18" rims, Lowered springs and shocks?

[Solara999]

Hello everyone, planning to get the P5 soon and I would like to know the car more first.........since you guys are IN to the modification of P5, this must be the place to ask.

Rims.....I think 18" would be PHAT.....however, small car like that, 18" is kinda like asking for trouble, but I want to know does anyone drop 18" on thier p5...?

Also, if I am going to 17"......what is the spec I should get? Rims and tires..? like 225/40-17? and 17x7" rims are the max? The most important..........OFFSET....35, 38, 40, 43, 45? (without ROLLING fenders at all 4 corners)

Suspension......Eibach? Besides, what else..? What aftermarket suspension I can choose from? I would like to drop her like 1.5" to 1.8"......(not coilover style or CIVIC low-rider style, just enough)

Is P5 running STRUTS or SHOCKS...? What aftermarket suspension I can choose from? I knew Tokico does MP3, is that the primary choice of P5...?

I know that is a lot......but jsut can't let the P5 go out STOCK.

Thanks everyone

 

[zoompr5man]

Well what i have are 17x7 w/a 1.5" eibach drop. The offset on my rims ares 40+, i recommend @ least 43+. I had to roll back my fenders, but the car sits very, very nice and bumps are no longer a problem. the only aftermarket STRUT that is made for our car[that is available to the public] is mazdapseed, but i talked to tokico & KYB, they will be manufacturing struts for our car soon[ADJUSTABLE AND NON ADJUSTABLE] in 2003. Good luck let us know when you get it, I'll post pics of my ride soon. The weather has been crappy where i live so i rather wait until the weather breaks. POST YOUR PICS WHEN U GET IT!

 

[Mac Daddy]

Check my page

 

[ARD MP5]

http://groups.msn.com/AutomotiveRD/automotiverd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=254

18's are not a problem with the right offset. You'll want to run a 215/35 and depending on the roads out there you may or may not want to do this.

http://groups.msn.com/AutomotiveRD/automotiverd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=520

Rishie

 

[70]

Well what i have are 17x7 w/a 1.5" eibach drop. The offset on my rims ares 40+, i recommend @ least 43+. I had to roll back my fenders, but the car sits very, very nice and bumps are no longer a problem. the only aftermarket STRUT that is made for our car[that is available to the public] is mazdapseed, but i talked to tokico & KYB, they will be manufacturing struts for our car soon[ADJUSTABLE AND NON ADJUSTABLE] in 2003. Good luck let us know when you get it, I'll post pics of my ride soon. The weather has been crappy where i live so i rather wait until the weather breaks. POST YOUR PICS WHEN U GET IT!

Um, no...Check the Protege FAQ. There are a few options for the struts. The MP3 is running on Tockico blues. You can get them, or the Mazdaspeed struts from your dealership. Then there are the adjustable Mazdaspeed (JDM) struts available. You can also get Bilstein inserts from AWR.

As far springs go, you have a couple of options as well. If you go with the MP3 struts, get the MP3 Racing Beat springs from the dealer, or get the Racing Beat springs from Racing Beat. If you go with the Mazdaspeed Protege struts, get the Mazdaspeed Protege springs. If you go with the JDM mazdaspeed adjustable struts, I would recomend getting the JDM Mazdaspeed springs.

You can also order the whole 323 wagon suspension from Europe.

If you go with the AWR Bilstein inserts, I would recommend getting the rest of the AWR package.

Bascially I'm giving you the "matched" packages for springs and struts.

If you get the Eibach springs (I have heard are softer than the Racing Beat springs) go with them. The JDM Mazdaspeed struts would work with them.

 

[Solara999]

Check my page

Your page doesn't work.......and if I can do it, I would take 18" over 17"......

StuttersC and ARD MP5: Wow.......great helps guys, since that is not really my ride, I would go easy on the suspension......Eibach never disappoint me, and if I can get Tokico Blue from www.shox.com, I think I will do that....besides, all the Mazdaspeed parts, I have to order them thru DEALER.......? Any alternative....? Shops? Online or not..? I did most of my Solara parts from TRD direct.........dealer usually can charge 200% more for overhead.

zoompr5man: I learned a lot from my Stage 3 Solara.........that's why I would rather ask first before getting the rims.....now a day, 18" rims and tires are dirt cheap......the question is, what are the offset and am I willing to challenge the Chicago Potholes with those 18" and low-pro tires.

 

[Solara999]

http://groups.msn.com/AutomotiveRD/automotiverd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=254

18's are not a problem with the right offset. You'll want to run a 215/35 and depending on the roads out there you may or may not want to do this.

http://groups.msn.com/AutomotiveRD/automotiverd.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=520

Rishie

Do you have access to the owner of this black P5 with 18" rims....? When you say correct offset, what are they then? Front and rear.......? I would guess 18x7" wide rims with 43-45mm offset would be OK.........any confirmed information?

Thanks

 

[70]

Your page doesn't work.......and if I can do it, I would take 18" over 17"......

StuttersC and ARD MP5: Wow.......great helps guys, since that is not really my ride, I would go easy on the suspension......Eibach never disappoint me, and if I can get Tokico Blue from www.shox.com, I think I will do that....besides, all the Mazdaspeed parts, I have to order them thru DEALER.......? Any alternative....? Shops? Online or not..? I did most of my Solara parts from TRD direct.........dealer usually can charge 200% more for overhead.

zoompr5man: I learned a lot from my Stage 3 Solara.........that's why I would rather ask first before getting the rims.....now a day, 18" rims and tires are dirt cheap......the question is, what are the offset and am I willing to challenge the Chicago Potholes with those 18" and low-pro tires.

The dealer's prices are actually pretty reasonable for the Mazdaspeed stuff. There is also a dealership on line (mazdastuff.com??) that is supposed to be even better for prices.

 

[ARD MP5]

Shox won't be able to get you those Tokiko blues. They are proprietary to Mazda. We're still waiting for tokiko to release the illuminas to the public.

As for the Black Protege5 it is mine. So I guess I found your man. I've gone through about 6 or 7 sets of wheels on this car in all sizes shape and form.

My recipe is posted above:
http://www.mazdamp3.com/vbb225/showthread.php?s=&threadid=9129

Check it out.

Thanks, Rishie

The SSR GT1 in 18" does not come in appropriate offset for the wagon. Will work on the sedan though.

 

[Solara999]

Thanks Rishie, that really helps, and I just printed this and filed to my P5 folder for future reference, again, I am not sure my wife can handle 18"......but I definitely will not spend my $$$ on 17"......I rather keep the stocker.

Here is my question.............

Mazda Protege5 fitment guide

215/40/17; 215/35/18
-------------
7.0" +45 and higher
7.5" +48 and higher

When you say HIGHER # of offset........are you saying (for example: 7.0" +45 and higher) I can use something like 48 offset (48 is higher # then 45).....

Or you are talking about higher RATIO of offset like (complete reverse) 43 offset......?

For my understanding (dealing with those for my Stage 3 four years ago) the LOWER the number, the closer that the rims are TOUCHING the fender.....(sticking away from the struts instead of closer to the struts)........

I have this question is because your "7.5" +48 and higher" doesn't make sence to me.......again, I think I am WRONG about this offset thing, and just want your input one more time, cause I really like the 225 tires, and 7.5" wide rims are the best match for 225 tires......and IF the rims are wider (7 vs 7.5 and we are assuming the same design of rims, same mfr, and same spec).....don't we want the rims that is closer to the fender instead of closer to the struts to avoid the rims/tires rubbing the struts?

Thanks again

Howard

 

[BadDSM]

The higher the offset the more the wheel will be pulled in towards the car.
Example 40 mm offset will be closer to the fender than a 45mm offset.
I personally want some Rota Sub zero's but they are 17 x 7.5 with a 45 mm offset which from what people have said on this board to be very close to the fender even with a 205/40 series tire.
I dont think the 225's and 7.5" wide tire that you speak of will fit at all.

Evan
PS- Can anyone verify if what i said is true?