jowettw

do the struts off an MP3 fit directly onto a regular 1999 Protege?

i inquired about the price during an oil change and the guy said they don't fit at all.

RebelRacing

I have gone through this recently, I spoke to the guys at RacingBeat and the struts are physically the same, but the mount for the swaybar is different, and would require modification or the use of the MP3 swaybar and end links.
Also, unsure if it would affect installation but the MP3 and I think Pro5 received some extra structural metal around the strut towers (sheets, brackets i dunno). You might have some fitment problems.
If you are looking to install a set of struts, look into Tokico Illuminas, as I understand they are the same strut as the MP3 with slightly more agressive valving, and should be easy enough to find for our cars (I have a '99 Protege also)

StuttersC

I thought the Tokico Illuminas were the adjustable ones???

If that is the case then they are not like the MP3 struts. MP3 is not adjustable.

I would look into the Bilsteins AWR sells.

carguycw

Illuminas aren't available for a BJ Protege. There was a rumor they were going to come out this summer, but the guys at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development say that there's no sign they will be released anytime soon.

The only struts you can get for our cars are OEM MP3 struts, adjustable Mazdaspeeds, and the AWR Bilsteins. The MP3 struts are the least expensive by far.

jowettw

thanks for the replies.

heh, not much of a selection right now.
do other companies have plans for struts or are they just ignoring the Pro?

carguycw

Chances are good that we will see more shocks within the next 1-2 years. There was not much demand for BJ Pro speed parts before the MP3 and P5 came out, so our cars were not on the top of the shock makers' priority list. It usually takes shock makers 3-4 years to bring out parts for most cars anyways, unless it's a popular car to mod and it's pretty well guaranteed that there will be heavy demand immediately (e.g. Miata, Mustang, WRX, etc.)

Within 2 years, I boldly predict that we will see Illuminas and Koni yellows for our cars. Patience, young Jedi

Eric F

I have the MazdaSpeed adjustables installed now. They are made by Tokico, and are basically Illuminas painted MazdaSpeed green. They fit any '99+ Protege fine as should the MP3 Tokico struts. There was no problem with the stock stabilzer bars or the MP3 bars.