Step on in and show me the way to crapbox heaven

 Been out of the car scene for some time but this car has been calling me to come and look at it as it was just sitting there. I already knew what it was, a Protege5. So in a moment of weakness I stoped by and yes it was for sale! Good news, its rust free and in good shape. Bad news its not running. Knowing I had a get out of jail free card (wife got one of them Doodle dogs without warning) I made a lowball off and he took the deal.  Got it home and found out its low on compression. So now I'm trying to figure out what to do, called around and a head job will run around $500. Add in gaskets and timing belt and I'm at 700 easy. Used motor runs around $1000. Copart seems like a possible deal but I know nothing about the fees. So what does the gearheads have to say? How can I get this car running cheap so I can continue its path to turbo glory?

I would think a used motor is your cheapest route. I'm pretty sure there are at least 2 Protégé5 builds on this forum, one of the guys runs a blog called southrnfresh if I'm not mistaken and tracks his. Also if I remember correctly those engines don't hold up to a whole lot of boost, but those cars are great fun and if yours has no rust you're quite lucky. I wonder if a 2.5 swap is easily done?

I owned a Protege5. Lowered it,cold air intake and  Bosal exhaust.  The Bosal cat back exhaust is nice sounding. You can turbo it  (Mazdaspeed Protege). Alot of Miata engine parts are common. I would imagine a FM turbo would fit. To quote Google "All BP motors used same connecting rods and nearly identical blocks. Miata BP cams will give better high end power but Protege cams will give you better mid-range and a bit more torque. You can swap cams between the two. The differences are small.Sep 22, 2010" 

Or how about this?

In reply to scottdownsouth :

You wrote, "...rust free and in good shape."

When I read this, and confirmed by your screen name, I knew you weren't from around here (the north.)

I like the Protege5 but I'll bet it's been since 2005 when I last saw a rust free one around these parts! 

In reply to MyMiatas :

The Protege5 engine isn't a BP, it's from the F family. Nothing from the FM kits will fit. 

We actually sold turbo kits for them back in the day. Even had a SEMA build. Amazing engine mortality rate. And no, we don't have any leftover parts :)

None of the newer MZR stuff works either.  It really is a bit of an orphan that way, only other Protege stuff fits.  

I still have a Bell Engineering turbo kit installation manual for the Protege bouncing around the shop somewhere. Love the Protege5, but leave the boost alone with that motor

Just because, here's a pic I dug up. Our turbocharged shop car from 2003. Ran for a long time at 8 psi, I don't know what eventually happened after we sold it. There was actually a GRM writer (Chris Stutters) who ran one of the kits at the time as well.

I'm looking for pics of the SEMA car, I'll post them when I find them. It was about half carbon fibre.

In reply to Keith Tanner :

That's a sharp looking car! My grand illusion of a cheap car project has turn south very quickly. I'm stuck between trying to find a cheap runner or rebuild what I got. 

I remember the car being a lot of fun to drive, even at stock power. They're a nice package.

Ah, SEMA. We didn't build the car, but we did do the turbo and maybe the suspension. This would have probably been 2003, so pretty much peak F&F. DG Motorsports did the carbon, AWR did the fab work. Not my pics, I'm still looking for those. AWR also has some detail shots on their site.

IF, I remember correctly you can pull the pan with the motor still in the car.

Do a leak down test and find the source of the low compression. Then because it is a cheap crap can this is what I'd do.

If it needs a valve job get that done and while your at it slap a fresh set of rings in it...................I can't remember how many $250 cars we simply slapped a fresh set of rings in and did bare bones valve jobs on to simply get them running.

You will hear "it's going to be down on power or it won't last more than 40,000 miles...................It's a cheap hunk of poo, so who cares.

AWR will be able to assist with engine mount and suspension bits. 

You can score a limited slip from a MSP, but weld the collar on it prior to installing, as it will fail otherwise. Team M factory makes limited slips and gear sets. 

If you have enough time and space to get it running, I'd consider ditching the F series engine and going KLZE swap. You have a larger engine bay than BG chassis do but with the MX3 GS front subframe, you should be able to make it work. Some tweaks to the subframe may be needed, but it should be doable. 

KL swap!

I stand corrected on motor mounts. It's easier than I expected. 

Here's a full how to information thread on doing a KL swap

Maybe coming HERE  was not the best idea as now I'm thinking how cool would it be to slap a v6 in this thing? Can the automatic handle the v6...with a turbo? Could it find it's way into the 2024 challenge? You guys need to stop putting these thoughts in my head!

I remember Roger Foo driving a yellow one in Speedvision Touring car races. That was a good time for racing.

not yellow, but you get the idea

No need to turbo the klze. A set a cams, valve springs, E85 (with fueling to support it) and engine management will get you a good bit north of 200hp.

Captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

If you have enough time and space to get it running, I'd consider ditching the F series engine and going KLZE swap. You have a larger engine bay than BG chassis do but with the MX3 GS front subframe, you should be able to make it work. Some tweaks to the subframe may be needed, but it should be doable. 

KLZE was what I thought when I saw the suggestion of a used engine too.

I love me some Protege5. Such a great chassis. I think it's one of the great FWD chassis. I loved driving one even with the anemic FS 2.0. The only way to turbo one is with LOW boost. There's a guy on here that races one. I believe it has a turbo and fully caged. I wish I could remember his name. Maybe he'll chime in.

One with a KLZE would be amazing. 

Soo... what about the KLG4? There easy to find as I need a donor car.