Hi Guys,

I am planning a suspension upgrade on 2002 Protege ES-GT incorporating the following:

1. Tokico HPs
2. MSP Springs
3. Progress Rear Sway Bar
4. Vibrant Front Strut Tower Brace
5. Custom Endlinks for all 4 corners (I need to rid myself of the stupid Mazda ones)
6. All new OEM components for assembling up the struts and springs.

My questions are as follows:
1. How much of a drop (if any) can I expect?
2. How much tighter is the rear & front going to feel?
*** edit - 3. How do I tell the difference between the front and rear springs - I got my springs used.

Realize that my stock suspension setup right now has 144,000 kms or 90,000 miles on it. I have been noticing a clunk on the front which I haven't been able to figure out. The clunk is only apparent when I go over bumps. The front end also feels much looser than it did when it was newer.

Thanks in advance.

 

MSP Springs are some very nice springs, but you may notice the back of the car 'sag' a bit more than the front (uneven drop). This is because they are designed to work with MSP struts, which have a different mounting point than the HPs.

They will still perform well, it just may look like you have a trunk full of bricks.

Rear sway bar is awesome, planning this myself. Should reduce the pesky understeer from the Protege, though some members seem to say it doesn't take away as much as they would have liked.

The front Strut Brace is a good idea, but Vibrant's design has hinges, which reduce it's function. Your best bet is to get one that is one solid bar, with no hinges. This will give best results. Oddly, the MPS/MP3 and P5 all had a very solid Strut Brace; it's really your best option.

Endlinks and OEM components go without saying, of course. Though you may be surprised by how decent the MSP endlinks are, check them out before buying aftermarket.

Drop on the setup you listed: Front .75", rear .8"-.85".
With MSP struts: .75" both front and rear.

That setup should really tighten up the car. Protege's already have a very tight setup and a solid frame. Some members have reported amazing changes after replacing stock suspension - expect noticeable results.

By the way, your front clunk is either a bad endlink, or bad front swaybar bushing.

Where are you located by the way? You've been pretty quiet on this forum since March 2006

 

Very true. I am located in Calgary. I was located in Edmonton previously but I am usually up in E-town on the weekends. I plan to do this installation in Edmonton (all my tools are up in Sherwood Park in parent's garage).

One of the reason's I have been so quiet is because the protege is my daily driver. I only do mods when it is question of upgrading worn components. Plus, I have been mostly focusing my mod budget on my fun summer ride - 93 Canadian Spec 300ZX TwinTurbo.

Regarding the MSP endlinks - I know they are the same length up front. But what about the rear - I thought they were a different length to accomodate the Racing Beat Rear Sway Bar.

 

Ooooh, a fairlady, nice ride. Can't say I blame you for focusing on it, haha.

By the sounds of your planned suspension, your Protege may end up being a mean auto-x'er, haha.

As for the endlinks, I would assume the Progress's sway bar needs the longer endlinks as well, but maybe not.

AWR's fits with the regular endlinks, so Progress may be the same:
http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/pr...roducts_id=321

Check out www.toprotege.com . There is a group buy right now on HardRace endlinks, stock sizes. Crazy good prices for what they are selling!

Check it out:
http://www.toprotege.com/forums/showthread.php?t=34560

As well, some rear bars come with endlinks, so that solves that problem.
Mmmm, adjustables, haha:
http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/pr...roducts_id=322

 

Cool thanks. I also still need to figure out which of my springs are front and which are rear.

 

Front look 'normal'. Rear, look like cones or something wierd. They fit normally, just shapped like... well cones, sorta

Just wait till Josh busts in here, he'll make sure you get setup right, haha.

 

Another question:

The Factory Service Manual (Page 02-14-2) shows a rear upper seat spring, but the parts manual page (2800A-1) doesn't show this. What's the deal?

 

So I installed the Tokico HPs and the Mazdaspeed Springs with new adjustable endlinks.

All I have to say is wow. What a difference. Some comments:

1. Mazda endlinks are the work of the devil. Dremel tool with reinforced cutting wheels and lots of patience are required.
2. The rear endlinks came off easy as they were only 1 month old.
3. The handling is quite remarkable. Also, you have to consider that my front left strut was so bad that after pushing it down, it wouldn't return back. I was probably riding on the bump stop for a while.
4. The rear adjustable endlinks I got are a little too long even when their length is decreased to the minimum. The rear anti-sway bar occassionally is touching the Rear Lateral Link. Plan to cut the endlinks a little shorter.

Can't wait to get my MazdaSpeed Front Strut Tower Brace and the Progress Rear Anti-Sway Bar.

 

Sounds like the endlinks you have there are made to work with an aftermarket rear sway bar. You should post some pics of the newly lowered car!

Do you already have the sway and stb ordered? I'm getting 2 MazdaSpeed tower braces in, and I could part with one no problem.

Haha, I could even drive it down to you!

 

I already ordered the STB and the MazdaSpeed Tower Braces. I'll try and take some pics soon.

You wouldn't have to drive far. I'm in Edmonton this week.

 

Right on, haha, I live in Sherwood Park! What kind of car do you drive, I'll keep an eye out for you.

What brace did you get for the STB?

 

Nice.

My car is a 2002 Protege ES w/ GT-Package in Sand Mica. It has the MSP wheels and axle back exhaust.

I got the MazdaSpeed OEM STB kit coming in.

 

Nice, that's the best choice. The OEM stb is much better than pretty much all aftermarket ones besides the crazy 3 point brace.

I'll look for you from the bus My car is fubar for the weekend.

 

Get Racing Beat springs.
MSP springs are 20% stiffer up front, 10% stiffer in the rear. It'll work, but it's not the best. Racing Beat (and a variety of other quality aftermarket) springs will give you better balance.

EDIT: I see you've already installed your gear. I'm too late!
Glad you like your new setup, though!

 

Oh no. What happened?