Mazda n00b needs some clarification

[thepeel]

I've been lurking and searching for about 2 weeks now. I just picked up an '03 P5 Automatic (I know but the price was right) and have a few questions based on my search results.

I've got a pretty exhaustive list of all of the mods people have done. I probably won't do them all but here's my list so far:

MPV Intermittent Wiper Control - GE6V-66-128
Stubby Antenna from CX-7
Tribute Washer Nozzles - EC016750YA
Tint Windows
All Weather Floor Mats
Racing Pedals
Black out side marker lights
HID Headlight upgrade
Remove Side Moulding and pin-stripping
Re-Wire Fog Lights for Always on
Paint Brake Calipers - G2 Caliper Paint
Longer Spark Plugs - NGK ZFR5F-11
VTSC Removal
Install Ground Kit - http://www.clubprotege.com/wil/howto/groundwire/
Transmission Cooler
Replace Instrument Panel Lights w/LEDs
Turbocharge and Intercool (Maybe not dealing with that now)
Struts and Lowering Springs
17" Rims
Drop in Air Filter, CAI or SRI
Strut Tower Braces
Slotted/Vented Brake Rotors
Exhaust Kit
Sway Bars

So here are my questions:

Are any of the aftermarket strut tower braces any better than the factory one?

Do the rear braces add anything noticeable performance wise?

Are the sway bars worth it, especially if I may never take it on the track?

Will the Big Break Kit fit with the factory 16" Wheels? Is it worth it?

How do people feel about the EBC rotors? Would that be a better option?

I've only used Koni Adjustable struts in the past, how do the Tokico's compare?

Is there a lowering spring preference among the group? In the past I've been known to just cut off a coil or two :)

I have questions on the intake with regard to Drop In K&N vs CAI vs SRI but I may save that for another thread. I think I may just go with the Twin-Charger for now or a K&N drop-in for now. I can't seem to find a general consensus on SRI vs CAI. Neither will matter much should I decide to turbo (low boost) in the future.

Anyway, that's it for now. I appreciate your time. I can assure you that I've spent a ton of time searching for all of the appropriate answers and haven't been able to come up with all of the answers I'd like. I'm not a car newbie for sure, I've rebuilt a number of turbo engines in the past. I'm just new to this car, and as such, have a lot of questions.

If you see anything I missed in my list, throw it up below. Maybe I'll make better list with current links for people who haven't been here since '02 and '03.

Thanks,

-peel

[Salmon_Rob]

Are any of the aftermarket strut tower braces any better than the factory one?
any bar that braces the firewall will be better, but iirc you have to sacrifice cruise control

Do the rear braces add anything noticeable performance wise?
on the p5 yes, sedan no - they have basically a built in rear stb

Are the sway bars worth it, especially if I may never take it on the track?
yes, emphatically. which bar(s) depend on your goals

Will the Big Break Kit fit with the factory 16" Wheels? Is it worth it? depends on the bbk. I have the Protege Garage/MSP upgrade and adore it. you can run it on the 16s and it is amazing how much better the brakes feel. if you want a BIG kit youll need big wheels


How do people feel about the EBC rotors? Would that be a better option?
which ebcs?

I've only used Koni Adjustable struts in the past, how do the Tokico's compare? depends on how personal you got with your koni's. the tokico's are fantastic struts though, blues and illuminas

Is there a lowering spring preference among the group? In the past I've been known to just cut off a coil or two :) again what do you want from your springs? style or performance or a compromise?

I have questions on the intake with regard to Drop In K&N vs CAI vs SRI but I may save that for another thread. I think I may just go with the Twin-Charger for now or a K&N drop-in for now. I can't seem to find a general consensus on SRI vs CAI. Neither will matter much should I decide to turbo (low boost) in the future.
im a fan of cai :P

[JPB-Pro5]

First welcome.
Second hooray for not getting a mini-van!!:)

This car is fun to drive out of the box but all those mods only make the car "better" if you enjoy a certain type of ride. getting all the mods possible will turn this mild car into a loud, stiff, bumpy, shaking, albeit amazingly fun to drive car. It about what comprimises you want. what feels like a tight race inspired car to one person can be totally annoying to others; ie my wife heehee! Start with the basics and see how you like things. this car is def. about suspension more than raw power, but then you already know that! Def. get rid of the stock tires once there worn, you'll see nice improvement with a sticker stiffer sidewall tire! Rear strut towers flex alot in this car and the rear bar adds def noticable improvemnt. I race Gokarts and there's nothing like em', but this car is as close to that as I have ever driven in!! Find a twistie road and you'll understand that there's not alot of cars that ride like this!(first)

[Redcoat]

One suggestion from my very limited experience...Buy the Acura RDX antenna instead of the CX7 one. It's only $6 from your local Acura dealer vs. $16 for the Mazda one but looks and fits exactly the same.

[thepeel]

Thanks for the responses from everyone. Sorry it's taken so long to get back to my own thread, Work and 3 Kids will do that to you.

My goals with this car are to make it a fun daily driver that I may take autocrossing this summer. I'm more interested in a car's ability to handle than it's ability to go straight for 1/4 mile. I'm sure I'd love drag racing but it's not my thing.

Anyway, most of my questions are in response to Liquid.


Are any of the aftermarket strut tower braces any better than the factory one?
any bar that braces the firewall will be better, but iirc you have to sacrifice cruise control

I don't think I'm ready to sacrifice Cruise Control at this point. I was looking at one of the aluminum ones that connects to the inner part of the strut tower like the stock one. Are the ones from protegegarage.com that connect to all of the points on the tower?



Do the rear braces add anything noticeable performance wise?
on the p5 yes, sedan no - they have basically a built in rear stb

I noticed there are a ton of variations on protege garage. Would I be fine going with one similar to the front one or are any of the other options better?



Are the sway bars worth it, especially if I may never take it on the track?
yes, emphatically. which bar(s) depend on your goals

I'm not quite to this point yet. I actually already knew the answer and feel like a dope for asking. My real questions, when it's time, will be which bar(s) to go for. So unless the noise my front left is making calls for a suspension overhaul, this one will have to wait for a bit.



Will the Big Break Kit fit with the factory 16" Wheels? Is it worth it? depends on the bbk. I have the Protege Garage/MSP upgrade and adore it. you can run it on the 16s and it is amazing how much better the brakes feel. if you want a BIG kit youll need big wheels

How do people feel about the EBC rotors? Would that be a better option?
which ebcs?


Again, i've been looking at the stuff on protegegarage.com. For the BBKs Stoptech or Rotora. And for the EBCs the Slotted and Vented ones. I also just noticed that protegegarage has a 4 wheel BBK of their own. I'd love to know what people's experiences are with this kit.



I've only used Koni Adjustable struts in the past, how do the Tokico's compare? depends on how personal you got with your koni's. the tokico's are fantastic struts though, blues and illuminas

Is there a lowering spring preference among the group? In the past I've been known to just cut off a coil or two :) again what do you want from your springs? style or performance or a compromise?


I think I'm pretty sold on the Tokicos. Probably the illuminas when I have the cash. For the springs I'm looking for style and performance. I know I don't want coilovers but something that will drop it an inch or two and firm up the suspension overall.



I have questions on the intake with regard to Drop In K&N vs CAI vs SRI but I may save that for another thread. I think I may just go with the Twin-Charger for now or a K&N drop-in for now. I can't seem to find a general consensus on SRI vs CAI. Neither will matter much should I decide to turbo (low boost) in the future. im a fan of cai :P

I went ahead and ordered the Twin-Charger from Protephile. I figured it's probably better than a K&N drop in and will do the trick for now.

This week I ordered the Washer Nozzles, Antenna and Air Filter. I'm going to pull off the side moulding this weekend and install a new horn. I'll also probably re-wire the fogs to be independently switchable. I was going to get it tinted last week but am now waiting a little bit.

Thanks again for your responses.

-peel

[ProtoType5]

Hey quick heads up for the bar situation..

The stock bar is as good as all the aftermarket...and it is a solid piece which is more stable than those with the bolt joints...The only one that is better is the 3-point one, which as stated require the loss of A/C...and it'll take you into a different braket for SCCA autocross events...

The rear bar can be had by using a 93-96 MX-6 rear strut bar from e-bay for like $20 to $30 bucks...or check Corksport.com for another inexpensive option around 60 or 70 bucks..

You'll want to replace the rear swaybar and endlinks when you switch the struts...Look at the Progress 22mm or the AWR 21.5mm both great..Front swaybar switch is not really worth the work involved.

Springs...Espelir are what I run...and what with research I felt are by far the best...The front are linear which is great for turn in response in corners, and the rear are progressive for a good balance of comfort and control. The spring rates are not over aggressive and match well with the HPs.. The drop is even at 1.4" front and rear..and they are usually under $200

Good tires are also the #1 improvement in handling...

Welcome...