I just got a 99 Mazda Protege LX, and I'd like to get started modifying it right away. I'm making plans for a cold-air intake and performance muffler, but I'd like to boost the engine's power soe as well. Now, I'm 17 and work at MacDonalds, so I don't exactly have a surplus of money, so any suggestions on performance upgrades for the engine with a good price to power ratio would be appreicited. Thanks.

 

there aren't any. Hate to burst your bubble. Given a CAI, cat-back exhaust, headers you'd be lucky to pull ~15hp out of it and that's about $500+. The only way to get more power out of our engine is to turbo it or do an engine swap to the 1.8, possibly the 2L.

 

Haha!! I'm buying biknmans turbo kit!!! I should be getting close to 200whp!!! muahahahahahaaaa!!! hardly budget tuning though...$1500 plus whatever i spend on intercooler parts plus $300 on a new ACT 1 clutch..then new urethane motor mounts ala biknmans chepie technique for about $60 then about another $600 for the Mazdaspeed suspension!!! when I'm done it will be one badass 1.6L Protege though.....DX-T!!!! haha!!

 

What about a new set of headers? Is this possible for the 1.6L engine, and if so, about how much would this cost?

 

AWR is working on a header for the 1.6 as we speak.

 

you want budget performance?

1. advance your timing-free
2. buy an cone intake filter and adaptor-$20-E-Bay
3. muffler-$50 for a cheapy
4. start saving for a turbo.......or start getting ready to pay mad $ for little hp return.....

 

 

You have the option of either a AWR header @ about $500 or a aerospeed for about $200

If you want a name brand Intake youll have to go with Injen. Or you can modify your stock airbox.

You can get a cheapy muffler if you want sound only (poopie sound at that) You get what you pay for. You can get good flow but not really HP.

Nitrous is always good.

Youll enjoy any suspension mods, wich I would do first.

Unless your going turbo Id leave the ignition alone. You cant do much to upgrade the 1.6 ignition.

 

Just go for looks, because the car will never be fast.

Get some rims, sound system, dvd...that way you can get the girls attn

The 1.6l dynos stock at 77hp. YUCK!!!

With exhaust, intake, and headers, you'll only pick up AT THE MOST 20hp. Which puts you at 97hp. Whoopdy F@ckin Doo!!
At this point, you have already spent $600-$700 and you are still slower than a stock 2.0l protege and not to mention mostly all other cars on the street.

Say you do go turbo. You will have to spend almost $10k just to reach close to 200hp, which is a joke for that amount of money.
Well, unless you got lucky like Macdaddy. That turbo took a lot of time and money. He's getting it for an awesome price.



I'm not trying to get you down or discourage you, but putting money into the engine is a waste unless you have extra dough to spend. If I were you, I would go all show. Well, actually I am going all show, especially since I got my SE-R w/sr20de-t

 

correct.

and blue put it best... and i've already got the little adapter for the stock air box that i cut off a while back using a dremel tool. if anyone wants it. its theirs.

 

not by much, but I was actually thinking of the MP3 when I said 2.0...lol

But I still say, AAWW them with the show. Exactly what MIAProtege (Danny) and Tim is doing.

http://www.protegeclub.com/forum/sho...threadid=28027

 

10k are you smoking crack. 2k for a turbo setup, and you can reach 180 with proper tuning. now do some weight reduction, a nice clutch, good high flow exhaust, and you haqve one mean car. i purched a full turbo kit, for alittle over 2k. yeah its totaly custome, but hey if you want power.
Ben

 

With all do respect, I would like to see that. 2k won't even get you 180whp for the 2.0l Then adding other things as you mention; stronger clutch, performance brakes, tighter suspension/axles, etc...= more $$$

The only way you can get 180hp for 2k is if you have the know-how and can customize the equipment yourself.


Bikman spent a lot doing his custom turbo and it was WAYYY more than 2k. I can assure you that and he was just under 200hp.

 

yeah he spent alot of money, because he was the first one to do it, and had to find out what works. alot of dyno time, trying to work the bugs out. so thats gonna cost you. i have the same turbo setup as his original one. and spent no more than 2k. yeah it wont be at 200whp. but its possible. now if were talking fly wheel hp yeah he was over 200. but that doesnt count.
Ben

 

Yes, but you did yours yourself on your own. Not all of us are that knowledgeable about engine work. If you can, point me to a performance shop that will build me a turbo system good for 165whp for only +/-$2000. Coming from a car that only puts out 77hp stock.

I do love my pro, I just think that going for show will be easier and more substance for the money.