Springs or AWR Mounts

[changedman]

should i get springs or the AWR mounts right now?

how hard are springs to go in, and which shall i get? skunk2, Ion, etc

what kinda prices did everyone pay?

(noob post)

i'm new to lowering springs, so let me know everything I'd have to do

 

[Dreeza]

YOU NOOB

get springs, cause i dont know what the other things are

 

[Vulcanon]

awr mounts, 117 from the gb =) the feel of a v8 packed into a compact car ^_^

 

[changedman]

well right, but i can always get those later...
can people enlighten me on springs? why/why not costs what brand?

 

[70]

Why?

Don't know...

Why not? You already have an MP3, should get struts to match the characterisitcs of the springs, and um...Well, motor mounts are better for now.


Brands?

Um, I have heard Eibach is softer than the MP3. Racing Beat is the same only slightly lower than the MP3. Don't know about the rest.

iON is a linear rate front and porgressive rear, which doesn't apeal to me at all.

 

[cbcbd]

Are you unhappy with the handling of your MP3 or would the springs be just for looks? I personally don't know why someone would mess with their MP3 or MSP suspension (for performance) unless they were trying to change a specific handling characteristic to suit their driving preference. If it's just for looks then it's another story.

I know you've probably experienced the dreadful wheel hop. If you want to get rid of that and feel the engine more with less lash get the mounts.

 

[mp3moose]

I have spools. Great springs, but if I had to buy again I would get tiens.
Moose

 

[2k2silvermp5]

Sprint's, nice agressive drop (2"), great handling and awesome ride. I paid 139.95 shipped through www.suspensionmax.com and it only took me an hour and 45 minutes to install them on my pro5. Hope this helps you out.

 

[TXMazdaSpeeder]

Why?

Don't know...

Why not? You already have an MP3, should get struts to match the characterisitcs of the springs, and um...Well, motor mounts are better for now.


Brands?

Um, I have heard Eibach is softer than the MP3. Racing Beat is the same only slightly lower than the MP3. Don't know about the rest.

iON is a linear rate front and porgressive rear, which doesn't apeal to me at all.

i thought the mp3 were racing beat?

 

[DooMer_MP3]

I have the SPOOLs. Drop very nicely (I wish the back were .5" lower) and handle just like the MP3 springs. Looks so much better than stock.

Chris

 

[70]

i thought the mp3 were racing beat?

The story goes a little something like this...

Racing Beat (RB) designed the inital suspension set up. Mazda took those specs and went to their OEM spring manufacturer. Mazda said they wanted the same spring rates only they didn't want to lower the car as much.

So, the MP3 springs are, for all tense and purposes Racing Beat springs. The only real difference between Racing Beat springs and the MP3 springs would be the ride height.

I believe the MSP runs the Racing Beat springs that RB actually sells through their site. That would account for the MSP being slightly lower than the MP3.

 

[Captain KRM P5]

i vote motor mounts

 

[changedman]

heh thanks. doomer, any handling differences around a 270 degree onramp fast ?

 

[PaulMP3]

i have the spool springs... I also think the back could be lower.. but the handling is great. If i could do it again i would probally get the sprints or the teins.

I say get the springs... unless you are heavily modded the mounts cause alot of vibration that might not be worth the trade-off for performance.. The springs will give your a mp3 a nicer look IMO.

not to mention the springs are easier to install then that damn rear motor mount..

Also i sent Rafi at RR-racing.com my stock mounts. He is making inserts that wont be as stiff as the awr, and probally much cheaper.

 

[Murray]

I can't make any recommendation on the springs because I haven't done anything to my suspension.

I will say, however, that the AWR mounts will make a HUGE difference in the noise and vibration levels inside the car and it takes a VERY long time to get used to it. The difference is so huge that someone at the dealer actually asked if there was something wrong with my car and was surprised I would do that to a street car on purpose. Non-dealer reactions usually start with an initial "Holy sh!t" when I start it and change to "How do you drive this everyday" after they've ridden in it for a while.

It really does make the car feel like it has a V8 when it's started / idling and it does help (not solve) the wheel hop problems. They also make the engine ever so slightly more responsive.

The big tradeoff is that your car won't be remotely as nice as a daily driver and the noise makes long trips very hard on your ears (the stereo gets turned up louder and there's a very bad drone around 70-75mph).

Would I do it again? That's still a toss-up. I like the performance gains but I still regret it a little whenever I ride in a Protege without them (the MSP, for example) and remember how quiet it used to be inside, although it's not likely I'll take them out because installation of the rear one was such a pain in the ass.

 

[DooMer_MP3]

heh thanks. doomer, any handling differences around a 270 degree onramp fast ?

No differences . I still take the interchange ramp posted at 50mph at 75mph. Feels like it wants more! .

Chris

 

[nocar]

i want to lower my car cuz i dont like the body roll on the mp3 ........ lol would ground control be a good choice

btw i like a stiff ride as possible and lowered as far as possible too