I would like to get a rear swaybar and I am wondering how the SRMotorsports swaybar performs. Also, was it easy to install??

 

Yes, I have one. It is actually the .75" rear sway bar built by AWR. It fit and worked well on my '00 ES. So much so that I ordered the Racing Beat/MP3 front and rear stabilizer bar kit from Mazdastuff.

 

How does the mp3 sway bar set compare to the awr rear sway bar. Did you upgrade your struts when you put the mp3 sway bar set on? I drive a Pro5 so I already have the front sway bar and 399 is alot of cash for the mp3 set, plus if I have to upgrade my struts thats even more cash.

 

I already had the MazdaSpeed adjustable struts when I installed the AWR rear bar, and then the MP3/Racing Beat front and rear bars. The MazdaSpeed front struts already have a reinforced stabilizer bar mount, even more so than the MP3. The rear strut stabilizer mount is the same as the strock strut though, but seems much stronger than the stock front mount to me. No problems so far. The AWR rear bar is adjustable through two different mounting points. The stiffer setting seems stiffer than the MP3 rear bar, not sure about the other setting. The balance is better with both MP3/Racing Beat bars than the stock front and AWR rear bars though. The Protege 5 has the same stock front bar as the other Proteges, not the MP3 front bar. The AWR rear bar would seem to benefit the Protege 5 even more than the sedan because of the extra weight in the rear.

 

Does the AWR rear swaybar fit the stock Sedan strut?

 

Yes. The MazdaSpeed struts have the same tab as the stock rear struts for the stabilizer bar end links. That tab looks much stronger to me than the one on the front struts. I had the AWR rear bar on for a few months, and the MP3 bars on for a month or two, with no problems.

 

You HAD them on. What did you think of them? Which one are you using and why??

Thks...

 

I currently have the MP3/Racing Beat front and rear stabilizer bars on my car. Before that, I had the AWR rear bar on with the stock front bar. I like them both, noticeably less body roll than the stock bars. I like the AWR rear bar's adjustability, but with the stock front bar, and set to the stiffer of the two settings, there was noticably more body roll from the front than the rear. The MP3/Racing Beat bars are more balanced. I might try the AWR rear bar with the front MP3/Racing Beat bar if I don't sell it soon.

 

If the mazdaspeed shocks have the same rear mounts as the stock shocks, why does everyone say you need to upgrade if your going to put the mp3 swaybars on??

 

so in conclusion, you're saying that if someone were to go with either the AWR or the MP3/RB set, to go with the RB set so far, taking that you haven't tested the MP3/RB w/ AWR, correct?

 

Because Racing Beat recommended it. I would agree with them about the front strut stabilizer end link mounts, but the rear seem strong enough to me. I haven't had any problems, and I've tested the increased anti roll several times.

 

I think either is an upgrade compared to stock. The only front bar upgrade available is the MP3/Racing Beat bar, and it's available in a kit with the rear bar, rear crossmember, etc. for less than $400. Having both bars is definately more balanced, but also more expensive, and the front bar is much harder to install. It all comes down to how much you want to spend, and how much work you want to do.