Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Where to start for performance tuning

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    Where to start for performance tuning

    Hello,
    New to the club and have my first question.
    Where do I start when it comes to deciding to "performance tune"?
    I have a 1997 Mazda Protege LX 1.8L Automatic.
    The car has 145 000 kms and is in pretty great shape.
    The only mod thus far is a cold air intake and some Iradium spark plugs.

    Can anyone suggest what to do next?

    #2
    First things first,5spd tranni swap. then do the exaust. Headers(if you don't want to boost that is). Then start doing suspension upgrades along with brakes. There's a good start. Good luck and welcome to clubprotege.
    1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
    1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
    2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
    2010 VW routon

    Originally posted by jay
    .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

    Comment


      #3
      I agree with Turpro here... the best performance modification you can do for an automatic protege is to swap in a 5 speed. Having less parasitic draw from the transmission on a small engine like ours makes a huuuuge improvement. Also, a lightweight flywheel will make this improvement even MORE noticable.

      Also, the classic B-code VAF swap from an RX-7 will give you a few horses up top with minimal cost. This is a worthwhile modification if you're not planning to go standalone or anything radical like that.
      Ask me about engine management!

      Comment


        #4
        hes got a 97 so the vaf swap will not work
        Escort GTR -- 11.87 @ 117.6 mph -- 320 HP / 325 Ft. Lbs. @ 23 PSI
        ... The first FWD BG with a Toyota E153 transmission conversion in the USA!
        Looking for BP x Toyota E153 adapter plates? PM me or contact me on Facebook: Riel Performance Parts

        Comment


          #5
          balls, didn't notice that

          wellllll the 5 speed swap might not play fair either then. The computer would probably wonder where the hell it went. Not having done this on a more recent Pro, I have no idea if this is the case though.
          Ask me about engine management!

          Comment


            #6
            Yea,when I said "swap in a 5spd" I ment changing the tranni,ecu and whatever else that would be involved in the swap. That is a good idea if you do the tranni swap to do a lightweight fly and at a minimum stage 1 clutch.
            1993 Protege LX-Midnight's shadow SOLD
            1996 Honda CBR600-Wrecked. Damn Honda crippled me
            2002 mazda MPV-family truckster SOLD
            2010 VW routon

            Originally posted by jay
            .....they totally underestimated the number of gearheads such as myself that have families but refuse to grow the hell up and stop playing with cars, or that otherwise see the utility of having 4 doors. Obviously I ain't alone, as there are a helluva lotta sti and evo here. Bueler? Beuler? Mazda? Mazda?

            Comment


              #7
              Thanks

              I really appreciate the super fast responses.
              I am not very familiar with the abbreviations that are used, could you please dumb it down for me as I am a real newbie to the auto world. Where could I find a tranni and is it possible to change it to a 5 speed automatic?
              Thanks again, you are swell fellas.

              Comment


                #8
                junkyard would be the place to find the 5 speed tranny's....or here on club protege.....and they were talking about a 5 speed manual transaxle swap...not a 5 speed auto swap....and good luck with the car and welcome to the site.
                Some people see things that are and ask, Why? Some people dream of things that never were and ask, Why not? Some people have to go to work and don't have time for all that....

                "If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough."
                - Mario Andretti


                looking for gtx turbo parts...have them?? pm me

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by matt_fulghum View Post
                  balls, didn't notice that

                  wellllll the 5 speed swap might not play fair either then. The computer would probably wonder where the hell it went. Not having done this on a more recent Pro, I have no idea if this is the case though.
                  wow... that dude said "balls"
                  i thought i was the only one to say that!
                  woot!

                  Built Ford tough, with Mazda stuff.
                  __
                  rAN: do you know the forum standard sig size?
                  turpro93: How big you want it lol
                  turpro93: There isn't one
                  turpro93: Just try not to make it too big
                  rAN: lol thats the thing, i dont want it big at all
                  turpro93: Sounds like a personal problem lol
                  rAN: rofl! bastard :D
                  turpro93: That's going to be a good sig
                  turpro93: Hahahahaha

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  X