Mazda3Club.com : The Original Mazda3 Forum - JoshP5's Suspension Build Thread

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Thanks for the tip, Andrew.

Well, I studied a lot of photos and the attached one made me change my mind to go with the full set of H-Techs. The subtle drop on the sedan looks really nice, and I figured if mu P5's rear ends up a tad lower due to its wagonness then so be it.

After Monday's install, the rear is sitting a bit high. I read from other H-Tekkers that this should settle in nicely, so I'm being patient. But the RB springs may still have to go on the rear.

Despite my weeklong liquid wrench assault, all 4 endlinks needed to be amputated. :(

My hatch interior is still all in pieces, so the only driving impression is that it's definitely not stock. I also heard some creaking from the rear while slowly cornering, which has me a little nervous.

Also, a question. My mechanic wasn't willing to install the rear trailing links, saying he needed the attachment bolts to do it. Anyone have experience with installing these guys?

Will do. Rear is settling nicely but the verdict's still out.

lemme know if you want to do them earlier on the 19th or some time sooner

Tomorrow. Planning a morning wash and photo session.

Liquid, I'll bring them on the 19th, but not committing to install quite yet...I'll keep you updated.

word. let me know if you want to install them, well meet a couple of hours early

looks really good! cant wait to see it.

Thats a sick ride man......

Can't wait to finish my own suspension build, I think this thread is what inspired me in the first place, haha.

Thanks, fellas. Keep us updated, J--I'm eager to see how your build ends up! :)

It's just such a pain shipping everything to where I am... I'd be done by now if I wasn't spending %20 of my costs on shipping alone.

High shipping + border fees ftl :(

No worries--I spent 4 months researching, planning, and implementing my suspension upgrade. It's better to take your time and get it right.

I spent about two weeks on the HTechs. My assessment is they are well-matched to the HP's valving. There's a bit more harshness over road imperfections, but the chassis handles it very well. The ride is totally livable--my wife didn't even notice the change, although she's not much of a car person. In performance terms, the car feels noticeably tighter and well-controlled--there's less roll, dive, and squat. After many measurements, I observed an average drop of 1-1/4" front, 1/2" rear. However, the car pushed just as much as the stock setup.

So yesterday I continued with my original plan and swapped out the rear Teins for RBs. No measurements yet but the drop looks about the same. The ride is also unchanged. There's an obvious difference in handling, however. I was able to get a little lift-throttle rotation at the apex of a right hander this morning. First time ever in my Protege and not bad for stock sways. A decreasing-radius freeway offramp charge admitted more grip and reduced understeer. So far I am much happier with the performance of the RB rear springs. RB knows suspension tuning!