Inferno's 2003 Mazda Protegé

[Inferno]

I've had this thing for about 3 months now, picked her up for ~$10.8k out the door, at a Toyota dealership. It's not a hot rod (About as fast as a stock V6 3G Eclipse), but the potential is definitely there. I love the handling though.







It has a "Super-cool, Hip-Hop style" ground effect package, 17" Racing Hart wheels, and Sparco shift knob/pedals. The only thing I've done to it so far was toss out the dead factory Kenwood MP919 headunit and put in the XXV-01D that I had in my previous vehicle. Otherwise, it's stock.

My plans for it (Ordered according to priority):

Powertrain/Drivetrain
-SplitSecond A/F Piggyback Controller
-HiBoost FMIC kit
-AEM CAI
-Autometer Boost and Oil pressure pillar gauges
-2001 Mazda 626 intake manifold
-AWR Front/Sides motor mounts
-GHL Full Downpipe
-AWR Competition Radiator
-Thunder turbo manifold
-Mazda FS-ZE head swap
-Quaife LSD
-Pauter Billet Forged Rods/Arias Forged Pistons
-Garrett GT28RS "Disco Potato"

Audio
-Front: JL Audio TR570-CXi
-Rear: JL Audio TR600-CXi
-Amp: JL Audio 250/1
-Sub: JL Audio 8W3v3-4

I'm trying to keep it at stock boost level; I just want at least 220-250 wheel horsepower, anything more will ruin the car's driving characteristics. Modifications colored in red represents ones that will happen if I decide to further mod it, but is not necessary. If I truly decide to pursue all the modifications, this theoretically should put the car in the 300-350 WHP range running at 7-8 PSI easily. I've seen a video of someone running almost 300 WHP in their Mazdaspeed Protegé, and quite frankly, it's too much for the car.

CURRENT MODIFICATIONS
-Cone air filter
-Kenwood XXV-01D Headunit

[Bitter]

ditch that ugly wing

[Regulator]

Always been a fan of that car. Can't beat black, but I love the orange and the blue those come in.

[Bitter]

oh ya greg, get your brake fluid flushed. it should be clear to light yellow...not coffee brown!

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Bitter

oh ya greg, get your brake fluid flushed. it should be clear to light yellow...not coffee brown!

Thanks for the reminder -- she's going in the dealer in about a week for one last dealer maintenance before the warranty expires in September.

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Thanks for the reminder -- she's going in the dealer in about a week for one last dealer maintenance before the warranty expires in September.

see if you can get them to put in dot 4 or dot 5.1, both have higher boiling points than dot3 fluid and are only marginally more expensive. dot4 is available at most places in pints, if you bring them a couple pints it should be plenty for them flush it with that, you get an extra 100F dry boiling point above dot3 and a higher wet boiling point as well. might never need it, but when you're slamming on your brakes at 85mph because some idiot jack knifed his semi 1000ft infront of you, that higher boiling point can make a difference.

[GTclipse01]

A good buddy of mine has this car in titanium gray and it handles like a dream... like it even more in black, very nice man

[Lunar Eclipse]

Wow, awesome!

I really like that shift knob.

[Elizabeth]

I love the MS Protege. I have driven a freind's titanium 2002 a few times, it handles awesome and has some nice pep. Be very careful of the LSD in that car....weak sauce. Very common problem. I know a buddy who has had his replaced now twice and has about 65k on the odometer.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth

Be very careful of the LSD in that car....weak sauce. Very common problem. I know a buddy who has had his replaced now twice and has about 65k on the odometer.

I think you jinxed me. Mine popped about a week ago, just casually pulling out of a Target parking lot. Unfortunately I'm having a hell of a time finding another differential for a reasonable price; the places that normally carries it are out of stock and can't get it for weeks, and I can't afford the Quaife unit (~$2000).

[Bitter]

sorry to hear greg. a shame the car is soo fragile

you sure you didnt break it while making your car do the turkey call bov sound it makes?

[Inferno]

Nah, I got that out of my system for quite a while. For some reason it's quiet now, I can't even hear the bypass valve "turkey" like it used to.

I really don't want to put in the stock open diff. from an ES model, but if I can't find a limited-slip, I might not have a choice.

[Bitter]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Nah, I got that out of my system for quite a while. For some reason it's quiet now, I can't even hear the bypass valve "turkey" like it used to.

I really don't want to put in the stock open diff. from an ES model, but if I can't find a limited-slip, I might not have a choice.

even i dont want you to put in an open differential. i'll start mailing you pennies.

[icemanrld19]

damn man that sucks about the tranny. Its not covered under ur warranty?

[Sh4d0wX7]

A friend of mine has an 03 and it's nice. I've driven it and it handles very well and it has some speed for what it is. I've always been a fan of this car. I was looking at one before I chose the Eclipse, and it's still a very good car IMO. I do agree though, that stocker wing has a terrible design.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by icemanrld19

damn man that sucks about the tranny. Its not covered under ur warranty?

Nope, warranty went out about a year ago. It's all coming out of the wallet on this one.

Originally Posted by Sh4d0wX7

A friend of mine has an 03 and it's nice. I've driven it and it handles very well and it has some speed for what it is. I've always been a fan of this car. I was looking at one before I chose the Eclipse, and it's still a very good car IMO. I do agree though, that stocker wing has a terrible design.

Thanks. I do agree, it handles great and the power isn't too bad. I just wish Mazda didn't half-assed this car when it comes to prep work for the turbo. ECU that floods the cylinders 24/7, weak differential, weak motor motor mounts, small intercooler that gets heat soaked within minutes...Mazdaspeed 3 owners sure have it better than we do.