what is next?

[Sharki]

hey guy,
I would like to do a few more mods to my 03 protege. so far the main mods i have are a AEM sri and a Racing Beat Catback Exhaust, and a few other little things. i dont want to get any headers so i was wondering what else could i do to get more performance. does any one have a UNORTHODOX UNDERDRIVE CRANK PULLEY? i was looking at this on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.ca/UNORTHODOX-UNDERDRIVE-CRANK-PULLEY-MAZDA-PROTEGE-5-0105_W0QQitemZ270088267107QQihZ017QQcategoryZ38656 QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
what do you guys think? should i get this pulley?

[magnumP5]

I have the UR pulley. I honestly didn't notice anything with it's addition and due to it's anodized surface I have had a nearly constant belt squeak ever since - I have gone to smaller belts and everything and the noise is still there. Speaking of which, I should try to tighten them up some more. Another company, RR Racing (I think?) also makes these w/o the anodized surface and they're usually cheaper. I would say definitely go with something that is either painted or not anodized if you're going to do this. Just my two cents...

[JoshP5]

If you have a manual transmission you could have your ECU reflashed to the MP3 model's specs. Requires premium fuel but gives a noticeable boost in power and driveability throughout the rev range, maybe +7hp peak. Click the link in my signature if interested. Should be about $115.

[Sharki]

i have a auto. i know that a intake and exhaust are the most commen mods, what esle could i do?

[magnumP5]

You can still go with the underdrive pulley - I just wouldn't suggest UR. Aside from intake and catback most people go with a header and a midpipe. I know you said you didn't want to go with a header but if you want to further add to your exhaust you could go with a midpipe. ProtegeGarage sells a decent looking 2.5" midpipe. Aside from that there isn't much more you can do without seriously getting into taking things apart. I guess there's always the longer-reach spark plugs and upgraded sparkplug wires. You could also remove the VTCS butterfly valves from your intake manifold but that's starting to get more involved...

[Sharki]

this might be a dumb question, but what is a mid pipe? is that what the stock header and catback are attached too? is that mid pipe going to change the sound of the exhuast?

[mickeyreategui]

that's what it is, and it will probably change the tone to a little deeper.

[JoshP5]

Yes and yes. It will be LOUD. Probably won't result in much gain--the biggest restrictors in the exhaust system are the primary cat and the crush bend between it and the midpipe--a header gets rid of both.

[magnumP5]

that's what it is, and it will probably change the tone to a little deeper.
Yeah that's all I noticed but then again I got one with a converter still on it - if not it would be really loud right now. Hate to say it, but you can't do a whole lot without making the car louder. I'm at the point where I'm trying to keep it just short of obnoxious...

[Sharki]

how much louder will it sound? i hope its not like a civic HAHA. this mid pipe looks a little expensive, is it worth doing? for a little more HP

[magnumP5]

how much louder will it sound? i hope its not like a civic HAHA. this mid pipe looks a little expensive, is it worth doing? for a little more HP
No, it shouldn't sound like a Civic at all - maybe if you get the catless version but you don't want a header so there would really be no point. The part would be just like the catback - the gains would be negligible. Unfortunately the next biggest thing you could do would be the header which would tie in the whole system but also add a great deal of noise. Some things just have to offset...