I've spent the last few days installing the ZX2 Tockicos and the Prothane urethane sway bar end link bushings and it's made a big difference. This car is a blast to drive now. Unfortunately, we're having torrential rains and I can't drive hard but the difference is noticable. There's no more spring bounce like I had with the KYB GR-2's and it corners much flatter.

The instructions on the web for the ZX2 installation were spot-on and saved me lots of time. I'm glad I have a die grinder for hogging out the upper spring perches.

As for the Prothane bushings, their catalog says they're for Proteges, but the package said "Escort, Neon". I had to buy longer bolts, make longer spacers, and do some surgery on the bushings themselves, but now I have new front and rear sway bar end link bushings. The price wasn't bad either - about $40 for everything. I guessed on how tight to make them, leaning to the soft side. I'll be autocrossing this Sunday so that should help me fine-tune them. It was interesting that my rear stock bushings were totally shot while the fronts were in good shape. I'd have expected the opposite.

For the price, this is a great upgrade and I recommend it to anyone wanting better handling. The ride's a little harsher but not too bad, especially considering how bad I-5 is around here.

Now I have no excuse not to win!

tom

 

What exactly did you have to do to the bushings?
Do you have a url to the zx2 install info?

 

Darryl has a site on the install info for the ZX2 struts here.

 

Well Dan beat me to it but all the info is there on my site for everybody to view...

Tom, was i right or what? I'm sure you'll notice an even bigger difference on Sunday.

Good Luck!

 

Darryl,
Wow, were you right, the car is transformed. We had our first autocross today and by the end of the first run I was laughing the car handled so well. These struts and bushings are some of the best handling investments I've ever made.

The event was a mess, over 250 drivers entered and they finally called it at 6:30pm due to the dark. The weather was clear, windy, and bitterly cold, wind chill easily in the teens. My fiance was pissed because I got to race and she was in the last run group that was cancelled.

BTW, Frank was there with his AWD GTR turbo Protege. It ran great but the suspension is still stock and it was all over the place. He's almost ready to do the suspension and when he does he'll have a monster!

tom

 

Awesome!

Great turn-out, too bad timing wasn't on.....Brrrrrrrr

GTR!? Protege. Really, i thought the Protege body style only came in GTX trim....either way, a damn good time

 

You guys are driving me insane!!!!!!!!!!! I have to wait another 6 weeks before i get to do this. I, also will have the ZX2s, as well as a ST rear bar. I already have the MMS front a-arm bushings and sway bar bushings, but I'm on SNOW TIRES right now, so it's a little hard to judge . I NEED SPRING HERE NOW!!!!!!!!!!

 

Don't rub it in to us northerners

I was working a corner station when the sun set and was told the Arizona region runs events at night because it's so damn hot during the day. I seem to recall Florida gets hotter and more humid than a steam bath, we sure don't have that problem up here.

As for the GTR, I don't know my turbo Mazdas well, but the car has the 1800 turbo set up with a huge intercooler. It's a very neat installation and like I said, it goes like stink.

tom

 

Not humid, but dry as hell...unless you live at the beach then it's 72 and a breeze all day long...

Well both the GTX and GTR use the same basic motor (visually) but if it had a front mount IC, then it may just be a GTR, but i suspect more so an aftermarket addition to the GTX turbo engine.