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-   3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 (https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/)
-   -   What have you done to your 3rd Gen today? (https://www.mazda3club.com/3rd-gen-protege-mazdaspeed-p5-mp3-26/what-have-you-done-your-3rd-gen-today-44361/)

JoshP5 September-20th-2007 11:40 PM

Crap, I need about 5mm shaved. And without a spare set of wheels, taking the set in sans tires is prohibitively difficult. I'm seeing Miata wheels in my future... *bookmarks miata.net*

KrayzieFox September-20th-2007 11:48 PM

I had mine done at a local brake/muffler shop. My friend works there so I knew someone trustworthy would be doing it, and it worked like a charm. The rubbing sucks for sure tho. It kills the paint on the fender lip which makes it start rusting about 5x faster, takes chunks out of your tire, gives you the most horrible feeling in the world when it happens and so on ..

My wheels came in +40 offset I think cuz when I was bought them I was probably around 17 and had no idea what offset even was. I just knew I wanted some aftermarket rims, so it sucked finding out they wouldn't work out so good with a lowered suspension. Thankfully that buddy of mine hooked me up and shaved off a good 7-8 millimeters so they've worked like a charm since then and I never had any problems balancing them either.

One thing though that's a real pain in the ass is that you can't switch your tires around as they wear without taking them off the rim and mounting them on the other ones. My front are different from the rear, so if you're really thinking about going this route then definitely make all 4 the same just to make it easier on yourself later on.

KrayzieFox September-20th-2007 11:49 PM


Originally Posted by JoshP5 (Post 392799)
Crap, I need about 5mm shaved. And without a spare set of wheels, taking the set in sans tires is prohibitively difficult. I'm seeing Miata wheels in my future... *bookmarks miata.net*

No stock wheels Josh?

J-Protege September-21st-2007 12:17 AM

So, um, my rims are 17X7 4X100/114.3 Offset +42p

Will that not work if I lower it?

JoshP5 September-21st-2007 12:17 AM


Originally Posted by KrayzieFox
No stock wheels Josh?

I eBayed my stockers. No need for a winter setup in DC. Maybe that was a bad call, but they're not the most attractive rims out there so w/e.

Thanks for the info--I'll look into shaving the current rims.

JoshP5 September-21st-2007 12:19 AM


Originally Posted by J-Protege (Post 392802)
So, um, my rims are 17X7 4X100/114.3 Offset +42p

Will that not work if I lower it?

Do the curb test. Reverse up a curb or high speedbump until one of the rear wheels almost fully compresses the suspension. If no rubby now, you ok after drop.

J-Protege September-21st-2007 12:23 AM

Hmm, OK. My super-low profile tires may save me from rubbing :D

Jackelope September-21st-2007 07:06 AM

installed my '03.5 msp shift knob.. t3h nice.. now if I can figure out how to get it to face the right way :)

Jackelope September-21st-2007 07:06 AM

installed my '03.5 msp shift knob.. t3h nice.. now if I can figure out how to get it to face the right way :)

_Kansei_ September-21st-2007 07:47 AM


Originally Posted by Jackelope (Post 392818)
installed my '03.5 msp shift knob.. t3h nice.. now if I can figure out how to get it to face the right way :)

Thought it had set screws for that?

njaremka September-21st-2007 08:15 AM

threads onto the shifter like stock

Jackelope September-21st-2007 08:26 AM

i can deal with it, not like i look down to shift haha much beefier than my '03 and since the leather isnt stretched, it doesnt fall of the bottom and start "buzzing"

_Kansei_ September-21st-2007 08:33 AM


Originally Posted by njaremka (Post 392823)
threads onto the shifter like stock

I know that.. I didn't mean set screws as the only means of attachment. I thought it was one of the knobs where you use a set screw to align the text and shift pattern though.

my greddy just uses a sticker.. take the knob off, jab a pen up in it to pop the sticker off, realign. I doubt the MSP knob is that simple

Jackelope September-21st-2007 08:35 AM

i didnt take the time to actually *think* about how i could get it to turn, i just popped it one, had to go under my house and ghetto rig my network/cables for internet/sat in bedroom ;)

Jackelope September-21st-2007 08:35 AM

i didnt take the time to actually *think* about how i could get it to turn, i just popped it one, had to go under my house and ghetto rig my network/cables for internet/sat in bedroom ;)


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