mtbfreak40

hi, my opinion is as follows:
first, most of the things you plan to get are universal items, like the neons, pedals, shift ****... wait on all of that stuff for now. if you wait till spring and go to a car show, you can pick all of that stuff up really cheap. you could get your neons at a show for about 100 instead of 200, so i would suggest doing that for now.

now, if you wait on that stuff,you still have 1000 to spend... a muffler will most likely dissapoint you as far as sound and performance. i would go with a racing beat catback,which is completely my preference. all of the other catbacks are good too. then if you want a 1.5 to 2 inch drop, get a set of tein springs with a 2 inch drop. then get mazdaspeed camshafts, intake and exhaust. and the last thing i would get is a short shift kit, it really makes the car feel good, that is if you have a five speed... if not spend the last 100 on a strut tower bar. hope that helps.

Nigaud5sx

The P5 comes with a strut tower bar from the factory. The 'universal' items would come just whenever I happen to be at a shop or something that has the one I like. I agree $200 is a lot for a simple underbody neon kit, but I want it done right. Professionally installed with a warranty and everything.

For some reason the Racing Beat cat-back is burning a hole in my mind, I may just have to get one afterall. But, as the review in another forums commented, it may be a little too quiet for my tastes. Will a straight-pipe in place of the cat help this 'problem' out a bit?

The problem I have with more in-depth things like camshafts and such is to boot, the Protege isn't a very fast car. The thing I fear that is after I get some nice cams, etc., is that I will be disappointed with the results. I mean, a stock Mustang v6 would still probably be able to hold with it in the 1/4. The reason Civics are so successful is because they are so damned light, whereas the3rd-gen Proteges are not. I mean, 105whp in a 2,800lb car? Ouch...

The other side is suspension. The Protege has a killer suspension, but again it would still be a slow car that handles good, after various mods.

The day after I got my P5 I saw a red '03 Spec-V on the lot for only $200 more...oh man I was almost in tears that they didn't have that the day I bought my P5! I need y'all to help convince me otherwise!!

mnkyboy

Neons with a warranty? What kind of warranty are they going to give you? Neon lights are bound to fu*k up sooner *than* later.

Nigaud5sx

Possible candidates for my list:

Racing Beat cat-back and straight-pipe -- $450
Springs -- $200 (Eibach? Tein? Sprint? Intrax? ST? Other? Faux coilovers?)
Short shifter -- $? (Kartboy? Other?)
MazdaSpeed camshafts -- $? (Where to buy?)
'Universal' items -- $150
Subwoofer+box+amp -- $450
Speakers -- $300
-- Any more suggestions?

Take notice that all of those things I can install myself, with the aid of certain tools (which I can rent most likely). Things like a clutch or flywheel I cannot do myself, and will have to spend tons of money on installation labor. The factory clutch holds pretty well, better than most I've 'experienced'. The engine revs pretty freely. Not the best, but way up there.

Help me out...I don't want to seem like the Grinch over here, I really like my Protege and all you guys....

Thanks,
Evan!

Nigaud5sx

IIRC, StreetGlow (?) lights come with a 1-yr warranty, and the place where I'd have them installed offers an extra 1-yr warranty for $20.