Opinions on suspension

cjs_5

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01 Mazda Protege ES
I have a 2001 Es protege and plan on lowering it but have doubts as to what to go with, lowering springs, coilovers, gas struts? im only looking to spend around 500 so my options arent huge, what brands are good and what web sites would you recomend. thanks
 
Check out protegegarage.com Ken is a stand up guy and will help you with whatever you need. For around what you want to spend I would suggest Eibach Pro-kit and tokico blue's.
 
now with stuts would i have to get springs aswell to lower my car? and what is a good amount to lower? what about the skunk 2 coilovers?
 
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Progress springs with Tokico struts will be my set-up sometime soon. Ken will hook you up with these for around $500 and you will be more than pleased with the quality and drop. You do not need new struts to lower your car, but in the end you will regret doing so, as I have, and will be getting new ones soon after anyways. I knew however that I would be in this situation down the road, so its all up to you. You can wait a few months and pick up my Goldlines from me for $100+shipping if you want:)
 
Eibach/HPs are a good setup if you're not too serious about handling and want to maintain ride quality.

Tein S-Techs are a little stiffer (about 30% over stock), drop about the same, and are linear rate springs which will provide better feedback than the Eibachs.

Espelir springs are also in this catagory but are harder to obtain.

Another good choice would be Racing Beat springs, which will drop your car 7/8", are linear rate up front (where it counts) and about 20% stiffer than stock.

Definately get Tokico struts with your springs. The stock struts weren't designed for springs any stiffer than stock.

jeg, the Progress website lists their springs as progressive rate and the stiffness at 150/145lb/in--very similar to your Goldlines. Why do you want those?
 
JoshP5 said:
Eibach/HPs are a good setup if you're not too serious about handling and want to maintain ride quality.

Tein S-Techs are a little stiffer (about 30% over stock), drop about the same, and are linear rate springs which will provide better feedback than the Eibachs.

Espelir springs are also in this catagory but are harder to obtain.

Another good choice would be Racing Beat springs, which will drop your car 7/8", are linear rate up front (where it counts) and about 20% stiffer than stock.

Definately get Tokico struts with your springs. The stock struts weren't designed for springs any stiffer than stock.

jeg, the Progress website lists their springs as progressive rate and the stiffness at 150/145lb/in--very similar to your Goldlines. Why do you want those?

Well I haven't looked into it much but ive been told they were stiffer than my Goldlines but I wont get as harsh of a ride like I do with the other brands. Also, ive been told not to use the Tokico's with my Goldlines? I always do my research before buying and im kinda in the middle of thinking about it.
 
I have tried: stock springs + struts, Goldlines + stock struts, Goldlines + HP's, MP3 springs + HP's. I currently have (and will keep) Espelir's + HP's ...not harsh at all and the drop is pretty nice.

Jon
 
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jon2000 said:
I have tried: stock springs + struts, Goldlines + stock struts, Goldlines + HP's, MP3 springs + HP's. I currently have (and will keep) Espelir's + HP's ...not harsh at all and the drop is pretty nice.

Jon


Did you have problems with the Goldlines and HP's setup?
 
^ yeah the Goldlines were overdampened ...it was an annoying bouncy ride. I lasted about 1 month with that setup. The Espelir's aren't quite as low but the ride is a million times better.
 
jon2000 said:
^ yeah the Goldlines were overdampened ...it was an annoying bouncy ride. I lasted about 1 month with that setup. The Espelir's aren't quite as low but the ride is a million times better.

I do like my ride and drop though, I think I might just keep the Goldlines and just get new OEM struts. They are low though, I might like some wider tires sometime and rolling the fenders might not even help much then.
 
I do like my ride and drop though, I think I might just keep the Goldlines and just get new OEM struts. They are low though, I might like some wider tires sometime and rolling the fenders might not even help much then.

Yeah, OEM struts are not even that expensive. I priced a set of 4 at the dealer and it was like $288, tax included.
 
Yo without a doubt in my mind you should go with the combo that i have. I have the Tokico 5 way adjustable Illumina Series w/ Eibach Pro Springs. Its a great mix. A lil pricey though at about $650, but i thinks its worth it. Turns on the highway that i used to take at 60 I can easily take at 80-85 now! there is virtually no excess rebound, you just stick to the road. If you can rock with the price... It's the way to go.
 
I know this is an unpopular answer, but I really like my Madaspeed struts and springs. I've had cars with stiff suspension for the sake of ultimate handling and got tired of that. I love the ride and handling of this combo- almost as if someone spent a great deal of time and money developing it to work well together. Oh wait...... that did happen.
 
What's unpopular about it? Aside from possibly the Mini Cooper, the MSP has the best handling of any front drive car ever placed on the market. Enjoy! :)
 
The usual response from people is that the MSP suspension isn't low enough.... yadda yadda yadda.
 
I have to second the MSP set up. I have one and it is a very nice ride and handling compromise. The 2001 MP3 set up is also a good one.

When Mazda and Racing Beat designed these suspensions, they did an excellent job. The only draw back I have found is the sqeaky rear OEM bushings on the MP3.
 
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