hi. I am going to be installing a progress 22mm rear sway bar on my es. however, i hear its not good to have a bigger sway bar in the front then the back. supposedly it will cause oversteer, making my back swing out around turns. I am not sure what size the front stoc sway bar is now. please help (boom07)
Does anyone know the stock front sway bar size?
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thats what i was thinking in my head, but my friend is definitely reliable when it comes to stuff. so i wouldnt question what he says. but thanks man i appriciate the $0.02....for the record i am with you on this one. (first)
mitchman said:Sorry, but who ever told you that is wrong. A bigger front sway bar causes the car to understeer.
I would purchase the AWR rear bar instead. It's adjustable so if your car does have a tendancy to oversteer, you can soften it by sliding the adjuster links.
Just my $0.02.
We'll I should have explained a little better. A stiffer front sway bar CAN add more front grip in the middle of a turn. This is because the front tires will sit flatter to the ground because of the reduced body sway.
But normally, people don't like the way their FWD car handles with this setup. It's really hard to drive fast. You have to be VERY patient in the turns.
Just thought I'd clear that up.
But normally, people don't like the way their FWD car handles with this setup. It's really hard to drive fast. You have to be VERY patient in the turns.
Just thought I'd clear that up.
rustychops41
Member
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- 2007 Mazda 3s HB
I think the front bar is about 22 or 23mm stock, and the ES/P5 front bar is 1mm larger. The stock rear bar is 16mm (DX/LX are microscopically less @15.9mm, for some bizarre reason) I think the reason most folks don't change out the front bar is because it's one of those jobs that makes you "invent new cuss words."
I've finally got our DX handeling well. I've added the Mazdaspeed shocks (lime green ones) and disconnected the front sway bar (made a BIG difference). Here's how I did at an out-of-town autocross a couple of weeks back:
http://www.autosportsnorthwest.org/20060430pax_times.txt
http://www.autosportsnorthwest.org/20060430pax_times.txt
Two questions. Aren't the those Lime green shocks the same as the MSP factory shocks. Or are they the same as the Tokico Illuminas. If not whats the difference. Would you recamend the front swaybar off for daily driving? And what kind of bar do you use in the back (AWR 21.5mm or 19mm?) Do you have stock springs? Ok thats more than two questions but i'm putting some money in my suspention in the next couple days to autoX in a couple of weaks. Any helpful advice is greatly apreciated!!! (friday)mitchman said:
#1 most important thing.....TIRES. #2, alignment. #3, shocks.
The Mazdaspeed lime green shocks are similar to the Tokico Illuminas. The MSP shocks are Tokico blues (non-adjustable) If you can't get the Mazdaspeeds (our will be for sale sometime in August if you can wait for them), go with the Illuminas. In fact, you reallly only need them in the rear, where the stiff setting acts like a rear sway bar. But you still can stay in H-Stock (rear sway bars aren't legal in Stock classes)
If you want to do well in autocross, you need to build the car for the class. My advice is always to start in the stock class and spend your time/money on driving schools and tires, tires, tires.
Removing the front sway bar is fine for daily driving. It will make the car lean more (not too bad though) and it will also understeer less (similar to if you were to add a rear sway bar).
The rear sway is the ultimate solution, but it moves the car into a $$$$ class where you won't be as competitive.
BTW, you don't need to actually REMOVE the front sway bar (alot of work!), you just remove one of the end links (your choice either the left side end link or the right side end link....it doesn't matter) That way the bar won't flop around and come into contact with stuff. Well.....every once in a while if you drive into a steep driveway or something, you might hear it go clunk, but it's very rare.
Good luck!
NOTE: I wouldn't recommend running the car on sticky racing tires (street tires are okay) with the front sway dissconnect and stock (worn out) shocks. The car will lean too much and there's a very slim possibility it could roll over. Good shocks will elliminate the problem by controlling the sway. People are always amazed with how much good shocks make a difference.
The Mazdaspeed lime green shocks are similar to the Tokico Illuminas. The MSP shocks are Tokico blues (non-adjustable) If you can't get the Mazdaspeeds (our will be for sale sometime in August if you can wait for them), go with the Illuminas. In fact, you reallly only need them in the rear, where the stiff setting acts like a rear sway bar. But you still can stay in H-Stock (rear sway bars aren't legal in Stock classes)
If you want to do well in autocross, you need to build the car for the class. My advice is always to start in the stock class and spend your time/money on driving schools and tires, tires, tires.
Removing the front sway bar is fine for daily driving. It will make the car lean more (not too bad though) and it will also understeer less (similar to if you were to add a rear sway bar).
The rear sway is the ultimate solution, but it moves the car into a $$$$ class where you won't be as competitive.
BTW, you don't need to actually REMOVE the front sway bar (alot of work!), you just remove one of the end links (your choice either the left side end link or the right side end link....it doesn't matter) That way the bar won't flop around and come into contact with stuff. Well.....every once in a while if you drive into a steep driveway or something, you might hear it go clunk, but it's very rare.
Good luck!
NOTE: I wouldn't recommend running the car on sticky racing tires (street tires are okay) with the front sway dissconnect and stock (worn out) shocks. The car will lean too much and there's a very slim possibility it could roll over. Good shocks will elliminate the problem by controlling the sway. People are always amazed with how much good shocks make a difference.
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thanks for the help and the offer on the struts. I have a thing with buying used parts though and I am lucky enough to live 20 min. from Corksport so I think I'm gonna get new ones in a few months. One thing I forgot to ask you about disconnecting the front sway bay was if it increases wheel hop or slightly increased launch traction or anything at all? I know the bars affect lateraul movement but small changes can sometimes change other things too.
mitchman said:
I didn't think it would affect anything I don't have a wheel hop issue in my ES(1.8l) but my P5 is another story. Dumped the clutch one time to show off and I just bounced the front up and down like it had hydrolics. Theres been a debate for sometime which is better 1.8 or 2.0, I know there the same engine but i'll go for the 1.8L.
I'm from Portland OR. right now though I'm going to school in Phoenix AZ but i'll be done and moved back by september 1st. I keep buging you but what size rims and tires do you use (street/AutoX) and have you ever used wheel spacers? What springs do you use? I'm thinking about getting H&R, FK(for the 99-03 323 I have the FK cup kit on my jetta(10) ), or intrax. I'm ordering the sway bar this week so I'll see how that gose can't wait!!
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well I read a sticky about all the different springs with specs on spring rates and drop height and it looks like with a thicker bar the eibachs are the best overal spring without going into coilovers. Interesting. I don't like 17" rims so the car should sit a little lower with 15's or 16's. is it worth it going to 205/50/16's or stick with 205/50/15
Do you neccesairly have to upgrade the front sway bar? bc Ive been looking all over the web for aftermarket sways for my protege ES but no luck :/ the only sell it for the rear? is that odd or normal? bc what happens if I just upgrade the rear bar and not the front? or does anyone know a good website where the sell some aftermarket parts for mazdas? like corksport, is the website legit? i came across it but never herd of it before? like i said i find it oddd that multiple websites only sell the rear bar but not the front?
please need some help..!
please need some help..!
tweety2300
Member
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- 2001 mazda protege mp3
Racing beat makes front and rear swaybars. They came on the msp and mp3. Corks port is good there are others. Speed circuit etc just google it
