed a PS2 and a tv screen in the glove box (I can take it in and out freely whenever I want to play at home (it's hard-wired to the car). For sound I went sneaky and installed a Mazda Speed Protege sub/amp package (I think I'm the only one who has done it the way i have it set-up now) I traded a JVC head unit w/Matty & installed in the cargo area in back on the floor. Then I purchased ANOTHER one for $20 and I swapped out my self-tinted sidemarkers for stock ones. I was told by Barry (Jackelope) that the 8" sub was blown, well after taking it apart I got it working. Well along w/that sub/amp rack, I got the brackets that you sedan owners use to mount the rack (so the sub fires down). Well, I took apart my rear and installed the brackets & had to cut out a section on my interir panel, but I have the best stealth - mounted system I can think of. Well, I'm the only one w/pictures anyway...lol. You can swap put your mirrors for the (fake) CF ones w/the built in LEDs...$40 shipped Ebay. I did my research and decided to paint the housings of my headlights black for the nice black & white color scheme I was going for. I did the same for the tails...except they are more of a blend of red/balck. Lets see....ummm, you can have Matty (Roddimus Prime on here)powder coat metal parts for you. There are numerous 'cheap' mods you can do. I even got my wheels on Ebay for less than your monthly car payment and insurance. You gotta make a list (which I have posted on my fridge at home) and as you save up and get the parts you cross 'em out.....Can anyone think of anything else??
Anyway...check out:
http://my.prostreetonline.com/member/jdm-p5/
That's my ride and a load of pics for ya.
Good luck w/everything!

-Phil

Here are some useful links:

Painting interior:
https://www.mazda3club.com/showthrea...nting+interior

Sound:
https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/done-trunk-now-%2Apics%2A-40223/

Painting lights etc:
Here's my easy walk-throughs...
Painting/tinting tails, head lights, side markers:
https://www.mazda3club.com/photo-video-gallery-29/%2A%2A%2Anew-pics%2A%2A%2A-my-mad-tizite-rizzide-40008/
https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/no-more-amber-my-car-40143/
https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/got-bored-painted-headlights-39960/

Fog lights:
https://www.mazda3club.com/exterior-interior-audio-4/can-you-wire-fog-lights-come-just-foglight-switch-40595/

Powdercoating:
https://www.mazda3club.com/showthrea...powder+coating


I think that's about it.

Phantom Cruiser

That's a lot of words mon...

Jackelope

^ now thats what i call info!

Roddimus Prime

phil is the mang.

JDM-P5

I think it's time I asked if I could be a mod.

Da P-Funk!

^I'd support that (but i am not sure if my vote would count... )

JDM-P5

Lol

kargoboy

I think we're threadjacking on the new guy...
And Phil with m4d p0w3rz? Yikes!

JDM-P5

All the info I left will hold him over, but I forgot to add this one also:

Suggested Mod List:
https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/suggested-mod-list-39259/


Oh, & I've settled in quite nicely thank you...lol.

-Phil