What have you done to your P5 today?

[CTt3P5]

Need some snow. Want to go skiing!!!

Ordered a Fidanza flywheel. Time to do the clutch.

Road trip to Montreal this weekend

Snow??!!! You could always go to the slopes with the manmade stuff and then come home and enjoy the warm weather to mod/fix/wash the car!!!

[2003newlyack]

I want some snow now too or I'll be driving to Mount Snow preeety soon

[Kansei]

eww snow. :P that reminds me, I should take my snow tires out of my back seat haha.

[altspace]

Time to go to school and get coffee. Wish me luck.

[Salmon_Rob]

good luck!

[bazooka joe]

Time to go to school and get coffee. Wish me luck.

another 3 miles on the car today!!

[Kansei]

another 3 miles on the car today!!

it'll be high mileage by the time you buy it! (rofl2)

I hit 77k miles on my way back to Rochester yesterday. I got gas and here's the results:

93 Octane (from Citgo in Victor, NY) Driving from Rochester to Lee, MA - 35.5mpg (a 100% highway trip, I got gas right before getting on the New York State Thruway and got it at the rest stop 1 mile before my exit.

87 Octane - filled up at Shell in Torrington, CT, then drove back roads to Lee, MA. From Lee to Victor, NY 100% highway, and from Victor to downtown Rochester it was highway but stop and go traffic the whole way (lucky me.. I timed it just right and was nearing Rochester at 5pm...

34.5mpg. If anything that number was brought down by the stop and go traffic as well as the (quite) spirited backroads driving on Route 8 between Winsted, CT and Lee, MA.

Chalk one up for 87 octane.. cheaper, and roughly the same gas mileage.

Now I just wish Rochester had a gas station I could trust.. in CT I stick to Shell or BP, but neither have locations here :'(

[meinp5]

i wrecked my p5 today....(notcool)

[meinp5]

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2833113#post2833113

[.Grendel.]

…I got gas and here's the results:… Chalk one up for 87 octane.. cheaper, and roughly the same gas mileage. Thanks for the data. I’ve been curious about this since I’ve been driving more highway miles recently. I think I’ll simply run the 87 and use a bottle of Techron every 3rd tank or so.


i wrecked my p5 today....(notcool)Sorry to hear about it. Glad you are alright.

[altspace]

another 3 miles on the car today!!

Phew...what a long trip. Had to make use of the XM ALPINE radio. All tucked away in the garage again.

[gimpo2]

i went out and took a pic of my car for new sig

[magnumP5]

Ok so not today, but yesterday and not to but for... I got two rather large packages in the mail from a certain member on these boards (ahem snowblazin ahem). Needless to say my P5 has all sorts of goodies just waiting to be installed, it's going to be a busy winter. My roommates said I looked like a kid on Christmas Day as I went through the boxes, haha...

[AlbNYPR5]

Now I just wish Rochester had a gas station I could trust.. in CT I stick to Shell or BP, but neither have locations here :'(

You're not digging the Delta Sonic? I have noticed that about Rochester, they have all these bizzaro gas stations, but there are Mobil stations around and they are fine.

[Kansei]

Mobil/Exxon need to be shot.

http://exxposeexxon.com

When I'm here I typically go to Hess, they seem innocent enough until I see pictures of baby seals they've killed.

[CTt3P5]

The subtle painted front emblem mod (used leftover paint from the 'paint your headlights' meet). Damn my pics always come out shaky when I don't use my flash.

**edit**Flash pic added

[Reitrof]

Snow??!!! You could always go to the slopes with the manmade stuff and then come home and enjoy the warm weather to mod/fix/wash the car!!!

Manmade snow sucks. Not a very good substitute for snow.

Trip to Montreal got scrapped. Need to switch over to the winter tires this weekend, snow on Monday.

[AlbNYPR5]

Mobil/Exxon need to be shot.

http://exxposeexxon.com

When I'm here I typically go to Hess, they seem innocent enough until I see pictures of baby seals they've killed.

Hess is actually alright. I am pretty sure they sell only domestic oil as well.

[MyZmZm]

not the P5 since she's nicely tucked in for winter, but i need to pick up some oil for the 626. it has to be regular dino juice since she's got a minor cam seal leak - hoping it doesn't get worse over winter. right now, she just leaves a little oil on the driveway, so i want to top her up since she's not due for a full change until jan or so.

any suggestions for what oil to get? she's got about 290k km on her, and i haven't bought regular oil for a long time - morrigan only gets amsoil.

[Breeegz]

The subtle painted front emblem mod (used leftover paint from the 'paint your headlights' meet). Damn my pics always come out shaky when I don't use my flash.

**edit**Flash pic added

looks nice... twin!

[altspace]

Drove another 2 miles today...and that will be it for the next 3 days. Got to keep the mileage down.

[CTt3P5]

looks nice... twin!

Thanks!

[Kansei]

Drove another 2 miles today...and that will be it for the next 3 days. Got to keep the mileage down.

my car hates your car.. your car has it so easy, and meanwhile my car is over 77k miles and will be turboed soon :P

[CTt3P5]

Drove another 2 miles today...and that will be it for the next 3 days. Got to keep the mileage down.

What? 3 miles yesterday and 2 today! She deserves a nice 3 day weekend after that. lol

[iLisa]

Drove another 2 miles today...and that will be it for the next 3 days. Got to keep the mileage down.
I didn't drive mine at all yesterday.. public transporation into DC (for work) FTW.. :)

[benzero]

not today, but tomorrow, the wheels are getting painted black and im going to work on a ghetto billet grille.

[altspace]

I didn't drive mine at all yesterday.. public transporation into DC (for work) FTW.. :)

I think I've got ya beat. 20 steps to the office from my bedroom...FTW! Hehe.

[altspace]

not today, but tomorrow, the wheels are getting painted black and im going to work on a ghetto billet grille.

Sweet...post pics of the results.

[Foolish]

Weekend plans:
I'm hoping to get the MSP exhaust installed this weekend. Also, I have the new hardware for my AWR sway/endlinks, and hope to finally get that sorted out.

[iLisa]

I think I've got ya beat. 20 steps to the office from my bedroom...FTW! Hehe.
and you can go to work in your pj's.... i'm jealous :D

[bazooka joe]

and you can go to work in your pj's.... i'm jealous :D

or less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(shocked)

[aMaff]

d00d! TPIWWP!


(on secont thought that post is better with out pics....)

[iLisa]

(hah)

[Kansei]

hmm.

My brain is dead right now.. how do the motor mount #s go on our cars again? Front is #2, but what is 3? which is rear?

I think I need a new trans side mount, even with the AWR front mount and solid inserts for the rear mount, nothing is smooth or anything and I still have wheelhop. I want to replace my rear motor mount insert with something OEM or maybe slightly upgrade (I know at least one of the mounts on the mazdaspeed was upgraded) and then get the RF turbodiesel front motor mount with maybe the automatic crossmember and roll damper.

my engine still moves a bunch with the rear inserts in, and all the motion is on the tranny side, since that is the only mount with an orientation that doesn't at all lend itself to reducing fore/aft motion.

[shane02pro5]

Not sure about # order but I replaced mine one by one as they went out. The passenger side tore due to me not loosening it while dropping the driver side to do my clutch. Very shortly after I did the rear when it tore, then after I blew my tranny and replaced it I did the front. I was going to do the tranny side but didn't seem like it would do much more. I have absolutely no wheel hop and stay planted very nicely. I don't have an LSD yet and haven't AutoX'ed so that may be a different story for you.


My
hmm.

My brain is dead right now.. how do the motor mount #s go on our cars again? Front is #2, but what is 3? which is rear?

I think I need a new trans side mount, even with the AWR front mount and solid inserts for the rear mount, nothing is smooth or anything and I still have wheelhop. I want to replace my rear motor mount insert with something OEM or maybe slightly upgrade (I know at least one of the mounts on the mazdaspeed was upgraded) and then get the RF turbodiesel front motor mount with maybe the automatic crossmember and roll damper.

my engine still moves a bunch with the rear inserts in, and all the motion is on the tranny side, since that is the only mount with an orientation that doesn't at all lend itself to reducing fore/aft motion.

[altspace]

Watched "Italian Job" again, damn those Minis are nice. Opps...did I say that. Ah shit...cats out of the bag anyway.

[Reitrof]

Watched "Italian Job" again, damn those Minis are nice. Opps...did I say that. Ah shit...cats out of the bag anyway.

RX8, G35 Coupe, Mini, come on what are you really going to get?

[Kansei]

RX8, G35 Coupe, Mini, come on what are you really going to get?

Don't forget STi

I'd say on that list the mini is definitely the worst car quality wise. The exterior is fun to look at but the interior gives me a seizure.

[Reitrof]

Don't forget STi

I'd say on that list the mini is definitely the worst car quality wise. The exterior is fun to look at but the interior gives me a seizure.

Agreed about the quality of the mini. Stalked their forums for a while when i was looking at them. Lot of complaints about minor issues all over the place.

[altspace]

Hey hey hey now, I just said they were "nice". Too small for me in reality.

[khaosman]

hmm.

My brain is dead right now.. how do the motor mount #s go on our cars again? Front is #2, but what is 3? which is rear?

I think I need a new trans side mount, even with the AWR front mount and solid inserts for the rear mount, nothing is smooth or anything and I still have wheelhop. I want to replace my rear motor mount insert with something OEM or maybe slightly upgrade (I know at least one of the mounts on the mazdaspeed was upgraded) and then get the RF turbodiesel front motor mount with maybe the automatic crossmember and roll damper.

my engine still moves a bunch with the rear inserts in, and all the motion is on the tranny side, since that is the only mount with an orientation that doesn't at all lend itself to reducing fore/aft motion.

Hey, good info in here: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123649760
Ignore the drama bomb that unfolds in the last two pages.

[altspace]

Was going to ride out my stock Dunflops for the winter, but the tread was way low and alignment needed adjusting. Alignment completed and she has a new set of shoes. 205/50R16 BFGoodrich Traction T/A.

[Reitrof]

Put on the snows. Waiting for a new flywheel and clutch.

[Salmon_Rob]

oil change, long reach plugs, wires. hopefully no more 24 mpg

[wmbeaver]

changed the oil, replaced filter

[GMalatrasi]

Finally installed the Racing Beat axle-back.
I had to change to a round 3" tip cause the stock oval one didnt look right with the cutout on the bumper and it hit when i went over bumps.
It's weird cause for the first few minutes while the car is cold it sounds the same as stock, but as I drive around and it warms up it sounds awesome.
It's loudest, still not very loud, at 3800-4200 rpm.
I love it.

[bigj884]

bought tires FINALLY for my RX-8 rims.....and purchase a new HeadUnit...the New Pioneer Premier 880rps....or something like that...bad ass headunit

[2003newlyack]

Finally installed the Racing Beat axle-back.
I had to change to a round 3" tip cause the stock oval one didnt look right with the cutout on the bumper and it hit when i went over bumps.
It's weird cause for the first few minutes while the car is cold it sounds the same as stock, but as I drive around and it warms up it sounds awesome.
It's loudest, still not very loud, at 3800-4200 rpm.

That's what I have too along with Injen CAI, and MAM midpipe I love how it sounds!!

[Foolish]

I also finally got the MSP axle-back installed on my car today! I kind of thought it got louder as I drove around. I'm so glad you posted that, or I'd have thought I was losing my mind!

I also got the AWR sway installed properly. Turns out that I didn't have all the rubber grommets, so hopefully now it will be quieter.

[iLisa]

I went over to my storage place and was taking off the RB rims and putting the stockers back on for the winter.. when this guy pulls in in a tribute. He went on doing what he was doing and I went on changing my tires.. after about 10 min he came over and asked me what kinda car I had. When I told him it was the protege5 wagon.. he kept admiring it and asking me questions about it. He told me that he REALLy liked it and that if I ever wanted to sell it, to give him a call. :D
I <3 my wagon...

[aMaff]

he just wanted to give you his number :p

[Kansei]

I went over to my storage place and was taking off the RB rims and putting the stockers back on for the winter.. when this guy pulls in in a tribute. He went on doing what he was doing and I went on changing my tires.. after about 10 min he came over and asked me what kinda car I had. When I told him it was the protege5 wagon.. he kept admiring it and asking me questions about it. He told me that he REALLy liked it and that if I ever wanted to sell it, to give him a call. :D
I <3 my wagon...

I honestly get the "wow what is that? oh wow too bad they don't make those anymore, it's so nice" reaction a LOT.

I was going to do the winter tires/wheels/hood switch today but I put it off.. I'll do it in the AM, I have class 2-10pm so I have time :P

[iLisa]

he just wanted to give you his number :p
nah.. he wanted to give me his... :D

[altspace]

Snow!... Finaly hit ground here. Glad I have new shoes, both for car and feet. hehe

[aMaff]

Thank you lisa, for repeating exactly what I said....




:p

[iLisa]

Thank you lisa, for repeating exactly what I said....




:p
oops.. I read your post wrong..

[2003newlyack]

Just got some snow sticking here too! Loving my blizzaks like alwayss (first)

[altspace]

Pics of the new sneaks.

http://altspace.com/p5/p5_bfg1.jpg

http://altspace.com/p5/p5_bfg2.jpg

http://altspace.com/p5/p5_bfg3.jpg

[Crazee D]

YUMMY!!

Pics of the new sneaks.
http://altspace.com/p5/p5_bfg3.jpg

[Kansei]

+1 back on stock wheels... just slapped on my snoweys (Blizzak WS-50s, this will be their 3rd and definitely last winter. They will probably need replacing midway through winter.. yet they have like 10mm of tread left, but it's the all season part of the blizzak tread.

oh and I sprayed a coat of sunlight silver paint on the front edge of my stock hood.. it had been primered for a month or so, and sanded pretty smooth. it definitely won't be a gloss finish, more of a satin look.

hopefully it's warm enough in the basement for the paint to adhere.

[bazooka joe]

josh...you're not going to get those tires dirty are you???:)

[CTt3P5]

Nice sneaks Josh....we had some flurries this morning as well....guess I am going to find out real soon just how good these Kumhos are in the snow.

[khaosman]

Installing Microtech today

[altspace]

josh...you're not going to get those tires dirty are you???:)

In a Homer voice "mmmmmm..shinny new tires look like donuts"

[CTt3P5]

Affixed my CARB sticker under the hood for the AEM SRI. I am not even sure if I will need it, but inspection is in Jan. and I figure it can't hurt. Yuri at AEM was awesome. Courteous and Fast Customer Service....the way it should be.

[StealthWyvern]

http://altspace.com/p5/p5_bfg2.jpg


Arn't the slots in the rotors supposed to be facing the other direction?

[Kansei]

Affixed my CARB sticker under the hood for the AEM SRI. I am not even sure if I will need it, but inspection is in Jan. and I figure it can't hurt. Yuri at AEM was awesome. Courteous and Fast Customer Service....the way it should be.

The "C" in CARB stands for California.. you don't need it :P

[Kansei]

Arn't the slots in the rotors supposed to be facing the other direction?

not from what I've been told. The instructions with my brembo rotors said to angle the drill holes like Josh has them.

[.Grendel.]

Odd. Every other set of slotted rotors I've seen, they are faced the other way, but if the directions say so, (2thumbs)

[CTt3P5]

The "C" in CARB stands for California.. you don't need it :P

Yeah, I know what the "C" means but have never taken a car through emissions with an intake. I wasn't sure if the place I go to for inspection/emissions would give me a hard time or not. Just thought I would play it safe. Besides it was free and makes my engine bay purdy....lol

[StealthWyvern]

not from what I've been told. The instructions with my brembo rotors said to angle the drill holes like Josh has them.

lol I was looking at the car backwards.

[Kansei]

Yeah, I know what the "C" means but have never taken a car through emissions with an intake. I wasn't sure if the place I go to for inspection/emissions would give me a hard time or not. Just thought I would play it safe. Besides it was free and makes my engine bay purdy....lol

You saw my car.. less than a week later I passed emissions. Yeah, it was my friend who tested the car, but I would have passed either way because they don't really check that much. They plug into the OBDII and go "hmm everything looks ok". Then they pressure tested the gas cap to make sure it wasn't leaking, and that was it. Hood wasn't even opened.. I don't know about in PA, but in CT they must have multiple cameras in every work bay (I could see my car on 4 of the cameras), with live video feed of every camera visible from the customer waiting area.

I'll have to remember to ask my roommate if he "knows someone" in that area. He lived in Allentown, then moved to Palm, which google maps says is ~20 minutes from Lehigh Valley. I know the place that he takes his car to down there is a Volvo/Saab shop but if they do emissions there it shouldn't matter.

[Kansei]

lol I was looking at the car backwards.

Yeah I had to check that in the pic too :P

[CTt3P5]

You saw my car.. less than a week later I passed emissions. Yeah, it was my friend who tested the car, but I would have passed either way because they don't really check that much. They plug into the OBDII and go "hmm everything looks ok". Then they pressure tested the gas cap to make sure it wasn't leaking, and that was it. Hood wasn't even opened.. I don't know about in PA, but in CT they must have multiple cameras in every work bay (I could see my car on 4 of the cameras), with live video feed of every camera visible from the customer waiting area.

I'll have to remember to ask my roommate if he "knows someone" in that area. He lived in Allentown, then moved to Palm, which google maps says is ~20 minutes from Lehigh Valley. I know the place that he takes his car to down there is a Volvo/Saab shop but if they do emissions there it shouldn't matter.

Cool....cameras heh, have never noticed any at my mechanics. I honestly don't know what they do when they inspect as I have always dropped the cars off for the day. This will be the first time I take the P5 for inspection. I use a local mechanic who happened to go to school with my in-laws. As I know very little about 'under the hood' it is comforting knowing that he is honest and sincere. But thanks to the forums there are quite a few things (maintenance) that I am going to try myself. When it is warmer out of course....how many days until spring?

[Demoniam]

FINALLY washed the filthy little girl...At least for today, I'm happy to drive a black vehicle!

[Kansei]

my car is gross and nasty salt-covered right now.. it's awful.

[Salmon_Rob]

he said are you (sunlight silver) angels, and we said nay, we are but men ROCK!

[socommatthews]

washed and caressed her.loads of fun i tell you.

[MyZmZm]

my baby is snug under her cover for the rest of winter - with the sloppy roads we have right now i am SO glad i'm not driving her, she wouldn't be mid blue for long at all.

initially i wasn't too happy that the 626 was silver, but i am now since the colour hides a lot of the dirt and salt. she is due for a bath though, probably on saturday...

[Kansei]

It isn't a real winter beater if you wash it :P

[iLisa]

I just wrote the last payment check on him... he is ALL mine now. :)

[Demoniam]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!(bowdown)


I just wrote the last payment check on him... he is ALL mine now. :)

[Crazee D]

he said are you (sunlight silver) angels, and we said nay, we are but men ROCK!

I got it! Cool Tenacious reference!

Today the hatch prop decided to snap right the fuck off! (shocked)

[bazooka joe]

I just wrote the last payment check on him... he is ALL mine now. :)

now the fun begins!!:)

[Kansei]

I got it! Cool Tenacious reference!

Today the hatch prop decided to snap right the fuck off! (shocked)

oh dear >_<

it can't hold it up with just one, can it?

[Reitrof]

Had a flat with the 1 of the snows. Looks like the belt separated! Waiting to see if Pirelli will warranty it.

[StealthWyvern]

I got it! Cool Tenacious reference!

Today the hatch prop decided to snap right the fuck off! (shocked)


You car is rejecting its own parts! lol sorry i had to.

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

well today i beleive its official that a cousin is in the works for my p5 :)

hopefully no one backs down and i can find a insurance company!

[aMaff]

well today i beleive its official that a cousin is in the works for my p5 :)

hopefully no one backs down and i can find a insurance company!
Another one will be assimilated. Eeeeeexcelent muhuhuHAHAHAHAAAA!

[Bala]

I got it! Cool Tenacious reference!

Today the hatch prop decided to snap right the fuck off! (shocked)


Well brush up on your Cock push-ups (see why in your other thread: http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123654471)



On a side note, the wife curbed one of the new 18's a couple nights back and I'm thinking I may undo the duct tape now ... you know, for the kids.

Yes. These 18's
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/323F%20wheelz/323F%20wheelz%20side.jpg

[Salmon_Rob]

shes dead right?

[altspace]

Love the new tires. Not as aggressive in turns as the Dunlops, but then again that's not what I wanted. She smooth sailing now and has great grip.

[altspace]

On another note, the hatch wing is finally giving me that little rattle that plagues all P5s. Time to do the mod.

[CTt3P5]

Had a flat with the 1 of the snows. Looks like the belt separated! Waiting to see if Pirelli will warranty it.

That sucks Bruce....wish you luck in getting it fixed (under warranty of course).

[CTt3P5]

On a side note, the wife curbed one of the new 18's a couple nights back and I'm thinking I may undo the duct tape now ... you know, for the kids. Yes. These 18's

(shocked) You took the tape off?! j/k

That sucks man, hope it isn't too bad. I just put the Tribute wheels on (not near as much $$$ or as nice as yours) and I panic everytime the wife takes it to work. Waiting for her to tell me she has curbed one while parallel parking.

[Crazee D]

oh dear >_<
it can't hold it up with just one, can it?

Thats a negatory.


You car is rejecting its own parts! lol sorry i had to.

Seriously, I'm like it's not even a part I tried to mod!

[Foolish]

I'm loving the MSP exhaust on the P5. I'm waiting for my wife to complain, but so far, she seems to be ok with the increased sound. I'm also considering putting on the CAI, warrenty or not.

[CTt3P5]

I'm loving the MSP exhaust on the P5. I'm waiting for my wife to complain, but so far, she seems to be ok with the increased sound. I'm also considering putting on the CAI, warrenty or not.

What year? My wife has commented on the sound but no complaints. :) After I got my SRI, I didn't tell her, was waiting for her to say something. I thought for sure she would tell me something was wrong because there was a hissing sound everytime she turned the car off. lol

[Crazee D]

Love that sig!
Quote:
This bit of wisdom--complete with mangled English and misspellings--comes from a circa 1960 Honda motorcycle owner's manual: "At the rise of the hand by policeman, stop rapidly. Do not pass him by or otherwise disrespect him." It goes on to say, "When a passenger of the foot, hooves in sight, tootel the horn trumpet melodiously at first. If he still obstacles your passage, tootel him with vigor and express by word of mouth, warning, Hi! Hi!" And even more importantly, "Give big space to the festive dog that makes sport in roadway. Avoid entanglement of dog with wheel spokes." And finally it states, "Your safety is our main concern. Ride right and be safe. Instructables can be confusable."
From Jay Leno's Garage - For The Record

[CTt3P5]

Thats a negatory.
Seriously, I'm like it's not even a part I tried to mod!

GL in getting that hatch fixed Dan! Maybe the hatch has front end jealousy after all that attention you gave it at the headlight meet. :)

[altspace]

What year? My wife has commented on the sound but no complaints. :) After I got my SRI, I didn't tell her, was waiting for her to say something. I thought for sure she would tell me something was wrong because there was a hissing sound everytime she turned the car off. lol

Most don't noticed those things. At least not right away.

[Foolish]

Oh, it's not that she doesn't know, or hasn't noticed. The P5 is her car, we'll both be racing it next season, etc. I'm just waiting to see if the sound bothers her. I put the aftermarket RB axleback on my sedan when I first got it, but I took it off soon after because the drone on the highway was maddening! The MSP axle-back is much better, but it is noticeably louder around town sometimes, and she hasn't really said whether she likes it or not.

She bought the P5 at the very end of 03, so we still have another full year on the warrenty, and we're only at 28,000 miles on it, so we've got quite a while to go. Because of that, we've not modded it much, as she doesn't want to F up her warrenty! I'm thinking they wouldn't give us any trouble about a CAI, but I'm going to wait 'til after it's over to install the header.

...and yeah, the owner's manual thing cracked me up, too, that's why I put it in my sig! :D

[Salmon_Rob]

I'm loving the MSP exhaust on the P5. I'm waiting for my wife to complain, but so far, she seems to be ok with the increased sound. I'm also considering putting on the CAI, warrenty or not.wont void warranty. my engine blew with my injen on, and they didnt give me any hassle. they have to prove beyond a doubt that the mod caused the failure

[Foolish]

You know that, and I know that, but my wife is a law student, convincing her of anything requires the skills of Johnny Cochrane.

[Salmon_Rob]

punch her in the gooch and tell just do it. married ppl are just bitches :p

[Bala]

You know that, and I know that, but my wife is a law student, convincing her of anything requires the skills of Johnny Cochrane.

HaHa! - Great Sig!

Remember ... if the part fits, she must acquit.

[altspace]

Finished the rear wing mod. No more rattle. I did it slightly different though by using the same felt pieces as stock and padded various points, thus you can't even tell anything was done to it. Boy the car looked strange without that wing on.

One less thing the next owner of my car will have to do...(hint hint...Mark).

[Crazee D]

One less thing the next owner of my car will have to do...(hint hint...Mark).

Subtlety at its finest!

[meinp5]

Today my P5 started getting repaired at the body shop. Photos are in the Photo/Video section.

[ZoomZoom03]

front and rear brake pads replaced at 63K, put the stock 16's back on and removed the DGM lip - all ready for the winter, just gotta do a tranny flush, figure its due.

[protojason]

Oil/filter change, Royal Purple 10w30,

added coolant.

Just under 60,000 care free miles. (well, except for all my drama with tires)

Just completed first week with new BFG Gforce Sport 205-45Z R16's....I like 'em.

-Jason

now to sneak in a wash/wax.

[bigj884]

just put on my 18" RX-8 (gold)rims wrapped in Yokohama Parada Spec 2.....

looks sexy as hell...will post pics when i re-paint the calipers and give her a good washing

[Kansei]

Is your P5 black? If so, I imagine it will look INCREDIBLE. Get her washed ASAP and post pics :P

[CTt3P5]

just put on my 18" RX-8 (gold)rims wrapped in Yokohama Parada Spec 2.....

looks sexy as hell...will post pics when i re-paint the calipers and give her a good washing

Don't tease us like this, get some pics! Dirty car or not! (poke)

[bigj884]

Is your P5 black? If so, I imagine it will look INCREDIBLE. Get her washed ASAP and post pics :P


yes its black...lol....im such a tease

[Reitrof]

On another note, the hatch wing is finally giving me that little rattle that plagues all P5s. Time to do the mod.

What rattle is that? I don't seem to have that in mine.

[Reitrof]

That sucks Bruce....wish you luck in getting it fixed (under warranty of course).

Thanks

On a good note the new flywheel showed up today.

[altspace]

What rattle is that? I don't seem to have that in mine.

Nor do I. Haha.....I thought it was coming from the wing since it made that plastic rattle sound that so many complain about. Come to find out it was just my rear license plate frame. Well, she has a little bit of extra padding now just like the rest of the car.

[bigj884]

washed and took pics for everyones viewing pleasure.....

link here:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2848769&posted=1#post2848769

[Yaggie1]

After the install of my front mtr. mount the license plate on mine rattled like crazy. I ended up damn near eliminating the whole plastic frame that the plate mounts to. Now I pretty much have a "floating" license plate...... Now I just have about 4 million interior rattles now.........


Nor do I. Haha.....I thought it was coming from the wing since it made that plastic rattle sound that so many complain about. Come to find out it was just my rear license plate frame. Well, she has a little bit of extra padding now just like the rest of the car.

[Kansei]

Today I got my Protege5 a lot saltier. wah :'(

Tomorrow I'm going to try to do an engine and gear oil change.. now that I did more research and found out that any "syncromesh" type gear "oil" is just glorified ATF and not a real gear lube at all, I wanna get that stuff out of my tranny asap. Time for some Royal Purple synthetic gear lube and another change with royal purple engine oil.

[aMaff]

yeah...but you have to remember that synchromesh goes into GM trannies...if it can hold THOSE together, you'll be fine. I"m gonna put it in mine asap.

[StealthWyvern]

Installed new coil packs and wires... which so far has seemed to fix my multiple cyclender misfire.

[Kansei]

yeah...but you have to remember that synchromesh goes into GM trannies...if it can hold THOSE together, you'll be fine. I"m gonna put it in mine asap.

my tranny is making strange whining so it's coming out ASAP.

[Kansei]

"Syncromesh is meant as a synthetic replacement for manual transmissions using auto trans fluid or multi-viscosity motor oil, not for transmissions that call for a gear oil."

food for thought I guess.

[Reitrof]

Installed new coil packs and wires... which so far has seemed to fix my multiple cyclender misfire.

Curious, did you go with stock coils and wires or do something else?

Thanks

[Hy8us]

ok, whos jealous
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/hy8us/PC090035.jpg

[Kansei]

You Bastard I Want One!

[Salmon_Rob]

but he owns a midnight. its tainted

[CTt3P5]

ok, whos jealous

Where did you ever find such a nice hoodie? Haha, mine should be in today or Monday!

[Kansei]

got mine today :D just a few minutes ago, already wearing it wee

I'd take a pic of me wearing it near my P5, but my P5 looks quite dismal right now.

[CTt3P5]

^^^I checked tracking and mine was delivered this morning....to my work! Gonna have to wait until Monday to rock it! After the light snow yesterday my hatch has got a nice two tone going also.

[altspace]

My P5 is nice and clean in the garage.

[Kansei]

Mine has white, black, and brown all over it. it's really nasty.. took some pics (with camera phone) that are being bluetoothed over to my laptop right now.

[aMaff]

Oil change, emissions test :)

[bazooka joe]

You Bastard I Want One!

didn't you buy like 20!!;)

[Kansei]

didn't you buy like 20!!;)

no that was the hat group buy :P First hats I ever bought :D

[Kansei]

Today my car left the garage to jumpstart a Volvo.. then went back into the garage and got plugged back in :)

meanwhile it looks really freakin gross with all the salt on it :'(

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=96576&stc=1&d=1165712705

[StealthWyvern]

Curious, did you go with stock coils and wires or do something else?

Thanks
I just went with whatever the guys at napa wanted. I paid around 100 bucks for everything after taxes. They tried to sell me some extra boots, but the coil packs already come with boots.

[hellcat]

Today I installed a new 02 sensor before the cats. Woot! No more cel.

[Salmon_Rob]

coil packs are gay. distributor ft easy to change everything no bolts or stupid finicky boots win

[StealthWyvern]

coil packs are gay. distributor ft easy to change everything no bolts or stupid finicky boots win


to change out the wires and coil packs are easier then changin out the plugs and for our cars the coil packs are cheap!

[Salmon_Rob]

? what are you talking about. distibutor doing plugs and wires 4 plugs, no bolts - pop, pop, pop, pop, pull the plugs, replace. coil packs = more expensive than just wires, and you have to unbolt things, and it costs 100 dollars for wires and coil packs. my oem 9mm resistor ngk race wires on the 1g were 34 dollars. 4 plugs, 7 dollars. and it took 30 seconds. and sometimes the plugs need to be replaced. you cant just keep replacing coil packs and wires over and over. you need to eventually replace everything

[Salmon_Rob]

and the 1gs oem wires are sexy and blue http://www.msprotege.com/members/Liquid_Ag/engine%20pics/DSCN0568.JPG

[StealthWyvern]

? what are you talking about. distibutor doing plugs and wires 4 plugs, no bolts - pop, pop, pop, pop, pull the plugs, replace. coil packs = more expensive than just wires, and you have to unbolt things, and it costs 100 dollars for wires and coil packs. my oem 9mm resistor ngk race wires on the 1g were 34 dollars. 4 plugs, 7 dollars. and it took 30 seconds. and sometimes the plugs need to be replaced. you cant just keep replacing coil packs and wires over and over. you need to eventually replace everything


Well keep in mind that my car has 147k plus miles on it with or well had the OEM wires and packs! Shit is going to go out soon no matter if its a honda with that many miles. However you have to remove the coil packs to get to the plugs on the protege. With a distibutor you have to worry about putting it back in the right spot or its not going to run for shit. Grant it by the time you pay for rotor cap and rotor you ar roughly around 40 bucks which is what i was around with 2 coil packs!


Your also comparing a older car with a newer one! Yeah my old mk2 jetta I could do a complete tune up for around 120 bucks that oil, tranny, rad fluid, plugs, wires, cabin filter, fuel filter and the list goes on.

[Salmon_Rob]

you let the stock coil packs stay on that long? iirc in your owners manual it says to change it at all at 60k

[Brian MP5T]

I had sex with my car....

Yah...

[Salmon_Rob]

what kind of lube?

[Reitrof]

you let the stock coil packs stay on that long? iirc in your owners manual it says to change it at all at 60k

Hmm, where do you see that? I checked the maintenance schedule, don;t see anything about coil packs unless I missed it.

[Brian MP5T]

what kind of lube?

80W90

[kudakev615]

never heard of replacing coil packs as PM. spark plugs yes, coils only get replaced if they are damaged

[StealthWyvern]

you let the stock coil packs stay on that long? iirc in your owners manual it says to change it at all at 60k

Yeah so your point.... you will know when they go bad just like spark plug wires. Bedies its not like its a timing belt!

[bazooka joe]

how do you know if your coils are going?

[Kansei]

how do you know if your coils are going?

not enough spark?

:P

So today I swapped out my "old" gear oil (3 weeks old) for .. some 75w90 lovin. Yeah um I'll never, ever touch "syncromesh" style gear oils ever again. It is SOOOO perfect with the new stuff. No weird tranny noises, no difficulty getting into 2nd, 4th, or 5th like before.. yeah.

sadly it's Mobil1 :'( I told myself I'd never buy another ExxonMobil product ever again, but uh I already had it and it was just sitting on the shelf so oh well. It'll be fine until March when I change it out during my turbo install :)

[aMaff]

So...what exactly was WRONG with synchromesh? Every1 else that used it can't stop singing its praises.

[Kansei]

So...what exactly was WRONG with synchromesh? Every1 else that used it can't stop singing its praises.

I had some noises in 3rd and 5th gear, the 1-2 shift was difficult, as was 3-4 and 4-5.

Syncromesh is just fancy ATF, and I definitely want gear oil in my tranny, not ATF :P

Maybe, just maybe sycromesh makes the shifting feel better than stock on our cars, but I was using Redline MT90 and it was definitely worse than that was.

[i12drivemyMP5]

ok, whos jealous
http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f352/hy8us/PC090035.jpgNot me, got mine a few days ago, cool stuff, even got weather to test it with.

[StealthWyvern]

how do you know if your coils are going?


I didn't to be honest. I kept getting multiple cyclender misfire every so often. Then it became down to when i drove into it kept happening in the same area. I replaced the plugs (needed anyways) didn't seem to help any. It was either the wires, packs, or o2 sensors that im aware of that can cause that issue. So I just eliminated them one by one well... not really beings that I did the wires and packs at the same time. Which seemed to fix the issue so far so im happy. Besides they were tune up items IMO so it couldn't hurt to change them out. One less thing I have to worry about.

[Kansei]

I didn't to be honest. I kept getting multiple cyclender misfire every so often. Then it became down to when i drove into it kept happening in the same area. I replaced the plugs (needed anyways) didn't seem to help any. It was either the wires, packs, or o2 sensors that im aware of that can cause that issue. So I just eliminated them one by one well... not really beings that I did the wires and packs at the same time. Which seemed to fix the issue so far so im happy. Besides they were tune up items IMO so it couldn't hurt to change them out. One less thing I have to worry about.

I had a multiple cylinder misfire.. like a constant one.. my plugs got trashed so I replaced plugs/wires.. and it was perfect. So far my coils are still doin ok.

[gottacatchup]

I saw it in the snow for the first time a couple days ago. I even got to scrape ice off the windsheild and everything, it was exciting.

[2003newlyack]

haha trust me it is nottt exciting when you have to do it every day, oh and all that salt that is covering my car is awesome too! I love salted winter roads

[Kansei]

reports from my sources in CT are telling me that they gave up on sanding roads and have moved to salt for this winter >_<

My mom: "my car.. it's all glittery and white, this is awful!"

WHY THE HELL WOULD YOU DO THAT CONNECTICUT?!?!

sand is sooo much better. gives you traction, doesn't rust your car, etc. I'm still searching for a decent local place to get an undercoating done. I need to find a place that won't look at me like I have two heads when I ask if I can tape off my entire exhaust system and my rear sway bar :P

[Kansei]

just made another 400 dollar order on my turbo kit :)
NGK wideband, manual boost controller, and some silicon lines
see buildup thread here: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123648372

now I just need a clutch, oil/coolant lines, an intake s/j pipes, and turbo gaskets and crap

[CTt3P5]

Almost there Chris....can't wait to see it once you have it all installed.

[Reitrof]

Dropped the car off at the garage to get the new flywheel and cluthc installed tomorrow.

[midrange]

LOL.. well today, i set my radio presets because it was my first day with it.. actually thats incorrect, i've had it in my posession for about 4 hours now... LOL

[Kansei]

well I think technically it was yesterday.. but I ordered a corksport downpipe, new sound-changing inserts for my HKS blow-off valve, and determined what bolts/gaskets/flanges/etc I still need for my oil and coolant connections.

Now I just need to figure out where I'm getting and returning coolant from, as well as what lengths I'll need for all the lines.

Oh and I installed my SLS Performance front motor mount! It was a breeze, took no more than 15 minutes (my 5th front motor mount install on this car haha). It's beautiful, and more importantly seems to work 100% as well as my AWR 70 durometer mount (the SLS is 75) with no noticeable increase in vibrations, actually slightly to the contrary at this point. My stock hood rattles against the top of my grille (and rattles a bit with the latch).. oh wait, it doesn't anymore. sweet :D

[Kansei]

LOL.. well today, i set my radio presets because it was my first day with it.. actually thats incorrect, i've had it in my posession for about 4 hours now... LOL

Holy crap, congrats!! How do you like her so far?

[jeg0024]

It has been suggested to me that I post here...this is what I have done to my Protege DX today...(mod also for P5 so check it out guys!)

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2856409&posted=1#post2856409

[StealthWyvern]

It has been suggested to me that I post here...this is what I have done to my Protege DX today...(mod also for P5 so check it out guys!)

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2856409&posted=1#post2856409

BOO go away your not a wagon!(pissed) lol j/k

[Kansei]

It has been suggested to me that I post here...this is what I have done to my Protege DX today...(mod also for P5 so check it out guys!)

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2856409&posted=1#post2856409

We welcome anyone here.. except those pesky MSP guys. They have their own "what have you done to your MSP today?" thread.. lots of "parted mine out to go back to stock and trade it in on a wrx" or "bent a rod again" or "god I hate my car so much, piece of crap" talk in there haha.

you can be a P5er in spirit haha

[jeg0024]

lol, i havent been in there yet, thanks for the warning. I guess my car is just a P5 without the hatch(and side skirts:() anyways right? lol

edit: oh and no 5 lugs and no calipers all the way around and no nice stock rims and well you get the point lol

[jeg0024]

BOO go away your not a wagon!(pissed) lol j/k

lol, shut up old lady and get that wagon outa my way!

[StealthWyvern]

lol, shut up old lady and get that wagon outa my way!

lol all your going to see is the back of my wagon saying "You've just been passed by a wagon" Seriously man you gotta let me know the next time you swign by the jaxs area.

[Kansei]

lol, i havent been in there yet, thanks for the warning. I guess my car is just a P5 without the hatch(and side skirts:() anyways right? lol

edit: oh and no 5 lugs and no calipers all the way around and no nice stock rims and well you get the point lol

and seats and door panels and dashboard and gauges and..

:P it's all good though. Most of the stuff is just for styling anyway

[jeg0024]

yeah yeah, moon roof, painted side mirrors, short ass end and so on...oh, and cant forget the P5 bumper reinforcement which I have yet to get.

[StealthWyvern]

yeah yeah, moon roof, painted side mirrors, short ass end and so on...oh, and cant forget the P5 bumper reinforcement which I have yet to get.

and paint the fugly ass chrome on the grill and you will be aa O.K. in my book. (Iknow your looking for a different grill anyways.)

[jeg0024]

and paint the fugly ass chrome on the grill and you will be aa O.K. in my book. (Iknow your looking for a different grill anyways.)

buddy....
http://www.msprotege.com/members/jeg0024/Car68.jpg
Whats that?^ lol

[StealthWyvern]

buddy....
http://www.msprotege.com/members/jeg0024/Car68.jpg
Whats that?^ lol

It looks like you had fun with a can of black spray paint buddy

[jeg0024]

nope...its a P5 grill, the chrome DX bumper is in the back seat. lol, no more funny gaps! Its beat up a bit though.

[StealthWyvern]

nope...its a P5 grill, the chrome DX bumper is in the back seat. lol, no more funny gaps! Its beat up a bit though.

I noticed the gaps were gone. Which in return i knew it was a p5 grill.

[jeg0024]

lol, yeah but one tab is broke, and my bumper isnt sitting right on the reinforcement so it fits better broke anyways. I still got some work to do I guess.

[CTt3P5]

^^^Welcome....just remember us hatch owners outnumber you here...j/k

BTW that is one nice looking engine bay! Did you get that intake?

**edit**Ordered Protege5.com decals in red from Rickman today. How many hp are they going to be good for? lol

[jeg0024]

^^^Welcome....just remember us hatch owners outnumber you here...j/k

BTW that is one nice looking engine bay! Did you get that intake?

lol, I know. And thanks, I try to keep it clean. Woring on the intake.

[altspace]

yeah yeah, moon roof, painted side mirrors, short ass end and so on...oh, and cant forget the P5 bumper reinforcement which I have yet to get.

Moonroof was an option for the P5.

[Salmon_Rob]

zoom zoom zoom

[Kansei]

zoom-zoom zoom-zoom

[Salmon_Rob]

had to one up me didnt you

[Kansei]

http://picasaweb.google.com/clauretano/TurboProject <-- took pics of my turbo parts pile

I also totally ripped out my MSP radio pocket and alpine head unit/bracket/wiring. no more dash rattles! w00t.

[AKYellow]

http://picasaweb.google.com/clauretano/TurboProject <-- took pics of my turbo parts pile

I also totally ripped out my MSP radio pocket and alpine head unit/bracket/wiring. no more dash rattles! w00t.
So what are you goin to do with all that space?

[CTt3P5]

So what are you goin to do with all that space?

Gauge placement for the turbo?

[Kansei]

So what are you goin to do with all that space?

in the top half, a 3-gauge panel with boost, oil temp, and exhaust gas temp.

In the bottom half, my Alpine will be reinstalled.

[AKYellow]

Ahh i see...I couldnt live with out music while i drive. Cant wait to see the finished product!!

[altspace]

Wow Chris! That's quite the project. Is your sig the end result?

[dave45090]

Installed MAM gauge rings in the parking lot at work during lunch. Gotta love the 5 minute mods. I can't wait until my drive home tonight to see the glow.

[Kansei]

Wow Chris! That's quite the project. Is your sig the end result?

I only wish.. I think having the car in my sig would totally kill the mod bug in me.. it's just perfect :)

[Reitrof]

New Clutch and Fidanza Flywheel. So nice not to have the clutch shudder. It was driving me nuts.

[Foolish]

Noticed a clunk from the rear again, got underneath the rear and found that the bolts connecting the endlink to the swaybar brackets were loose already! I only installed it last weekend! grrrrrrrr....

When we get back from the holidays, I'll be replacing all the nuts with nylock nuts, or something. I don't want to loose another set of hardware!

[bazooka joe]

in the top half, a 3-gauge panel with boost, oil temp, and exhaust gas temp.

In the bottom half, my Alpine will be reinstalled.

you won't hear anything but the whine of the turbo and the woosh of the BOV...add more guages, sell the head unit!! :)

[bazooka joe]

oh ya, drove 303 miles on 10.65 gals= 28.45 gals...it seems my gas mileage has improved the more i stay out of boost????:)

[Foolish]

Exploded a muffler on the road today.

To clarify: there was something in the road in the middle of my lane. I thought it was road kill, or a trash bag or something. Just before I hit it I realized it was a muffler, but it was too late. The noise under the car was horrific! I pulled over right after I hit it, it doesn't appear to have gotten the bumper, oil pan, or anything else important on the P5. I think it hit the crossmember, and exploded, cause several pieces came out the other end. I should put it up on ramps and check out the whole underside, but nothing's leaking, and I don't have time to mess with it now.

[aMaff]

I was abt to say, I don't remember booby trapping the one I gave you lol

[Foolish]

Oh, but you would have if you'd thought about it! ;)

[jeg0024]

Exploded a muffler on the road today.

To clarify: there was something in the road in the middle of my lane. I thought it was road kill, or a trash bag or something. Just before I hit it I realized it was a muffler, but it was too late. The noise under the car was horrific! I pulled over right after I hit it, it doesn't appear to have gotten the bumper, oil pan, or anything else important on the P5. I think it hit the crossmember, and exploded, cause several pieces came out the other end. I should put it up on ramps and check out the whole underside, but nothing's leaking, and I don't have time to mess with it now.

Nice, I was on my way home and it was raining a bit and I took the off ramp at the same normal speed that I always do and the back end stepped out, turned it fast to the left, taped the brakes and gave it some gas. I safely driffed the off ramp and stayed in the lane, it was pretty cool. I happened before in my blazer but its rear wheel drive and heavy so there was no saving that one, slid right onto the interstate sideways, im so glad no one was comming or it would been bad. Oh, ive also hit a tire tread with my old bumper and lost the mesh on the insert, but not the insert? I dont know how, but it didnt sound good either. I bet that noise scared the shit outa you didnt it? lol

[Foolish]

The muffler noise was immediately followed by me yelling FUCK! at the top of my lungs!

I just checked under the car again and none of it's precious bodily fluids are draining out on the garage floor, so it looks like we're ok.

[jeg0024]

The muffler noise was immediately followed by me yelling FUCK! at the top of my lungs!

I just checked under the car again and none of it's precious bodily fluids are draining out on the garage floor, so it looks like we're ok.

Yeah I bet, running over things can get loud. And im sure your car is ok, I had mine high centerd like a teeter totter on basically what was the road washed away for about 5 feet or so. It wasnt cool, and didnt mess up anything that I know of.

[CTt3P5]

The muffler noise was immediately followed by me yelling FUCK! at the top of my lungs!

I just checked under the car again and none of it's precious bodily fluids are draining out on the garage floor, so it looks like we're ok.

Glad to hear there was no damage.....I would have been scared as hell followed by your same reaction.

Me and my P5 are getting ready to commute home.

[Crazee D]

zoom-zoom zoom-zoom BOOM!

I have FI envy....

Gauges look SICK Chris! LOVE IT!

[02pro5wagon]

yea good choice on gauges man nice pics too

[Tengo]

i finnally took off the stripped lug nut, now it has all for stock rims back on.

[Kansei]

BOOM!

I have FI envy....

Gauges look SICK Chris! LOVE IT!

thanks! I was worried the glare shields on them would prevent me from being able to see them from the drivers seat, but they don't :) I didn't even rotate the shields to change the angle or anything :D

[StealthWyvern]

Here are some pictures of my engine bay with my Simota CIA and Coated Thunder Header.

96819

96820

[jeg0024]

Nice

[Bala]

in the top half, a 3-gauge panel with boost, oil temp, and exhaust gas temp.

In the bottom half, my Alpine will be reinstalled.

Any special tips on mounting the head unit in the lower position? Yours looks freakin' great btw ...

State of mine ... awaiting a custom surprise (sssh) Oh, and I may as well drop the bomb ... the P5 is getting turbo'd.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/open%20space/open%20space%20001.jpg

[bazooka joe]

http://picasaweb.google.com/clauretano/TurboProject <-- took pics of my turbo parts pile

I also totally ripped out my MSP radio pocket and alpine head unit/bracket/wiring. no more dash rattles! w00t.

guage set up is really nice chris!

[Mr. 4500 RPM]

debating getting winter tires and what summer wheels to get now :)

[Kansei]

Any special tips on mounting the head unit in the lower position? Yours looks freakin' great btw ...

State of mine ... awaiting a custom surprise (sssh) Oh, and I may as well drop the bomb ... the P5 is getting turbo'd.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/open%20space/open%20space%20001.jpg

You just.. put it in the lower slot, that's it :)

I don't know exactly how your kenwood is, but with my alpine it has this sorta-crappy sleeve with tabs all over it, and I just removed it from the upper slot and put it in the lower. The rubber stud in the back of my head unit still lined right up with the holes in that rail. I do still have the Protege MP3/MSP rail that you have holding your radio up.. holding it down :D

The aluminum panel for my gauges doesn't actually have anything holding it in place, I gotta figure out a way to mount it in place.

[bazooka joe]

You just.. put it in the lower slot, that's it :)

I don't know exactly how your kenwood is, but with my alpine it has this sorta-crappy sleeve with tabs all over it, and I just removed it from the upper slot and put it in the lower. The rubber stud in the back of my head unit still lined right up with the holes in that rail. I do still have the Protege MP3/MSP rail that you have holding your radio up.. holding it down :D

The aluminum panel for my gauges doesn't actually have anything holding it in place, I gotta figure out a way to mount it in place.

ya, i had that one too...i was thinking the surrond was going to hold it in...you have the one with the tabs?

[bigj884]

installed new pioneer premier Head unit sounds and looks great

[Kansei]

I really don't like the way radios mount in most fords and mazdas.. on my friend's Tiburon you pull off the radio surround and then there's 4 screws holding the head unit FIRMLY in place, no rattles. No sleeves needed.

I hope I can figure out a way to mount the gauge panel in place, I really don't feel like replacing it since I've never even used it before haha

[Bala]

ya, i had that one too...i was thinking the surrond was going to hold it in...you have the one with the tabs?

... Goes to take a look. I was right up in there yesterday, but was two busy cleaning blood off of the razor-edged metal dash supports further back ...

[Kansei]

... Goes to take a look. I was right up in there yesterday, but was two busy cleaning blood off of the razor-edged metal dash supports further back ...

those are fun, aren't they?? whenever I have to reach through the glovebox hole to push the head unit out I end up getting scraped on them.. so far, no bleeding though haha.

[Kansei]

Hey I've got a question for you guys.. is there a firewall passthrough that is bigger than the grommet up under the driver's side of the dash? My NGK AFX wideband has a fully-assembled wiring harness and it's a lot of wires.. pretty thick, and has a plug on it. I need like a 1-inch X 1-inch square to get it through, maybe a bit more. I already have stuff going through the first grommet I found so it can't fit there.

[Bala]

Looks like the Kenwood has a cage
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/kenwood/kenwood%20004.jpg
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/kenwood/kenwood%20005.jpg

I'm thinking I may make some clearance with my dremel and re-mount the metal support on the bottom ... watcha think?

Oh, my previous gauges were mounted in a similair type of panel, but made out of ABS. To mount, you just bent the edges forward, placed in the opening and it sat there nice and snug (bad pic. to show this I know, but it may be the only one I have ...).
http://www.msprotege.com/members/Bala%20de%20Plata/Holders/Holders%20003.jpg

[Kansei]

Yeah so the kenwood is just like my alpine.. see the tabs that are bent holding it up against the radio support bar? Bend them flat, and you'll be able to pull the unit out with the sleeve still attached. Or you pop the trim ring off the front of it and figure out how it releases from there (never had a kenwood.. don't know), and then pull the sleeve out separately. You shouldn't even need to remove the support bar at all, I didn't. Then just stick the gauge panel in the top slot :)

[Bala]

Yeah so the kenwood is just like my alpine.. see the tabs that are bent holding it up against the radio support bar? Bend them flat, and you'll be able to pull the unit out with the sleeve still attached. Or you pop the trim ring off the front of it and figure out how it releases from there (never had a kenwood.. don't know), and then pull the sleeve out separately. You shouldn't even need to remove the support bar at all, I didn't. Then just stick the gauge panel in the top slot :)
Cool, thanks! Triple gauges are going up top ... but not in a panel :)
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=73328

[Kansei]

oh pretty cool. In that case you shuldn't even need to keep the support bar in place.

[MyZmZm]

very nice patrick and chris - i am very, very jealous... i've had to put the plans for my baby on hold indefinitely due to higher priority expenses over the next year or so :( still craving boost just as bad though...

patrick, how you're doing your gauges above the HU; are you making that yourself, or what? me likes a lot :)

[khaosman]

Hey I've got a question for you guys.. is there a firewall passthrough that is bigger than the grommet up under the driver's side of the dash? My NGK AFX wideband has a fully-assembled wiring harness and it's a lot of wires.. pretty thick, and has a plug on it. I need like a 1-inch X 1-inch square to get it through, maybe a bit more. I already have stuff going through the first grommet I found so it can't fit there.

I bought a used wideband... they cut the wires so you could feed it through the grommet. Just solder the ends or crimp them together after you pass it through.

[Bala]

very nice patrick and chris - i am very, very jealous... i've had to put the plans for my baby on hold indefinitely due to higher priority expenses over the next year or so :( still craving boost just as bad though...

patrick, how you're doing your gauges above the HU; are you making that yourself, or what? me likes a lot :)
For me, I'm one major part (exhaust mani) from a complete turbo setup, so I've decide to boost the P5. I've had to choose between the two Pro's (MSP is being sold - parts sale coming up). I think I'll be the first to actually run a built Lentech tranny.

A forum member is modding the center trim for me :)

[MyZmZm]

For me, I'm one major part (exhaust mani) from a complete turbo setup, so I've decide to boost the P5. I've had to choose between the two Pro's (MSP is being sold - parts sale coming up). I think I'll be the first to actually run a built Lentech tranny.

A forum member is modding the center trim for me :)
No!!!! why? good choice on boosting the P5 though :)

might i inquire which forum member? or is that a secret too? lol

[aMaff]

Jesus, am I the only person NOT boosting my P5???

[Kansei]

Jesus, am I the only person NOT boosting my P5???

Yeah because you had to go buy a girlymobile :P

Patrick.. selling the MSP? Why doesn't anyone seem to like the MSP, and yet I'm putting basically an MSP turbo kit on my car :P

[boostdprotegelx]

Yeah because you had to go buy a girlymobile :P

Patrick.. selling the MSP? Why doesn't anyone seem to like the MSP, and yet I'm putting basically an MSP turbo kit on my car :P
well i don't have a p5, i have an lx, but i put a msp motor and tranny and yadda yadda in my car..soo...i'm right there w/ you.

[aMaff]

Yeah because you had to go buy a girlymobile :P
bring your boosted pFizzle down here to an ATL SCCA event and we'll see who's laughing

[Kansei]

I bought a used wideband... they cut the wires so you could feed it through the grommet. Just solder the ends or crimp them together after you pass it through.

I freakin hate soldering wire <--> wire. circuitboard stuff I like. I just didn't want to hack up the beautiful NGK wiring harness :)

[Kansei]

bring yours boosted pFizzle down here to an ATL SCCA event and we'll see who's laughing

Better than me coming down right now and racing it.. currently I'm in SM, after turbo kit.. I'll be in SM :D

[Bala]

Patrick.. selling the MSP? Why doesn't anyone seem to like the MSP, and yet I'm putting basically an MSP turbo kit on my car :P

I've had to choose between the two (for various reasons ... besides it's tough keeping up with two builds) The P5 has alway been my favorite; leather, sunroof, more stealth :) The MSP is loads of fun, I'm just going to inject this MSPness into the Wagon.







HaHA - I made you say penis.

[Kansei]

Bump!

my new instrument cluster came today :)

http://picasaweb.google.com/clauretano/NewGaugeCluster

weird though. It came out of a 2001 Protege, so it has the red backlighting and all.. I thought it would be identical to my original cluster. As you can almost sorta see from my blurry indoors at night photos, instead of the metallic silver faces that the Protege5 gauges have, it has gauges that look to be white.. but not quite white, almost a creamy off-white. They also don't have the heavy texturing that the gauge face of the P5 gauges has, they're just smooth.

kinda sucks, because I rather like the silver gauge faces.. the white is a bit bright. Maybe I'll totally change my opinion once I get my polished DaveB rings over to this cluster. I'm also swapping the board from mine so that I retain my odometer reading

[altspace]

That is correct. The guage face was white for 2002 P5 and changed to silver for 2003.

[Kansei]

changed to silver for 2002.5 then :)

is there anything the 2002.5 didn't get? No intake manifold recall, got all the visual upgrades of the 2003, retained the roof rack (which I appreciate for the 4-5 times a year I put it on to use it.

weird.

I now have my stock cluster totally disassembled. The speedo and tach needle were easily removeable, but it looks like the temp and fuel gauge needle rods broke when being removed.. no biggie, I'm just using my stock board so I retain the ODO reading.

very interesting too.. I always assumed all of the instrument cluster lighting was incandescent with the little mini-bulbs. Nope.. most, but not all, of the stuff that lights up red is done with LEDs. The battery light, the "you have a door open" light, and also the amber low fuel light.

I wish there was a removeable module I could swap from this board ono the new one though, as I'm wondering what the buzzer (ding sound thing) on the 2001 cluster sounds like. I know it sounds pretty different on my friend's Protege MP3, so I'm guessing this 01 buzzer is the same.

actually screw it.. I'm desoldering the buzzer from mine haha

[Kansei]

My stock board actually has LED 1-6 which would be the auto tranny shift lever position lights I believe. Then LED7 is the low fuel light, LED9 is the door ajar light, and LED10 is the battery light. Still searching for LED8 :P

Edit: LED8, just to the right of the 140 mark on the speedo..wonder what that one is for.

I swapped the speaker from the 01 cluster onto my 02.5 cluster, just a quick desolder/solder operation. I'll post pics showing the difference.. they're totally different speakers, the 01 being much larger and actually attaching to different contacts on the board (which were present and pre-drilled on the 02.5 cluster.

[iLisa]

drove it over the river and through the woods to Grandmas.. stopped for gas and got 30 mpg!! yay.. i <3 my p5..

[Kansei]

drove it over the river and through the woods to Grandmas.. stopped for gas and got 30 mpg!! yay.. i <3 my p5..
:D yay!

my new instrument cluster buzzer doesn't work.. looking at the circuitboard on the 01 board, the traces for where the bigger (2001) speaker plugs in don't go to exactly the same location as where the 2002.5+ speaker plugs in. bah I'll have to take it out and look around, maybe run some of my own traces so that it's wired exactly where my stock one was. :P

Edit: oh and interestingly enough, there is a polarized filter over the little odometer LCD on this 2001 cluster board.

[khaosman]

I freakin hate soldering wire <--> wire. circuitboard stuff I like. I just didn't want to hack up the beautiful NGK wiring harness :)

Haha, just use some of those helping hands or whatever. And get automatic wire strippers.

Today I inspected my new found bad noise. It was coming from the front driver's suspension, usually when the wheel was turned left. I figured it was the coilover spring perch, which happened before. I cleaned it and re-tightened it, it seems good now. Also did misc. stuff for winter prep: torqued lugs, checked air pressures on tires, swapped my nice Apex'i air filter with the old Injen one, and siliconed the camber plates up front to keep salt and junk out of the engine bay.

[Reitrof]

Oil Change. 125,000 mi and still strong.

[CTt3P5]

Replaced DS stoplight bulb. I wonder how long I have been driving with it out. (ughdance) Also applied BlueBatmobiles smoked reverse overlays to complete my tail lights.

[Yaggie1]

Going on day 10 without driving mine............that'll all change today though. Back on the road for home in like 20 min. :) Gunna order up some batmobile taillight overlays today or tomorrow for mine too.

[iLisa]

I gave mine a good bath yesterday... :)

[i12drivemyMP5]

That & some fresh oil/filter........