misbah

anyone have any experience or comments about the compass motorsport front strut tower bar?? looks pretty solid...like it would improve handling performance.

Anything better? Anything cheaper that does just as good a job?

thanks guys

mazdaspeedwest

While the Rod Millen (or JDM GTX-GTR) strut bar is still the leader IMHO, the CMS comes a very close second.

but Rod Millen does not sell it anymore.

misbah

gary? gary would be? the compass motorsports guy i hope not? i cant get that bar anymore? or the rear sway??

mazdaspeedwest

well, maybe just a little

mazdaspeedwest

yes, Gary is the CMS guy.

misbah

well then! seeing as how those two bars dont exist anymore...what other suggestions are there for a rear sway and front strut? i was looking at the Cseries bar from mazdaspeed for the struts, and the ST bar for the rear sway, i think its the next thickest after the cms bar?

mazdaspeedwest

the rear strut bar can be compromised, as the sedan design itself, lends to a more rigid rear end. The ST sway bar is 22mm, while the CMS is 24mm (1") You can get front and rear strut bars on ebay for as low as $35 each. But for a front bar, maybe the Mazdaspeed bar is a better choice.

Eibach has a sway bar kit listed, but i don't have any specs on it, other than it costs ~$435

If you went with the CMS bar, then you would probaly need the ST front sway to compensate, but wouldn't really need it with just the ST rear sway.

I just recently added a rear strut bar and ST rear sway bar to my smallish but growing arsenal of suspenion goodies. well, actually, all i need to do is mounts and bushings, the rest is done

mazdaspeedwest

nope, just letting you feel improtant

doh!

turboge

The ST rear bar is sweet, I just installed it the other day and boy is the *** happy now. Full drifting onto onramps now, lol.

Of course with the car presumably weighing in around 2000-2200 pounds with me in it, I'm certain that has a slight factor in oversteer.

I also have the following suspension mods now:

CS Front and Rear Upper Bars
CS Lower Front Bar
OTLM Rear Lower Bar
Stock Front Sway Bar w/ Poly Bushings
ST Rear Sway Bar w/ new Poly bushings
MX-3 H&R Springs
Tokico Blues

Darryl I'm getting my azenis put on on Saturday, and I'll be out at the next event to run with everyone.... should be fun =)

mazdaspeedwest

Dude! nice set-up hehehehehe

i'm hoping the ST bar helps more with turn-in than oversteer, as i could step the back out at will with the OEM bar.... but then again, the 2 kinda go hand in hand....duh. but i think you know what i mean. From the little tests here and there around corners, it feels real nice, almost like the rear is steering...very cool

NICE! you'll finally get to put your money where your mouth is
next event is in San Diego 9/8 and next LA event is 9/22. Well, there is a 2 day test and tune practice this weekend at the Speedway, but it's a pre-reg deal. But since the Speedway is pretty close to you, you should swing by on Sunday and check it out.

turboge

Well its been about a year or so since I've auto-x'd so darryl has the upper hand on me. Although I do have a lighter setup, and 5 point harnesses I may have a better feel. It'll be my first time on Azenis and with a car that rotates better.. Should be fun though..

Are you in the ghetto Jesse, I've never had any regular mail take that long!

mazdaspeedwest

Damn and i was ready for a good ole bench racing **** talking session....HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA

well, the first time out you'll be busy getting the set-up right, but i don't think it'll weigh in at 2000lbs, i'm thinking more like 2300-2350lbs. I guessing we pulled about 200-250lbs total. The sunroof assembly is probably a good 50lbs too. and i beleive that the limit is 2400lbs for a <3.0L engine...but we won't protest you until you beat us So don't worry about it...LOL <oh yeah!>

but yes, the harness will help immensly, but i'm getting more used to driving from the passengers side

and yes, it will be damn fun!