AWR 21.5mm rear sway bar installed!

[NegatiZE]

Boy, this this thing make a huge difference. There's virtually no lean throughout corners. Straight line stability has improved, and steering feel is better. You can feel the steering want to turn back to the center faster. The car just begs for more.

Installation took about 3 hours, because the endlinks are a pain in the ass. I had put the things on backwards first, then I realized I couldn't get to the hex screws without taking the rear wheels off. I had to completely remove both endlinks and start over.

Here are the pictures:

 

[70]

Have you noticed of any clearance issues?? Those end links look like they are about an inch above the ground..

 

[NegatiZE]

Have you noticed of any clearance issues?? Those end links look like they are about an inch above the ground..

None at all. The endlinks move up with the suspension when you hit a bump so there shouldn't be any trouble unless you're going off-roading or something...

 

[20ESGUY]

are those end links fully adjustable??

 

[NegatiZE]

Yes, you can adjust them using hex screwdrivers on the side. The endlinks slide forward and back.

 

[melicha8]

It doesn't look like a problem since they are in between the wheel

 

[GOTZOOM?]

Whats up negatiZE, I see you are in PC, I am over here in Fort Walton. Anyway, what is AWR, I will probally do a DOH! as soon as you tell me, but right know I cant figure it out.

 

[70]

None at all. The endlinks move up with the suspension when you hit a bump so there shouldn't be any trouble unless you're going off-roading or something...

That's cool. I wasn't sure how much movement there was and the angle of the pictures made it look like they were right on the gorund...

 

[NegatiZE]

Whats up negatiZE, I see you are in PC, I am over here in Fort Walton. Anyway, what is AWR, I will probally do a DOH! as soon as you tell me, but right know I cant figure it out.

AWR stands for Anthony Woodford Racing...here's their URL: http://www.awrracing.com/awr.html

They sell a bunch of stuff actually...

 

[BlueMP5Dave]

Where did you purchase your swaybar from? Did you purchase it from AWR? Thanks I would like to purchase one but, it is not available through Mazda anymore unless you are part of there race support. I am not a racer and I am not rich so I can not afford to plan a specific time when project will be finished. Well any help with purchase is appreciated. Thanks

 

[NegatiZE]

I bought it from Protege5Online.com. Very fast delivery and great service.

 

[BlueMP5Dave]

Thanks appreciate your time have you seen any replacements for fromt sway bar other than stock MP3.

 

[70]

Thanks appreciate your time have you seen any replacements for fromt sway bar other than stock MP3.

Nope, nobody really makes a front bar because it is a pain to change. The bar from the MP3 is the only one out there so far.

 

[BlueMP5Dave]

Thanks Stutters looks like i will buy the MP3 bar and call it a day.

 

[GXL]

What about these:

They are manufactured by Mazda according to the site. They sell both, front and rear bars for $399.99 with all the hareware included.

The front bar is 25mm, while the rear is 20mm. Not sure if they're solid?

Is that a good setting for a P5 with stock springs and shocks?


Here's the source: http://www.performancebuyers.com/ca...=2399&areaID=-3

 

[mazdadan]

The 21.5mm bar looks a lot better than the 19mm AWR bar I have. I'm glad to see AWR got their act together and made some end links that actually work properly. On the 19mm bar, I had to make my own end links to make it work on the stiff setting. AWR kept saying the stock end links would work fine, but there were clearance issues with them. The bar would interfere with the TTL links. Unless the 19mm bar is on the stiffer setting, there is really no big gains over the stock bar since the AWR bar is hollow. I also have to make sure this bar has plenty of grease or else it will creak like crazy. I figured they would come out with a better product eventually.

 

[Gyre]

What about these:

Look like the MP3 ones to me.

 

[GXL]

Are those 2 (mp3) better than a single AWR 21.5mm rear bar?

By the way, do P5s have sway bars at all? If so, what are the mesurements?

 

[BlueMP5Dave]

Are those 2 (mp3) better than a single AWR 21.5mm rear bar?

Problem again with the MP3 bars is the end links on the stock Protege are different than the MP3? Now I don't Know the difference between the endlinks because I have only seen one MP3 in person and it was not from underneath unfortunately. So perhaps somebody could take a look at the difference for us and take some pictures I know that is a big request but perhaps it is possible? I am going to install my AWR 21.5 rear swaybar in about two weeks. So I will make sure to document my work very well. Before and after pictures with a how to will be available after Christmas.

http://www.performancebuyers.com/images/products/dPRO3004.jpg

These bars are the stock MP3 bars and need endlinks and possibly lower strut tower assemblies to make it work. I am going to investagate this further because I woul like to to do my front bar when I take my engine out to get forged internals, cams, etc.

 

[70]

Problem again with the MP3 bars is the end links on the stock Protege are different than the MP3? Now I don't Know the difference between the endlinks because I have only seen one MP3 in person and it was not from underneath unfortunately. So perhaps somebody could take a look at the difference for us and take some pictures I know that is a big request but perhaps it is possible? I am going to install my AWR 21.5 rear swaybar in about two weeks. So I will make sure to document my work very well. Before and after pictures with a how to will be available after Christmas.

These bars are the stock MP3 bars and need endlinks and possibly lower strut tower assemblies to make it work. I am going to investagate this further because I woul like to to do my front bar when I take my engine out to get forged internals, cams, etc.

The endlinks on the MP3 are stock Protege, however the mounting point on the strut is beefier than that on the stock Protege strut housing.

You would either have to get aftermarket struts with the modified mounting point (The JDM Mazdaspeed sturts have it), or beef up your stock strut housing.