Patrick’s Mazda Protege:
“Passion”

Updates from 2008

Page 1 Introduction to the MP3
Page 2 How to Build a Protege
Page 3 Current Modifications
Page 4 About Me
Page 5 Random Photoshoots
Page 6 Mazda Meet Photos
Page 7 Miata (SOLD!)
Page 8 Friends High HP Mazdas
Page 9 Blog Updates from 2003
Page 10 Blog Updates from 2004
Page 11 Blog Updates from 2005
Page 12 Blog Updates from 2006
Page 13 Blog Updates from 2007
Page 14 Blog Updates from 2008

January 3, 2008: Winter parts buying spree!
Just went ahead and purchased a set of SuperTech Stainless Steel Intake AND Exhaust valves from Crossover Auto (Thanks, Sam!) It was a limited production run 1mm larger than stock to utilize the need for upgrading the valves. Also can run a dual spring setup with these. The set was $365 shipped. I'm awaiting mine to arrive from Texas. The features (taken from CrossoverAuto.com)
# EV8 Stainless Steel Intake
# EV16 Stainless Steel Exhaust
# Will require a valve job to install
# These will be 1mm oversize to fully utilize the need for upgrading the valves
# Limited quantities
I will eventually run the dual spring setup as well. Once the tranny is done (still being built as we speak in Chicago) I'll think about head work next winter. Woo!!
Also coming up- yellow Samco hoses! Stay tuned!

January 10, 2008: Valves galore!
Valves just arrived from Crossover Auto... thanks Sam!
Pics:



To be installed sometime in the near future.

January 17, 2008: Car cover arrives!
Check out my new CoverKing car cover! Custom yellow was the color I chose. It IS a custom fit cover. Ordered it December 27, finally got it yesterday, but its worth it!

February 4, 2008: GT Spec Suspension Goodies arrive!
Thanks to a fellow Mazda Protege owner, my "collection" of GT Spec suspension goodies has increased. I now own the rear Reinforcement Panel and V-Brace (orange) as well as the Front Lower Tie Brace. NOTE: I AM LOOKING FOR THE 4-PT LADDER BAR >>IN ORANGE ONLY<< AND WILL PAY WELL IF YOU SOURCE ONE FOR ME. (They are no longer made in orange). These parts will be installed once this snowy Michigan weather disappears. I am trying to make plans to attend Carlisle this year as well (May 9-11). So join in and head out there! Don't forget to check out The Mazda Forum (www.themazdaforum.com) to find out more and talk with other Mazda Enthusiasts!
PICS!

February 11, 2008: Mazdasport Magazine Feature!Remember last summer's photoshoot for Mazdasport Magazine? Jeff (the Editor) just e-mailed me telling me the issue had finally hit the press, and I made it in there and so did my tech write-up on the Rotora BBK I installed on my MP3.
Here is just a snapshot of the spread I got (KILLER!), the article, and the tech write-up

February 13, 2008: More GT Spec Suspension Goodies arrive!
Thanks to Dean S. of Cleveland, Ohio, I was able to add an ORANGE 4-Point Ladder Bar to my "collection" of GT Spec goodies! THANKS DEAN! It will be installed with the rest of the GT Spec Stuff!

Febuary 17, 2008: CarDomain Members Vote... and I RESPOND! Work that Members voted on NOW COMPLETE!
Remember the poll back in Summer of 06? I asked this:

Question: What Next?
Work on car audio (currently near stock) - (35.68%)
Beef up tranny! (Currently limited to 300whp) - (34.9%)
Cylinder head work so the engine can breathe better - (16.15%)
Looks like you've done a lot. Sell it. - (13.29%)
Total Votes: 384
Most voted for Car Audio, but that slows me down and I'm after speed. Maybe I'll do that next... But I listened!

Well first of all, if you're thinking about getting your transmission rebuilt after some issue, just remember- I've been waiting since August of 2007 for this to be all done... mainly because of the HUGE wait from HiBoost to mail me the gears. They looked marginal when they showed up, so we'll see how long they last. The Quaife is installed, the gears were installed, all internals are new (synchros, bearings, hardware) so I'm hoping this will last a while. BTW- In the mean time, I've found out its a GOOD THING I didn't waste my money on the Protege GTX gears. I've confirmed by someone using them that at high horsepower they are JUST AS LIKELY to fail as the stock gears... AKA they suck just as OEM gears do. Don't waste your money.
Without further adieu, check out the freshly rebuilt transmission pics below! THANKS TO KEN AT PROTEGEGARAGE for his immense help. He's such a great guy to buy from and a great asset to the Protege Community. BELOW:The "new" transmission ready to be dropped back in. Looks good on the outside, but whats inside is what ROCKS.

Protege OEM open differential FTL. Quaife is installed.

Synchros! I bet they hated life. They're trashed.

On left is THIRD gear. Notice TEETH MISSING. Ooops! On right... group shot.

Transmission bearing on the left and a closeup of the completed work at the right.

April 6, 2008: Transmission Installation Nearly Complete!
Well, after over a half of a year (nearly EIGHT months) I'm happy to announce that Mike and I have successfully reinstalled my transmission. The car isn't yet running as I'm missing some minor hardware, but the hard part is complete. If you haven't read the updates from 2007, I also took this install opportunity to install a new rear main oil seal, a new SPEC Lightened flywheel, a new SPEC Stage 3+ Clutch, and some GT Spec parts. I expect to have the car started in the next 1-3 weeks as I get the misc. hardware ordered and installed as the Michigan weather permits. Saturday was a BEAUTIFUL 60+ degree sunny day and it was the same today. It doesn't look like next weekend will cooperate, with some forecasts containing snow for next Saturday. I'm very please with how things went (Thanks Mike) and we'll see how things go. I also forgot to grease parts of the transmission but removed a rubber grommet on the transmission and greased necessary items via that route with DuPont Teflon White Lithium Grease.

Prepping, getting things ready to install!

Installing the new rear main (OEM) seal:

New Clutch and Flywheel:

Check out my old Flywheel! Its rusted to hell and its only been sitting 8 months!

General Pics of install:

April 13, 2008: Transmission Problems...
Well, a problem did develop. After installation and putting the car on the ground, it did NOT move forward in any gear, and the ONLY way it moved forward (even IN neural) was to have the clutch pedal depressed. Attempts to let the clutch out in ANY gear was met by a very resistant transmission which resulted in the engine stalling. After playing with it (shifting gears was next to impossible) it suddenly began to work somewhat- third gear went in, the car did NOT stall, and the car started to move forward. HOWEVER, it came to an abrupt halt. I could feel resistance in the transmission, so I tried Reverse. Same thing- the car moved back, but then stopped like the trans had siezed. I tried first gear, and then all of a sudden things were completely fine. Shifted like butter, all gears worked, etc.

I also noticed (well, the lady did) that I had a leak. Turns out I must have torn an axle seal while installing things, so I removed things and spent maybe an hour (spent more time getting parts than doing the job) replacing the axle seal.
Pics!