3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

Need advice on coil-over kits

Old Nov 29, 2007 | 10:24 PM
  #1  
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Need advice on coil-over kits

Hello,

I am going to start looking at coil-over kits soon and want an opinions for my '03 pr5. I want to lower the car for a street set-up and only a 1.5 inch drop or so.

What ideas or set-ups have people tried and liked? Plus where are the good deals on suspensions at?

alex (jackrabbit)
Old Nov 29, 2007 | 10:30 PM
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For a 1.5 inch drop, you really don't need coilovers.

You can pick up tokico HPs and tein s-techs for half the price of cheap coilovers.

I got my s-techs from www.crossoverauto.com and my tokico HPs from www.protegegarage.com

Send a PM to liquid_ag on here, he's a sales rep for protegegarage and can hook you up.

Welcome to the site!
Old Nov 29, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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chris,

would you recommend this set-up for general street driving. Currently my suspension feels sloppy and tippsy for some reason. I miss how tightly a car corners on sport springs and heavy duty shocks.
Old Nov 29, 2007 | 10:51 PM
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Originally Posted by jackrabbit
chris,

would you recommend this set-up for general street driving. Currently my suspension feels sloppy and tippsy for some reason. I miss how tightly a car corners on sport springs and heavy duty shocks.
It's what I run for general street driving. I'm not going to lie, it's pretty rough but you have to factor in that I'm also running very low profile tires.

Springs like the Tein H-techs, Racing Beat Springs, and others will give a more comfortable ride.
Old Nov 30, 2007 | 07:35 AM
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for your goals you REALLY do not need coilovers. the set up that kansei suggested would more than meet your needs, maybe throw in a rear sway bar on top of that and youd be set
Old Nov 30, 2007 | 08:23 AM
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If you miss a tight handling car, DEFINITELY throw a bigger rear sway on there
Old Nov 30, 2007 | 08:24 AM
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+2 on not needing coilovers. That would be overkill if you're just looking for a nice subtle drop. Tokico HPs and a set of regular springs of your choice would do ya good.
Old Nov 30, 2007 | 12:59 PM
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I have Tokico HPs, MP3 springs, Mazdaspeed front/rear sways and front strut brace on my '03 ES. I also have the bracket relocation kit for the rear sway bushings. Handling on stock size Toyo Proxes4 is holy cow great. Car is neutral with occasional oversteer. The drop is about half what you say you are looking for but for all around handling and ride I don't think you can beat it.

Side note, if you decide to go this route know there is a difference between the MP3 springs and the MSP springs. If you get a set of the MSP springs you have to be sure to get the correct struts, otherwise your spring perches will be the wrong height.
Old Nov 30, 2007 | 02:47 PM
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^^ they have a P5 so MSP/MP3 will sit a little bit off (even if you get the special HPs made for the MSP).

When Josh comes along he can tell you more about h-techs and the Racing Beat springs

but to get 1.5" drop you'll end up with harsher springs.
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 01:39 PM
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Not with Eibach/progressives...
Old Dec 11, 2007 | 03:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Da P-Funk!
Not with Eibach/progressives...
They are still stiffer than the racing beat or h-techs even at the lowest end of the range.. don't have time to look up the numbers right now but the racing beat springs are barely stiffer than stock springs.
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