2003.5 Mazdaspeed Protege Upgrades!

J

jerseymods

Member
:
2003.5 Titanium Grey MSP
So my dad finally passed down the Titanium gray MSP he bought back in 2003. It has been given to me with only about 26k miles on it. Everything is completely stock since the day it came from the dealer. Ive been looking around the forum for the best upgrade to put on this car, but have only been finding posts that date a while back. Its 2013 and I want to know what is the best bang for my buck which anything I upgrade. Im open to any suggestions. My main goal is to obviously get more juice out of this baby. Thanks

-Proud owner of a MSP :)

yiYVizhl.jpg
 
Welcome to Mazdas247, best mod for these would be suspension and bracing to start with, you have something rare already especially with that low mileage.
 
JDM323J48 said:
Welcome to Mazdas247, best mod for these would be suspension and bracing to start with, you have something rare already especially with that low mileage.
Click to expand...

Thank you! Would there be any specific parts that you would recommend for suspension upgrade? I dont need the latest and greatest, but more on the "reliable" and "built to last" type parts, if you know what I mean. Im 20 and have an IT internship. Im not making bank, but I am making decent cash(paid by hr). Just wanted to give you an idea of my budget i guess.
 
Cleverfrog said:
Just keep it stock. Maintain her instead of modding.
Click to expand...

That has came across me as well. My dad has maintained it stock for about 10yrs now, but things are boung to go bad. I believe I am starting to get the "Clunk" sound it the back, so I read that it should be a bushings replacement. I guess that is considered maintaing her, but I also though about doing a metal piping swap to increase longevity. Just need opinions on what should be done or not. This is my first car and she has been preserved in her original form, I dont want to screw it up.
 
Cleverfrog said:
Just keep it stock. Maintain her instead of modding.
Click to expand...
+1

jerseymods said:
That has came across me as well. My dad has maintained it stock for about 10yrs now, but things are boung to go bad. I believe I am starting to get the "Clunk" sound it the back, so I read that it should be a bushings replacement. I guess that is considered maintaing her, but I also though about doing a metal piping swap to increase longevity. Just need opinions on what should be done or not. This is my first car and she has been preserved in her original form, I dont want to screw it up.
Click to expand...

Welcome, Before you spend anything, read through the forums. There's alot of great info and can save you time, money and headaches. Personally I would only maintain and replace whats needed when needed and worry about upgrading at that time. If you want a horsepower machine, save up and/or it trade-in.
 
o0n8 said:
+1



Welcome, Before you spend anything, read through the forums. There's alot of great info and can save you time, money and headaches. Personally I would only maintain and replace whats needed when needed and worry about upgrading at that time. If you want a horsepower machine, save up and/or it trade-in.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the incentive! MUCH APPRECIATED!
 
o0n8 said:
+1



Welcome, Before you spend anything, read through the forums. There's alot of great info and can save you time, money and headaches. Personally I would only maintain and replace whats needed when needed and worry about upgrading at that time. If you want a horsepower machine, save up and/or it trade-in.
Click to expand...

Did some looking around the forums like you have suggested butI have found a lot of the recommended part are no longer available.
 
jerseymods said:
Did some looking around the forums like you have suggested butI have found a lot of the recommended part are no longer available.
Click to expand...

this is the reason you should just keep it stock and replace things as necessary. if you have the clunk get some awr urethane bushings as they will last longer than the stock rubber ones. If you have the chance to get in on a clunk fix group buy go ahead, but i'm not sure if there is one active right now.
 
PSUENGR said:
this is the reason you should just keep it stock and replace things as necessary. if you have the clunk get some awr urethane bushings as they will last longer than the stock rubber ones. If you have the chance to get in on a clunk fix group buy go ahead, but i'm not sure if there is one active right now.
Click to expand...

I have the bushings just not to sure how to install on this car specifically.

And you all aree right. In just going to maintain her and replace things if necessary(supporting mods). I'm not getting rid of the car anytime soon. Just want it to last as along as possible. I think I already have a good start on that with only having 26k milage.
 
Last edited:
Buy another car keep it in climate controlled storage for 20 years and sell it for a rediculous amount of money. With 26k I would only drive it to car shows
 
What happened to having fun with the car? Simple bolt on's are a good starting point. Cold air intake, exhaust, SMIC with hard pipes etc. All allow you to go back to stock easily. Just keep the factory parts.
 
orangeade said:
What happened to having fun with the car? Simple bolt on's are a good starting point. Cold air intake, exhaust, SMIC with hard pipes etc. All allow you to go back to stock easily. Just keep the factory parts.
Click to expand...

Do you have any specific parts you would recommend? I don't want to do to much to the car. Want to mostly perform upgrades that will increase life of car.
 
I would recommend a split second air fuel controler the car will still maintain its stock apearance but be much more drivable and peppy and is also an essential part if you ever want to raise boost more safely
 
tweety2300 said:
Buy another car keep it in climate controlled storage for 20 years and sell it for a rediculous amount of money. With 26k I would only drive it to car shows
Click to expand...

I hope your joking.

drive the car and have fun with it. Even with 5 miles on the odo the msp won't ever be worth money. it just doesn't have any attributes that will make it collectible. maybe the mazdaspeed miata will be collectible, but even that isn't likely.
 
Nice I'm in the Woodbridge area I can always help out if u need it I would say just upgrade what goes bad like the smic switch that to a fmic
 
mazda3gboostin said:
Nice I'm in the Woodbridge area I can always help out if u need it I would say just upgrade what goes bad like the smic switch that to a fmic
Click to expand...

Thank man!

I was thinking about just swapping out old SMIC with ETS SMIC I believe. I have read that for a FMIC you have to cut the front of car if I'm not mistaken.
 
Please log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

S
Mazdaspeed Protege Shock absorber options?
Replies
8
Views
2K
shootz
S
A
Mazdaspeed Protege Idle issue…Help
Replies
8
Views
885
Awd405
A
E
Mazdaspeed Protege Idle issue
Replies
5
Views
1K
Stockspicy
S

Latest posts

Back