cthom

I've searched and found no clear answers, so I hope some of you can answer this question. Will MSP springs and struts fit an '03 Protege LX sedan? I don't see why not. Mazdastuff disclaims on their website that you must have the proper hub. Yeah, the LX is 4-lug and the MSP is 5-lug, but why should that affect the struts actually bolting up? Maybe the strut housing is a different diamater and so too is the mounting flange on the hub? Will the stock LX swaybars bolt up? (at least until I can get a better setup) Thanks all.

import_tuner19

yeah im with you there should be no reason they wont just bolt up but i dont know the MSP inside and out like others here do, lets hope someone who knows will reply cause i was looking into these parts as well.

goldstar

I have the complete MSP suspension components (springs, struts and stabilizer bars) on my '02 DX. Fits perfectly and substantially improves handling. It also lowers the car about 3/4". The MSP set-up is sold as an accessory replacement for the sedans. When replacing the bars, the rear crossmember must be replaced to mount the MSP rear bar and this new crossmember is included when you buy the MSP stabilizer bar kit.

You can check out what parts are needed and get good prices at:
www.mazdastuff.com

Roddimus Prime

yes, this is another GREAT upgrade for the sedan guys. The MSP is the worlds best handling production FWD car ever made. No sense in messing with "as good as it gets"!

dangeo

The stock swaybars might not bolt up so easy to the MS Tokico shock absorbers from what I read on Racing Beats page awhile back. They said that the MS swaybars were "not easily installed on non-mp3/msp models because the endlink mounting flange on the side of the shock absorbers has been reinforced to accommodate the larger sway bars." I don't know if that means its just reinforced or if sizes and geometry have been changed, but they of course recommend upgrading to the Tokico shocks and larger sway bars at the same time...and it makes sense for convenience of installing if you got it all apart anyways. You may want to hold off until you can get the whole suspension package together...that's the boat I'm in.

Does anyone know the width and offset of the MS 17" Racing Harts? What's their construction ( type of casting or forging) and weight?

goldstar

The stock stabilizer bars fit perfectly on the MSP struts with NO problems. Initially, because I couldn't afford the whole package, I only installed the MSP springs and struts and remounted the stock bars. Later, I installed the MSP bars and new rear crossmember.

What Racing Beat is saying is that you should not mount the MSP bars on the stock struts because the strut mounting flanges can break off due to the extra forces generated by the larger diameter bars. The MSP strut mounting flanges are reinforced for this reason. Just don't mount the MSP bars until you first mount the MSP struts.

02 DX Millenium Red

dangeo

Cool.
So I do not confuse anyone, Racing Beat is selling its own pieces for the MP3 and MSP, but the difference with 03 MP5 and sedan seemed like a relevant detail at the time. And the RH are 17x7

cthom

Thanks guys. This is exactly the info. I was looking for. I agree, the MSP suspension is grerat from the factory, a baragin really. And now we know for sure that the MSP struts will work with the factory swaybars. Of course I'd like to do it all at once, but don't have the money.

rustychops41

One more vote for the MSP/MP3 suspension on ANY 3rd gen Protege. I had this set-up on my recently departed 02 DX, minus the front sway-bar, and it is such a sweet compromise for ride/handling. In fact, when I replaced my totaled 02 DX with a bone stock 02 P5, I was surprised at how much the new ride rode so firm, yet didn't handle as well as my modded DX. I was expecting a "mushy" difference in ride, but it turns out the DX wasn't that much firmer, with much improved cornering to boot. I don't plan on modding the new P5, other than wheels/tires, but if I ever change the suspension, I already know what I'm getting, and it's MSP/MP3 all the way baby.