MSP Build: Little Update.
 

Marko's Mazdaspeed Protege

--Background--
I bought the car back in 2005 with 25k on it, and for a good deal at the time. I was always a fan of the MSP form the day it came out and always knew I would own one. I couldn't be happier that I bought it and still have it today. Its different and unique in more ways than I ever thought imaginable, and that's why I like it.

--Leave it alone--
I couldn't. Even though the MSP is an awesome car to start of with, I knew there was things I could improve on. I started doing basic stuff like FMIC, and exhaust. Later on I realized the drawbacks and downfalls of the stock ECU so I upgraded to a Microtech EMS and also did some fueling upgrades. Gauges and some interior bits were also in order to make things a little nicer. Suspension was also not left forgotten and things were upgraded and replaced to stiffer aftermarket parts. Next inline will be getting the engine done as well as turbo upgrades.

--The Goal--
The MSP build is focused on it being a fun/quick track car, but with the ability to still be street driven if I want. I don't really care much about straight line speed and max power, but rather a very well balanced car.

--Current Engine Mods--
-AEM CAI
-Perrin FMIC
-Greddy Type S BOV
-Stock Intake Manifold Ported and VICS/VTCS Removed
-MAM Exhaust Manifold
-Corksport S-Pipe
-Apex Motorsports Downpipe
-Greddy SP2 Catback
-Jay's Racing Fuel Rail-NI
-Seimens 550cc Injectors
-Walbro 255lph Pump
-Aeromotive Fuel Press Regulator-NI
-Microtech LT10 EMS
-J&S Safeguard with Bosch Knock Sensor
-Inegral Performance 268/268 Cams
-Kasmankk Adjustable Cam gears
-Focus Adjustable Cam gears
-AWR/Ron Davis Radiator with Fan Shroud
-Samco Coolant Hoses
-Stant Lower Temp T-stat

--Current Drivetrain Mods--
-OEM Differential- Welded
-Neo Trans Fluid
-AWR Front and Rear Motor Mounts
-AWR Driver & Passanger MM Inserts
-RRacing Motor Mount Inserts
-Kartboy Short Shifter
-Kartboy Shifter Bushings
-Kartboy Exhaust hangers
-Corksport Shifter Bushings
-Corksport 3rd Link Shifter Bushings
-Stoptech Slotted Rotors
-Hawk HPS Brake Pads
-Goodridge SS Brake Lines
-H&R 15mm Wheel Spacers

--Current Suspension Mods--
-AWR Coilovers w/Bilstein Shocks
-AWR Front Camber Plates
-AWR Rear Strut Mounts
-AWR Adjustable Endlinks
-TSSFAB Adjustable Rear Link Kit
-GT-Spec Trunk Cage
-GT-Spec Lower Tie Brace-NI
-GT-Spec Lower 4 Point Brace-NI
-Corksport Front Strut Bar
-Pedders Front Control Arm Bushings-NI
-Pedders Trailing Arm Bushings-NI

--Current Misc--
-Greddy Profec II- EBC
-Apexi Turbo Timer
-Defi Boost,EGT, Water Temp, Oil Temp & Oil Press Gauges
-J&S Safeguard Knock/Retard Gauge
-AEM Wideband


--Future/In the Works--
-more to come-

Some Pics

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...2ec11f8c_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/...a5cdfe9a_z.jpg



http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4118/...98b93bf6_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/...5d5b9317_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/...7311eccd_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/...55fa5ae4_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/...6d2184e8_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4140/...9cb7280c_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/...78ff8cf1_z.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/...1190d013_z.jpg

LGT Killer

And some more pics.
http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/9011/dsc00170017.jpg http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/d...jpg/1/w640.png

Also got a Perrin FMIC cause the stock smic was heat soaking like a mother.
http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/8461/dsc00531z.jpg http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/d...jpg/1/w640.png
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/6485/msppic2.jpg http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/m...jpg/1/w640.png

I also went to RT Tuning to get the Microtech tuned. We went with a pretty conservative tune, mainly because I didn't want to push it too much. That and the fact that it was running so rich you couldn't rev past 4.5k. So much of the 2 hours of tuning was spent leaning out the fuel curves and making them look more presentable.
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/3345/dyno.tif http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/dyno.tif/1/w640.png

Also got a few new gauges. etc...
http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/2476/msp001mstanic.jpg http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/msp...jpg/1/w640.png
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/4...022mstanic.jpg http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/m...jpg/1/w640.png

Some random pics:
http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/6264/picture0187oj.jpg http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/pic...jpg/1/w640.png
http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/743...01212113bs.jpg http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/pic...jpg/1/w640.png

It was eventually going to happened.. My oem LSD took a **** so I replaced with a new OEM welded LSD... The thing I didnt know was that I would have to replace it again after like 6 months, because IMPO bent me over without KY, and said come again.
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/9700/1004943.jpg http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/1...jpg/1/w320.png

MOAR pic please!!

I use to work for Circuit City and they used my car for a weekend as a demo car, so I got to drive around with bass for a week.
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/5...yofimg1815.jpg http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/c...jpg/1/w320.png
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7...yofimg1806.jpg http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/c...jpg/1/w320.png


I also did a bunch of other stuff along the way, such as custom Integral 268/268 cams, that were never installed because we needed to grind a part of the head to make the clerances right, and I was broke and couldn't afford to take the head off to do so... Plus if Im going to take the head off might as well do internals and other work as well.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/4893/img4602.jpg http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/i...jpg/1/w320.png

The newest mods to the car are AWR Coilovers, and new brakes.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/9...yofimg1934.jpg http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/c...jpg/1/w320.png
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/7774/awrr.jpg

I like these. Wish they were AWD tho.

nice man, i just picked up an 03 Spicy oragne mica for a daily, i wish it was a 03.5 lol

car is looking good

i would buy one of these if i could find one in my area...

what kinda numbers were you putting down stock, and what you putting down currently ???

Stock they put down like 140-145whp. Currently I have no idea what im putting down. I would assume somewhere in the 200whp range. I waiting to do a few more things over the winter before I get it retuned in the spring.

I actually picked the car up today from LIP and RT Tuning. The coils were getting aligned and the front DG motorsports lip painted.

I miss my MSP everyday, good to see you still own yours. I met you once or twice in NE philly when i had mine (Ti grey, powdercoated black racing harts). Yours ran strong then, and it wasn't like mine wasn't modded, so i'm sure yours moves pretty well now.

lol at the pic with your back wheel sticking up in the air, that always happens to me when ill pull into my driveway at an angle like that because of my coilovers, except i have AWD and my tire spines :)

Yeah I remember, we did like that one roll. Good times.. What you driving now??

mazda 626, had to keep it in the family. Yea we had one roll and played around little more but i couldn't hang lol :(
miss that car

aw man....my twin. ;-)

too bad you're quicker. you'll probably be doing numbers in the 220+ range, considering i dyno'd 210whp with less work than you.
nice car though! we should do some photos soon!

ps...you should post pictures up of your new stance, i heard the car looks amazing on the new suspension setup!

Were you at RT the other day?? I thought you were but I could actually believe that I saw justinlansdale in person.. lol Actually i wasn't sure if it was you, so I did say anything. I'm down for some photos too.

pics coming soon

This car looks pretty sweet. Good tasteful mods. I like it!

love these cars...very nice man and post some updated stance pics!!

As I mentioned earlier I got the AWR coils installed and aligned. I knew the ride was going to be a little stiff for a daily, before I even got the coils, but they aren't that bad. As of right now I need endlinks, because my stock endlinks are too short in the rear and a bit long in the front. So I ordered the AWR endlinks, which should be getting here sometime next week. Once they come in, Ill be taking the car back to RT to measure and spec everything and adjust the endlinks as needed.

As far as pics, that might have a wait a bit, cause its not a daily anymore. But Ill try my best to at-least post pics of the stance.