Just bought a MSP but it looks like a money pit

[jack_hammer]

It is a mazdaspeed protege, though. Just a highly modified one.

[CorkSport]

Originally Posted by luciddream should i leave the unichip or see about removing it? Thanks again for the suggestion on the radiator support. it is loose. the one on the right side is missing also. with the o2 sensor, should i get the msp one or the regular protege one now that it is NA?

The part #s I gave you are for the left and right side for the radiator.

I would pull the unichip out or just simply unplug it if you are going turbo again. The ECU is on the passenger floor under the dash bolted to the steel plate. Lookout for sharp edges, it has made me bleed a few times.

-Derrick

[Raider]

I see the OG Mazda guys getting all nostalgic over this car, lol!

[luciddream]

Cool, this is all lots of great info. Definitely a buying experience. I went on a Monday to preview some cars and I didn't have time to check this one out. It was on the other side of the auction. Come auction day, I had to bid online from work and all the cars on my list sold and this was the last one. When it ran through the auction, there was a note that said no arbitration due to mods. It quickly went low then a bid came in and I also placed my bid. I was not expecting to bid more and I actually won the bid. I was hoping the mods meant turbo timer, ecu and stuff like that. The car looked good in the pics and has low mileage. Turns out its not that good.

I had it parked in front of my house and we had a hail storm so I put it in the garage. When I started it to put it in the garage, it is now running worse and the CEL is on. I struggled to get it in the garage as my driveway has a slight incline but I got it in there. Now I have to get to work.

[Raider]

Well, you are at a turning point.
1) fix it boosted.
2) fix it non-boosted.

Pro's
1) boost is fun.

Cons
1) engine if not built, engine can explode.
2) $$$$ to make it right
3) and after all the $$$$, it might still not run right.

[pzr2874]

Shoulda left it out in the hailstorm

How much $ did you pay if you don't mind telling

[Brian MP5T]

If you plan to turbo it please let me know of any questions you might have

[DarkProto0D]

Last Post about checking auction rules may be an option, unless you have the $$$$ restore it. Yours looks like a 2003 first series, except it is Orange Mica which would be 2003.5 color. It may have been repainted. Most importantly, do what Moco MS3 said. DONT RUN that engine (if stock) over 10psi if you decide to spend the $1000-$2000 to get the turbo exhaust manifold, MAF, V sensor, waste gate (WG) and reconnect all of the turbo intake (intercooler) hoses etc. The intercooler should be on the drivers side (DS) of the radiator. FIRST: Study, Study, Study before undertaking any of these. Get help from someone who has actually spent time repairing cars (someone who has a older car that shows it was taken care of) if you don't have a lot of experience. I like the existing Callaway EMF and Garrett T25 turbo (mine is due for a rebuild). I would extend that cold air intake down through the hole at the front DS just behind the headlight. When people don't run the cold air intake outside of the warm engine compartment, it makes exudes lake of understanding or they just want it to "look" modified. It sounds like you like the car and thus should get to know it and bring it back to MSP and possibly beyond.

I have an MSP with over 170k miles and it purrs (0-60 about 6.4s, 36+MPG). A handful of additional mods. Anytime I have a maintenance item, I either rebuild it or upgrade it. I hope this advise helps.

[Brian MP5T]

In Canada,

Orange and Ti was 2003
Yellow and Blue was 2003.5

It would be interesting to see if it was in KM/H or MPH

EDIT: NVM, the car is MPH

[HFDSpace-Junk]

Any more work don't to this?

tappa...

[luciddream]

Wow, i'm back. I have read this thread about a dozen times trying to decide what to do next. I feel a little overwhelmed.

The fuel pump on my S4 went out. It is on order. I have been forced to drive this car to work. Its not all that bad except for the idle problem when I come to a stop. The exhaust smell is a little uncomfortable and the exhaust itself is kinda loud. A little to loud for my liking. It gets up and moves pretty nice!

With all my auction fees and what not, I am into this car $3700. I don't mind putting a little more into it as long as I can break even. I'm going to try to sell it as is and see what happens. If I loose money, oh well. That's expected sometimes when you buy cars at auction. I will take the hit and try to recuperate. Of course this car has made me stall with the auction scene. My plan was to try to flip a car every couple of weeks at least.

At this point I will focus on the O2 sensor at least. Dont put to much effort into helping me too much as I still cant decide what to do next.

[Raider]

This isn't Dallas Car Sharks. You cannot go get a fucked up wreck, polish it up and flip for stupid $. Same as storage auctions, etc.

To do it right, get the right car after researching more.

I bet it would not take but a trip or two to ebaymotors or a wrecking yard to get it running. The service manual would be a big help, as it's sounding a lot like a vacuum leak.