The Moderately Low (Not Slammed) and Functional Thread

[magnumP5]

I'm looking into purchasing struts and springs with tax return in sight...I read several posts in this topic with people discussing s techs and pro kits for the protege5. I have a general idea of what both look like, but if I understand correctly, the pro kit is "progressive" and the s tech is "Linear"? I sort of take this to mean that the s tech is going to be more stiff...

Can anyone validate which one of these choices would be a more functional set up for a DD car...or if either would be a good choice? I commute about 70 miles 3 days a week...I don't mind a stiff suspension, but I don't want to have to worry about hitting bumpers and the like. I also run 205/50/16, which is a little bigger then the OEM size, I was thinking they might rub with s techs.

I ran the S-Tech's on Tokico HP's (Blues) with 17x7 wheels and 215/40R17 tires for over three years on my P5 and it was my DD. No issues whatsoever. Definitely spend the extra money and get new shocks with the springs. I have no experience with the Pro-kit but I'd imagine it's even softer than the S-Tech's, which really aren't bad at all. Nothing compared to the 8k/6k (450 lb/in./340 lb/in.) coilovers I have on the RX-7 now.

 

[timuhai]

I ran the S-Tech's on Tokico HP's (Blues) with 17x7 wheels and 215/40R17 tires for over three years on my P5 and it was my DD. No issues whatsoever. Definitely spend the extra money and get new shocks with the springs. I have no experience with the Pro-kit but I'd imagine it's even softer than the S-Tech's, which really aren't bad at all. Nothing compared to the 8k/6k (450 lb/in./340 lb/in.) coilovers I have on the RX-7 now.

Thanks for the info. I had pro kits on my previous car... They did a fine job, but they did not drop much at all and I found that the car had more body roll then I preferred.
Do you have a picture in this thread of your protege5? I'll see if I can dig through it and find one. edit: I've scoured this forum for a picture of your p5, haha. No results yet.

 

[thejeans]

as someone that has DD'd a set of Tein S-techs (granted on a 3 and not a protege) for over 3 years, i have nothing but good things to say about them. i love mine!

 

[JDM_Pro5]

 

[magnumP5]

Thanks for the info. I had pro kits on my previous car... They did a fine job, but they did not drop much at all and I found that the car had more body roll then I preferred.
Do you have a picture in this thread of your protege5? I'll see if I can dig through it and find one. edit: I've scoured this forum for a picture of your p5, haha. No results yet.

Yeah, I never really had a "build" thread for the P5 and I think most of the images link in the past are dead now. I quickly uploaded a few of the last ones from Midwest Mazda Fest 2009:

Suspenion setup was Tein S-Tech's with Tokico HP's ("Blues") with 17x7 +45 Enkei RPF1's with 215/40R17 Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. I used to think that setup was so great; it shows how little I knew back then. My RX-7 was slower but it could turn circles around the P5. It was definitely a very streetable setup.

 

[hat1018]

What was wrong with that set up? Or does the RX7 just perform that much better?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

Loved that car. I can't believe that was 09.. doesn't seem that long ago.

 

[timuhai]

Yeah, I never really had a "build" thread for the P5 and I think most of the images link in the past are dead now. I quickly uploaded a few of the last ones from Midwest Mazda Fest 2009:


Suspenion setup was Tein S-Tech's with Tokico HP's ("Blues") with 17x7 +45 Enkei RPF1's with 215/40R17 Kumho Ecsta SPT tires. I used to think that setup was so great; it shows how little I knew back then. My RX-7 was slower but it could turn circles around the P5. It was definitely a very streetable setup.

Hey, thanks a lot for the pictures - appreciate it. I think this is the route I want to go. Your p5 looked great! Wheels look great too. I actually looked at those wheels a few times online and considered them. I think I was having trouble finding 16s that had an offset of at least 45, but I could be wrong about that.

Anyway, thanks! I'll be picking up s techs and some new struts (probably blues, need to do a little research on that) in the near future.

 

[magnumP5]

What was wrong with that set up? Or does the RX7 just perform that much better?

Nothing was wrong with the setup for what it was: a slightly stiffer performance "street" suspension. The RX-7 actually has the same suspension geometry in the front so in terms of handling potention both cars are about the same ignoring the RX-7's 50/50 weight distribution. The RX-7 has a more track-oriented suspension and will kick your ass (really) on long drives.

Loved that car. I can't believe that was 09.. doesn't seem that long ago.

You're telling me! In June of this year I'll have had the RX-7 for the same amount of time I've had the P5. It's funny; I was looking back through all my P5 pictures and for as much as I did to it I knew so little compared to what I know now. I used to think that car was so great but it would have been an absolute dog on track, LOL!

Hey, thanks a lot for the pictures - appreciate it. I think this is the route I want to go. Your p5 looked great! Wheels look great too. I actually looked at those wheels a few times online and considered them. I think I was having trouble finding 16s that had an offset of at least 45, but I could be wrong about that.

Anyway, thanks! I'll be picking up s techs and some new struts (probably blues, need to do a little research on that) in the near future.

Enkei RPF-1's. People'll say they're played out but I love 'em. Relatively cheap, classic styling, and LIGHTWEIGHT! I'm on my second set now, seriously considering a third, wider setup for the RX-7, and a fourth for the 2. Knowing what I do now, and being a little more open to risk I would've run a slightly more agressive setup. Maybe something something in the +40 mm offset region with a 17x7.5 wheel. You still can't really go wider than a 215/40 tire without making some concessions on tire diameter (bigger or smaller).

 

[blkspdfreak]

daily functional..

 

[TurboWhistle]

Mine is lower than most average 4 doors. Probably cause of the wheels being 14 in.

Now here's the photoshopped drop that Driver_X did.

 

[Perro del Sol]

Here is the MS3 Before and after the drop

 

[codex]

Not sure I've posted in this thread before. Here's my only lowered car, 1992 Protege LX with Intrax lowering springs for an Escort GT and OZ F1 cup wheels. She's been neglected lately since buying the Miata and recently the MS3.

functional.

 

[323]

nice 1st gen!

 

[kulluminati777]

love this lowered and functional pic

 

[Reitrof]

Nice drop Marlon. Looks very good.

 

[WillD]

Not sure I've posted in this thread before. Here's my only lowered car, 1992 Protege LX with Intrax lowering springs for an Escort GT and OZ F1 cup wheels. She's been neglected lately since buying the Miata and recently the MS3.

functional.

What event was this? I did a lot of events with them last year. A couple with the Speed3 and a couple more with the Miata.

 

[We Are Ninja]

Probably the least lowered car on here, but I thought I post a pic anyway since it is lowered after all. Using it as a daily car so I went for a modest drop. Comments welcome.

I think this is my favorite car in this entire thread. No joke.

 

[Perro del Sol]

Nice drop Marlon. Looks very good.

Thanks, Bruce!

 

[Mp5Noob]

Very functional, lowered on Eibach pro-kits. Doesn't ride like crap and I can go in my driveway straight. I had a slammed integra before this and hated it.