Racing Beat Springs?

[DooMer_MP3]

I'm thinking of lowering my ride a bit this spring, but don't want to go too low. I read in a previous post that the MP3 is only like .1 inch lower than stock, because Mazda went with their own springs. Is this true? Will the Racing Beat springs fit on the MP3 and will they lower my ride by about .75 inch? I feel that that is all I would need.

Also, how hard is it to install springs? Time estimate? Will I need an alignment? New shocks? Thanks!

Chris

 

[MP3#847]

Our Mp3 already has the racing beat springs on our car already. So you will be wasting your money buying those springs because you already have them. There is no point in buying the same srings you already have. Not anysprings will lower the car at all except for ground control coil overs. Any Questions email me

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Thanks for the reply! Unfortunately, after research that info is incorrect. Racing Beat wanted Mazda to use their springs (which would lower the car by about .875 inches according to website). However, Mazda did not use the Racing Beat springs. They instead used the spring rates defined by Racing Beat, but at Mazda's height. The result is the MP3 is like .1 inches lower than a stock Protege, but at a different spring rate. I dug this up at:
http://www.racingbeat.com/FRprotege.htm

Also, under parts for the Protege, Racing Beat lists the springs for the Protege ES, MP3 with a .875 inch drop.

So, apparently I answered my own question. However, are springs hard to install? How much would it cost to have springs professionally installed? Do you need new shocks with only .875 inch drop? Would I need an alignment? Thanks!

Chris

 

[MP3#847]

CHECK YOUR INFO AGAIN!!!!!

The Protege was lowered and stiffened through the use a set of Racing Beat performance suspension springs, and larger sway bars were fitted. Modifications were required to the shocks to accept the demands of the stronger loads from the larger sway bars. Several sway bar sizes were tested on the Protege, with sizes up to 27mm (front) and 22mm (rear) tested. Mazda's final selection for the production run was 25mm (front) and 20mm (rear). A prototype mounting bracket for the rear bar was developed, but not incorporated into the production run. Select the photos below for a detailed view of these modifications.
THIS IS FROM THE RACING BEAT WEBSITE!!!

Also I bought eibach springs for my car with a 1.4 in in front and a 1.8 inch in the back. And those didn't even lower the car at all. I think you need to do a little more research on springs. But if you want to buy those racing beat springs that is you. And when you get them in and put them on let me know how you wished you didn't buy those springs. I wasted 270 dollars on those eibach and it didn't lower the car at all so why would you put an .875 inch drop on a car that supposedly has a 1 inch drop on it already.
You don't add .875 to 1in you start over with it and then you will be left with the same height. Anyways why would racing beat tune the suspension on the car if they didn't use there stuff. Racing beat tuned the suspension.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I don't want to get into a shouting match with you but... From the Racing Beat website:

Follow-up:
The Protege MP3 was delivered to Mazda configured as detailed above. Some of Racing Beat's settings and specifications were amended to meet governmental and Mazda Corporation's requirements. Such factors as; safety, cost, reliability and warranty issues played key factors in deciding the outcome of the Protege MP3's specifications.

What I linked to before:

Racing Beat designed and supplied a set of lowering springs on the Protege that was delivered to Mazda. The springs that are equipped on the production run of the Protege MP3 were manufactured by a Mazda OEM supplier. Racing Beat will be offering suspension springs for selected Protege sedan and Protege 5 models.

^^^ They are Mazda OEM manufactured... NOT Racing Beat. Mazda chose not to use Racing Beat's!

Furthermore - Product catalog of springs:
2001 Protege Sedan LX 2.0, ES 2.0, MP3
(Ride height drop - front .875-inch, rear .875-inch)

If you still don't believe me, I will email Racing Beat and confirm this...

Chris

 

[DooMer_MP3]

Also, just to clarify. Racing Beat gave Mazda a prototype. It doesn't mean Mazda used everything Racing Beat came up with.

As for your Eibach issue, I do not understand. The MP3 is definitely not an inch lower than a stock Protege...

Chris

 

[DooMer_MP3]

In fact, its .2 inches. Go to Mazda USA and compare the Protege ES height to the MP3 height in the specifications page for each car. 55.5 inches to 55.3 inches respectively. I rest my case.

Either way, you seem knowledgable about springs. Can you answer my other questions as to ease of install, alignment issues, new shocks? Thanks man!

Chris