MSP Falling Apart...Need new Parts...what should I do?

[LEXi73]

Today i went to go get my muffler looked at because a hanger broke again....on the way there the whole muffler fell off and was scraping the ground! after pulling over and toying around with it i finally got it off the kartboy hanger and into the back of my car. While I was getting a quote for them to attach it temporary I also told them to check the breaks.

The results:
Car back OEM replacement = $550 or Ax back with OEM muffler = $250
- The cat back portion looked ok with only a little rust.

Breaks:
fronts are at 45%
Rears are at 90-95% and need to be replaced. The rear rotors need to be replaced also. Total for rear breaks and Pads = $325


After seeing this i jumped on protege garage and did some quick research.
I can do the rear breaks myself for $200, and replace the exhaust myself also, although if i was going to spend $500 on a catback I would get a full exhaust.

So I'm looking to what you all think is the best option. I'm going to probably keep the car for about another year or more...not sure yet.

I was looking at the Vibrant 3 inch turbo back on protege garage and also getting breaks also....if I replace the rear i might as well upgrade the front too correct???

so any thoughts, opinions, options, etc...(boom01)

[dstmsp03]

i upgraded both front and rear brakes.. but brakes arent a worry if you arent looking to build alot of power.. brakes for this car were good for OE spec.. may want to just replace with that...also as for exhaust.. tb is the way to go.. just my thoughts though..

[msp35]

Really you should be able to get a much better price on the exhaust @ a midas. Catbacks are normally advertised for 150 on dual exhaust trucks.
An axleback shouldn't be any more than that.
stock rotors constantly warp on the msp. There are a good set from Magnum on ebay i picke up some time ago. Drilled or slotted I can't remember.

[mp3-79bronco]

go to oriellys and you can do the rear brakes for like 40 bucks....

the cheap crap works fine....i run it and have no probs...

i payed like 11 bucks a rotor for the back and like 20 for the pads....

no warping or anything....stops just fine too...

[Matrix]

stock rotors constantly warp on the msp. There are a good set from Magnum on ebay i picke up some time ago. Drilled or slotted I can't remember.


If that isn't the biggest understatement of the year, I don't know what is.
I've got 83k miles on my MSP and the rotors have warped for the 3rd time. I will also be replacing them with Magnum drilled rotors.

[yashooa]

If that isn't the biggest understatement of the year, I don't know what is.
I've got 83k miles on my MSP and the rotors have warped for the 3rd time. I will also be replacing them with Magnum drilled rotors.


Well I have hammered the crap out of my car and I still have the same rotors that came on the car! 140,000 miles now with the stock original pads on the back, EBC reds on the front.

(2thumbs)

And I have done many 100+ MPH runs.

[Matrix]

Well I have hammered the crap out of my car and I still have the same rotors that came on the car! 140,000 miles now with the stock original pads on the back, EBC reds on the front.

(2thumbs)

And I have done many 100+ MPH runs.


Are you serious? I had stock OEM replacement rotors with EBC Green Stuff pads and those pads ate through the rotors in only 20k miles. If I recall correctly, aren't the Red Stuff pads the most aggressive ones that EBC makes? I can't imagine how you got them to last 140k on stock rotors. (huh)

[BOOSTR]

Highway driving primarily I suspect. Stop and go city driving would not allow them to last that long. Either that or he has a different concept of brake pad wear.

[nvmsp]

I've never replaced my rotors.

and I only replaced all 4 pads once.

Got 57,000 miles

[zuku26]

Either that or he has a different concept of brake pad wear.

Yeah... like the calipers rubbing the rotors is really how to get your ride to stop, plus there's no need for ricer flame throwing exhaust, when your sparking in the wheel wells!!!

I'm running the cross drilled magnums and hawk HPS pads, couldn't be happier!
see pics
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123703318&highlight=brakes

as far as the exhaust goes...I'm not sure I havn't gotten that far in my build. From the way it looks to me the stock racing beat isn't all that bad, it's what's going to it that may need some adjustments. I'm upgradeing my turbo, in the next week or so, and will most likely upgrade the downpipe, then.

[Matrix]

Yeah... like the calipers rubbing the rotors is really how to get your ride to stop, plus there's no need for ricer flame throwing exhaust, when your sparking in the wheel wells!!!

I'm running the cross drilled magnums and hawk HPS pads, couldn't be happier!
see pics
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123703318&highlight=brakes

as far as the exhaust goes...I'm not sure I havn't gotten that far in my build. From the way it looks to me the stock racing beat isn't all that bad, it's what's going to it that may need some adjustments. I'm upgradeing my turbo, in the next week or so, and will most likely upgrade the downpipe, then.


I'm getting the Magnum rotors very soon, but if you don't mind my asking where did you purchase your Hawk pads from? Thanks. (thumb)

[Jasonboy]

If you plan to sell the car in a year or two I would try to keep the car stock. I'm sure you could find a good used stock msp cat back for sale. Heck if you want to wait I will sell you mine once I get my exhaust ( when ever that may be )

[zuku26]

I'm getting the Magnum rotors very soon, but if you don't mind my asking where did you purchase your Hawk pads from? Thanks. (thumb)

Ken and protegegarage

[LEXi73]

great discussion all....good information here. Ill take a look at the Magnum rotors and possibly replace mine with these.

These are the type you all got?? (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Magnum-drilled-rotors-Mazda-Mazdaspeed-Protege-02-03_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33564QQihZ025QQitemZ 380040095178QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW)

Ill look at the hawk pads also...

ill try and take a look for a muffler option.

[lowpro35]

http://l.yimg.com/g/images/spaceball.gif

[Perro del Sol]

Here is another source for pads, rotors and the like. As far as HAWK pads, I have not found a cheaper price anywhere, including national stores like Summit Racing, give these guys a try.


http://www.raceshopper.com/

Great customer service and they always have the pads in stock.

[LEXi73]

thanks for the link.....i think im going to get some cross drilled rotors and hawk pads.

[yashooa]

Are you serious? I had stock OEM replacement rotors with EBC Green Stuff pads and those pads ate through the rotors in only 20k miles. If I recall correctly, aren't the Red Stuff pads the most aggressive ones that EBC makes? I can't imagine how you got them to last 140k on stock rotors. (huh)

Lots of engine braking :)

[yashooa]

Highway driving primarily I suspect. Stop and go city driving would not allow them to last that long. Either that or he has a different concept of brake pad wear.

True true.

[ping]

You can actually run a no-muffler setup from the axle back, sounds good and not too loud, actually. Once upon a time there was a guy running under the name High Strung Motorsports that made these for $100... he's long gone now, and so is my MSP, unfortunately.... The turbo gives a bunch of quieting... that, or have your local muffler shop fab something up, a good guy can take care of you for cheap.