Kev's JDM 1997 Protege

[irishkev90]

Cleaned the garage in preparation for suspension work. I also have newlower control arm bushings and sway bar end links sitting downstairs. I'll replace that stuff too, since I'll be under there anyway.

Took the JBWeld blobs off the hood and now have three holes. Engine bay cooling vents? Hahaha.

[FE3-323]

pics or it didn't happen

[irishkev90]

Monster truck time!









I didn't take into account the stiffness of the springs when I adjusted the height. The front brake lines were a pain to hook up. The bracket they came with would have caused the line to rub on the wheel. So I cut it, bent it, and clamped it between the spindle and mounting point for the coilover. Holds the line in place perfectly. No such problem on the rear, the straight brackets worked much nicer. Wish they gave me four of those. No clearance issues and the ride much nicer than the GR2/RS*R combo that was on the car before. I have them set at 14 clicks, so a little on the soft side.

Front sway bar bushings need to be replaced, but that requires dropping the subframe because there's no way in hell I'm getting anything in there to unbolt the brackets.

[irishkev90]

Just for ****s and giggles, I calculated this thing's 0-60 mph time based on a rough 0-40 mph time (speed limit was 40 mph). Foot on brake, holding revs around 2,000rpm, shifted from first to second around 5,000rpm. I got about 8.4 seconds to 40 mph, so that gave me a calculated 0-60 mph time of around 12.6 seconds. Apparently a 1995 LX can get to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds, but I don't know if that's manual or auto.

Either way, the Challenger Hellcat will finish a quarter mile before I even get to 60 mph, hahaha.

[Foofighter8008]

I think my fastest to 60 mph in mine is 11 seconds, but that was back when I was having performance issues. It'll probably do it in 9.5 seconds now

[Kitty]

Just for reference C&D tested the 95 es(g series trans) and got 8.9 0-60 and the quarter at 17@82

The BG got 8.8 0-60 and the quarter at 16.6@90(~){couldnt find pdf of this one)

A jeep grand Cherokee can do 0-60 in 7.

If you're not turbo charging this chassis you might as well not discuss engine related performance.

[irishkev90]

Thanks for the tip, I guess. I was just curious. Wasn't bragging about anything. Turbocharging would be easier if it was BP-powered, but even then I might go a different route.

Anyway, I ordered an O2 sensor from rockauto. Packing list shows the correct part, but open the box and there's two Moog boxes. They sent me front and rear sway bar bushings for a Dodge Durango. Not even close, Rockauto. Not even close.

[GavGav]

Just for ****s and giggles, I calculated this thing's 0-60 mph time based on a rough 0-40 mph time (speed limit was 40 mph). Foot on brake, holding revs around 2,000rpm, shifted from first to second around 5,000rpm. I got about 8.4 seconds to 40 mph, so that gave me a calculated 0-60 mph time of around 12.6 seconds. Apparently a 1995 LX can get to 60 mph in 10.8 seconds, but I don't know if that's manual or auto.

Either way, the Challenger Hellcat will finish a quarter mile before I even get to 60 mph, hahaha.

Well at least you tried, I'm curious for the hell of it, but I'm afraid of pulling anything above 4k rpm for fear of simultaneous gasket failure everywhere on my 160k+ mile engine....

[GavGav]

Those k sports are beautiful, and your car in general is catch! Just wish there was the availability of performance parts to match

[irishkev90]

Well at least you tried, I'm curious for the hell of it, but I'm afraid of pulling anything above 4k rpm for fear of simultaneous gasket failure everywhere on my 160k+ mile engine....

My winter car has over 180,000 miles and beat the hell out of it when I drive it. Haven't changed the oil in over a year either, hahaha. Still feels more powerful than the '97.

Those k sports are beautiful, and your car in general is catch! Just wish there was the availability of performance parts to match

Thanks! I'm cleaning it today. Already washed and clayed, currently taking a break before I finish waxing. Then the interior needs to be done and the Ksports need to be lowered a tad.

[M323GTR]

How much did those puppys run you shipped

[irishkev90]

Just finished the car. Wash, clay, wax, windows, interior, vacuum, polished the door sills, and lowered the front 1.25 inches. Long day.

Oh! And the new O2 sensor did NOT solve my idle issue. Any ideas, guys? I'm running low on things to check/replace.

How much did those puppys run you shipped

They were $950 shipped from JPMotorsports.

[irishkev90]

Thinking about redoing the sound system in this thing. I have Alpine Type-S stuff in the '98 and love the sound. For this one, I'd get Type-R along with a 10"sub with a custom box. Priced it out on Crutchfield for around $1,300. My PayPal Bill Me Later limit is $1,800. The temptation is strong.

[M323GTR]

Dooooooo it lol gotta have bump i miss mine ive been thinking real strong about a sub again

[irishkev90]

I don't have a sub in either car. The 6x9s have some pretty good bass.