Suggested Mod List
 

This is performance only...no appearance mods

3rd Gen Protégé Aftermarket Parts List

1. 2.0 L and 1.8L Engine

FS-ZE High Compression 10.5 to 1 pistons $185.00
Pauter Forged Rods
Wiseco Forged Pistons
JE Forged Pistons
FS-ZE Intake Cam $180.00
FS-ZE Intake Manifold $670.00
Ford Probe or MX-6 Intake Manifold(Eliminate VTCS)
Mazdaspeed Exhaust Cam
SR Motorsports Adjustable Cam Gears $347.00
Injen Racing Cold Air Intake $225.00
AEM Short Ram Intake
Ractive Cold Air Intake
Ebay Cold Air Intake
Wagner Header
OBX Header
Auto EXE Header
AWR Header
AWR Motor Mounts
SR Motorsports Motor Mounts
Corksport Power Series Throttle Body $255.00
Indigo Underdrive Pulleys
Unorthodox Racing Underdrive Crank Pulley $199.00
AutoEXE Throttle body

2. Engine 1.6L
Injen Cold Air Intake
Ebay Cold Air Intake $49.00
SR Motorsports Header
Indigo Underdrive Pulleys
ZL-VE Cams
ZL-VE Head(requires S-VT controller)
Corksport Power Series Throttle Body $255.00

3.Exhaust –(engine doesn’t matter) Need to check if P5 or Sedan
Borla Exhaust
Thermal Research Exhaust
Mazdaspeed Axleback
Racing Beat Exhuast
Corksport Power Series Exhaust
JIC Bullet Exhaust
Magnaflow Exhaust
Greddy Exhaust
SR Motorsports Exhaust
Megan Racing Exhaust

4. Drivetrain
B & M Short Shifter
Kartboy Short Shifter
TWM Short Shifter
MP3/MSP Short Shifter
SR Motorsports Short Shifter
Ebay Short Shifter
Kartboy Shifter bushings
Corksport Bronzoil Bushings
Quaife LSD (need to verify if F or G series Transmission)
Mazdaspeed LSD (G series Transmission only)
Mazdaspeed Axles (G series Transmission only)
Corksport Axles (G series transmission only)
Mazdaspeed 4.30 Final Drive gears(G series transmission only)
ACT Clutch
Clutch Masters Clutch
SPEC Clutch
Unorthodox Clutch Kit
Competition Clutch
Unorthodox Flywheel
Indigo Racing Flywheel
SR Motorsports Flywheel

5. Suspension
Racing Beat Spring
Eibach Springs
B & G Springs
H & R Springs
Intrax Springs
Goldline Springs
Tein Springs
Progress Springs
Auto EXE Springs
Skunk2 Coilovers
Ground Control Coilovers
Auto EXE Coilovers
JIC Coilovers
Tein Coilovers
NEX Coilovers
SR Motorsports Coilovers
AWR Rear Swaybar
SR Motorsports Rear Swaybar
Racing Beat Swaybar Kit
Progress Rear Swaybar
Auto EXE Swaybar Kit
Mazda OEM Strut Bar(for DX,LX,ES Sedans)
GT Spec Front Strut Bar
GT Spec Rear Strut Bar(specify P5 or sedan)
OBX Strut Bar
Cusco Strut Bar
Ebay Strut Bar
DGM Motorsport CF Strut Bar
Corksport Strut Bar
SR Motorsports Strut Bar
Auto EXE Strut Bar
Tokico HP Struts
Tokico Illumina Stuts
KYB Struts
Auto EXE Dampers
Mazdaspeed Adjustable Struts
GT Spec Ladder Bar
GT Spec Lower Tie Bar
GT Spec Trailing Arms
GT Spec Rear V-Brace
GT Spec 4 Point Linkage Bar for Trunk
GT Spec Trunk Reinforcement Bar
Auto EXE Lower Arm Bar
Auto EXE Member Bar Set
AWR Swaybar Endlinks
SR Motorsports Swaybar Endlinks
AWR Motor Mounts(2.0L)
Mazdaspeed Motor Mounts(2.0L)

6. Forced Induction
Hiboost Turbo Kit (1.6L,1.8L,2.0L)
W.O.M.P Supercharger Kit (1.8L,2.0L)
Wagner Motorsports Turbo Kit(1.6L,1.8L,2.0L)
Mental Addiction Motorsports Turbo Kit(1.8L,2.0L)
Nitrous Express Nitrous Kit
Zex Nitrous Kit



Feel free to add stuff not seen here

If there are any questions on where to obtain these parts feel free to PM me

inbox cleared.

That's a great list.

It would be even cooler if the mods were put into a matrix with approximate piece cost, approximate install time, a preferred place to buy them, and any general notes you feel are appropriate. For example, please see the attached, which lays out a plan to make a P5 similar to mine (but using cheaper or better components in some cases). I made this in response to a friend that asked me to sell my car. I said no - it's not for sale, but he could put something similar together if he was interested!

Alright, let me try this again....
To reiterate, this is a suggested mod list for a P5, not necessarily what I have done to mine.

I agree...
 

I agree 100%, that tuning is definitely one of the most important things when it comes to auto performance(aside from having quality parts to tune in the first place); but I noticed that at the top of the list under 1.8 and 2.0, you mentioned a higher compression piston, which is great for NA tuning, but at the bottom, under forced induction, you might want to mention that some applications may benefit from a lower compression piston, depending on how much boost one may want to run. Both scenarios would require tuning, as would any other modification; I'm not arguing that. Just thought I would add it as an afterthought. You did, by the way, say "feel free to add anything" at the bottom of the original list. Also, not trying to muck up this thread, but I didn't know where else to put it. Thanks.

When I said feel free to add anything, it would help you you knew a supplier of the part you are referring to. To make a final point. I haven't seen one turbo 3rd gen with lower compression pistons, just forged. Any more off-topic will be deleted

Although low compression pistons are not available, it demonstrates that a specific mod list for a NA car will be different from a TC or SC car. I think I am correct in saying the purpose of the list above is just to make note of what is out there. Otherwise, we would not list several brands of headers, intakes, etc. It is up to the user to determine which to use, or choose, for a particular application. It is assumed that the "would I, should I, could I" type questions be answered elsewhere in this forum.

So I do not get off topic, I have some additions:
- Sometimes you can find bored TBs on E-Bay for 2.0L (but have not seen them for a few months)
- I have seen short shifters pop up on E-bay lately for around $40
- Procharger makes a universal SC kit for sport compacts that could be installed on a Protege
- N20 kits for the above applications... Nitrous Express will spec a nice one out for you

Nitrous kits are a good addition even though they haven't been used with much reliability for some reason.

The Procharger "universal" kit is a possibility...I'm kinda on the fence about that one since it is not a "protege part"....it would require HEAVY customizing to make it bolt-up and even then it comes with no EMS so it's not complete.

I'd like to add to the list our sister cars the Ford Probe has the same engine we do without the VICS/VCTS. This means their intake manifolds are essentially gutted versions of ours with larger TB's already on them. You hear of people looking for MP3 manifolds all the time this would be a bigger gain than that.

yeah, JE makes them also as does one other company that Wagner uses.

Added. Guys when you give me parts to add on the list can you also provide me with a distributor. Thanks !

hey macdaddyslomo

will any of these mods work on my 95 1.8L dohc protege?

Not really... I'll look into a 1st and 2nd gen list next. Unfortunately 2nd gens are the red-headed step children of Protege's. You guys don't get much love. I beleive most 1st gen BP engine parts will fit your car however

suggestion/idea
 

Hi, I've just joined and enjoyed the upgrade list. I have a suggestion, however.

What if everyone interested in upgrades in one of these areas, say suspension upgrades, chipped in $10. Then, you have maybe $500-$1000, and bought all of the brands of some component and fitted them one by one onto a stock car, and did some tests to see which was best (subjectively selected by 3-4 drivers), or best bang for the buck, or whatever charter is agreed upon by the group.

At the end, there's a lottery for everyone that chipped in the $10, with winners getting the upgrade parts.

I guess the moral of the story is that this list is great, but I can't decide which of what to get, because all of the responses are anecdotal - "I liked this, but I also have these 12 other upgrades, etc." It'd be worth $10 to know which product is the best.

Make sense? Anyone tried this already?

Erik

Quick Question:

Anyone know if a "Sport Mode Automatic" shifter (same as the Mazda 3) can be added to a 2003 Protege LX?

If so... where can I find this part?

Suggestion: in another recent thread, you (macdaddyslomo) shared some good ideas for a DIY turbo. Should we insert a sublist of DIY turbo components for applicable engines? Afterall, that would be extremely valuable information to have for anyone considering such a project.

Hello,

For the persone have 1.6 or 1.8 you can swap the final drive for the one in zl-ve

or if you have 1.6 can swap final drive fro one 1.8 fp-de and get E-spec gear ratio


Attachment 10541

seb

Soooo... :P

Doesn't anyone anyone know if a normal automatic shifter can be swapped out for the "Sport Mode Automatic" in a 2003 Protege LX?

I test drove the Mazda 3 and I liked that feature... but I also heard it cam as an option on the 2003 ES ... anyone know?

hmmm...I wonder how big a diference that would make in acceleration for us 1.6ers

About the final drive gears, is that tranny specific?

they are all F-series trannies...the one that goes in the J-spec Swagon has the best final drive ratio for acceleration...basically you would need to get an F-series from the 1.5L S-wagon only

How would I go about getting an F series tranny? Would I have to swap to a manual as well or could I keep my auto? How benefitial would the final drive ratio be for us anyway?

It's only going to work in a manual, and yes it would be a pretty big improvement based on the numbers I see...Muscle car guys have been doing this for years..it's just a LOT easier on RWD

done. thanks !

i thought this was for "suggested" mods....I wouldn't suggest those for anyone. If I'm wrong just delete my post.

lol, there are lot of mods on the list I wouldnt suggest....I just tried to compile the most comprehensive list possible....a lot of people refer you to the Protege FAQ, and Edwins parts availability list is VERY outdated

Lets not forget preformance tansmission stuf in case of auto.
Lentech stuff! Valve body, torqe converter , complete rebuilt tranny etc. Wonder how much a new adjustable torqe converter would help. Figure I could lower the stall speed so it locks up eariler for economy. The stock 2600 rpm is good for launches though just a very small bit of tire spin.

Do you have actual part brand name's and their supplier so I can add it. I'd rather not just put "Lentech stuff"

There supplier is Lentech automatics

http://www.lentechautomatics.com/4f27eproducts.html

I just saw they were left out. I guess I thought of it as more of a general part list than a "suggested" list, but you do make a point as always. You know, I still wish I would've went with the Teins like you originally told me to, but I'm at least gonna take your advice on the shocks and "do it right or not do it at all" :nod:

i'm a member of about 5 other car/auto forums and one thing I saw REAL helpful on other forums was a dedicated FAQ/how-to like Edwins but it was constantly updated....no OT posts allowed, no discussions or debates. As a n00b just reading that I felt instantly smarter and wasn't confused by debates, discussions or opinions.

Yeah I think I need to go clean the junk out of this thread

Sorry for the LATE response...

My idea for a DIY Turbo Kit is still basically going to involve parts from one of the already available kits. The suppliers are simply willing to sell JUST a turbo manifold and downpipe. These are really the only "car-specific" parts as all the other parts are universal and can be had cheaper by sourcing them out elsewhere

In defense of our vendors of FI products however, the full kits are proven and likely to be MUCH more effective and reliable

A DIY turbo kit is NOT something for the faint of heart or average shadetree mechanic, but more for seasoned veterans like Matty and myself.

The ONLY thing that makes it a decent idea is COST :D

DIY FI shouldn't be done by anyone that doesn't have enough time/money to rebuild their engine/tranny 3 times. If you're good though you could easily cobble together something for a little extra boost. Personally though this is why I'm such a nitrous fan. $500, 3 hours and you're done.

dear macdaddyslomo I was just wondering if you could give me sum advice b/c I already have a set of KYBGR2's struts w/ the stock springs on my 99 DX1.6L sedan b/c I don't wanna drop the suspension b/c I'don't want 2 scratch my front bumper over ramps & I wanted a smoother ride...but what I still got was crap on the road & ESPECIALLY over pot holes.. and even WORSE when people are inside the car......what would you suggest 4 a better suspension set-up that can take the hits on the road w/ a better impact... ??? lolz.. while I still have pplz in my vehicle....
Also I was wondering if you know where I can purchase a BIG BRAKE upgrade kit 4 my little itty bitty 1.6L rotors 2 improve my braking plus I love the way big rotors look through nice rims.... THANKS again would reallie appreciate the help...

look on the boards for a MSP or MP3 guy selling his stock springs...they are MUCH stiffer than your stockers and use some tokico HP's to go with them..the drop on those springs is only like 3/4"...big brake kit is tough...wilwood makes one but you will pay like $1600 for it...otherwise all I can suggest is upgrading to 99-00 ES calipers and rotors...1 " bigger than stock

Isn't ken selling big brakes on his site?

not for 4 luggers

ah I see

Hello,

Here from the protege faq the head fit:

Any ZL (1.5l) botom end parts will work with the 1.6l (ZM-DE) engine.The ZL-VE head (which has S-VT) is a direct swap to the ZM-DE engine. You will need to figure out a way to control the hydraulic controller that varies the intake cam timing. This system is similar to the one used in the 2001+ Miata BP-VE engines, so talk to the Miata guys about it the S-VT on their cars to learn more.

source:http://web2.airmail.net/theman/prot...ods_engine.html

also the piston from B6 engin found on miata 90-93 should fit

11:1 compression toda racing piston and other compagnie i forget the name make some piston for b6 with high compression

The piston from toda racing are over sise 81mm vs 78mm for stock. The ZM-DE(1.6) have more stroke than the ZL-VE(1.5) (83mm for 1.6 vs 78mm for 1.5) That meen more stroke and bore and more compression more hp.

On top of that continous variable timming for the valve.

There the information about the ZM-DE and B6 share some part

The 'Z' engines are a new family which is an evoltion of the 'B' engine. The head is entirely different with round ports and narrow valve angles but the shortblock is nearly the same as the B6.

source:http://members.aol.com/solomiata/MX5Engine.html

seb