What is the difference in stock suspension set-up of MP3 vs. P5?
(I know that MP3 has much better tires/wheels combination 17" 205/45 Dunlop Sp 9000!!! vs. P5's 16" 195/50 Dunlop Sp 5000)
Different springs, shocks, sway bars etc???

 

the mp3 has racing beat springs and swaybars, and tokico shocks.

 

The MP3 has stiffer springs made by the OEM Mazda spring maker based on the specs Racing Beat gave Mazda. It sits about .125 inches (I think) lower than a stock Protege. The springs sold by Racing Beat lower the car a little more than that and might or might not be slightly stiffer than the MP3 springs. Last I heard Racing Beat wasn't sure, and had no reason to test them.

It has specially valved Tockico struts, based on the specs Racing Beat gave Mazda.

It also has thicker sway bars. I'm not sure how much thicker over the stock Protege.

I think that's it...

 

They look like tokico blues to me. They aren't made by racing beat.

 

The struts are Tokico, but Racing Beat requested special valving for specific handling characteristics...

That is what I meant to say, the struts aren't made by Racing Beat, just built to the specs they wanted by Tokico...

 

MP3 vs. MP5 differences
All this implies upgraded and beefier parts:

Sway Bars front and rear
Tokiko HP's; Custom Valved for application
Osaka Springs; Spec'd by Racing Beat
17" x 7" Cast alloy Racing Hart wheels = 22lbs. ea. heavy
205/45/17 Dunlop SP9000, best tire from Dunlop

Higer clamping pressure clutch
Shorter throw shifter

Audio system.

I think I got it all.

Rishie

 

As far as the suspension goes, you can upgrade all the components to MP3 specs at the dealer. Emphasis on "ALL" the components - they won't (and can't, I think) install any one component without the others - I inquired about the sway bars, and was told I had no choice but to install everything - different mounting points for things, etc.

 

thanks, so MP3 is much tighter than.
How much would it cost to upgrade the P3's suspension to MP3?
(Without changing the wheels)

 

I think it was up there - maybe over $2000? I can't really remember, but check with your dealer for more info.

 

I think we can get coilover suspension and better sway bars for around $2K.

 

That's bogus. You can order and install all the parts seperately, the dealer is just trying to screw you 8-)

Try calling Mazda Motorsports (their phone number can be found by following the links on the main Mazda USA web page). They can hook you up with any of the MP3 parts seperately. However, most of the parts really aren't a good deal 8-( The shocks are almost as expensive as the adjustable Mazdaspeeds, and the same basic springs can be ordered much cheaper from Racing Beat. The only part that's really a good deal is the rear swaybar, but you can get an adjustable AWR bar from Mazda Comp for not much more money.

 

That's exactly what I was told - hat the stock strut mounts cannot accept the MP3 sway bar, and therefore the struts and bar must be purchased and installed together - the struts from the MP3 have the proper, reinforced mount for the beefier sway bar.

While they may not be the best deal in the world (what stock parts are) I don't think the dealer is trying to screw anyone - they just aren't going to weld any reinforcemnts in place when the MP3 struts are made specifically for this.

Makes sense to me.

 

I would definitely not get the MP3 suspension if I were upgrading my P5. That would be ridiculous. The MP3 has better suspension out of the box, which is great for autox and such cause you can remain in stock class and kick the **** out of everyone else out there. Just upgrade your 17's to lightweight ones and stay within stock offset requirements, then you got yourself a sweeet setup. I would upgrade the struts to adjustables as well, can still stay in stock class.

But for your P5, it would be cheaper for you to get the KONIS or Tokiko's or Mazdaspeeds. The Speeds are the only ones available right now, but wait a couple months and the adjustables will be out.

My reccomendations,

Adjustables: $700 tops. Should get around $500-600 for the Tokiko Illuminas.

Springs: Racing Beat, H&R, Eibach, Ground Control

Sway Bar: SR Motorsports or AWR, I got mine it works.hehe. Rear only. You would want to retain your factory front sway bar, as when upgraded unless mated with the rear in a package, may create additional understeer.

Strut tower Braces front and rear: Me, good JDM ****.

Fully integrated coilover system: Mazdaspeed or me for more JDM
will release in a couple months. Fully rebuildable coilover setup for proteges in the United States. Better than Tanabe, TEIN, and all the other typical JDM ****. Around $1400.00, but includes camber/caster plates up front with pillowball mounts and pillowball mounts in the rear as well. This is the good ****. Two different models of coilovers as well.

B&M: Short Throw shifter
Clutch and flywheel available: ACT and somewhere
Underdrive Pulleys available
Cat back exhaust systems: Bosal, Racing Beat, SR Motorsports, more to come.

CAI: AEM, Injen, MHP

Header: Bosal for saying **** it and not worrying about smog checks and eliminating the precat or wait for the shorty OBDII header to come out.

Rims: Go Lightweight, sacrifice some style for ultimate performance and handling.

ECU: Remap from JET or something. I know **** will come out. Get a Super- AFC from APEXi to adjust your fuel curve.

Intake and Exhaust cams, as well as pistons are available to boost compression.

Turbo kits are in the works right now from a couple companies. By the summer there should be a shitload of stuff out that will be a better buy than going for the O.E. MP3 stuff.

The struts were ridiculously expensive, as well as the front sway bar. Screw that.

Anyways we'll keep you posted on the ETA's for a lot of this stuff, as it isn't out yet.

Rishie