Strut/sway bars

[DKaz]

Do the front strut/rear sway bars for the 3 fit in the 5? I love the way it handles already but I think these two would help make things even better.

I don't plan on lowering the 5, coming from a Corolla with really stiff aftermarket springs I really appreciate the comfortable ride with little compromise to handling (unless someone can recommend some good springs).

 

[tillyspeed81]

From my experience, I tried to install a mazda3 front upper strut on my 5 and it seemed that the power steering thing was in the way. I'm not sure if there was another company that make one that will fit our 5s. I remember someone on here with the front strut brace installed, not sure if its from a 3 or if it 5 specific.
A good spring setup that some of us have been using is the suspension from the masdaspeed3. Its still comfortable, a little stiffer than stock. The only downside is that the rear seems to sag a little more. I have the shocks and springs installed on mine and the handling improved alot.

Another thing you could look into that alot of us have done is lower sway bars. Alot of the guys seem to be doing Hotchkis sways, seems to help alot.(peep)

 

[VenomDesign]

Mazda 3 strut tower brace fits bolt-on on our 5. I did it a few months ago.

 

[tillyspeed81]

Venom...
did you have to move the Power steering reservior? How did you mount it around the bracket? Mine looks like it would be in the way so I didn't do it, but then again my brace looks a little different. Maybe I'll try it again...(shady) Are you still able to take off the battery cover?

 

[VenomDesign]

The battery cover is gone now. With the strut bar on the way, you cannot take off the cover of the battery. The little reservoir was on the way either, so i just loose the bolts and move it 45 degres approx. So now it fits A1.

 

[tillyspeed81]

I see, thank you. I thought the reservior looked a little different. Does moving the reservior affect anything?(nervous)

 

[VenomDesign]

I see, thank you. I thought the reservior looked a little different. Does moving the reservior affect anything?(nervous)

Nope (rofl2)

 

[tillyspeed81]

thank you(cool)

 

[DKaz]

VenomDesign, thanks for the pic. Where did you get that strut bar?

A good spring setup that some of us have been using is the suspension from the masdaspeed3. Its still comfortable, a little stiffer than stock. The only downside is that the rear seems to sag a little more. I have the shocks and springs installed on mine and the handling improved alot.

Another thing you could look into that alot of us have done is lower sway bars. Alot of the guys seem to be doing Hotchkis sways, seems to help alot.(peep)

Hey that sag is the California drag isn't it? lol. I wonder if it's because of the increased suspension travel on the rears in stock. That could be taken care of with adjustable coilovers but that's $$$.

I'll look at lower sway bars too, should help a lot. That's one mod I never got to on my Corolla. I would rather do these mods first before looking at touching the suspension.

I might be crazy but I'd love to try a bit of AutoXing on the 5.

Thanks for your advice anyway. =)

 

[AwaKeN]

Venom: did you see a difference with the bar ?

 

[VenomDesign]

The Strut bar is made by Vibrant. I got it used here in Quebec. The difference is small but cool. And it make the engine bay look a bit more "complete"

 

[dima_rus]

I bought mine directly from Vibrant here in TO. Just like Venom said, no difference butu looks good

 

[AwaKeN]

ok thanks for the input !

 

[DKaz]

Hmmm I might just go for the lower sway bars if the strut bars don't help much... the 5 feels very solid on turns it's just the body roll I want to counter which the lower sway bars would help with.