lowering your mp3

[slug420]

just curious......

If you lower a mp3 primarily because you want to limit wheel gap.....are you in fact compromising (reducing) its handling capabilities? One of the biggest bragging points about an mp3 is how great it handles, which, as I understand it, is because Mazda spent so much time perfecting spring rates and all that suspension nonsense.......so is replacing Mazdas finely tuned marvel of suspension engineering with some 3rd party coil overs going to cost you some of your handling?

 

[Equinox]

you lower the center of gravity and therefore increase handling - assuming you use high quality progressive springs to lower the car (eibach, H&R etc...) if you use something that is just made to lower a car (DropZone) you will not get better handling. Also something to consider, your stock shocks will be able to handle the lowering, but it was not meant to ride as low as when it will have to with lowering springs, therefore - worse ride comfort. Your shocks should last, just not as long, but it is suggested when lowering you get aftermarket shocks, (Illumina, Koni) so they can handle the lowering better, (better ride comfort) AND with aftermarket shocks you increase your handling further.

THo I say this, I can say without a doubt most just lower the car and suffer the ride, it ain't so bad, and your handling will improve considerably anyways. But once you lower, get an alignment, because when you lower your camber may change - and if it changes too much it will give you worse handling. EVERYONE shoudl get an alignment after lowering, this isn't a maybe thing. If you lower a lot, like 2-3 inches, people get camber kits. Hope I helped.

 

[Equinox]

Oh btw I just noticed you specified Coilovers. Coilovers in the long run tend to be the better handler, but Groundcontrol and skunk2 coilovers are only made really to allow you to lower and raise your car, not for performance (not so progressive springs) Even tho if ypu get Eibach, or SKunk2 normal springs, you have the same springs as if you got the coilovers, but coilovers squish the springs unnaturaly and don't allow them to work all as well. It's like getting Eibachs, loading up all your friends in the car, and autocrossing with them in the car. If you want performance, eitehr pay 1,000 for real coilovers (tein) or get Eibach or H&R, or Skunk2 lowering springs.

Also, Coilovers have a worse ride quality than lowering springs, and assuming you lower the car more than eibachs would, your shocks wont last as long.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Im deabating lowering because I want to get rid of some wheel gap. I'm thinking Eibachs (only about an inch on the MP3) and hope they would help. But I also wanted to get a bit wider of a tire when I have to replace the Dunlops. I like that look as well, but might not be possible without rolling the fenders out...

I've been reading that the Tokico struts we have on the MP3 could handle about a 1.3" drop without sacrificing any reliability.

Chris

 

[Equinox]

hich is exactly why eibach and H&R lower about 1.3", as opposed to a different height

 

[promp3]

Ok, the shocks can handel it, they are after market pieces from tokico. The ride quality with my eibach pro kit is at or better than stock and handeling is improved a great deal. The mazdaspeed springs equiped on the mp3 are not magical, they are made the same as any other quality after market spring for the protege.

 

[LaZaBLuEMp3]

yea go with eibach

i just got mine installed on sat and theyre nice as hell, still waitin for it to settle a lil but theyre really nice, and i dunno but i think it rides a little smoother, i know i know its not supposed to but i feel it does. oh and here, go to www.shox.com theyre $209 cheapest youll find em, order for the 2001 protege

 

[KurtMP3]

WHats the opinion on the HKS Springs?

 

[Equinox]

I'm sure they are just as good at eibach or german h&Rs

 

[promp3]

eibach is german too

 

[mikesmazda155]

Here are some pic of my car with the ground control.

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic3 mm.jpg
All the way

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic4 mm.jpg
What they look like

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic7 mm.jpg
All the way down in the back

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic8 mm.jpg
All the way down in the front

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic9 mm.jpg
All the way down.

I know that I posted this one other time, but I did it again if new people haven't scene it yet. You know just to give you guys an idea.

 

[mikesmazda155]

Here are some pic of my car with the ground control.

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic3 mm.jpg
All the way

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic4 mm.jpg
What they look like

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic7 mm.jpg
All the way down in the back

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic8 mm.jpg
All the way down in the front

http://www.mazdamp3.com/members/mikesmazda155/pic9 mm.jpg
All the way down.

I know that I posted this one other time, but I did it again if new people haven't scene it yet. You know just to give you guys an idea.

Try this again

pic3 mm.jpg

pic4 mm.jpg

pic7 mm.jpg

pic8 mm.jpg

pic9 mm.jpg

 

[Gro Harlem]

using proper coilovers for your car won't give you crappier ride quailty. It wll be about the same, assuming you lower it just as much as one of the lowering springs lowers it. If you slam it, of course the ride will suck, since you won't have nay suspension travel.

Also...factor in the fact that your MP3's are already lowered .75". So if you get eibachs that lower it 1.3, yor will only be lowering it like .55" further.

 

[tuck]

Just noticed you're looking to do a Quaife. I am a dealer. Just so you know. I'll hook you up.

 

[mikesmazda155]

Just noticed you're looking to do a Quaife. I am a dealer. Just so you know. I'll hook you up.

I am definatly interested in a Quaife LSD, I will probably be doing this in a couple of months. If its not a big deal could you email me some prices at mikesmazda155@aol.com

Thanks