I bought it :)

[RixterGT]

Hello,

I started a thread a few days ago saying I was looking at a couple MSPs, I just wanted to say I bought the orange one :).

I bought it Friday, drove it 500 miles to South Dakota Saturday, and drove it 500 back on Monday. So I guess there's nothing majorly wrong with it.

Here it is:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1259/1325391081_dfd8ea0e9a_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1366/1326287404_a155eeee42_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1076/1325391357_179fe1c774_o.jpg

Don't worry, today I washed off the bugs :).

I'll probably have some questions about it soon. As far as I can tell it's mostly stock, but it does have a blow off valve. I'm gonna look for leaks in the pipes, because it's kinda loud and running 6psi. The rear squeaks, even though the dealer said he'd take care of it. He did say I could keep bringing it back until it's fixed, which is what I'm gonna do until they actually replace the bushings. The clutch needs replaced, but that happens sometimes, so oh well.

It also has some aftermarket interior stuff, like a boost gauge, and some crappy center temp gauges that the guy obviously mounted himself. Could be worse, but they aren't even hooked up!

Anyway, so far I'm really liking it, so I hope it turns out to be reliable.

[S.A.MSP]

Gongratulations, you picked a great color, you'll have fun with it i'm sure

[kamon8404]

I wanna see pics of the engine bay ...

[S.A.MSP]

^^ditto

[RixterGT]

Ok, good thing you asked too, I totally left my dome light on lol.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1226/1326468748_21f001d9a6_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1176/1326469050_08bd2c24ef_o.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1037/1325574133_04dca3d6ec_o.jpg

You guys would tell me if something is wrong, right? The engine and air filter totally need cleaned... could that explain the 6 vs 7psi?

Also, the yellow thing that holds the battery in is missing whatever was on the left side, are there replacements for that or should I just rig up something myself?

[SeR_Cyclops]

well its got after market intercooler pipes and a intake and it also has a maf relocation looks like the guy did ok lets see pics of the inside!!

[kamon8404]

Oh well it actually looks to me like your running a dual valve setup. A By pass valve and a blow off valve. Those are definitely custom pipes though. Looks good to me.

[RixterGT]

Here's what's custom inside:

Boost gauge that I like:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1085/1326633974_1fc51d93d4_o.jpg

'A' for effort, but I'm not a big fan.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/1326634208_5e000f23db_o.jpg

Like I mentioned, these aren't hooked up to any sensors. The right one is removable lol.

I was looking online a bit for replacements, I'd like just an OEM replacement, but I'm sure from Mazda it'd be overpriced. Do these share the dash with the regular protege's?

[S.A.MSP]

that guy was dumb, why would you need 2 oil press. guages? and even hook them up? oh and the motor needs wash then she'll look real purty :-)

[RixterGT]

One's actually a pressure gauge, I just called them temp gauges before because... I don't know why.

But yeah, I can't figure out why he didn't hook them up, he seemed to have gotten the boost gauge ok...

Thanks for the replies everyone :)

[SeR_Cyclops]

well the din looks good but i wish the guages were the same size then it would be nice cause you could replace them!!! lol

[S.A.MSP]

you are most welcome, oh and you can pick up a nice carbon fiber dash assembly from protege garage, i want one so bad

[BOOSTR]

Welcome to the MSP club. The paint seems to be in great condition. You could spray some silicone lubricant on the bushings to lessen the squeaks until you get them replaced. Don't just spray the sway bar bushings, get the trailing arm bushings also. A quick engine wash down will brighten up that bay. Shouldn't need any harsh chemicals as it appears to be just from dust and neglect. Enjoy it!

[Alejo_NIN]

oh mang!
you are fucked now...


welcome to hell.

[ND4MSP]

Damn that engine bay is busy as hell. If it runs fine just throw a new filter on it. It should run good as the previous owner went through great lengths with that set up. Stock boost will be as low as 5 and as high as 8 on some vehicles. Its a mixed bag. Enjoy your spicy

[shamrock]

That is my FAVORITE color on the MSP, that and the BLUE. Nice car man. Two questions?
1. How much was it?

2. How many miles?
Like I said beautiful car and color and BTW its Friday boys and girls(friday)



(friday)<<<<<I love this smilie(rlaugh)

[livelyjay]

Congratulations on the new MSP.

Why are you running dual BOV/BPV setup when the MAF has already been relocated? Doesn't make much sense to me.

[kamon8404]

Maybe the car runs better that way?

[RixterGT]

Yeah, I was a little surprised when I popped the hood (before I bought it :) ) to see all that stuff. I got it for 10.7k, had 63k miles on it. Seemed like an ok deal to me.


Congratulations on the new MSP.

Why are you running dual BOV/BPV setup when the MAF has already been relocated? Doesn't make much sense to me.

I don't know why I'm running that. Should I change something?
I'm pretty new to these cars, so I don't know the purpose of those things you mentioned. Is the MAF in a bad location stock?

[JoseProte83]

Congratulations on the new MSP.

Why are you running dual BOV/BPV setup when the MAF has already been relocated? Doesn't make much sense to me.

he bought it like that mate....

[kamon8404]

Yeah, I was a little surprised when I popped the hood (before I bought it :) ) to see all that stuff. I got it for 10.7k, had 63k miles on it. Seemed like an ok deal to me.



I don't know why I'm running that. Should I change something?
I'm pretty new to these cars, so I don't know the purpose of those things you mentioned. Is the MAF in a bad location stock?


I wouldn't recommend changing anything in less its stalling, hesitating, or something out of the normal. If its not broke don't fix it.

[Matthew1785]

what a dum dum fucktard, who ever had that car before you should be shot pls do me a favor and return the car to its former glory, order a new HVAC bezzle, get rid of those stupid ass gauges, except the boost gauge, order Protege Garage MAF relocation kit, and get rid of those amatur pipes, and go with a nice HKS SSQV BOV and call it a day

[Velocifero]

Congratulations. Glad we have a new member and a clean car.
The guy did the MAF relocation wrong though. the MAF should be between the TB and BOV, yours is set up with the BOV between the MAF and TB. There is no point in having it relocated if it is still releasing to atmosphere after the MAF. The car will still drive, but it isn't the best set up by far. Body of the car looks great.

[RixterGT]

I'm getting some mixed responses here heh. First order of business with it is to fix the squeaky bushing and replace the clutch. Would it be at all worth it to get a lightweight flywheel while I'm in there?

Anyone know where I can get a stock replacement bezel? I'm not sure that much carbon fiber would really be my thing.

Thanks for the input.

[JDM Sam]

I know where that hardpipe came from. He bought it from some guy in DFW.
Get rid of that ebay knock off HKS bov, redo the cold pipe, repaint the ugly yellow brackets, and clean the battery terminals.

[djarkitek]

you should def buy some more legit piping...and clean up a bit in there

[1moreMPH]

well i dunno, piping is piping. It looks pretty direct and ok to me -- although i dont know why he relocated the MAF but still ran the dual-setup. Oh well it'll still work just as well. Im in agreement with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" on that particular issue.

The car looks pretty clean to me and i love that color. Im jealous :). enjoy it!

[Velocifero]

well i dunno, piping is piping. It looks pretty direct and ok to me -- although i dont know why he relocated the MAF but still ran the dual-setup. Oh well it'll still work just as well. Im in agreement with "if it ain't broke don't fix it" on that particular issue.

The car looks pretty clean to me and i love that color. Im jealous :). enjoy it!

look where the MAF is in relation to the BOV, he would have to continue to run a dual set-up to escape the stalling issues of the BOV alone.

[Matthew1785]

I know where that hardpipe came from. He bought it from some guy in DFW.
Get rid of that ebay knock off HKS bov, redo the cold pipe, repaint the ugly yellow brackets, and clean the battery terminals.

hell clean the whole engine bay lol, in all serious nice car, just needs some minor work

[kamon8404]

Maybe he was running a single BOV setup but was getting the turkey and converted it to this ... every msp is different ...

[Pirana]

I'am sorry, but I never understood why move the MAF to the pressurized side. I know they do it to kill the stalling issues, but specially why do it when using a recirculating valve. My suggestion is, get rid of the HKS knock-off, redo the Throtte body pipe and move the MAF back to the intake pipe. Clean the engine, get rid of some of the old and stiff vacuum lines and "T's" that look like they are cracked and might be leaking and could give you some trouble in the future. ;)

[crashkelly]

Maybe he was running a single BOV setup but was getting the turkey and converted it to this ... every msp is different ...

maybe the previous owner was just dumb? Love the spicy MSPs. Definately fix up the engine bay though. Like the others said there is no need for a BPV and BOV when the maf is relocated(even though the relocation looks unprofessional) and the hardpipes look like they are routed in a wierd way...Otherwise awesome choice of car if you are looking for something to mod. If you dont plan on modifying it I am sorry you bought an MSP! They are cool cars but need a lot of aftermarket tweaking to perform respectably.

[RixterGT]

Thanks again for the comments everyone. I'm glad I was able to get this one, cause it's my favorite color too, and I prefer the 03 styling to the 03.5, which are still cool.

I think for the time being I'll leave well enough alone, if I decide to upgrade the intercooler I may go ahead and redo all the piping.

The first thing I need is a new clutch (chatters if I take off at less than 2000rpm :( ) and pilot bearing. I'm thinking the Exedy Stage 1, or is this overkill for someone not planning on huge power?. My local Mazda dealer quoted me 900 DOLLARS just for labor! Should I be able to find a better deal somewhere? I really don't want to spend that much just on labor...

Also, speaking of clutches, if I were to put in the lightweight flywheel while I'm changing it, would that be a waste of money? How drivable is it with that in there? Does it make a noticeable difference?

[BOOSTR]

That dealer is crazy, keep looking for other options for the clutch install. Exedy stage 1 is a good choice for a replacement clutch. Only replace your flywheel if 1) you just have cash burning a hole in your pocket or 2) its determined at tear down that you need to do so. With your mileage, getting it resurfaced should be fine.

[1moreMPH]

look where the MAF is in relation to the BOV, he would have to continue to run a dual set-up to escape the stalling issues of the BOV alone.

i know this... that's why i said i didn't really understand. But guys, the dual setup is damn close to the same thing as relocating...in fact arguably is better for the car especially if you're tuned. I disagree with all this hate. Except for the HKS knock-off, it looks great to me... 02 cents.

[kamon8404]

Exedy stage 1 is the clutch that everyone raves about and is the clutch sitting on my floor awaiting install. If you are going to get a clutch installed make sure you get the LSD welded! That is key key key! That dealership is crazy. I was quoted by a shop near me that 400 is all the labor and 2 days of work. I just have to supply the parts which i have. I would be getting it done this month but my cell phone company is screwing me and i have to pay 400 to cancel on them. Figures.