Sorry for not starting this thread sooner for the people who were interested in our bars from this thread. http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=98224
Attached below in bold is a copy for what we posted on the other thread.
Hello all you fellow Protg owners. This message is to introduce a few products that a friend and myself are developing. We have noticed that the interest in a triple tube design (tri-point) front strut bar has grown. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one other tri-point bar made for the Protg and has not received very much positive feed back, especially in regards to the design, finishing, and company service. We would like to gauge some interest and get some feedback from the Protg community and finalize the designs of our front and rear strut bars, and make them available for other to enjoy.
At the moment, we have a prototype made for the front and it is being tested on a daily driven Protg, and will soon be put under strenuous testing on an autocross track. The bar design ensures it will fit all Protg sedan models 99-03 and Protg 5 models 02-03, including the MP3 and the Mazdaspeed models. No cutting or drilling of the existing car components, other than cars equipped with the cruise control. Please note that some components may be required to be relocated only, and will come with all required hardware and instructions. The bar will be fabricated from rectangular and square tubing, with CNC cut strut plates (not punched out), to ensure smooth edges and proper fit. All bars will be individually test fitted prior to painting and finishing. Our bar will also replace part of the stock battery tie down, still holding the battery securely in its original location. The bar is slightly heavier than the average bar, but this is due to the amount of materials used, and the thickness of the materials used for its construction. We have designed it to ensure the bar is as stiff as possible, and flex is limited.
Also currently under construction are two different rear strut bars for the Protg 5 years 02-03. We have an option of two bars that will fit within the rear cargo area, directly behind the rear seats and located just below the removable hatch cover. One bar will be a fixed design, and the other will allow for the removal of the bar from within the cargo area using basic tools, to allow the cargo space to remain as stock as possible. The prototype of the non-removable bar will be completed by the end of next week and will also undergo testing on the autocross track. The removable bar will allow the owner of the car to utilize the entire trunk space just as they would without the bar. Both of the bars when installed are out of the way and will allow full use of the cargo area with the rear seats in the upright position. Construction of the rear bar strut plates are similar to the front and the tube will be chromoly tubing. The bar will also include all required hardware.
Please view the picture below. It is the first prototype of our front bar, and will undergo testing and further modifications soon. A picture of the rear bar will follow soon. Stay tuned.
Scott, and Jacob.
New info:
Both the Tri-point front strut bar and the rear removable bar have been completed and installed on our everyday drivers. Both have been vigorously tested on the autocross track numerous times and pass with flying colours. The front bar requires some minor modifications to the mounting plates for cosmetic reasons and the rear bar will be revised slightly to allow for more room in the cargo area when it is removed. Attached below is a pic of the front test bar. Please do not mind the unfinished look at this moment, we have not had any time to finish them completely. A pic of the rear bar will be posted in a week time. I am going camping and will take some shots when I get back. We are only "Gauging Interest" at this time and will get AV or AMM status when the products are ready for sale.
Attached below in bold is a copy for what we posted on the other thread.
Hello all you fellow Protg owners. This message is to introduce a few products that a friend and myself are developing. We have noticed that the interest in a triple tube design (tri-point) front strut bar has grown. To the best of our knowledge, there is only one other tri-point bar made for the Protg and has not received very much positive feed back, especially in regards to the design, finishing, and company service. We would like to gauge some interest and get some feedback from the Protg community and finalize the designs of our front and rear strut bars, and make them available for other to enjoy.
At the moment, we have a prototype made for the front and it is being tested on a daily driven Protg, and will soon be put under strenuous testing on an autocross track. The bar design ensures it will fit all Protg sedan models 99-03 and Protg 5 models 02-03, including the MP3 and the Mazdaspeed models. No cutting or drilling of the existing car components, other than cars equipped with the cruise control. Please note that some components may be required to be relocated only, and will come with all required hardware and instructions. The bar will be fabricated from rectangular and square tubing, with CNC cut strut plates (not punched out), to ensure smooth edges and proper fit. All bars will be individually test fitted prior to painting and finishing. Our bar will also replace part of the stock battery tie down, still holding the battery securely in its original location. The bar is slightly heavier than the average bar, but this is due to the amount of materials used, and the thickness of the materials used for its construction. We have designed it to ensure the bar is as stiff as possible, and flex is limited.
Also currently under construction are two different rear strut bars for the Protg 5 years 02-03. We have an option of two bars that will fit within the rear cargo area, directly behind the rear seats and located just below the removable hatch cover. One bar will be a fixed design, and the other will allow for the removal of the bar from within the cargo area using basic tools, to allow the cargo space to remain as stock as possible. The prototype of the non-removable bar will be completed by the end of next week and will also undergo testing on the autocross track. The removable bar will allow the owner of the car to utilize the entire trunk space just as they would without the bar. Both of the bars when installed are out of the way and will allow full use of the cargo area with the rear seats in the upright position. Construction of the rear bar strut plates are similar to the front and the tube will be chromoly tubing. The bar will also include all required hardware.
Please view the picture below. It is the first prototype of our front bar, and will undergo testing and further modifications soon. A picture of the rear bar will follow soon. Stay tuned.
Scott, and Jacob.
New info:
Both the Tri-point front strut bar and the rear removable bar have been completed and installed on our everyday drivers. Both have been vigorously tested on the autocross track numerous times and pass with flying colours. The front bar requires some minor modifications to the mounting plates for cosmetic reasons and the rear bar will be revised slightly to allow for more room in the cargo area when it is removed. Attached below is a pic of the front test bar. Please do not mind the unfinished look at this moment, we have not had any time to finish them completely. A pic of the rear bar will be posted in a week time. I am going camping and will take some shots when I get back. We are only "Gauging Interest" at this time and will get AV or AMM status when the products are ready for sale.
Last edited:
