My First Mods- need help

[jononumber5]

Hey, Im new to mazda's and the forum. I just got an MP5 and love it. But it's kinda slow stock. I have no desire to run 12s right now but I wanna add maybe 30-50 Hp for now and take it from there. Basically I just want some advice on good stuff to start out. I saw these 17inch momos w tires at my local shop for 800$ which was a steal, im gonna get those for sure. Other than that I was thinking a CAI, some headers, a catback, and possibly a lighter flywheel and maybe a chip. Im on a budget so basically the cheaper the better. So just looking for ideas on brands, stuff to watch out for etc, good advice in general. Thanks

[Boston5761]

Hey, Im new to mazda's and the forum. I just got an MP5 and love it. But it's kinda slow stock. I have no desire to run 12s right now but I wanna add maybe 30-50 Hp for now and take it from there. Basically I just want some advice on good stuff to start out. I saw these 17inch momos w tires at my local shop for 800$ which was a steal, im gonna get those for sure. Other than that I was thinking a CAI, some headers, a catback, and possibly a lighter flywheel and maybe a chip. Im on a budget so basically the cheaper the better. So just looking for ideas on brands, stuff to watch out for etc, good advice in general. Thanks


well.....30-50 crank hp will be costly if you go the N/A route, cai, header, lwf are a good start but theres no "chip" for the protege5 unless you want a piggy-back. Go FI and be done with it and i guarantee you will be mucho happier!

by the way WELCOME aboard..

[RaiderMP5]

Welcome! Here is info I try to pass onto all the newbies who join up.

Right after I got my P5, I got the intake. You can get a short ram intake (SRI), which is what I have. Others have cold air intakes (CAI) They are about the same on ebay, but you may also opt for name brand. I have the ebay...

The next thing I did was get rid of those god forsaken Dunflop piece of shit stock tires. I hydroplaned within the first week or so I owned the P5. I ended up with the Yokohama AVS ES 100's. 205-50-16's on the stock rims. After 23000 miles, they were through, so I got aftermarket wheels, and Kumho Ecsta 711 205-40-17’s. There are a bazillion threads about tires. These I highly recommend for rainy climates. (Bottom line, get out of the stock tires before you have a problem!)

I just got (after 2.5 years of owning my car) a Racing Beat exhaust. I got an insanely good deal on it. It is on the higher end of the pricing range, but you can score one used at a good rate if you are on the forum within the .245 seconds someone posts it for sale used. They run in the high $400 range new. There is a Mazda Sport (Mazdaspeed) exhaust which is also popular, but people have complained of droning, or an annoying sound at freeway speeds. The Racing Beat does not do that. But there are a bazillion threads about the exhaust subject too, look them up.

Then there is the tinting of windows, a stereo, springs/shocks/body kit, carbon fiber everything, etc you will see around here for sale.

Short shifter is next on my list. Kartboy makes a great one, I have seen it in person. The shifter bushings are a must. Get them no matter what. Huge difference in shifting!

I found by moving to synthetic engine and transmission fluids, I get better mileage, and it shifts smoother too. So easy to do, it is worth it.

One more thing you should consider when you mod is a header. OBX and Ractive are the most common. I just installed the Ractive, and love the HP gains. Be sure to look up the Spark Plug non-fouler trick for the 2nd o2 sensor. It prevents the CEL from coming on.

Well, good luck, and check out the “for sale section”, and work with the Authorized Venders and sellers! Oh, search for threads about a question you might have. Most likely, it has been covered.

[RicesP5]

RaiderMP5 im still amazed about that..

other then what they have said good luck and welcome to the boards .. p5 will still be slowish wiht all that stuff done. hell last week i got smoked by a minivan.. all joking aside get some suspension and it will make driving much more funner :D

[RaiderMP5]

hell last week i got smoked by a minivan..

dodge caravan full of kids totasted me like I was standing still a few months ago. A green one. Newer, with dents, and a friggin soccer ball decal on the window.

[Boston5761]

(hah)

[aMaff]

well.....30-50 crank hp will be costly if you go the N/A route, cai, header, lwf are a good start but theres no "chip" for the protege5 unless you want a piggy-back. Go FI and be done with it and i guarantee you will be mucho happier!

by the way WELCOME aboard..
lol, I end up saying this in every other "new P5, what should I do" thread...

MP3 ECU! (I'm gonna do that when I start getting my car ready for STS (glare))

[65racecoupe]

30 to 50 hp is not going to happen NA without a bunch of money. Don't do it, unless you race in a certain class.

Get a budget turbo kit if you want to do something.

[phazed_mp5]

(hah) omg i can't stop laughing.. soo true... i'm probably gonna head off to the highways tonight looking for caravans or mpv's to race

dodge caravan full of kids totasted me like I was standing still a few months ago. A green one. Newer, with dents, and a friggin soccer ball decal on the window.

[Canecreekfreak]

Yeah, turbo is the only way to get 30-50 more HP, and that'll cost you about $4G (new). Get a short shifter (a requirement for me, since I came from a Miata- ie. shifts the length of a bic lighter), some light wheels/tires, and some suspension upgrades to make tossing it around in the corners more fun. To get the same type of car as the P5 w/more HP, you'll want to just buy a Mazdaspeed Protege. The $ you'll have to spend to get the P5 to that level isn't worth it if you're on a budget(IMO).

I got smoked by a Dodge Ram 1500 a couple months back. The V8 vs. the I4 wasn't really fair, but the guys in the Ram enjoyed it. :)

[drumsbeloud]

Get a budget turbo kit if you want to do something.

this is going to be WAY cheaper than getting that kind of hp out of NA work. spend a few grand and you won't regret it. :D

[peepsalot]

on these cars, it seems 1hp = $100 roughly.

[ronin12]

Welcome, look around I think the bottom line is what your willing to spend and what you want at the end. I have a '02 auto and i knew going in that it was not going to be a rocket. So far I have done an injen CAI and a Racing Beat cat-back(also stereo and wheels) there is a difference, mind you it isn't earth shattering but it does make driving the car more enjoyable. My next investment will be suspension so I can really enjoy everything it has to offer. Remember that a lot of power is good but roads have turns (thumb)

[i12drivemyMP5]

dodge caravan full of kids totasted me like I was standing still a few months ago. A green one. Newer, with dents, and a friggin soccer ball decal on the window.


Maybe on empty straight section but no f**king way in traffic. The reverse happens every time & I'm the one laughing!

[RaiderMP5]

This was in turning onto a major road, in some traffic. Within 200 feet, she passed me, and got in front. I was waiting for a BOV or something. Prolly had a Viper motor in there. Damn soccer moms

[SkinnyJoint]

Other than that I was thinking a CAI, some headers, a catback, and possibly a lighter flywheel and maybe a chip

ok umm im sorry but we only have one header

[jononumber5]

ok umm im sorry but we only have one header

My sincerest apologies. Generally they are referred to as headers. So Either I could say a header, or some header. Calling them headers instead of header makes this alot easier.

Anyways thanks for all the advice everybody. I will be draining my wallet very soon.

[SkinnyJoint]

i do see the problem when using that word in conversation but it alwasy pisses me off when im talking to people and they say "yea ima get some headers soon" "yea i got the xbrand headers on here" etc.

you would just simply say "yea i plan to get a header on soon" "yea i have the xbrand header on"

[akProtege5]

30 to 50 hp is not going to happen NA without a bunch of money. Don't do it, unless you race in a certain class.

Get a budget turbo kit if you want to do something.

I would agree with 65racecoupe

I'm not too happy with my I/H/E right now.

[RicesP5]

I raced a 350 chevy caprice.. old boat beat it. i was happy.. i beat a 95 civic 5spd and i was happy.. lol a pontaic sunbird beat it too..i plan on racing a impala tonite.... but the other day i was driving down the interstate rite.. this 1984 ford ecoline molester van pulled up reving, so i slammed on the gas rite and then all of a sudden this guy is pulling a wheelie past me smoking his back tires off. (boom07)

This was in turning onto a major road, in some traffic. Within 200 feet, she passed me, and got in front. I was waiting for a BOV or something. Prolly had a Viper motor in there. Damn soccer moms

[slkt]

An Echo was faster than my 5 when she was stock...

[Boston5761]

lol...so true, i wont race until my hiboost kit is on the ole' P5!

[65racecoupe]

I would agree with 65racecoupe

I'm not too happy with my I/H/E right now.

Yeah, I am not bragging that I am getting a Thumper, I know Beau, blah blah blah (deadhorse .

I just hate to see you guys waste money on something that won't work all that well. Remember, these aren't Honda's. Our cars don't respond as well to simple modifications.

Intake, headers, cams, full exhaust and a few other mods would give you a nice little ride in a DOHC 1.6 or 1.8 Civic. Not in our Mazda.

Our cars need boost. The good thing is, they respond very well to boost and these cars are Night and Day. No bull.

Your turbo options are, in cheapest to most expensive....

1. A budget Turbo Kit - Very nice daily driver level power. Not too much money.

2. A higher boost turbo kit - pushing the limits of cheaper EMS and the stock block.

3. Higher boost turbo system (same type as above), with Engine Management System (EMS), most likely a built block, LSD (very much needed), full exhaust, boost guage / wide band guage, coil packs, etc.

300 to high 400 wheel horse power in these cars is fun, but so is 200, so get something that fits you.

[Jack Daniels]

I love my P5, but I would never sink $$$ into it in an attempt to make it faster. Cost/return ratio is just too high for these things. Sad but true. You'd be much better off simply buying a quicker car.

[rjmhotrod]

dodge caravan full of kids totasted me like I was standing still a few months ago. A green one. Newer, with dents, and a friggin soccer ball decal on the window.

Haha!!
I have a P5 and a Dodge Grand Caravan!!! (first)

[RaiderMP5]

I love my P5, but I would never sink $$$ into it in an attempt to make it faster. Cost/return ratio is just too high for these things. Sad but true. You'd be much better off simply buying a quicker car.

But then again, the whole point of this forum is not to discuss buying other, quicker cars, it is how to maintain and gain optimal performance for what we have, and to share it with others, as they come and grow in this community.

3.5 years ago, I bought my P5 for a commuter car, nothing special. I was looking for P5 info, found this site, and have learned so much about my car, as well as met a lot of cool people who like the same car!

So if someone is looking for a way to get more power in their P5, our goal should be to let them know what we know. The options, turbo, supercharger, or without, all that is available to them. It is not the best thing to tell someone who just got a P5, and wants power gains, to go buy a quicker car. There is the reality we may not just bolt on an intake an race RSX's. That is common sense, less HP, more weight, more doors.

But bolting on a header, exhaust system, and other bolt on items that will truthfully give more power, better accelleration, and a better driving experience. That is what we all should be sharing, not telling people to go get a different car.

[Jack Daniels]

But then again, the whole point of this forum is not to discuss buying other, quicker cars, it is how to maintain and gain optimal performance for what we have, and to share it with others, as they come and grow in this community.

3.5 years ago, I bought my P5 for a commuter car, nothing special. I was looking for P5 info, found this site, and have learned so much about my car, as well as met a lot of cool people who like the same car!

So if someone is looking for a way to get more power in their P5, our goal should be to let them know what we know. The options, turbo, supercharger, or without, all that is available to them. It is not the best thing to tell someone who just got a P5, and wants power gains, to go buy a quicker car. There is the reality we may not just bolt on an intake an race RSX's. That is common sense, less HP, more weight, more doors.

But bolting on a header, exhaust system, and other bolt on items that will truthfully give more power, better accelleration, and a better driving experience. That is what we all should be sharing, not telling people to go get a different car.

I'm not very popular around here these days. ;)

I'm just giving my opinion, and I believe this board was created to express opinions as well. P5 is a cool little car and I love mine, but the fact remains that I could spend $5g's on a turbo setup and my wife's Regal GS would still blow it away. Not money well spent IMO.

[RaiderMP5]

Not trying to argue with ya, and I am not sure what you said elsewhere to upset other people.

I have just seem so many posts of people saying to go get another car, rather than supporting the modification of the P5. 99% of us will not be racing other cars on a daily basis, so tuning them up is an option.

So let's welcome the new people, and let them know their options, rather than sending them elsewhere.

[aMaff]

We could also fouus on what the P5 does well...turn. Put even minor suspension mods on the P5, and it's an auto-x machine lol. There's a couple ppl here running FSP (Rogue Pro5, and xelderx's car is witin 1" of FSP rules) and are really competitive, just because the P5's chassis is pretty darn good. And with minor engine mods, you can make it damn fun to drive too (yes, I mean I/H/E. With a midpipe, taking out possibly the largest blockage in the system, it frees up a good bit of power). I know some ppl on here think like me: straight line speed is good and fine, but there's not much like wrastlin a car around an auto-x course lol.

/rant...just my .02...

[jononumber5]

From what i hear it is pretty hard to get extra horsepower from small upgrades. But what the hell if i only get 20 hp itll still make it alot more fun. Im gonna get some springs I think and a shortshifter now too. And im gonna hold off on turbo $$ until I get smoked by a minivan...

[Boston5761]

when and if you go boosted, call up hiboost.

[aMaff]

From what i hear it is pretty hard to get extra horsepower from small upgrades. But what the hell if i only get 20 hp itll still make it alot more fun. Im gonna get some springs I think and a shortshifter now too. And im gonna hold off on turbo $$ until I get smoked by a minivan...
Smart man.

[65racecoupe]

I'm not very popular around here these days. ;)

I'm just giving my opinion, and I believe this board was created to express opinions as well. P5 is a cool little car and I love mine, but the fact remains that I could spend $5g's on a turbo setup and my wife's Regal GS would still blow it away. Not money well spent IMO.

Uggh,.... not exactly.
A budget turbo kit has the capacity to run 14s.
A higher boost kit on stock block has the capacity to run high 13s.
A higher boost kit on built engine etc.has the capacity to run in the 11s.

If someone has the balls and the right stuff (i.e. racing axles, slicks) a Thumper equipped P5 or MP3 could go even lower.

These cars can be very very fast. If you don't think so, you haven't driven one that WAS fast.

[aMaff]

If someone has the balls (i.e. $$$$$$) and the right stuff (i.e. racing axles, slicks) a Thumper equipped P5 or MP3 could go even lower.

These cars can be very very fast. If you don't think so, you haven't driven one that WAS fast.
correction inserted (glare). (peep)

[65racecoupe]

correction inserted (glare). (peep)

Balls = dollars in this case, yes you are right.!!!!!! (thumb)

[FunkyBuddha]

An Echo was faster than my 5 when she was stock...

LMAO..so true. God it was pathetic!!


As for modding advice to get 30-50 BHP...it is possible doing that NA..but for the sake of horsepower to dollar ratio...I'd do a simple turbo kit.

intake
header
mid-pipe
cat-back
cams
cam gears
lighter pulleys
under-drive pulley
remove A/C and Power steering
fuel computer
Mazda MP3 ECU

[Boston5761]

LMAO..so true. God it was pathetic!!


As for modding advice to get 30-50 BHP...it is possible doing that NA..but for the sake of horsepower to dollar ratio...I'd do a simple turbo kit.

intake
header
mid-pipe
cat-back
cams
cam gears
lighter pulleys
under-drive pulley
remove A/C and Power steering
fuel computer
Mazda MP3 ECU

curious here.....i've seen bhp many of times in magazines, mostly the overseas guys, what exactly is bhp?

[65racecoupe]

curious here.....i've seen bhp many of times in magazines, mostly the overseas guys, what exactly is bhp?

Apparently it is the true measure of the engine, but bhp from where - the flywheel, wheels, ????

It is just easier to go with flywheel horsepower or perferred WHEEL HORSEPOWER.

To new guys, flywheel hp will be a higher number on an engine than wheel hp because power has to be used up to turn the gears, wheels, rotors, and the weight of the vehicle to get it moving.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower

[awsmp5]

yeah man short shifter was the first thing i did... i got kartboy first now i have b&m cuz it was just a lil too short for my taste
so i have this kartboy sitting around :P

[n0rthwall]

how much for the kartboy?? i call dibs if your selling!

[RaiderMP5]

yeah man short shifter was the first thing i did... i got kartboy first now i have b&m cuz it was just a lil too short for my taste
so i have this kartboy sitting around :P

I got the B&M because I am rather tall, and reaching down tot he floor just did not feel right. The B&M worked great for me. Get the Kartboy Bushings now, huge difference as well.

[Jack Daniels]

Uggh,.... not exactly.
A budget turbo kit has the capacity to run 14s.
A higher boost kit on stock block has the capacity to run high 13s.
A higher boost kit on built engine etc.has the capacity to run in the 11s.

If someone has the balls and the right stuff (i.e. racing axles, slicks) a Thumper equipped P5 or MP3 could go even lower.

These cars can be very very fast. If you don't think so, you haven't driven one that WAS fast.

My wife's car runs 14's now bone stock. With about $100 in mods (SC pulley) it could be in the 13's. Look, I'm not trying to disuade anyone from modding their cars, but use your head. You can dump thousands into a P5 and still be slow. I like my P5. It's fun, light, handles great and is practical. For me, it's the type of car you do a few minor inexpensive mods to and enjoy. For the average owner, it just doesn't have the potential to be a really quick car for a practical amount of $$$.

[wildo]

IMO go with a crappy ebay intake and get a k&n filter. no reason (unless you got the bread to spend...) to go name brand on an intake. the research i have done shows minimal gains on the intake. again- IMO the point of an intake is aesthetics and the super cool "woosh" sound created on rev. however- header, cat-back, and if money is there- a midpipe would be very benificial. I also have a kartboy shifter with bushings, kartboy exhaust hangers, and one of the best mods i have done to date- a new AWR front engine mount. lastly, as others have said- driving fast is very fun, but can never compete with a car that turns on rails in an auto-x race.... sts for me!! go with suspension mods!!