MAZDASPEED Sway Bar Question

[MonctonP5]

I have heard that the MAZDASPEED Sway Bars are not only hard to install with a stock P5 shock setup as there is no reinforcement plate for the mount. Can anyone confirm or dismay this assumption? Is there anyone who has mounted the MAZDASPEED Sway Bars on an otherwise stock P5 suspension setup?

 

[wildo]

It's true that there is no reinforcement on the mount, but that hardly makes it a difficult install. What you are referring to is the rear crossmember. On a MSP/MP3 there is a piece of steel welded over the mount location, and that is tapped. Otherwise, it is practically identical.

This should answer all your questions: http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=68155&highlight=swaybar

 

[FunkyBuddha]

The rear swaybar is a pretty easy install. You'd need the rear crossmember from a mazdaspeed protege. The front is pretty much the same. Oh..you also need the longer end links.

 

[ProtoType5]

Also, The mounting tabs on the stock dampers will have problems. They are known to break off with the Racing Beat rear swaybar under hard loads.

I would not get a heavier swaybar until you upgrade your struts/springs

Then I would look into the easiest solution, unless you plan to pull some serious G-force.

1st easiest - Progress Rear Swaybar -

http://www.protegegarage.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_31_60_442&products_id=406

2nd best - AWR 21mm swaybar and adjustable endlinks

http://www.protegegarage.com/product_info.php?cPath=21_31_60_442&products_id=322

 

[azmp5]

. You'd need the rear crossmember from a mazdaspeed protege.

Not needed, I have a P5 w/ stock suspension and a racing beat rear sway bar. All I needed to install was : sway bar and brackets/bushings & MSP endlinks.

 

[MonctonP5]

What additional hardware does the front sway bar swap need? I ordered the hardware from AWR, going adjustable endlinks, MSP bushings and the adapter bracket.

Thanks for all the help...this build will be a badass once summer hits.

 

[Matt V]

Is the MP3 Racing Beat sway bar different than the MSP sway bar? Because I had no issues installing mine, just had to use the endlinks from the MP3 and it's perfect.

 

[MonctonP5]

They're the same by Racing Beat...so I should be good with AWR Front End Links too from what I gather. I can't find urethane bushings, so I gather stock ones must be fine.

 

[justanothermp5]

urethane bushings for the Racing beat? go to AWR.com they have them on there

 

[Matt V]

Do they sell brackets also? I'm using the factory P5 bushings and brackets and want to get the proper equipment.

BTW, it's www.AWRracing.com

 

[MonctonP5]

They have full hardware as in brackets, bushings and endlinks. I'm just wondering if I just need to buy 2 bushing kits in the same size just to ensure proper damping and impact resistance. Matt, what hardware did you swap when you changed to the RB sway bars? Or did you just do the rears?

 

[Matt V]

I used the Racing Beat rear bar and endlinks from the MP3. I just need to get proper bushings/brackets now.

Are these the brackets I need? http://www.awrracing.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=47

 

[justanothermp5]

no brackets, u use the stock ones
these are the bushings

http://www.awrracing.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=253

 

[Matt V]

no brackets, u use the stock ones
these are the bushings

http://www.awrracing.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=253

I'm pretty sure those bushings won't fit with the smaller factory brackets. I know because I have a set of ES 20mm bushings and they won't fit with the stock brackets at all, the bushings are way too big.

 

[MonctonP5]

I'm all set for hardware for the rear, just have no idea what to use for the front RB sway bar.

 

[Matt V]

Nevermind, I just realized that the stock bracket is used with the AWR brackets also. It goes on top of the bushing, like this:

Basically you get the AWR brackets meant for the P5 but use the 20mm bushings for the MP3 bar, and bolt them onto the AWR brackets using the factory P5 sway bar brackets.

 

[justanothermp5]

the brackets on the picture are not stock, there brackets AWR makes to fit that aluminum adapter
trust me, i tried using my stock one when i snapped an AWR bracket but they are completely different

 

[Matt V]

So what do I need to get then? I've got 20mm bushings that haven't been used, just need new brackets.

 

[MonctonP5]

Exactly, that way the sway bar ends won't sag or rub your trailing links. I still want a how to from somebody who has the front Racing Beat Sway Bar tho...lol. Or at least knowledge of what parts I need to grab...lol.

 

[justanothermp5]

i have no idea to be honest, i was just showin u the bushings lol
maybe someone else knows?