Bumble_G

If this has been asked before, I couldn't find it with the search option. (sorry)

K,

Now lets say I buy all the MP3 suspension parts and bolt em on my P5.
Will it handle as good?
Will it sit a the proper ride height? Or will one end be higher than the other?

Why do I ask? Well if the MP3 suspension was tuned on a protégé sedan then would that tuning be screwed up on a Protégé5?

The curb weights of the two cars only differ by 9 lbs. (according to Mazdausa.com)
2001 MP3’s curb weight is 2725 lb at 60:40 front:rear
2002 P5’s curb weight is 2716 lb at 60:40 front:rear

I know that the lower profile tires from the MP3 help. Would anything else affect the performance? (Like because the P5 is a hatch there is no strut tower brace.)

Eric F

It will be very close. If you're worried about the MP3 springs, I would suggest getting the P5 springs from Racing Beat, and the stabilizer bar kit and struts from Mazdastuff. The Racing Beat springs are slightly stiffer, at ~21% front and rear compared to 16% front and 19% rear for the MP3 springs. The wheels, and especially tires will affect handling of course, but if you get comparable tires to the MP3 the P5 should handle very well with the MP3 suspension. The stabilizer bar kit comes with a new rear crossmember, I'm not sure whether it's necessary for the '01+ Protege sedans and hatchbacks. I've got the kit installed with MazdaSpeed struts and Eibach springs right now. I'll be changing to the Racing Beat springs when weather permits.

azrakain

why are you switching to the racing beats? Do you not like the height of the eibachs?

Bruce95fmla

eibach springs are supposed to be the one of the best on the market , but there may be some gains to going to a spring that was specifically desighned for a mazda car, they may be more tuned to the actuall suspension needs of the car, ..
Bruce

azrakain

eibachs applications are tuned to the specific car. Thats why their is a seperate spring kit for the Protege5 and the sedan.....just my opinion

Eric F

I believe the Racing Beat springs are manufactured by Eibach for Racing Beat. As Bruce said, The Racing Beat springs were designed for overall handling with the Racing Beat sway bars and Tokico strut dampening rates in mind. The Eibachs are excellent lowering springs, but their primary function is just that, lowering the car. How many springs would Eibach sell if they didn't lower the car much? There are far more people interested in lowering the car than there are in improving the car's handling ability. The two often don't go hand in hand. I personally am more interested in optimal handling over lowering, so thus the switch. It all depends on your goal, the Eibachs were great, and I didn't notice the bump steer problem that has been suggested with the Protege front suspension that occurs when lowered too much.

StuttersC

The MP3 doesn't sit that much lower than a stock Protege...Only 5mm (per Mazdausa.com).

Something else that is interesting is that the spring rates might actually be the same between the MP3 springs and the springs Racing Beat made after the MP3...

The Racing Beat springs are stiffer percentage wise over stock, and lower the car more than the MP3 springs.

Racing Beat is unsure, however, if there is a difference between the two springs as they have not had the time nor do they worry if there is a difference in the rate.

In order to check if there is a difference, you would effectively have to put the springs a spring dyno and then check them in the car, one set right after the other.

So, if you want as close to stock ride height as possible, the MP3 springs would be good. If you want a little lower, the Racing Beat springs would be a good choice.

Just a thought...

Eric F

As would I. For street driving, I think you've got it backwards. Progressive rate springs are preferable on just about anything but the smoothest of surfaces. What exactly are you doing with the actual spring rate? Do you know the corner weights of your car? Are you using a formula to calculate the oscillation frequency of your suspension with a certain spring rate? If so, what are you using to compare that rate against to figure out where you want your car to fall in the range? Numbers are great if you're using them for something specific, but just for the sake of having them? What's the point?