03SilverProLX

Hey everybody, I just signed the paperwork on my 03 Protege LX yesterday. It's taken about 24 hours or so to completely fall in love with the car, and I have a feeling I'll be on this board a lot. I have a few questions that I've been researching, and I was wondering if you guys could help me out:

1. I'm thinking about putting in a stereo and stuff, but if I do, I'd like to have an alarm so my stuff doesn't get jacked. I've seen a few that plug into factory keyless entry systems...are these things worth $40 or $50? It seems to me that since all the hardware is already there, these units don't need to do much, and that's why they're so cheap.

2. I like my 6-disc in-dash CD changer (although I think I'm going to replace it with an MP3 deck), but my factory speakers are kinda lacking. I was going to put my subs from my old car in the trunk (since the box still fits), and I figured there's a stereo installation guide on this site somewhere...can somebody point me to it?

3. The highs from those speakers are lacking too, and I want to install a set of 'aftermarket' tweeters. I'm looking at some Pioneers, but I noticed the Mazdaspeed Protege (and I think the ES, too) already have tweeters mounted by the side mirrors. Can I get a hold of a set of those from Mazda, or would my money be better spent on some 'real' aftermarket tweeters? If I didn't get the Mazda ones, I'd still want to mount them next to the mirrors; can I order a couple of those plastic pieces opposite the mirrors? And how are you supposed to wire those things, anyway?

Any help you guys could give would be much appreciated. I have a feeeling I'll be back...A LOT.

chad

03SilverProLX

P.S. I forgot about this: I didn't have the option of getting the factory spoiler....can I get this from Mazda, or should I look someplace else?

toucci

I can help you with the audio

first off, the speakers you want to replace should be replaced by what are called "component speakers". They are seperated so the tweeter and woofer are in different locations, which some people like because the higher frequencies can be directed. If you can get the parts from the msp protege they will most likely fit and work for certain component speakers. check out www.crutchfield.com for the right speakers for whatever sizes those are.

The wiring? It is done inside the door, with a passive crossover. Basically, a signal goes into the crossover and seperates the highs from the lows and sends them to the appropriate speakers. With component speakers, you are getting an upmarket product so you would want to have a seperate amp for that recieving the signal from your new reciever.

If you're not up to it, you should get a professional to install this since its not an easy task for newbies

As for the security system, "I haven't the foggiest"

03SilverProLX

I probably should use components, but I was just going to try to throw in the tweeters by themselves just because the highs from the factory speakers are fairly nonexistent. I figured I could just wire the tweeters off the leads to the door panel speakers, so they're essentially in parallel with the door speakers. The only problem I see with that is that it'll drop the impedance to 2 ohms on the front speakers, but I don't know if that will cause issues or not.

eggynatey

Damn noobies...




Just kiddin' Welcome to the club! Both of you guys.

1) Sorry, I'm not sure what you're talking about for 50 bucks. Your car has the factory alarm and you want to upgrade it?

2) There's no "guide", but I'm sure the search button at the top-right of this page will answer all your questions.

3) The ones in there are Kenwoods. If I were you, I'd get a good set of components. JL, Focal, Kappa, Boston, etc are all good choices.

Shop around and have fun with your new car!

03SilverProLX

Not exactly...my car came with keyless entry, but no alarm. JCWhitney has a little electric module that runs off the factory remote system and hooks into the lights and horn. They even have one with a shock sensor, and they're only around 50 bucks or so. You can see what I'm talking about here.

eggynatey

heh. That thing does everything my factory alarm does!
As you can tell, I don't know **** about those things, but for 50 bucks, it's better than nothin. That's for sure.

Not sure if you've been here yet. but it's also a cool place to talk-protege.

Poseur

Just got my brand new 03 laser blue P5 5sp this weekend. Figured I wouldn't add too much noise saying Hi. Got no idea how much I'll be here, but a bit of this info's already proved helpful.

I'll do a search and such, but immediately, I'm looking to take a peek under my door panels for speaker wiring. Anything special, or do I just go ahead, set aside worrying about my new baby, and pop them off? I've dorked aorund allover my old Civic, wired in all of my own everything, etc. just gotta slowly get familiar with this one.

So far I've been too busy driving to d anything aside form slap my Yakima rack on it (which looks pretty sexy BTW) I've got an MP3 Kenwood Excelon deck and a solobaric, etc to swap over, so I'll be pulling from the audio section a bit real soon. Already looks like the factory deck's gonna be fun to get out (though I must say I'm seriously impressed with how the stock setup sounds) Hopefully, I'll soon call on some favors, and get setup with a remote start/window/microwave alarm. Possibly play with some lighting, etc.

funkdaddysmack

Here's my flame, this should be posted in the car audio forum n00b!!!!

Welcome to the club!

Sir Nuke

for both poseur and 03silverProLX, Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to our Club. There are TWO BIG fridge'S in the corner with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have.

make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom don't care....and take it easy.

oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

and yep...low and behold we have an AUDIO AND ELECTRONICS section to the forum.....so off you go to seek your answers.

zerocover

Actually its not entirely an audio thread.

Im interested in one of the alarm add ons to the factory keyless entery. I think there is a mazda add on for it and I would prefer mazda to one of the ramdon after market guys. The mazda one runs like $60.

Welcome to the board 03SilverProLX, toucci, and Poseur. Dam 3 Noobs there gangin up on us.

03SilverProLX

I'd like the Mazda one too, but does it come with a shock sensor? The one I'm looking at has a 2-stage shock sensor built in.

MisterT

Are you sure it's just keyless entry that is hooked to the alarm? You can try it out by manually unlocking the door or open the trunk with the alarm on. Once the dome light cuts on the siren blares. I want to upgrade mine because although it's hooked to pin switches in the doors and trunks, someone can still break the window, pop the hood, snip the wires to the battery and the horn won't sound. I would like to get a shock sensor and a perhaps a siren. Especially after the dings from people smacking their #$!!@ doors in to my car!!

Mister T

03SilverProLX

Yeah, we tried it the other night. My roommate got in the car, then I locked it with the remote. He unlocked the door and opened it and nothing happened. Besides, with this aftermarket alarm I'm looking at, it comes with a 2-stage shock sensor, as well as trunk and hood current sensors too. By the way, here's an example of what I'm talking about. I don't know how much of an interest there is, but it looks like it might be fairly complicated to install. If I end up getting one, I'll document the installation with my crappy digital camera so I can help out anybody else that wants to do it but isn't as much of an electro-nerd as I am.

Dermen

The stock alarm has a shock sensor. Most dealerships turn them all the way down so they don't go off. There is a black box with a sensitivity adjustment under the driver side of the dash.