is the Double exhaust worth it?

[Zakknafein]

I just just a got a Mazda protege 3 months ago, so i'm new on this site. I'm planning on moding my car but I don't know how mazda cars are. Someone told me that putting a double exhaust would realy increase my speed and performance. Is it worth it? if not what should I do. I'm tierd of getting burned by these f****** civic!!

[Black_Protege_5]

ahahahahaha. That is funny. Who ever told you that, I want you to ignore them from now on. If you want a fast car don't get a protege unless you have money. NA mods will not yeild you a lot of power without spending a lot of money. Just go turbo with low psi and you will be good. But don't expect much.

[nate0123]

first of all, what is a Mazda protege 3?

secondly, do you realize you posted in the Mazdaspeed Protege section?

third, who the hell have you been talking to?

[smo0f]

he got a mazda protege, 3 months ago.

[nate0123]

oh ok, that just leaves two questions then

[Zakknafein]

So what are you saying? I should forget the double exhaust and plan on puting a turbo?

[Black_Protege_5]

lol. Hmm someone can't read. :) And he did say he is new.

[Zakknafein]

I don't need a bomb for a car, I just want better then a 130HP car. I'm trying to take my car and bring it to the MazdaSpeed. You think it's possible without spending a fortune?

[B1GHAM]

I just just a got a Mazda protege 3 months ago, so i'm new on this site. I'm planning on moding my car but I don't know how mazda cars are. Someone told me that putting a double exhaust would realy increase my speed and performance. Is it worth it? if not what should I do. I'm tierd of getting burned by these f****** civic!!


dual exhaust is pointless on this vehicle (or any inline 4 for that matter...)

whoever told you that it would increase speed and performance obviously does not know cars and you should never listen to their advice...

secondly black protege is right. FSDE engines (the 2.0 4 cyl. in the proteges) dont take well to N/A modifications unless you have unlimited funds and resources...

best way to produce noticable gains in the FS-DE is through forced induction (IE turbo applications).

thirdly, even though nate was a little harsh :p... this section is for Mazdaspeed Proteges and not 3rd generation proteges... there is a separate section for 3rd gen models and offer separate forums for engine modifications...

[Zakknafein]

...You guys are hard on me hey!

[B1GHAM]

[QUOTE=Zakknafein]I don't need a bomb for a car...QUOTE]


confused by that... if youre saying adding a turbo = bomb... then you dont want to change it to a mazdaspeed. mazdaspeed proteges came from the factory turbocharged which is why alot of proteges and protege5s switch over to the turbo setups from MSPs...

[Black_Protege_5]

Not really that. Just a double exhaust is pointless. It's only and I4. You won't get anything out of it but a ricey look.

Stock the car only puts 98-100 whp. With I/H/E the car will only yeild maybe 110 whp. You will have to go custom cams, High compression pistons, ported everything, EMS, and a lot of other stuff that will cost way over 8 grand that a $3000 custom turbo kit can do. It's pointless to go NA unless you have time and money.

[Zakknafein]

SO you guys are saying I shouldn't even bother trying to mod my car and just get another one?

[B1GHAM]

it depends ENTIRELY on what you are looking for...

if you jsut want to beat civics, they only right 127 hp stock (ex models)

so it IS possible with I/H/E and EMS, but you will probably still want more.

doing a turbo setup will give you more power with the possibility (money a factor here) of running a 13-14 sec. car with the right work...

[Black_Protege_5]

If you want speed yes. The protege is a great handling car and with the right mods you can do very well on the track. Just on straight don't expect much. I love my P5 but it is just too slow for me.

[B1GHAM]

. You will have to go custom cams, High compression pistons, ported everything, EMS, and a lot of other stuff that will cost way over 8 grand that a $3000 custom turbo kit can do. It's pointless to go NA unless you have time and money.


I was going to get into that but didnt feel like typing it... glad we think the same though :p

[B1GHAM]

If you want speed yes. The protege is a great handling car and with the right mods you can do very well on the track. Just on straight don't expect much. I love my P5 but it is just too slow for me.


agreed.... proteges are good auto-x/roadcouse/track cars... they are NOT drag cars... never were, never will be...

straight line racing isnt everything. Id rather have a balanced car - good performance/great handling/good looks more than a straight up drag car.

[Zakknafein]

ok, so since i just bouth this car, I'm not planning on selling it soon. So if i would want to bring it up or close to a mazdaspeed, I should get a turbo kit. f*** the exhaust right?

[Black_Protege_5]

lol. I just got into it so he can understand what he is getting into and that is not even half the work.

But if you want a super fast NA Pro talk to twilight. He has done so much work he can tell you.

[Black_Protege_5]

Well msp's come with a garret T25 dual BB turbo. At 6 psi it will put you at around 146whp + or -. With some tuning and full exhaust you could get up to around 160 whp average. Then you can just go from there. But don't get crazy or it will zoom zoom boom!!!!

But there are many threads on here to explain why we have shitty rods and pistons.

[B1GHAM]

ok, so since i just bouth this car, I'm not planning on selling it soon. So if i would want to bring it up or close to a mazdaspeed, I should get a turbo kit. f*** the exhaust right?


yes if you want a mazdaspeed converted vehicle you would be looking @ a turbo kit... exhaust would be part of that package anyway..

[Zakknafein]

ok i understand what you're saying Black. I don't want a "bomb" and i define a Bomb as a 250HP car that does a 5.6 . My plan is to Mod my car, protege are sick when they're mod but i don;t want a good looking car that can't even race a civic. That's my point.

[mazdaspeedwerx]

dont listen to them. they are just bitter. to mod any car cost alot of money. it just so happens to mod a protege cost twice as much. I just look at it like a challenge. something that must be overcome like some evil bastard child. thats the only thing that keeps me going. or you can have it the easy way and buy a damn civic

[Zakknafein]

Also, where could I get good deals on these mods, like that turbo you said?

[Zakknafein]

F*** civic

[Black_Protege_5]

you have a manual right. Just turbo and don't go past 8psi. Do a good exhaust and don't listen to that guy, I can tell you whats available, and do a FMIC. You will be passing up NA civcs easily. But to convert to a speed you will need much more than just turbo. Suspension is completely different and the msp has an LSD which is not much to say. Body kit is also a little different. Talk to a guy named laserpro. Real good guy and did a pro to msp conversion and he can tell you the cost. He did everything possible minus turbo.

[Black_Protege_5]

lol. I am not being bitter. haha. I just don't want him to think its going to be easy.

[jeffmsp]

buy a stock mazdaspeed turbo setup for less then $1000 cdn then buy a dsm air fuel controller and beat any stock civic. Then if you wanna go faster spend a bit more on mods like a catless 3" exhaust and a 626 intake manifold and you have a high 13 second car on street tires with pump gas.

Think about it like this, most civics swap either a b16a or a gsr motor to go decently fast. You are paying a third to a half (depending on how nice you want your setup) of what they paid to run mid to low 14s and you will hand their asses to them. Around here a gsr motor swap runs 3.5-4gs or so canadian installed. Your turbo setup will be much less then that if you want similar results.

My buddy has a 93 civic hatch with a jdm type-r motor, dc sport header, exhaust, aem cai and a hondata chip. He went to the track several times and would run 13.7-13.9 I caught up to him with less then a G put into my mazdaspeed. Pretty sure he was over 10gs once he had everything installed and tuned in his car.(type-r tranny, aftermarket axles and lsd aint cheap) So why did you wanna get a honda lol

[B1GHAM]

dont listen to them. they are just bitter.


lol Im not bitter - I bought this car knowing what I was getting into :p

Im just tryin to help this guy out so he doesnt think that putting a "double exhaust" and an intake is going to have him beating half teh cars on the road, or even give him a huge gain for that matter...

[Zakknafein]

ok awesome man, thx alot. where can i find that guy you're talking about...i'm new man remember?

[jeffmsp]

check the for sale section for the turbo setup

[B1GHAM]

ok awesome man, thx alot. where can i find that guy you're talking about...i'm new man remember?


first I recommend finding GOOD resources and learn as much as you can possibly stand about how engines work and how to mod CORRECTLY.

also, while doing your research, do not listen to your friend... if hes telling you to get a dual exhaust for an I4, hes probably not going to be much help.

installing a turbo kit (even the one on the mazdaspeed protege) isnt like installing an intake. its VERY involving. Without the knowledge to isntall, or the friends with said knowledge to install, you are ultimately going to be lost.

If youre still in HS or college and have access to your schools autoshop, I recommend going there and talking to the teacher. He would be a huge help in directing you to great sources of info that is not only interesting to read, but will help you with your vehicle.

[fr0st]

Zakknafein, listen what the poeple here say dude.. they know better than some nutwing who thinks dual exaust will give you power.. it was somewhat true back in the days where push rod v8 and big carbs roam the earth..

if you put on a cold air intake on that thing you MIGHT be able to follow civics.. if you put a turbocharger you'll take off fast enough and have enough power to let go the gas and wait for them to get beside you and floor it again and lose them.. it's that simple..


gawd.. the only thing a dual exaust will do is ADD weight.. which is enemy #1 to performance..

mine is at 7 psi and it's freaking hilarious to drive.. i can only imagine what 10 + psi would do..

good thing i still got my zx-9 to blast of like a rocket..

Fr0st

[Black_Protege_5]

Haha I remember my autoshop teacher knowing nothing. I think he was also a dance teacher. That tells you about my old high school. I knew more than he did.

[Zakknafein]

cool thx alot guys

[Zakknafein]

So if i got to the mazdadealer, you think he'll give me advice on that?

[B1GHAM]

Haha I remember my autoshop teacher knowing nothing. I think he was also a dance teacher. That tells you about my old high school. I knew more than he did.


lol, notice I said point him in a good direction for info? :p you could always find out what technical schools/colleges are using for resources etc. and study on your own.

[B1GHAM]

So if i got to the mazdadealer, you think he'll give me advice on that?


no

[Black_Protege_5]

Noo no mazda dealer. There is more info on this site then you will ever get from them.

[fr0st]

So if i got to the mazdadealer, you think he'll give me advice on that?

first of all, the dealer don't know shit about turbocharging a car.. they know a 323 GTX exists and a mazdaspeed has a turbo but thats it..

ok, there are SOME exeptions.. some know what boost is but none can give you pointers how to boost a NA protege..

[Mustard97]

it depends who you talk to

[B1GHAM]

it depends who you talk to


yeah but its more akin to playing russian roulette...

most dealership techs work on cars for their JOB they have no interest in tuning/modifying vehicles. The chances that you DO find one are fully dependant on where you look, but like I said, shot in hell @ best.

do the research on your own... learn from this site, find good books on teh subject, find good internet how-to sites, etc. etc.

if you are interested in modifying your car, then you should find all the info interesting and fun to read so it shouldnt be hard...

[tehturbo]

I don't know who said modifying a pretege is twice as expensive, but I had an E36 BMW and I traded it for this car so I could afford to tune it. The Bimmer averaged $4k/year in maintenance, the MSP is...$900 w00t! The bimmer was way faster, but I could pass the bimmer w/ maybe $1k in mods on the MSP. Back t the main topic, turbo is the way to go. Best perfomance gains per dollar. But you have to remember to make sure your brakes and suspension can keep up with your speedy car. I was taught to always modify a car from the bottom up, starting with maintainance > brakes > suspension > then motor. I hope that's a helpful guideline to go by. GL man.

[Black_Protege_5]

Yes but the Protege is also not in the same class as the BMW. We are in the class of civics, celicas and other import 4 bangers.

[B1GHAM]

I don't know who said modifying a pretege is twice as expensive, but I had an E36 BMW and I traded it for this car so I could afford to tune it. The Bimmer averaged $4k/year in maintenance, the MSP is...$900 w00t!

we are speaking in general. the FS-DE isnt as mod friendly as some other import motors out on the market. Ofcourse a BMW is more expensive to tune, most german cars are :p

[jeffmsp]

might wanna start off your modding with buying "Maximum Boost" by Corky Bell. Should be the best $25 you ever spend, it will help you alot.

Do not go to the dealer unless you figure out where blkzoomzoom works and get him to do your setup lol a mazdaspeed turbo setup is not tpo hard you can even just bring it to a local performance shop to do the install if you dont like tearing apart cars. DO NOT BOTHER WITH A MSP ECU. Get a dsmconvert afc and a set of wrx 440 injectors if you run out of fuel later down the line once everything is running and tuned.

[Kansei]

buy a stock mazdaspeed turbo setup for less then $1000 cdn then buy a dsm air fuel controller and beat any stock civic.
hahahahahah @ turboing the car for less than 1000 canadian. that's friggin hilarious! Have you bought the mazdaspeed protege turbo setup for your car? I got my turbo for 225 and my manifold for 75 (in USD) but I spent nearly 4k dollars to finish up the turbo kit.. and I didn't need ANY exhaust pieces, already had all that done.

[cmahlig]

i was gonna suggest that book haha. dude i came into this site not knowing much at all. just read and then read some more. you will find everything you will ever need here. you could also do the hiboost bigboost kit but remember, the rods in the fsde are very very very weak.

[crashkelly]

ok, so since i just bouth this car, I'm not planning on selling it soon. So if i would want to bring it up or close to a mazdaspeed, I should get a turbo kit. f*** the exhaust right?

Dude if you want to get anything out of that car you are going to be spending thousands of dollars...u should seriously sell it and get a car with a turbo system in place stock. Its much easier to build a lot of power into a car that already has a turbo.

You can get a turbo kit for you car but you are going to be spending like 3000 on the kit and the work needed to put it in(no offense but you dont sound like the u know enough about cars yet to take on such a project).

Plus you still will be in the same class as the newer civics even with a turbo kit on that car...keep it as a daily driver and save up for a turbo project car.