Can someone explain to me the different suspension mods that can be made to the 2002 Protege 5? I've heard of lowering springs, coil-overs, coil-over strut, etc. What's the difference? Thanks...

 

struts (known as MacPherson struts)
also known as the original "coilover" as the spring surrounds the strut shaft and sits on a seat welded to the strut. This is what you have on your Protege, as with all Protege's.



shocks
shocks are very similar to struts, but don't have the seat for the springs, as they are mounted in different locations.



coilovers, as they are known in the performance circle are made for struts. while they still need that welded seat, it can be much smaller diameter. coilovers are height adjustable. they are smaller diameter springs and have a collar that has threads and can simply screw up to raise the height or screw down to lower it.



As for which one is best, spring/strut or coilover/strut, that will depend on what your plans are.

 

Well, I'd like to lower the car, but not too much. Just to give it a nice, mean look. But, I'd like to be able to raise it for the winter. So, coil-overs would do it, I guess? Any suggestions on a brand? thanks for the input...

 

What you want is the ground control setup. I would wait to lower your vehicle until aftermarket adjustables are produced. Tokiko will be releasing them in the begginning of the year. Trust me you will save money if you change the struts in the future.

I don't know the rec. spring rates that GC offers, but I know that you should get aftermarket High Performance struts. Ours are just not valved to take more than a 1". Racing Beat really looked into this when deciding on a lowering height. Do as few steps as possible to completing your project.

Very nice writeup WEST, I'm impressed with the illustrations and all. Couldn't have done any better.

Kore, there is no markup for the GC's, so the forum deal will be the same as any other online retailer. Save you $5.00. $365.00 + shipping. Wherever you get it the cheapest is where you should go. As a retailer, there is so much more to make on less expensive progressive springs, so they just get cheaper. Pretty wacked huh.

Later, Rishie

 

hehehe, thanks, i felt creative

Again Kore, what are your plans for the car....do you want a street look with street like performance, or do you plan to run flat out on the weekends at your local race track....this will decide on what is best for you and your budget. And since winter plays a part in your scenerio, then coilovers may be your best bet, but as ARD MP5 said, you will most certainly need performance struts with coilovers, as the spring rates are much higher and will wear out a stock strut in no time. Ground Control is your number one source for coilover kits.

 

Remember, a bigger problem than wear with lowering most strut suspensions more than 1.5" to 2" with coil-overs is the reduced compression travel with strut length struts. If you want lowering more than that, you'd probably be better off with full strut/spring coil-overs from Mazda Motorsports that are shorter than stock length. This will retain enough compression travel to prevent bottoming the suspension on the bump stops often. This will save your ride AND handling.

 

Yup, just depends HOW MUCH SCRILLA you got?

You'll look at the price and it will come to you real quick, the price tag will determine all.

Keep functionality in mind and then look at the balance in the checkboook.

Lates. Rishie