Hi everyone, I'm new here

[bidi]

Just wanted to say high.

I finally got my protege home (2thumbs)

It needs a lot of work, but I should be able to handle most of it...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010060.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010059.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010061.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010062.jpg

It got t-boned on the passenger side.
It's a DX with a 1.6L and 5spd trans.

Plans for this one will be mostly fixing it up and using it as a daily driver.
The only things that I might do in the future ...after fixing it up, are:
-Gauge cluster with tach
-Short shifter
-1, or 1.5" lowering springs
-mazdaspeed muffler

I already picked up some five spoke 14" rims, but I need to refinish them. I was thinking either silver, which would be kind of stock, or bronze/gold, just cause it goes nice with green.

[bidi]

Took a picture of the engine bay, too.
The ducktape will have to go :P

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010062-1.jpg

[00protegeracer]

good luck with the project.

[bidi]

Here are the rims I picked up..

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/rims002.jpg

They're really rough, but I got all 4 for $80.

Two tires are pretty much brand new,
and the other two are completely worn out.

Looks like two new tires, mounted and balanced
will run me just under $150, unless I find someone
selling a good set of used ones.

The rims clean up pretty well...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/rims003.jpg

...but takes around an hour per rim.

I think I'll refinish the center-caps in either black
or dark green... most likely black.

I'll do a few other minor repairs and maybe a few mods
while I'm trying to hunt down the elusive green doors with no power options :D

[katsmp3]

Welcome.

New member initiation is on the first/third thursdays of each month that also have full moons.

Enjoy the forums.. let us know if you need any assistance..
captain KRm has good prices on stock parts if you need any during your repairs.

[bidi]

Thanks, good to know

[edumspeed]

Your car reminds me the day I bought mine, only the hit was on the right front, but it was well hidden with a new painted bumper and silliconed headlamp. The wheels look nice polished and can't beat the enormous price tag!(yes)
Anyway, welcome! :)

[bidi]

Well, I started the repairs, and also put the rims on, but I don't know if I like them that much...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/side012.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/side011.jpg

[bazooka joe]

welcome! you have lots of energy for sure! nice work so far...that heat shield can be bought new for cheap, but it could also be painted with so hi temp paint...i did mine an it lasted a good long while....engine bay cleaned up well...are you doing the body work too?

[edumspeed]

Looking better already! I noticed that you removed the duct that goes to the intake box. If you want some extra punch, buy a flexible APC duct and run it through the hole besides the coolant overflow tank all the way to the area that goes the black honeycomb shaped cover on the bumper. I ground mine to open the holes and retain the cover to keep away rocks and small animals getting inside it. That would give you a colder air source + ram air effect at speed. Believe me. it's a noticeable mod, specially at speed!

[edumspeed]

Well, I started the repairs, and also put the rims on, but I don't know if I like them that much...
At least they look better than the black steelies!

[bidi]

I'll be replacing the doors myself as soon as I find a set of green ones in good condition with no power options... which might take a while.

As for the quarter panel, I haven't decided yet. I guess I'll try it, and if I can't pull it out, hammer it out and bondo it myself, I'll have to take it to a shop to get it replaced all together.

I don't know if I'm going to keep the 14's either.
I might sell the stock steel 14's and the ones I just picked up, and then try to find something a bit bigger, something between 15's and 17's.

[bidi]

I initially removed the air duct so I could remove the upper radiator brackets. They are rusty as hell, so I took them off so I could remove the rust and repaint them... I hate rusty engine bays.

I might keep the air duct off, though. Doesn't it cause problems with the air flow sensor?
I found very little info on the 1.6 engine, and most of it says that it does not like mods... irregual idle, uneven power band, and othervise runs rough if moded.

[bidi]

I was really, and I mean REALLY tempted on putting these on...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/side009.jpg

but I have to sell them in order to fund the repairs.
It's kind of dumb to have nice wheels on a car that's othervise falling appart.

[bazooka joe]

love those wheels!

[edumspeed]

I currently have 16"s w 205/40r16 Marshall's with no fitment or rubbing issues. That's the best improvement on handlig, bigger wheels and tires.

[edumspeed]

I initially removed the air duct so I could remove the upper radiator brackets. They are rusty as hell, so I took them off so I could remove the rust and repaint them... I hate rusty engine bays.

I might keep the air duct off, though. Doesn't it cause problems with the air flow sensor?
I found very little info on the 1.6 engine, and most of it says that it does not like mods... irregual idle, uneven power band, and othervise runs rough if moded.
The rough idling issue is easily solved with the 2k Celica Maf. I did it yesterday and it works REALLY good. If I knew that it worked so well, I would have done it sooner(thinkbeer

[KZL_99ES]

...so how did you get your engine bay so clean?

mine looks worse than your first picture...yeah, that bad...

[edumspeed]

A gallon of good quality degreaser and a pressure washer, maybe :)

[bidi]

no, no pressure wash yet, although I will as soon as I get some other stuff done.

First I used compressed air to blow all the loose stuff off.
Then I rinced it off with a garden hose and sprayed it all down with some Gunk engine cleaner... except for electrical stuff, of course.
After rinsing that off, I scrubbed the engine with a spondge.
To finish it off, I sprayed the whole engine bay with WD40. It keeps it clean and prevents rust from forming... also helps to clean off some rust. It's also good for noisy belts, although mine are just fine.

[edumspeed]

1+ to the old and trusty WD40!

[bidi]

Just sold the 14's, so now I'm on a look out for 15"+

[bidi]

Here are those rusty, crusty upper radiator brackets...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay003.jpg

Got them ready for electrolysis...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay005.jpg

Took a lot longer then I thought...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay006.jpg

It's turned out pretty well...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay010.jpg

But a good ol' wire wheel is still my favorite...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay011.jpg

And here they are primed, painted and clearcoated. Also picked up some new nuts...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay012.jpg

And here it is all reassembled...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/enginebay014.jpg

Next on the to do list under the hood are:
-more scrubbing,
-replacing a few other rusty nuts and bolts,
-new battery cables, and
-a drop in K&N air filter.

That's all I can think off for now.

I'll also be hitting the junk yards this weekend to find the replacement doors

[bazooka joe]

nice work!! did you use SS nuts?

[bidi]

nice work!! did you use SS nuts?

no, but I really wanted to.
if maintained, these nuts don't really rust, just turn a dull silver color.
I used a few on my project car some five or six years ago, and they still haven't rusted. Just have to spray with WD-40 after washing the engine bay.

I'm also going to be picking up some '91 miata 14's.
Hopefully those will look good on it.

[bidi]

just did a few other minor repairs.

Replaced the old filter with a drop-in K&N...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010124.jpg

Here's the busted turn signal...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010122.jpg

And here are the replacements, thanks to Mazdawarbird...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010125.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010129.jpg

[edumspeed]

looking good already! (thumb) Good luck on your door hunt!

[bazooka joe]

man, you've been hard at work! looks great!!(bowdown)

[bidi]

Someone offered me to trade my watanabe rims for some 18's + the two doors that I need.

I'm very interested in the doors, but not too sure about the 18's ...actually I don't think they would be good for daily driving for many reasons.

Any input?

[edumspeed]

Someone offered me to trade my watanabe rims for some 18's + the two doors that I need.

I'm very interested in the doors, but not too sure about the 18's ...actually I don't think they would be good for daily driving for many reasons.

Any input?
Well, if I were you I'd take the offer. Use the doors and sell or trade the wheels. Post some pics and see if someone on the forums is interested on them. It's a win/win situation if u ask me.

[bidi]

Well, here's what the wheels look like...

http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk166/marc_20010/marcsparts003.jpg

But I'm obviously not selling them as of now since I do not have them in my possession.

[bidi]

Well, my gauge cluster came in today...
http://i18.ebayimg.com/01/i/000/cc/6f/62ca_1.JPG
It's out of a 2000 ES that was made in mid 1999, so I guess I'll find out if it'll work for me later this weekend.

As of now, it looks like I'll be picking these wheels up for it too...
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii259/chapin2331/4salehatch074.jpg
They're Honda Civic DelSol wheels, so I'll probably use them without center caps.
They are enkei rims, so I'll check if my generic enkei centercaps fit
I'll refinish them in a differet color, too.
I don't like black rims... look too much like steel rims.
I'll either do gunmetal, bronze, gold or silver.
I suppose the best look would be to polish the lip, clear coat it, and paint the spokes gold, but that would take a while.

[bidi]

Well, I picked up those DelSol wheels.
To me black wheels are just as bad as steelies, so I decided to refinish them in Graphite, and I'll probably run them without centercaps... or try to find some mazda centercaps that fit them.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/RaPhoto0001.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/RaPhoto0002.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/RaPhoto0004.jpg

[edumspeed]

a BIG improvement over the "ricer black" look!
As for the center caps, try filling the H with some good epoxy, sand them smooth, and put a M sticker or emblem glued to them, so you don't have to run without them.

[bidi]

Yeah, that whole black/sleeper look is nothing but new rice.
We'll see about the centercaps though.
I though about that too, but I want to put the wheels on first and see how they look.
If I don't like it, it's a lot easier to sell Honda wheels on a honda site with original centercaps. If I do like thow they look on the car, though, then I'll either fill these centercaps, or go to a junk yard and see if I can find just the round mazda centercaps to put in the center... still having it resessed in the middle.

[bidi]

here we go...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010146.jpg

[bidi]

Still haven't gotten to the gauge cluster, but I did a few other things last weekend...

First I did a bit more cleaning,
replaced all battery cables,
got some quick disconect battery terminals,
and new NGK spark plugs...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0007.jpg

Then I went to work on the foglights...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0004-1.jpg

I wanted them to be mounted in stock location,
so I decided to take the bumper off and remove the foglight delete plates.
This way I can have them resessed in the bumper, instead of sticking out like frog-eyes...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0003-2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0005.jpg

Since the bumper was off, I repainted the chrome part of the grill too...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0006-2.jpg

This is how it all turned out...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Front1.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0010.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0012-1.jpg

[KZL_99ES]

very nice!!!
those fogs look brighter than your headlights! lol
everything you do always looks so sharp and clean!
hope to see more!

[BadBandar]

Looks good. Great job. When u going to lower it? An ebiach prokit will make it look 100x better.

[bidi]

very nice!!!
those fogs look brighter than your headlights! lol
everything you do always looks so sharp and clean!
hope to see more!

Thanks,
They are brigher (silly)
I might have to pick up some silverstarts to replace my stock headlight bulbs.

I have some springs on the way, too.
Got a set of splash guards as well, but not sure if I want to put them on. The rear one's I'm not too concerned with, but I'm afraid that since the front ones will be touching the fender, It might start rusting around them.

I also started pulling out that danted up fender. It's already out far enough to where you can't see the tire, but I have to get the new doors before I can go any further... finding a set that matches the color is harder than I thought.

[bidi]

I hope to have the springs, alighnment and the gauge cluster done by Thursday :D

[edumspeed]

I hope to have the springs, alighnment and the gauge cluster done by Thursday :D
suspension drop yay!!:)

[edumspeed]

here we go...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/P1010146.jpg
yeah slam it!!!

[Chawk]

welcome aboard

[bidi]

I don't think it'll be slammed.
I'll be using MSP springs and front MP5 tie bar.

[edumspeed]

I don't think it'll be slammed.
I'll be using MSP springs and front MP5 tie bar.
Just kidding about the slamming! I personally don't like too low vehicles cauz of the road hazards that abound here. My car didn't lower that much,1-1.5" w the Goldline springs but sure looks alot better than stock "4x4 height".
Keep up the good work.

[bidi]

I put the MSP springs next to my stock DX, and they look about an inch shorter, but I think they're stiffer too, so it probably won't even be an inch drop... it's ok though, I have my civic lowered, and now I can't even drive it because of the ridiculously large potholes that no one seams to want to fix. Steep driveways aren't fun either.

For a second there I considered cutting the MSP springs a bit, but I'm really not a fan of cut sprins and from what I've read and heard, the ride quality is sh*t with cut springs.

[bidi]

Installed the MSP springs, but sold the del sol wheels, so it's sitting on 13" doughnuts all around... definetelly lowered :P

It'll be stock height when I put regular size wheels on it.

[bidi]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0010-1.jpg

doughnuts all around... I didn't even know I had so many of them laying around

[IukekiniProtege]

haha that looks so goofy, but nice job so far on the rest of the car the engine bay came out very nice. keep us posted on the progress of the car

[bidi]

Here are some newer pics...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/100_0321.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/100_0324.jpg

I picked up a set of 15" Borbet rims with 205/50-15 tires,
and removed the pin striping and DX badges.

[Viralphrame]

Take off those door moldings! :) Would look even sleeker than it does now.

[bidi]

If people were considered of others cars or if this wasn’t my daily driver, I would definitely take them off, but with all the a$$holes slamming their doors into other peoples cars, I’d rather have some protection.

Sticks and stones can brake my bones,
But …people that don’t respect others property annoy me

[D-rock240]

The moldings will only protect your doors from other small cars, won't protect you from SUV's. The biggest door dent I have came from an SUV while my side moldings were still on the car, but if you park far enough from everyone you'll be allright (haven't had any incidents since)

[edumspeed]

The moldings will only protect your doors from other small cars, won't protect you from SUV's. The biggest door dent I have came from an SUV while my side moldings were still on the car, but if you park far enough from everyone you'll be allright (haven't had any incidents since)
You're right about the fu**ing morons on SUV's. My protege has a huge ding on the rear driver's side door caused by the daughter of a young woman, while I was inside my car. when i got out and called the woman, she just kept going and ignored me, that dam bitch, so i took justice on my hands and made a really good scratch to her brand new then 06 Grand Cherokee Limited on her pass side fender all the way to the bare metal. I've wouldn't act like that if she had apologized at least, but acting like a mofo bitch was the thing tat pissed me off. I moved my car to another spot after that, through.

[edumspeed]

bidi, your car is an inspiration to me. It's looking really good with the hard work you've done to it.

[bidi]

Here's a few other thigns I did, but haven't been posting on here...

Replaced the crushed passenger side rear door...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/bodyworkPhoto2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/bodyworkPhoto3.jpg

Added Mazdaspeed front upper tie bar...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Enginebay.jpg

Replaced the temeramental OEM cd player witha a Pioneer head unit...
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Centerconsole.jpg

Changed the gauge clusters...
From stock '99 DX
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/100_0053.jpg

To 2000 ES with 99LX circuit board (otherwise it wouldn't work)
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/100_0054.jpg

Next on the agenda would be fixing the quarter panel, touching up the front passenger side doors, mudguards, and rear tints.

[KZL_99ES]

looking good!

[bidi]

Thanks,

Is there a better intake manifold I can use on a 1.6L?

[edumspeed]

Thanks,

Is there a better intake manifold I can use on a 1.6L?
As far as I know there isn't one. Maybe the ZL-VE is different, but I don't know. If you really want to get real power gains out of a 1.6L, go turbo. These engines are tough and love boost.

[edumspeed]

To 2000 ES with 99LX circuit board (otherwise it wouldn't work)http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/100_0054.jpg
?? My LX has that same cluster from the factory.

[bidi]

?? My LX has that same cluster from the factory.

Must not be a 99 LX. 99 clusters are very plain.
My brothers 2002 LX had it too, but this particular one came from a 2000 ES(nana)

[bidi]

Finally got to the quarter panel...

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0007-2.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0002.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f29/d16rice/Photo0003A.jpg

Hopefully I can start painting it no later than Wednesday.