Project - Rum Runner

AzteCypher

black ops modifications..
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2001 Mazda Protege LX
This is more of a log as to what I've done to the car and hopefully to use the forum as a sounding board and as encouragement to continue with my project when finances and enthusiasm run low.

Please feel free to post compliments and constructive criticism.

This what the car looked like after I first got it almost 5 years ago.

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This is what it currently looks like.

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It's got some battle scars but I'm hoping to take care of that this year.

Current Mods:

Suspension: BC Suspension Coilovers, GT Spec Front Strut Bar, Front & Rear Racing Beat Sway Bar, AWR Adjustable Endlinks, Cusco Front Lower Bar
Drive Line: TWM MPS Shortshifter, KartBoy Shifter Bushing, Corksport SS Clutch Line
Brakes: Corksport SS Brake Lines, Centric Rotors, 2000 LX Front Caliper Swap
Engine: Simota SRI, Front & Rear Motor Mount Inserts, Hayame Catback Exhaust, OBX 4-1 header, KartBoy Exhaust Hangers, Mazdaspeed MX-5 Oil Cap, Mazdaspeed Radiator Cap
Wheels & Tires: Racing Hart C2 EVO 17 X 7.5 4/100 42 offset, Yokohama S Drive 205/40R17
Exterior: 323 EDM Badge, OEM Fog Lights, Front Lip, P5 Sideskirts, 2003.5 Mazdaspeed Rear Spoiler, Phillips Bi-Xenon HIDs, Luminics H3 JDM Yellow fog bulbs
Interior: Greddy Shift Knob, Carbon Fiber Shift Boot, Sony CDX-RA700 HU, Gauge overlays, Bezel rings, LED Conversion, Modified Gauge Pods, ProSport Gauges, Razo Pedals
 
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Looks alot better now. Very nice protege. Get up some current pics and show off what you got...
 
Well one of the first mods I did was a modified OEM airbox. I was broke but it gave me something to do. Whether it worked or not I'll never know but the car did seem to react a bit better.

My first worthwhile mod, in my opinion, was suspension. I've gone through three sets of suspensions. My first suspension kit was a set of Spool springs. Initially they didn't go as low as I wanted them to but I got them at a good price so I couldn't complain. While I was able to carve the corners a bit better the ride quality was not great to say the least.

After several months I decided that I needed coilovers. So I saved up my pennies until I had enough and I bought me a used set of K-sport coilovers.

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The ride was definitely better than the springs and I could go even lower than before. I even got AWR endlinks which are waaaay beefier than the stock ones.

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All was well for a while until I broke and endlink. I broke several endlinks in the process of trying to figure out why they kept breaking. Along with this I ended up having to replace 3 of the 4 struts. The straw that broke the camel's back was when the bracket that held the endlink rotated causing the endlink to rub on the tire which caused me a flat on the road. Word of advise, make sure your spare has air. I check mine at every other gas fill.

Here is my opinion on these coilovers:

* They give you the drop you want/need but at a price. You need to maintain these coilovers. I think the reason my struts needed replacement was because they were from an original faulty production run. Can't prove it but that's my theory.

* You'll need to periodically check the bracket that holds the endlink in place to make sure it doesn't rotate and come in contact with your tire. And yes I did tighten the bracket to make sure it didn't move but I was afraid of overdoing it and stripping the allen head.

I think these coilovers would be great if you track your car often because odds are you'll be checking on your suspension setup almost every weekend.

Here's a pic of the ride height with stock wheels/tires.

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My current suspension setup is BC Coilovers. I've got nothing but good things to say about these coilovers. They handle great, inspire confidence, and aren't too bad of a ride for having that much adjustability. Word of advise, save your money and get these. I know they are pricey and it might take a while to save up the money but I wish I hadn't bought my first 2 suspension setups and just saved up for this one.

The pic at the top is with my 17" Racing Harts. I'm still using my AWR endlinks which are pretty stout and haven't failed me since I switched coilovers.
 
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One of my next mods was a catback exhaust. Nothing was made specifically for the 1.6L but I was pretty sure anything for the 1.8L or 2.0L After trolling the web I found a Hayame catback that was marketed as particular to the MP3.

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The piping has an inner diameter of 2 1/4".

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After checking out my shiny new acquisition...

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I decided to get out the old...

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and install the new!

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So a catback exhaust designed for MP3 does fit the 1.6L. I don't have any audio clips of the catback alone because I have also recently installed a catless midpipe which changes the exhaust note to a deeper growl.

I need to make a small video to demonstrate what this exhaust can sound like.

Over all there is more of a change in exhaust note than horsepower because of the size of the engine. Don't get me wrong, the car still felt peppier after installing the catback but don't expect a "throw you in your seat" feeling. For that we'll be needing a turbo... eventually.
 
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Alright I dont' have many pictures of these mods but these were the ones I did next in line.

My old Ford Escort had a B&M short shifter so I figured I'd put one in the Protege. It felt great... for about 2 years. Then it seemed to bite the bullet like either the teflon ball stiffened up or something. I ended up tossing it out and installing a TWM short shifter and I've never had any problems again. It feels shorter than the B&M so my money's on TWM.

The brakes were starting to squeal so I decided to upgrade to some Centric drilled/slotted rotors with Posi Quiet Ceramics up front and the 2000 LX caliper swap up front. The rears got some Centrix shoes. I also upgraded all my brake lines to Corksport SS brake lines.

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While I was at it I also upgraded my clutch line to SS.

A few weeks later I decide to up grade my front and rear sway bars to Racing Beat ones and let me tell you, I felt a world of difference. Though I must say that installing the front sway bar was a pain in the @$$! I think it was more so because I didn't have all the proper tools at the time and a lift would've been nice or at least getting the car around 2ft off the ground.

Here's a shot of the of the stock rear swaybar next to the Racing Beat one. Notice the difference in thickness.
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Some where down the line I also upgraded my front and rear motor mounts with inserts. I ended up buying inserts for the 2.0L and they fit my 1.6L without any problem.

Front

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Rear

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Some where in between all this I ended up buying a GT Spec front strut bar from the forum. Definitely a very good buy.

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And I also installed a Cusco lower bar which I won't take a picture of because it's chewed to hell from riding too low on not so good roads.
 
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