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-   3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 (https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/)
-   -   J-Protege's Suspension Build Thread (https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/j-proteges-suspension-build-thread-45742/)

D-rock240 August-23rd-2007 08:51 PM

Thanks man, hopefully I will see you at the next meet.

I think it was a VTCS screw that got into cylinder 1 and bounced around a bit(even though my car was made two months before the recall timeframe) so I'm getting another manifold and removing VTCS from it.

_Kansei_ August-23rd-2007 09:59 PM

omg loose screw??? yikes dude. VTCS removal is a MUST

chiefmg August-23rd-2007 10:29 PM

I've got a manifold for sale cheap (hint, hint).

For J-Protege, if you are using the RB sway bars then at some point you are going to experience the dreaded clunk from the bushings wearing. Solution is to buy the relocation brackets (clunk fix) from AXR. They're in Canada so shipping wouldn't be a hassle.

chiefmg August-23rd-2007 10:33 PM

Oh, and while I haven't checked lately you used to be able to get the factory strut bar kit. It included brackets to relocate your cruise control etc. If you are interested I can dig out my info and get the part number so you can see if it's still available.

J-Protege August-24th-2007 01:08 AM

I have a stock strut bar (MSP) on it's way, and they seller said they were including the bracket, so I'm assuming thats the one you are reffering too (hopefully).

chiefmg August-24th-2007 07:44 AM

If it's off an MSP then it won't have the cruise brackets, it is probably the strut mounting brackets. There is some way to cut down the brackets to clear the cruise, I'm anal so I made sure to get the kit. I can send you a copy of the instructions as a .pdf file if you'd like.

_Kansei_ August-24th-2007 07:46 AM

you might need a bracket from a P5 if you have cruise control.. since the MSP didn't have cruise and that's where the cruise control cylinder of magic is mounted.

JoshP5 August-24th-2007 09:06 AM

No doubt the AXR kit rocks, but Edwin "TheMAN" has reported no clunking with (copious?) use of Energy Suspension grease on the stock "E" bushings.

_Kansei_ August-24th-2007 09:49 AM

I thought the E bushings were the teflon ones that were not supposed to be lubed? interesting.

I still like my AXR because it does really stiffen up things back there a surprising amount.

J-Protege August-25th-2007 08:59 AM

OK, maybe I haven't gotten enough sleep or whatnot, but I'm confused with something here.

As some of you may know, I have a set of MSP springs. Now, someone is asking about the diameter of the springs.

Two of the springs have normal diameter from top to bottom (like a cylinder shape), and the other two have a changing diameter (like a cone).

Will that prevent these from fitting a normal strut, or an aftermarket one? Is there even a reason for them to be shaped like this?

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z...u/PICT1103.jpg

chiefmg August-25th-2007 09:16 AM

Springs with the constant diameter are for the rear. Springs w/tapered diameter are for the front. This is normal.

JoshP5 August-25th-2007 11:52 AM

Nope--other way around. The rears are tapered. Anyway, as long as they're going on a 3rd gen Pro, they'll fit.

Although I'm not sure the rear springs will fit tightly between the spring caps on a stock or aftermarket (non-MSP/MP3) strut. Those rear MSP springs are like an inch too short, as shown in the photos here.

chiefmg August-25th-2007 12:10 PM

My bad, I just did the springs on my Speed6 and I thought the Protege's were the same.

JoshP5 August-25th-2007 02:42 PM

Oooo :)--what kind of springs on the 6? I just saw that RB has a killer $425 deal on springs and sways for the 6--yum.

chiefmg August-25th-2007 02:49 PM

Only problem is RB doesn't make stuff for the Speed6. I know a lot of people are using various springs designed for the regular 6 on their Speeds, but I want functional improvement and not just visual. I scored a set of RPM's pre-production springs. They have rates improved over stock with about a 1/2" drop. I think it looks perfect. When the first couple of people installed the test sets there were a lot of folks who said they wanted a larger drop in front, so RPM modified the length for their production sets. Then (of course) some people decided they did in fact prefer the drop of the pre-pros. RPM must have seen enough of a market because they are making more of these moderate drop springs.

I would like to get some sways at some point, but there aren't many choices right now. I did just install a set of GTSpec trailing arm braces I scored off eBay. Haven't pushed the car yet but every little bit helps.


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