Mazdaspeed Swaybar Kit - Here's more info
- Thread starter gar777
- Start date
Glowspeedp5
Member
- :
- 2002 Mazda Protege5
How much did it set you back
Familia323
_______________
what is the black bracing bar thing for? where does it go?
Familia323
_______________
the front swaybar is 25mm thick and I dont even know what the stock one is..maybe 18mm?just a wild guess, but I know its tiny comparitively.. I would imagine that most people dont upgrade it because you have to either A.) drop the subframe to put it on, or B.) remove the steering column..... the mazda dealership calls it a 4 hour job.... 
.... plus it increases understeer being larger/stiffer than the rear, most people want to avoid that.
.... plus it increases understeer being larger/stiffer than the rear, most people want to avoid that.
Last edited:
Familia323
_______________
^^ yeah, is there anyway that you could post the part numbers of all the pieces you got? (naughty)
- :
- 2001 Pro 2.0 LX
main reason is understeer. I am keeping my stock front and installing the AWR 21.5mm rear that I have sitting in my shed in the spring.Lil Freek said:
big black thing = rear cross member. MP3/MSP one was different from regular Protege but I'm not sure how. I'll compare and try to take pics when I get mine out.
MSP front bar measures 25mm [corrected from 26mm I posted earlier] and stock ES one was 23mm (using my caliper), less of a difference than I thought, but maybe I'm not measuring correctly
front install is a bit of a pain but not really that hard, just alot of stuff to disconnect/remove for a sway bar. you do need to drop the subframe but it's not that hard. You don't need to remove the steering column--just disconnect the steering rack from the subframe - 4 bolts. Some guys have supposedly done this by dropping just the back of the subframe but that didn't work for me (but I was working alone). I'll try to write up a how-to for people considering this.
to install a used MP3/MSP front bar, the only parts you need are the bar and 2 bushings for where the bar bolts to the subframe. All the other parts are the same. The kit also includes the front exhaust gasket but mine still looks good so I may not use it. Also, the kit has one ring thing which may be some kind of gasket. I haven't used it yet so still not sure (the instructions with the kit are really lame). I may not use it at all.
part #s: I have them at home and will post them later
clunk kit: nothing on this that I see. I guess I'll have the clunk like everyone else. deal with that later.
MSP front bar measures 25mm [corrected from 26mm I posted earlier] and stock ES one was 23mm (using my caliper), less of a difference than I thought, but maybe I'm not measuring correctly
front install is a bit of a pain but not really that hard, just alot of stuff to disconnect/remove for a sway bar. you do need to drop the subframe but it's not that hard. You don't need to remove the steering column--just disconnect the steering rack from the subframe - 4 bolts. Some guys have supposedly done this by dropping just the back of the subframe but that didn't work for me (but I was working alone). I'll try to write up a how-to for people considering this.
to install a used MP3/MSP front bar, the only parts you need are the bar and 2 bushings for where the bar bolts to the subframe. All the other parts are the same. The kit also includes the front exhaust gasket but mine still looks good so I may not use it. Also, the kit has one ring thing which may be some kind of gasket. I haven't used it yet so still not sure (the instructions with the kit are really lame). I may not use it at all.
part #s: I have them at home and will post them later
clunk kit: nothing on this that I see. I guess I'll have the clunk like everyone else. deal with that later.
Last edited:
vindication said:
I've installed both front and rear MSP stabilizer bars on my car. Installing the larger diameter front bar does not increase understeer because it's balanced by the larger diameter rear bar. Installing the front bar is difficult though because so much has to be removed to get at it.
The rear subframe/crossmember has slightly different mounting holes instead of "studs" like my old LX subframe. The mounting location is EXACTLY the same. Just the method in which the bracket and bushing connect are slightly different.
Beats me as to why they didn't just redesign the bracket instead of having to produce a slightly different subframe.
Attatched is a pic of the difference.
Beats me as to why they didn't just redesign the bracket instead of having to produce a slightly different subframe.
Attatched is a pic of the difference.
Attachments
Last edited:
- :
- '02 Protege5 Black Mica
NegatiZE said:
methinks te smert peple mak owr kers
- :
- '02 Protege5 Black Mica
WAIT: Now before i go pushing any buttons....The Mazdastuff website says the setup is for sedans, yet says nothing about the Protege5. Now I know the rear bar will be the same considering every other rear bar aftermarket supplier uses the same part# for both models. Unfortunatly i dont have a decent amount (any) front bar suppliers that I could use to compare. Someone please give me some good news......
- :
- '02 Protege5 Black Mica
I need confirmation from someone who owns a P5 please. No offense whatsoever to you NegatiZE, your comment has lifted 1/2 the weight off of my shoulders. I just need the other 1/2. Any P5'ers out there that can confirm this for me please?
