Avalerion

I've been wading through the posts lately on this site and it's been pretty beneficial. I'm a 20yr old accountant (in progress), and I just bought a '00 Protege DX 1.6L 2 months ago to replace my lovely POS Dodge Neon.

This is also going to be the first car that I "mod." First I've changed my taillights to Altezzas to match the silver car (looks better). Next I'm going with a CAI. Any thoughts/advice on this one? Bought it on eBay and it arrives tommorrow hopefully, fresh from Canada. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4135802209

I'm not doing it so much for HP, but a better air filter for the car. In addition, I'm a technology nut. For those interested, http://autoenginuity.com/ has a great (universal) OBD-2 tool that goes into the laptop to monitor the car. This is actually why I've been getting interested in the car(s) altogether. Prior to May, I never did any work on my car (including the easy oil changes...). Sad isn't it?

I have another question regarding a mod I'm planning on. I want to install a homemade PC into my car with GPS (USB), OBD-2 plugged into car (access information/check engine, etc) at any time, plus replace my car audio system with a hard drive. CDs are primitive.

Any advice on parts, screens, location for something like this? Under the seat is bad (moisture, damage...); glovebox is bad (rough in there). I don't have money to blow, since I pay for EVERYTHING myself; but if something is worth it...

So I haven't seen any posts regarding this, and maybe some creative ideas can come of this.

In any case, this forum is great. It's nice to have some support when doing the unknown.

You'll hear from me again soon if I blow up the CAI (or get lost doing it).

Roddimus Prime

I'd HIGHLY suggest talking to Ken from ProtegeGarage.com. Tell him what you want, need and can afford and he will set you up.

Also, be sure to mention that I sent you.

macdaddyslomo

the whole laptop monitoring the engine sounds great....good luck on the ebay cold air...suggestion...get a bicycle inner tube and cut out a section to use as a gasket on the MAF peice, otherwise you'll get a CEL, and the car will run like crap....I have a silver '00 DX myself...if you have anyuestions regarding this car, i'll be happy to answer them, as most of the other knowledgable members(including mods) know very little when it comes to the 1.6L...i can say this...dont' expect much as far as power mods unless you go turbo...there are PLENTY of suspension pieces though, as all 3rd gen suspension parts interchange.

Avalerion

Now here's the thing:

When I get the CAI for my 1.6L, am I going to have to worry about the MAF? I went to Mazda yesterday and had them replace it due to rough idle (2000 Recall).

I keep hearing how sensitive, etc. the little thing is. Since I'm new to this, where exactly is it (what does it look like), and with your 1.6L, did you move/touch the sensor?

How come the 1.6L is different from the others?

(I have many questions...)

macdaddyslomo

the MAF on the 1.6L is connected directly to the airbox...see where the hose comes out of it there's that little black square with wire's coming out of it...that's the MAF, and it is VERY sensitive to turbulance...just do what i said in my previous post and you'll be fine as long as you bought the CAI for the 1.6L Protege..it has an attachement for the MAF....why is ist different?? dunno ask Mazda...apparently they prefer that one better than the one used on the 2.0L, since they used the same kind of MAF in the Mazda 3

Avalerion

Your advice helped, as did much of the information and pictures thrown about this forum.

Here's what my new intake looks like:

Roddimus Prime

that actually looks pretty good! How much did it set you back?

Avalerion

A canadian company custom makes this stuff for various cars.
I paid $100 US + 10 shipping for it!

I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Plus, when I ran my OBD-2 reader on the car after installing, idle rpms were 150+ higher, intake air temp was 8-10 degrees lower and it has a nice sound to it. MPG is now 40 in my car (60% Highway, 40% City-ish) after installing it. Prior, I had about 32.9.

macdaddyslomo

40 mpg ? wow ! I get maybe 32-35 max on the highway......that's pretty good...you really should get exhaust to match the intake...If you move more air in you should move more air out too

redcivic

What does that OBD-II reader run?

Lazlo123

hmm... interesting... i can just about get 40, i have about the same highway driving as you.. and i still have the original stock air filter... eh.. i'd rather have the cai... what's the company you got it from?

Avalerion

Here's the auction that I won:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...tem=4135802209

His eBay username is: www.cosmoracing.com
Search for more of his stuff and you'll find CAIs.
Their website is even more detailed.

My OBD-2 reader is going to be part of my carputer.
For now, it hooks up via serial to a laptop, which runs the software and can read anything from the car computer. Plus graphs, and a speed tool (I don't use that one) where you can calculate 0-60, etc. It's universal for all cars 1996 and up, unless it has CAN support. The only Mazda I'm aware of that supports this is the 2004 Mazda 6. But you can update the tool to support CAN.

At the moment (and I'll post pictures, more information and questions later) I'm building a carputer to include DVD, GPS, a Back-Up camera and my OBD-2 reader all hooked up to the car with a 7" LCD Touchscreen in front.

This way, I can play music, know where I am, and see if anything is wrong with the car (or performance) while I'm driving. In this regard, I'm about 50% complete with parts. I just got a Sony headunit today with Auxilliary-In.

I have to be careful...

gotaphatprotege

hey Avaletrion thanks for the cosmo site hes got some desent prices and for everybody else igot some sites for discounts on stuff for cars that i had bought if anyone is insrested in the sites give me an email and ill send ya one till them im gonna do some big research on the sites and see what they have thats good for the 2002 dx 2.0 protege and ill list them on here for you all that have the same car