slikpro

I'm in need for new struts finally. I have about 65,000 miles with 25,000 being with B&G springs.

I searched the FAQ but no luck.

Can I use the MP3 struts for my Pro? If not, what is out there for my car. I want to stay with my springs, maybe coilovers in the future.

Thanks in advance.
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jowettw

heh, every now and then, i ask this question

what's available:

-mp3 struts
-mazdaspeed struts
-OEM
-E-spec OEM

tokico says they will have ones for fall of this year (not the MP3 ones) - but i'm guessing they will be designed/measured for the Pro5's/ MP3's

also i saw a thread in the buy/sell section for autoexe struts - but no prices

as for whether the MP3 struts will fit or not, i always get the answer: "they should fit" ... a kind of scary answer when you can't return dealer parts that will probably run about $700/800 (canadian)

good luck - lemme know if you run into any other info!

slikpro

Maybe not engine size, but years yes.

Everything there talks about MP5's, MP3's or the new 2.0L.

I do know that the rear sway bar setup is diferent for the 2001 and up. Im kinda guessing that the strut changed in design as well . Since the MP3 is newer than this, will the stock MP3 struts work on my car?

I do think that $178 each is a little too much for the mazdaspeed struts. Mazdaformance has the stock MP3 for about $500.00 for the kit, or just stick with the OEM type?

Thanks.
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Sexy_girl40

NegatiZE

From what I've heard, the MP3 struts should fit. The MazdaSpeed struts will fit as a matter of fact but they are too expensive.

For my 99 LX, I'm planning on: MS Struts, MP3 springs, and MP3 sway bars. If I find out somewhere that the MP3 struts will indeed fit on a 99 Protege, then I will use them instead since they are a lot cheaper.

carguycw

OK, here's my understanding about the strut situation, and the possible source of the confusion.

The upper and lower suspension mounts for all BJ Pro struts are the same. What changed was the front endlink mount location. All 99's, some 2000's, and all MP3's use a lower mount and a shorter swaybar endlink. The MS struts also use the shorter endlink.

At some point late in 2000, the mount was moved higher up and a longer endlink was used. There does not seem to be any documentation on exactly when the change occured. However, late 2000's and all 2001+ Pro and P5 models EXCEPT the MP3 use the longer endlink.

The MS or MP3 struts should fit fine on your 99. Later cars can use these struts by swapping to the early, shorter endlink.

To make things even more confusing, I don't know what the new MS Pro uses.

carguycw

I think Edwin is stressed out because "MP5" is really a misnomer; the car is technically called the P5. The "MP5" moniker seems to lead a lot of newbies to think that the hatchback shares all the same upgraded parts as the MP3, which it does not. It is the same as every other 01+ 2.0L Protege under the skin except for the strut brace, and Edwin is sick of explaining this.

He is just picky.

slikpro

What the hell, MAN?

I thought this was a forum about and for Protege's and it's owners.

I would expect a remark like that from other users, not people who manage forums.

MP5 means Mazda Protege 5 as BTW means by the way, etc. I think this is not a Gun Forum, is it??

Thanks to all for the Technical advice. I will buy the MP3 struts instead of stock struts or the Mazdaspeed ones. Question, are these only dealer items, for the MP3 struts?

Plus it seems that my clutch is going out as well, any recomendation for a 1999 Mazda Protege 1.6 Liter?

Thanks again.
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