New Member/ 323 BG Chassis Questions (3 door)
 

Hi Guys,
I'm from the UK and I'm currently upgrading a '91 323 3 door hatchback. What I'm looking for is a full set of upgraded struts for my car, I'm planning on using it for road rallying and want somthing a little stiffer than the standard stuff.
I am also a 1st gen RX7 owner and am quite familiar with Tokico shock absorbers ( I have set of Illuminas on my RX7)

Therfor I would like to find a set of Tokico blues that will fit my car. I have done a little looking around and see that most 323's (Protege's I suppose) are saloons in the US and I was mainly concered that the part numbers quoted in the previous threads would not fit my hatchback (i'm 75% sure they will)

A bit a of rambling post but I'm sure you get my drift ;)

Regards,
Mike

Cliffs Notes

I need some new shocks , like the looks of Tokico blues , car from UK (RHD) and a hatchback (3 door) will they fit and where can I purchase them for minimum $$$'s :D

Most people go with the ZX2 struts. A bit better than the blues. You can gt them here:
http://www.oemfordparts.com/

You will also need the thrust bearings part # F8C2-18198-AAA
Call 1-800-256-7933 and ask for Teresa Valley, she can hook you up.

Here is a good write up on how to do the install:
http://www.mazdaracer.com/pro/ZX2_strut_install.htm

Whats the advantage of the ZX2 stuts then ?

Thanks,
Mike

I did a search and found a load of info (should've done that to start with eh ? ;) )

Looks like I'll be going with ZX2 struts and a set of OEM springs from a UK spec 323 Gti

REgards,
Mike

Get the ZX2 struts and Eibach spring, best combo. I have them on my EGT and they are very nice.

sticking with standard springs thanks, I'm using (abusing?) this car for rallying so going too low and stiff will not be a good thing.

Lowering springs don't do wonders for front suspension geometry anyway.

They didnt lower my car all that much(maybe 1.5inches). I do understand the stiffness part, but this strut/spring combo is what they are both MADE for. I had the eibachs on my stock struts and blew them out way quick.

I'm sure i'll be happy with just the dampers and stock Gti springs (probably quite stiff by US standards anyway)

i dunno if zx2 struts will work with stock springs since the zx2 is a lower car in the first place. u might have to compress the crap out of the stock springs to get them to fit on. im not sure, just a thought.

Someone else is using them with the stock springs and they work just fine ... I found that when I searched the forums, Thanks.

hehehe ... this is a quiet forum ... I posted this nearly 6 months ago and its still on the 1st page :)

anyway .. fitted the shocks in November , they work fine with the stock springs and actually raise the car a little due to the increased preload on the springs.

I've now got a second 323 to do a full on rally car, but this time its a gti (3 doors + BP 1.8 DOHC 16v 138 bhp) and it too will be getting a set of these struts.

Mike