So like i said im a new guy to the site but far from newb around cars. I have built a few high horse power mustangs as well as build an race offroad trucks.

Im 29 and am from Nova Scotia Canada.

I just recently purchased a 99 protege 1.6L as i needed a cheap affordable run about that looks good to. Now as im always looking for a good deal i searched the classifieds and found a car that was cheap and needed to be repaired.

The protege i found was a little high mileage but it was well maintained, so that aint a worry. It is metallic forest green has 17" aftermarket rims and low pro summer tires. It also has the corner lights smoked and the back windows tinted.

Now the issues with the car were that the clutch was burnt out and also it wouldnt start with the key (ignition switch is pooched). So i replaced the clutch and while i was at it i also did some other repairs and mods.

So everything i did is as follows.
-replaced clutch, throwout bearing, and pilot bearing.
-replaced front and rear engine mounts.
-replaced steel coolant line going to heater core.
-replaced shift linkage and shifter assembly.
-installed TWR Short Throw kit with billet shift ****, leather shift boot with silver stitching and urethane bushings.
-installed OBX 4 into 1 long tube header and Magnaflow muffler.
-i also did the antifouler trick on the lower O2 sensor so i wouldnt have a check engine light.
-seeing as the airbox was cracked i built a custom coldair kit with a AEM dry filter, and i kept the maf in the stock orientation and position so i wouldnt have to worry about possible driveabilty issues.
-and I have the starter on a push button now so i have no issues with that. lol

So that about sums up my little mazda. Im glad to be on here this seems like a good site with friendly people.

 

WOW!! You def jumped right into it. But that's Cool!!

I'm a little surprised to see that OBX even offered a header for the 1.6L. It seems not much in performance parts is readily available for that motor/car. Awesome job, and the anti-fouler trick to boot too.
I LOVE the push button starter too.

Welcome aboard, allout!! Looking forward to some pics and other tricks you may come up with.

 

That's awesome. Impressed with replacing Steel Coolant line-----most people wouldn't bother, but it is important for coolant internals keeping rust out of it.
I'm guessing you don't have to worry about emissions testing (headers, was there any pre-cats or cats you got rid of ? ).

 

Yeah i got rid of the cat. The reason i put the header on the car was that the manifold was cracked, the cat was plugged, and the down tube off the cat was rusted out. The header replaced all three. It does still have the resonator and when i took the car for its inspection i convinced the mechanic doing the inspection that the resonator was a factory second cat lol. And no we dont have to do a emissions test. We just have to have 1 cat minimum if the car came with cats. And all factory polution gear.

I am a big fan of the idiology that when something breaks never replace with stock parts, take the opportunity to upgrade to better than stock where ever possible.

I was abit surprised to when i found the obx header. I bought it off of ebay, it was brand new and still in the box.

 

Nice job on tricking the guy (we have "E"-tests in Canada). I also believe in upgrading. My next thing probably is putting on AWR Motor Mounts:
All Parts - Engine Mounts - Mazda6 - AWR Racing Store
Welcome Aboard

 

I know BC has emissions tests, and Ontario may as well. I have lived in Alberta and Nova Scotia and I know Alberta has none and they dont care if you run a cat or not, and Nova Scotia dont have emissions test but your spose to run a cat. Other provinces i dont know.

The next thing im gonna do on the little mazda is the timing belt just cause i dont know when it was done last and i dont want no issues. As well as change out all fluid to synthetic oils, replace spark plugs with the new E3 diamond fire spark plugs, new plug wires and coil boots, and a new fuel filter. It should help make sure it keeps running strong.

Any other ideas and opinions are greatly appreciated