So my Mazda 5 is a project car for the tech site Tom's Hardware, where I am the automotive editor. For those that haven't seen anything about my car, here are recaps of stories about it at Tom's -
Part 1 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-project,3795.html
Part 2 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-upgrade,3966.html
Part 3 is still a work in progress with more updates on the stereo, engine tuning (Mat / OVtuned is handling that), and the suspension parts, but I figured I should post up about the suspension separately.
Although my project is primarily focused on tech upgrades, I'm an enthusiast that loves driving. The stock Mazda 5 suspension is adequate but I always want better handling and a little drop for looks.
Megan Racing does not have an official application for the 2011+ Mazda 5. This is a prototype Street series setup they supplied me with for measurements and testing. I worked with Drift Office in Auburn, WA to procure the sponsorship and get it installed. If you have a GT86, Subaru, AE86, Skyline, pretty much anything cool and JDM, Bob and the crew at Drift Office are solid guys. Bob was also a former tech geek as well. The coilovers were provided to me at no charge, as long as I take lots of detailed pictures, measurements and provide feedback.
This is also my first set of coilovers, oddly I never did any suspension upgrades to my previous cars (BMW 528i Touring / Sport package, Miata, HHR SS 5MT). However, I've also driven a large variety of cars from hot hatches to uber luxury land yachts.
So lets get started with the beauty shots of the coilovers.
P1120172 by tuanies, on Flickr
They're so pretty
P1120170 by tuanies, on Flickr
P1120166 by tuanies, on Flickr
Yes it comes with camber plates, but I have no plans to stance it so its left at the default settings.
P1120162 by tuanies, on Flickr
Some shots of the rear struts and springs
P1120167 by tuanies, on Flickr
P1120169 by tuanies, on Flickr
P1120176 by tuanies, on Flickr
A before shot of the car
P1120154 by tuanies, on Flickr
Let's start with the front. Check out how much travel there is with the stock setup.
P1120179 by tuanies, on Flickr
Wheels are off
P1120184 by tuanies, on Flickr
Close up of the stock strut
P1120187 by tuanies, on Flickr
This is only applicable to manual Mazda 5's. The clutch fluid reservoir has to be removed to get access to the strut tower. I'm not sure if automatic models have anything there or not.
P1120189 by tuanies, on Flickr
It's out! If you want access to the camber plates after installation, you'll have to enlarge the center hole of the strut tower. I opted not to do this since I have no plans of adjusting camber at all.
P1120194 by tuanies, on Flickr
Stock strut versus the new coilover.
P1120192 by tuanies, on Flickr
P1120193 by tuanies, on Flickr
Let's get the coilover in place.
P1120197 by tuanies, on Flickr
The factory brake line and ABS sensor brackets attach perfectly like stock.
P1120200 by tuanies, on Flickr
For some reason I forgot to take a shot of the coilover installed without the wheel, but here's a shot with the wheel on. The new setup doesn't have as much travel up front.
P1120219 by tuanies, on Flickr
The damper adjustment knob is easily accessible on the passenger side. The driver side is slightly annoying due to the clutch fluid reservoir but its not that big of a deal.
P1120198 by tuanies, on Flickr
Now let's move to the back! Here's the stock setup.
P1120205 by tuanies, on Flickr
Mazda makes things very easy in the back. There's just two bolts holding the strut in place up top. No need to take apart interior trim or anything.
P1120188 by tuanies, on Flickr
Stock spring versus new one.
P1120207 by tuanies, on Flickr
Rear struts
P1120211 by tuanies, on Flickr
Stock versus coilover
P1120210 by tuanies, on Flickr
Strut installed
P1120218 by tuanies, on Flickr
New perch in place. We left the default settings but will have to go back and adjust it to get the rear a little lower.
P1120214 by tuanies, on Flickr
Spring in place.
P1120217 by tuanies, on Flickr
The nice thing about the 5 is there are cup holders where the rear struts mount up to. All I need to do to adjust stiffness is to pop the third row cup holder off and turn the knob.
DSC01481 by tuanies, on Flickr
Much less travel now.
P1120220 by tuanies, on Flickr
We bottomed out the front and rear struts on the car to get the car at that ride height. The front is perfect where it is for me. We need to adjust the rear spring perch to get the back end just a little lower to reduce the wheel gap.
Comparison shots.
Side-comparison by tuanies, on Flickr
suspension-travel-comparison by tuanies, on Flickr
fender-gap-comparison by tuanies, on Flickr
My impressions of the Megan Racing Street series coilovers for the 2nd gen Mazda 5 are good. At the softest settings, I'd say the ride is a little more comfortable than stock. I'm still playing with the stiffness adjustments and currently have them set to 16 clicks up front and 8 clicks in the back. There's 32 clicks of adjustment The handling improvements are very noticeable when you try to push the car. it doesn't feel as top heavy anymore and feels pretty close to the current third gen Mazda 3, in terms of handling. Combined with my GenPu MS3 wheels wrapped in Yokohoma Advan Sport A/S rubber, I'm very happy with the driving dynamics and ride quality. The 16 clicks is a little bit stiff so I'll probably turn that down a bit, but otherwise I'm happy. I still need to get it in for an alignment next week though.
I'll only swap the rear sway bar out for the Mazdaspeed 3 one I have in the garage and be done with the suspension, after I lower the rear a bit more. But for now, the car is ready for the NW Toy Run on Sunday
. Next up is to get it on an autocross course, and possibly a track day.
Part 1 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-project,3795.html
Part 2 - http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/mazda5-technology-upgrade,3966.html
Part 3 is still a work in progress with more updates on the stereo, engine tuning (Mat / OVtuned is handling that), and the suspension parts, but I figured I should post up about the suspension separately.
Although my project is primarily focused on tech upgrades, I'm an enthusiast that loves driving. The stock Mazda 5 suspension is adequate but I always want better handling and a little drop for looks.
Megan Racing does not have an official application for the 2011+ Mazda 5. This is a prototype Street series setup they supplied me with for measurements and testing. I worked with Drift Office in Auburn, WA to procure the sponsorship and get it installed. If you have a GT86, Subaru, AE86, Skyline, pretty much anything cool and JDM, Bob and the crew at Drift Office are solid guys. Bob was also a former tech geek as well. The coilovers were provided to me at no charge, as long as I take lots of detailed pictures, measurements and provide feedback.
This is also my first set of coilovers, oddly I never did any suspension upgrades to my previous cars (BMW 528i Touring / Sport package, Miata, HHR SS 5MT). However, I've also driven a large variety of cars from hot hatches to uber luxury land yachts.
So lets get started with the beauty shots of the coilovers.
P1120172 by tuanies, on FlickrThey're so pretty
P1120170 by tuanies, on FlickrP1120166 by tuanies, on FlickrYes it comes with camber plates, but I have no plans to stance it so its left at the default settings.
P1120162 by tuanies, on FlickrSome shots of the rear struts and springs
P1120167 by tuanies, on FlickrP1120169 by tuanies, on FlickrP1120176 by tuanies, on FlickrA before shot of the car
P1120154 by tuanies, on FlickrLet's start with the front. Check out how much travel there is with the stock setup.
P1120179 by tuanies, on FlickrWheels are off
P1120184 by tuanies, on FlickrClose up of the stock strut
P1120187 by tuanies, on FlickrThis is only applicable to manual Mazda 5's. The clutch fluid reservoir has to be removed to get access to the strut tower. I'm not sure if automatic models have anything there or not.
P1120189 by tuanies, on FlickrIt's out! If you want access to the camber plates after installation, you'll have to enlarge the center hole of the strut tower. I opted not to do this since I have no plans of adjusting camber at all.
P1120194 by tuanies, on FlickrStock strut versus the new coilover.
P1120192 by tuanies, on FlickrP1120193 by tuanies, on FlickrLet's get the coilover in place.
P1120197 by tuanies, on FlickrThe factory brake line and ABS sensor brackets attach perfectly like stock.
P1120200 by tuanies, on FlickrFor some reason I forgot to take a shot of the coilover installed without the wheel, but here's a shot with the wheel on. The new setup doesn't have as much travel up front.
P1120219 by tuanies, on FlickrThe damper adjustment knob is easily accessible on the passenger side. The driver side is slightly annoying due to the clutch fluid reservoir but its not that big of a deal.
P1120198 by tuanies, on FlickrNow let's move to the back! Here's the stock setup.
P1120205 by tuanies, on FlickrMazda makes things very easy in the back. There's just two bolts holding the strut in place up top. No need to take apart interior trim or anything.
P1120188 by tuanies, on FlickrStock spring versus new one.
P1120207 by tuanies, on FlickrRear struts
P1120211 by tuanies, on FlickrStock versus coilover
P1120210 by tuanies, on FlickrStrut installed
P1120218 by tuanies, on FlickrNew perch in place. We left the default settings but will have to go back and adjust it to get the rear a little lower.
P1120214 by tuanies, on FlickrSpring in place.
P1120217 by tuanies, on FlickrThe nice thing about the 5 is there are cup holders where the rear struts mount up to. All I need to do to adjust stiffness is to pop the third row cup holder off and turn the knob.
DSC01481 by tuanies, on FlickrMuch less travel now.
P1120220 by tuanies, on FlickrWe bottomed out the front and rear struts on the car to get the car at that ride height. The front is perfect where it is for me. We need to adjust the rear spring perch to get the back end just a little lower to reduce the wheel gap.
Comparison shots.
Side-comparison by tuanies, on Flickrsuspension-travel-comparison by tuanies, on Flickrfender-gap-comparison by tuanies, on FlickrMy impressions of the Megan Racing Street series coilovers for the 2nd gen Mazda 5 are good. At the softest settings, I'd say the ride is a little more comfortable than stock. I'm still playing with the stiffness adjustments and currently have them set to 16 clicks up front and 8 clicks in the back. There's 32 clicks of adjustment The handling improvements are very noticeable when you try to push the car. it doesn't feel as top heavy anymore and feels pretty close to the current third gen Mazda 3, in terms of handling. Combined with my GenPu MS3 wheels wrapped in Yokohoma Advan Sport A/S rubber, I'm very happy with the driving dynamics and ride quality. The 16 clicks is a little bit stiff so I'll probably turn that down a bit, but otherwise I'm happy. I still need to get it in for an alignment next week though.
I'll only swap the rear sway bar out for the Mazdaspeed 3 one I have in the garage and be done with the suspension, after I lower the rear a bit more. But for now, the car is ready for the NW Toy Run on Sunday
. Next up is to get it on an autocross course, and possibly a track day.
