I have a '99 LX, 1.6, and I've had it for a couple years. It's been back forth accross the country and served me well. Today it rolled past the 100,000 mile mark. 100,006 to be exact and it's time to freshen her up.

My goals are:
- increase low and high RPM power
- drop it an inch or two, update suspension and put on some nice rims
- switch to four wheel disc brakes and increase brake size.
- freshen the exterior with some ground FX. Probably just a lip kit, skirt and tail. New front and rear light setups, to include fog lights.
- redo the existing grey and black interior to something more interesting. Update gauges and install interior neon.
- new stereo, and
- Modifying the automatic to make it a manual shift auto.

I have experience building and customizing older cars and trucks, but this is the first car that was newer than '78 that I have decided to take on.

I've been reading the forums and most people seem to be happy with a new intake and a better exhaust. What are the pros and cons of the available intakes, and how do you like the cat back exhausts?

I've seen that a lot of people are using the Eibach kits and was wondering what else works well for these cars. I'm not going to just heat the springs or cut them so we can leave that option out.

My big question though is has anyone converted the Mazda Automatic to a manual shift before. Not using a clutch but just set it up where you control when it shifts and it doesn't shift on it's own?

Thanks,
LB

 

you can go to www.nopi.com to see what they offer for a 1.6L...and also check out www.corksport.com

hope that helps!

 

there arent any kits to change the 99 DX auto to a sport shift if thats what you mean. You are better off swapping to a 5 speed. Only way to switch to 4 wheel disc and bigger brakes is by converting to ES rotors and calipers in the front and getting jspec hubs in the rear. Intake and Exhaust is a good power mod, although on a 99 1.6 Auto, it wont make a very noticeable differance. If you want real power check out wagner motorsports. they have a turbo kit avail for the 1.6L. Clear corners and APC tails are available on ebay for the best price. Body kits too. There are 3 available, not really a lip kit tho. Check out the Vader,EVO,and the Erebuni kit, also cheapest on ebay. new stereo is easy, nice and simple single DIN design so a new one should pop right in. Personally I think the best spring is off the MSP or MP3..only a .75 inch drop, but best performance wise IMO. If you dont find a MP3 or MSP owner with a set for sale, try racing beat, they sell them new. hope this helps

 

cold air intakes for 1.6 L proteges cost less than $70 after shipping on ebay. The guy who sells them is in california, so shipping will be cheaper for you

 

no advatage to be had with modifying your automatic. If you're serious about speed though you could contact Level10 and see if they can make a torque convertor for you. I had one made for my pinto and I dropped .3s in the eight mile...just from replacing the torque convertor.