New here but have a few questions

[Static03]

Hey im new, and i hate to sound like a stupid noob, but i got a few questions, so i figured you were the people to ask.

I bought a 2002 Protege ES about 2 months ago, first off, it gets kinda loud over 60 mph, like a wind rushing sound over the rear spoiler, i was wondering if you guys have the same problem.

Second, a friend of mine wants to race me, his car is stock and so is mine, he has a 2000 Nissan Altima GXE, with an automatic 4spd tranny, and 4 really sh*tty tires. We're only gonna race from a light up to 60 or 70 mph *since cops are out in full force lately*, and im wondering what kinda chance i stand and what tactics i should use. I've got the 5spd manual if that helps, i was figured if i launched good, i could get out in front and stay in front, but if he gets ahead, i dont see the protege pulling on him to win it, what do you think?

And last but not least, for those of you with stock or near stock ES's whats the peak launch rpm for this car? ive been launched at like 3000 cause if i go to 4000rpms, i get some wheelspin and it skids.

BTW, as for my tires, ive got Dunlop SP Sport tires, low profile "ultra high performance" so i figure that also gives me an edge.
Thanks
-Jason

[SciFiMan]

Not sure about the wind noise, I don't think it's been mentioned here.

If you race the guy, make sure it's an empty road, so that in case he starts to get a head of you, you can slam into his rear quarter panel and spin him into a light pole or ditch. If the car flips and rolls more than 3 times you get extra points. If you time it wrong, you could end up spinning out, crashing straight into a hard, sharp, penatrating object right at the point of the drivers door. That would be the best outcome of all. [yes, little child, that is scorn. Race him at an autox you idiot, so you don't kill my family on the street!]

All tires will lose their grip when overpowered at launch. As you already figured out, just lower the rpm's.

[Static03]

well, um..........okay, thanks for your help.

[solid_snake]

the altima has a 2.4L 155hp engine, and the protege has a 2.0L 130hp engine, you do the math

[nate0123]

the altima has a 2.4L 155hp engine, and the protege has a 2.0L 130hp engine, you do the math2000 altima also weighs over 2850 pounds... 02 ES weighs about 2650

[nate0123]

best launch stock RPM is probably around 3000

[DiS]

also the altima is heavier than Protege by few hundred lbs. If you launch good, you might have a chance. Since you are stock, launch at 3k rpm, but dont dump the clutch otherwise you'll just have horrible wheel hop and will stay at the light spinning the tires. Drop the clutch like 50% at launch, and once you feel that tires got grip, then dump the clutch and rev to 5250 rpm (as our cars dont really make power after that point (only stock cars, hehe)) If you're a good driver, you should be head-to-head with him in that race.

[solid_snake]

actually, the protege manual curb weight is 2634lb, and the altima auto. is 3027

hope this helps

[nate0123]

I've looked up stats on the auto 2000 Altima 2.4

from Car & Driver Sept 99
0-60 - 9.9 seconds
1/4 mile - 17.5 seconds

you should beat him no problem as long as you know how to drive

[nate0123]

actually, the protege manual curb weight is 2634lb, and the altima auto. is 3027

hope this helpsI may have seen stats for a manual altima

are you sure that number is a 98-01? I'm sure the new ones are heavier by a bunch

[solid_snake]

I may have seen stats for a manual altima

are you sure that number is a 98-01? I'm sure the new ones are heavier by a bunch

the manual weights 2945 lbs

PS info taken from autos.msn.com

[nate0123]

ok cool, so about 300 lbs difference

[Static03]

yeah ive talked to some of my friends on www.fastcarforum.com, they think the same, if i launch right, i can take him, and yeah im good driver, but im honest, ive only been on a manual tranny car for about 2 months, ive been practicing my launches when i get off work late at night, and i know what you mean about the wheel hop if i dump the clutch, i got that all figured out.

I feel like such a noob, but im really quite car literate *bet you hear it all the time* I just dont know all so much about the protege seeing as how i havnt had it too long. But im glad to know you guys reccomend me to launch at what ive already been using. I read the topic of fastest N/A protege, and its good to see the econo box getting 15's in the 1/4, thats more what it feels like when i push it, instead of the high 16's i see everywhere else

Would anyone happen to know if the Protege's 0-60 time stock? And with powershifting?
And to the person who just showed engine power and said do the math, that is NEVER the deciding factor, driver ability, suspension, transmission type, gearing, and tires play huge but un noticed roles in racing.


Anyway thanks alot guys, i think ive got a fair chance of winning.

[solid_snake]

yeah ive talked to some of my friends on www.fastcarforum.com, they think the same, if i launch right, i can take him, and yeah im good driver, but im honest, ive only been on a manual tranny car for about 2 months, ive been practicing my launches when i get off work late at night, and i know what you mean about the wheel hop if i dump the clutch, i got that all figured out.

I feel like such a noob, but im really quite car literate *bet you hear it all the time* I just dont know all so much about the protege seeing as how i havnt had it too long. But im glad to know you guys reccomend me to launch at what ive already been using. I read the topic of fastest N/A protege, and its good to see the econo box getting 15's in the 1/4, thats more what it feels like when i push it, instead of the high 16's i see everywhere else

Would anyone happen to know if the Protege's 0-60 time stock? And with powershifting?
And to the person who just showed engine power and said do the math, that is NEVER the deciding factor, driver ability, suspension, transmission type, gearing, and tires play huge but un noticed roles in racing.


Anyway thanks alot guys, i think ive got a fair chance of winning.



ok, that's cool, and you are right, it doesn't matter if you have a Ferrari and don't know how to drive it, you would lose to a ford focus, i'll look for the 0-60 time for the protege

BTW if you live in miami as your profile says, where you u plan to race?

[nate0123]

you'll find probably about 8.8 sec 0-60 for an 02 manual

[Static03]

Solid Snake:

I lived in miami almost my whole life, right now im living in Jacksonville Florida *it sucks big time*, if i was in miami i'd prolly race on the turnpike, after the toll gate on s.w. 117th and bird rd "40th" since its highway and a pretty straight strech, if not, s.w. 127th ave between 8th and 18th street is a good stretch too, or 137th ave between bird and 47th street

Im not sure if your familiar with that area, as i lived on the south west side *kendall/olympia heights* *corner of Miller Drive 56th and 137th ave

Im trying to work hard and get a few days off to visit some friends back in good ol MIA, so i might be down there in a month or so *if it matters*


8.8 seconds? O_O are you kidding me? theres no way its that slow..... :mad:

[nate0123]

8.8 seconds? O_O are you kidding me? theres no way its that slow..... :mad:nope not kidding

MP3 gets about 8.4-8.5 with exhaust and advanced timing

[SilverBulletES]

Dude you probably shouldn't race in the street no matter what Bruce Springsteen and Vin Diesel tell you.

[Static03]

Dude you probably shouldn't race in the street no matter what Bruce Springsteen and Vin Diesel tell you.


um, i dont know what you take me for, but im not some 15 year old kid who just got his first car and wants to race.

I dont remember if i said this, but its a race up to about 60 or 70 mph, so its really not a big deal, were gonna do it on a road where the limit is 55 as it is, so its not much to worry about.

Spare me the comments of sarcasim man, unlike alot of my friends, im not an overconfident driver who acts badass and claims his ricer setup civic is faster than Mitsu Evo VII. I know true tuning and im actually a mechanic, so c'mon dont take me for stupid, i dont wanna sound mean, but thats the comment i was afraid i was gona get.

[solid_snake]

Solid Snake:

I lived in miami almost my whole life, right now im living in Jacksonville Florida *it sucks big time*, if i was in miami i'd prolly race on the turnpike, after the toll gate on s.w. 117th and bird rd "40th" since its highway and a pretty straight strech, if not, s.w. 127th ave between 8th and 18th street is a good stretch too, or 137th ave between bird and 47th street

Im not sure if your familiar with that area, as i lived on the south west side *kendall/olympia heights* *corner of Miller Drive 56th and 137th ave

Im trying to work hard and get a few days off to visit some friends back in good ol MIA, so i might be down there in a month or so *if it matters*


8.8 seconds? O_O are you kidding me? theres no way its that
slow..... :mad:





good place to race, the turnpike is 4 lanes wide, so you should have plenty space. I also live in kendall *if it matters*

[Static03]

well yeah i would have liked to use the turnpike, but unfortunately i wont be able to since it dosnt run up to Jacksonville, theres a side road up here called St Augustine RD, and its 2 lanes each way, speed limit is 55 cause its a backroad, and it leads to and from I95, so it'll prolly take place there.

Hey Solid, assuming your of age, what highschool did you/do you attend?

I went to Braddock Sr.

[solid_snake]

well yeah i would have liked to use the turnpike, but unfortunately i wont be able to since it dosnt run up to Jacksonville, theres a side road up here called St Augustine RD, and its 2 lanes each way, speed limit is 55 cause its a backroad, and it leads to and from I95, so it'll prolly take place there.

Hey Solid, assuming your of age, what highschool did you/do you attend?

I went to Braddock Sr.


Still on high school, going to Felix Varela

[vindication]

let us know how it turns out

[Static03]

VARELLA? a rival i see....

So your somwhere around Kendall Drive and 147th eh?

*mwa ha ha ha*

Hey i notice your custom title says "stock and proud", its nice to see some1 else who leaves well enough alone *nothing wrong with tuning either*

[solid_snake]

actually i live with my parents, but i could not find a job, so , no money for tuning, also, my mom gave this car to me, but it is automatic

[Static03]

ohh bites that its an automatic, and i know how it is with finding work in miami. If you NEED a job, you can go to Kendall Drive past 127th, *i think its like 117th or somthing* you know, town and country mall, and at the end they have this place to wash cars, all you need is a license, but its a REAL b*tch job. Other than that, if your 17 or older, try a video store or some place in the Dolphin Mall.

[solid_snake]

ohh bites that its an automatic, and i know how it is with finding work in miami. If you NEED a job, you can go to Kendall Drive past 127th, *i think its like 117th or somthing* you know, town and country mall, and at the end they have this place to wash cars, all you need is a license, but its a REAL b*tch job. Other than that, if your 17 or older, try a video store or some place in the Dolphin Mall.


license to work at a car wash?????? lol

[Static03]

Your required to drive the cars, so you need a license. But i wouldnt recomend you do it unless your busting for cash, i quit after 4 days of that. It was a major ripoff.

[solid_snake]

Your required to drive the cars, so you need a license. But i wouldnt recomend you do it unless your busting for cash, i quit after 4 days of that. It was a major ripoff.


ok my bad, i just have the learner's license, i have to wait 'til december to get the regular one

[Static03]

hope you took drivers ed.

If varella offers it, no test on the day of your license, just $20 and your out.

[solid_snake]

hope you took drivers ed.

If varella offers it, no test on the day of your license, just $20 and your out.

i did take drivers ed, i failed the questions, i got 6 wrong

[Static03]

damn, they made us take it like 6 times throughout the year, and since i already had my license when i took the class, i passed it.

I even took the written exam over the computer for my brother so he could get his restricted license, at the age of 18.....now he's 19 and STILL dosnt drive lol