Now that you are racing have you sign up for mazdamotorsport?
Funny you mention that, since I actually worked up the gumption to do it two days ago! I was a little dissuaded at first, since I'm not a member of the SCCA or NASA but I discovered the ability to elaborate my racing league.
And holy Jesus, this competition parts store is most likely everyone's wet dream for the Protege. It offers some ultra-rare parts that folks have been clamoring for!
Mazdaspeed 4-2-1 Protege header:
QBJ1-13-450 (JDM MSP number) is listed at 1,470 bucks
FS9P-13-450A (Mazda catalog number) is at 779 dollars
Never knew there was a difference between the two, since apparently they're priced differently.
Mazdaspeed Chromoly Protege flywheel:
FS9P-11-500 is at 254(!!) dollars
Of course, there are some other parts I'm forgetting about...wasn't there some sort of rare hood that these cars came with at some point? Shoot me some part numbers of parts that rare, and I can look them up to see if they're still for sale. I'd imagine that I can find some special J-Spec cams for this car, too.
Damn guys, I just opened up a new world for parts! Seems like every other rare part people have been trying to get their hands on here is right there, available for sale. Yet, these parts are way out of my reach. Why must I be tormented by so many tempting money-wasting opportunities?! lmao
Cool. Glad to help out. Everyone says to not use the exhaust manifold gasket or donut that it comes with too.
Figured as much, since the gaskets that come with these performance parts tend to be crap anyways. Thanks for the help!