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Mazda Protege Accessories and Modifications
What have you done, or wish to do, in the way of accessories and/or modifications on your Protege?
KarenS
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KarenS
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there is a site http://www.spoilers.com/ge/mazprot99.htm that has a body kit for us.
- PIAA Platinum white H4 bulbs 80w/80w actual (equivalent to 100w/130w halogen)
- J-Spec Clear corner lamps
- K&N Replacement air filter
- Bosch Platinum +4 plugs (isn't it funny how the "Platinum" theme has become so common for cars?)
- Factory mudguards, all four wheels
- Factory nosemask
- Factory cargo net
- Factory foglights
- J-Spec Sport20 Strut tie bar
- Tinted windows 35% in front/18% rears
- Dashmat (a necessity in Arizona)
- Additional carpeting to cover the EXPENSIVE factory floormats and in the trunk. I used rubber-backed all-weather carpeting in a dark gray color. It looks great!
Future mods:
- 17" rims and tires
- Thicker sway bars
- Upgrade the factory speakers/add subwoofer
Or I may just trade in my 2000 ES for a 2001 MP3 when it comes out. It depends on how well my new job pans out. :-)
Please let me know if you have any questions about the mods, I posted some about the strut bar in the Mazda Protege topic. It's not a mod for the "faint of heart".
Regards,
Pete
Was the jspec strut bar one you didn't need to modify to fit around the Cruise control or something? I am starting to get confused with the Alty board. someone needed some mod'ing.
Clear corners
Plasma Blue lights- looking to get the green.
LeBra
Viper 550 alarm system with encrypted remote start/lights/doors
Custom brushed alluminum pedals
FuelMax (haven't put it on yet, we'll see if it works)
I want to get and am searching for advice/information on...
Those European Tail light sets
Performance Ignition Wires
Performance Spark Plugs
Strut bar
Performance exhaust
moonroof
Fog lamps
I was looking for factory fog lamps. Any idea where to get them, how much and how difficult/Easy to install?
The Platinum plugs... I've heard good and bad things about replacing your factory plugs with afetr market ones. What are your thoughts on that? Also what about ignition wires. I was thinking that would be my next upgrade.
Anyone have tips on tinting?
just curious
H
and also, how are the qualities of these clear lamps, same as the original yellow lamps or a little more flimsy?
thanks
H
Unscrew the two plastic covers that are in the front of the vehicle where the fog lamps should go.
Wash them so they are really clean.
Lay out a few newspapers on the ground in a well-ventilated area
Use Chrome Enamel or Acrylic car spray paint (for bumpers & trim) and spray into a newspaper until you have a small amount of liquid paint coating a large enough amount of the newspaper. (not too much- you don’t want dripping).
Lay the face of the plastic covering that has the XX fence pattern down in the paint for a few seconds. Then lift. Too much paint will make the paint drip when you turn it over, so use small amounts of paint and go for a second coat when the first one dries.
The effect you are going for hear is that the XX pattern on your plastic cover will be silver or chrome on the very edged, and will look like metal grating. It’s a cool effect if you don’t have fog lights.
They are more flimsey, but not by much. They are both plastic. The factory orange ones have a clearer plastic (doesn't refract as much light). I have noticed that the clear ones don't fit as well. They go in just fine- nice and snug, but don't fill out the space as much as the factory
ones did.
I had to swap out my factory bulb sockets and water seals to get them installed. Very easy to do.
I just have another little request... may be asking too much given all the advices I have received from everyone... but can anyone that does have the clear lamps installed post a 'after' picture of the headlight+clear lamp. REALLY appreciated if anyone can do this.
many thanks in advance
H
(btw it's a slow day at work today)
Clear corners: They ARE LEGAL in Arizona and Illinois for sure. Think about this...Accords and the new Protege have clear corner lamps from the factory with orange bulbs inside. Why wouldn't it be legal to install clear lenses and orange bulbs on the Pro? Since I have the brighter headlights and clear corners, I had a police officer friend of mine check out my car and he stated that the orange color requirement is only for when the bulb is blinking, not when it's off. The running lights (front turn signal) IS ORANGE when the signal isn't flashing and therefore meets the LEGAL requirement for color. I did not get the aftermarket clear corners available on Procarparts.com, I got the original OEM Japanese Mazda parts from www.corksport.com. They are more expensive, but fit EXACTLY THE SAME as the original orange signal. I did have to use my original bulb socket with an orange bulb, but it fits PERFECTLY and I'd recommend it to anyone. I will try to get a picture of the installation later today and post the pic soon.
(I'm not upset, I just want to be clear) :-)
Regards,
Pete
And here is a pic of a HEAVILY modded Protege.
The first shows clear corners, if you can stomach it( from rest of the car I mean.)
and the second shows the altezza lights.
and if a cop stops you and cites you for the clear corners, he's just petty and getting a quota. Most places allow it as long as you have a yellow bulb.
Any info on getting (besides "fleabay") and installing those lights?
About the clear corners. I called the NYS DMV a while back when I was thinking about getting them... they said that turn signals (not parking lights - which coulb be seperate in some cars) have to have orange when ON or OFF. I think some car manufacturers get around this by offering a clear lense and then another orange lense in front of the bulb. I believe the new Protege's have that.
I agree though... if a cop stops you, it's because he needs to find something- which will never happen. Then you just paint them b!tches orange with a hilighter when he's not looking.
Regards,
Pete
silly question, the price they listed there is for the pair, not each, correct?
many thanks again
H
Regards,
Pete
You can see the orange bulb from straight-on. You can also see the fit is exact. I love the way they look!
Regards,
Pete
You can see how well the strut bar fits. In the second picture you can see where I cut the cruise control bracket just above the black mounting plates that stiffen the strut towers and provide a mounting surface for the strut bar, rather than just use two of the strut mounting bolts to attach a strut bar. IMHO it's a much better system, but requires some modification. The third picture shows the driver's side strut tower that did NOT require any modification. If you look closely, you can see some red paint coming through on the bar. It came with beautiful red paint that I decided to cover over with cheap silver/chrome paint. I will refinish it once I get to Chicago to fix that!
Let me know if you have any questions!
Regards,
Pete
btw, is it me or is this one of the best discussion board I've ever seen on Edmunds.com?
kudos to everyone
H
and yes this is the best discussion here.
I don't know what parts they are, but at least we know the companies...
Makers with protege parts
1. Jackson Racing Miata Supercharger (fits 1.8 liter ES protege)
2. Erebuni Body kit
3. Intrax
4. Suspension Techniques
5. Weapon R
6. Tenzo R
7. Arospeed
8. NOS (makes for everybody)
9. Pacesetter
10. corksport
11. J-spec
12. Mazdaspeed
13. Eibach
14. Sprint
15. HKS
16. Unorthodox Racing
17. indoxine
18. APC (altezza tail lights for 1999 and up protege's in 2001)
Only difference- the horizontile molding lines. I don't have those. Otherwize, I would say they are identical.
I think you ahave convinced me to do a strut mod- when it gets a bit warmer around here. I see you have the K&H sticker on the air filter box too.
Any thoughts on going for a custom intake system?
I have yet to put on the FuelMax fuel saver. The EPS put out some interesting numbers on how well it cleans up the emmissions (a result of greater fuel efficiency). If have some idea where to attack it, but want to make sure I get it in the right place. If you know where the inbound fuel line is, could you snap that?
EVERYONE. Keep an eye out for custom parts, accessories and mods for the Pro. If you see any deals or sites that carry parts, please post for the rest of us. If you make a modification (no matter how stupid) let us know- snap a picture- write a short guide on how to do it yourself.
No plans for custom intake. Nor can I help with the fuel line location. Best bet is to get the front of your car up on ramps and trace it forward from the fuel tank.
I like having the K&N air filter, even if just for the reusability factor.
Fog lamps were added at the dealer as part of my purchase, but the kit costs about $195 here in Phoenix. Wait til your dealer sends you a parts coupon for 10-20% off "do it yourself" type parts. Kbaer on the Prototech website installed his own. I didn't have to do that though.
Regards,
Pete
Looks like your windows have some nice tint. Can you share any ideas for someone who knows nothing about tinting?
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/maltbarley?d&.flabel=fld9&.intl=us&.src=ph&start=1
Click on the pic to enlarge.
Quite a link eh?
Regards,
Pete
If they indeed fit the same, then I'm in a big dilemma, paying less for an aftermarket version or get the OEM version for more than 2x the cost... dang.
the_big_h:
They are pretty tight. They don't move at all once they are in. They are locked into place like the OEM versions. The issue I had was with the left one. It didn't fit as perfectly as the original lamps. Maybe off on the top by 2mm. Nothing noticible at all.
Add into the cost of the lamps the price of two new 1157A orange bulbs ($3.99)
Been toying with the idea of getting a pair for my new 01 ES, I think they look pretty cool. Anybody else get them already, and if so, where? I've seen a number of people selling them on EBAY, but hesitant to go that route without a positive recommendation. Would rather order directly, and skip the whole bidding BS.
Thanks,
Steve
and do you REALLY want to be like every other Civic out there? There are Altezzas for Neons. Cavaliers, Chevy Astro Vans, pick-ups, etc... its old and played..
but it is your car, so do what pleases you, but IMO, they are ugly and not worth $210. get Strut bar or something...
I was thinking about upgrading my stereo system from the factory cassette/CD unit to the 6-disc CD changer. What do you all think?
I also was thining about the CD changer, as I had an aftermarket system in my old Audi. I really liked the convienence of the changer, much less of a hassle. I am getting used to using the single disk system, I find it not as convient, but not worth the extra money to upgrade. Plus, I'm under the impression that you can't have changer and tape deck, and I like having the tape even if it doesn't get used that often.
-Larry
Best CD to be played in my ES till date.
perfect sound.
(this is actually the "last" time the Eagles got together couple of years back..special night)
-Larry
1. at the K&N site they offered 2 varieties of their air filters: a stock replacement filter which only replaces the filter itself but not the box, and another filter kit that replaces the whole stock filter box. Any experience/ideas/comments regarding performance gains using these 2 types of filtering system?
2. This is more toward people that have K&N installed already: Is the improvement in performance noticeable? Any side effects like louder engine noise or extra vibration?
all responses appreciated
H
Once I opened it from the package I just knew that the quality was far better than any paper filter I have used before. the frame is not plastic, but a soft rubber-coated in oil. That means it provides a better seal and will last longer. It was a perfect fit. The filter came in sealed plastic and had a care manual and stickers to place on your car and on the air filter box- (to remind your servicer not to replace the air filter).
After installing I noticed smoother idling and a tad more horsepower (but I'm not sure, because it's so little). Looking at my gas mileage- it went up a bit, since I installed it, but I don't know if that's because it's K&N or because it was time to replace the filter anyways. I just feel better having a K&N filter in my car- so I feel it's more than worth it. Plus it will save you money in the long run because you can recharge them yourself.
conheady, where did you buy your filter, online or in a local store? You don't by any chance has the part # for it do you?
I'll probably buy a stock replacement if I can find it in the local store.
thanks
H