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    Suspension almost complete!

    Well, it took me more than a year but I am almost completely done with my suspension. Here's my current setup:
    ------------------------------------------------------
    Custom front strut bar
    Custom rear strut bar
    Custom front tie-bar
    Custom rear tie-bar
    Suspension Techniques rear sway bar
    Eibach Springs
    Tokico ZX-2 struts
    205/40/17 Kumho 712 Tires
    Team Dynamics 17x7.0 wheels
    ------------------------------------------------------

    By the end of the week I will have my alignment done and soon after I plan to install the Energy Suspension front sway bar busings and end links and I'll be finally finished. So far I am extremely happy with how my car handles. It's definately the thing I am most proud of. I've never tested it to a full extend as I've never done any autocrossing but steering response is incredible and high speed lane changes are a breeze.

    Any of the suspension experts have anything in mind that could help out in improving my setup even more? Nothing way too pricey of course! Also, any suggestions for the alignment that will be done in a few days? Should I just let them do it with what Mazda suggests? All I know is that the camber has to be even between the sides. I am not that familiar with the proper toe and caster numbers. This is a daily driver and I definately don't want my tires to wear out quickly because of an agressive alignment. Any recommendations will be very helpful!
    Last edited by Identity_X; 10-22-2003, 08:11 PM.
    -------------------------
    '91 LX
    '03 Mazdaspeed Protege #235
    -------------------------

    Originally posted by pigeon
    well if you're a fan of inaccuracy and uncertainty.... then by all means, go set your timing by feel and sound

    while you're out there, you might as well adjust your air/fuel ratio by smell... and your tire pressure by ride height

    #2
    get stiffer springs
    "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
    -93 MR2, 129 ES
    ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

    Originally posted by WTF
    Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by JesseSays
      get stiffer springs
      As I said before, this is a daily driven car and I don't do any racing (autocross) so I am relatively happy with the Zx2/Eibach combo. How big of an improvement will the H&R springs be over the Eibach's? The H&R's are the stiffest springs out there, right?
      -------------------------
      '91 LX
      '03 Mazdaspeed Protege #235
      -------------------------

      Originally posted by pigeon
      well if you're a fan of inaccuracy and uncertainty.... then by all means, go set your timing by feel and sound

      while you're out there, you might as well adjust your air/fuel ratio by smell... and your tire pressure by ride height

      Comment


        #4
        coilovers

        250 front, 200 rear
        "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
        -93 MR2, 129 ES
        ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

        Originally posted by WTF
        Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

        Comment


          #5
          I assume those numbers are for the Ground Control coilovers?
          -------------------------
          '91 LX
          '03 Mazdaspeed Protege #235
          -------------------------

          Originally posted by pigeon
          well if you're a fan of inaccuracy and uncertainty.... then by all means, go set your timing by feel and sound

          while you're out there, you might as well adjust your air/fuel ratio by smell... and your tire pressure by ride height

          Comment


            #6
            any....they are just spring rates.

            Ground Control would be the best bang for your buck there...

            the ST front sway bar would also help....
            "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
            -93 MR2, 129 ES
            ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

            Originally posted by WTF
            Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by JesseSays

              Ground Control would be the best bang for your buck there...

              the ST front sway bar would also help....
              Can you think of anything else that might help? I am just trying to gather ideas for what could turn out to be another year of suspension related modifications.
              -------------------------
              '91 LX
              '03 Mazdaspeed Protege #235
              -------------------------

              Originally posted by pigeon
              well if you're a fan of inaccuracy and uncertainty.... then by all means, go set your timing by feel and sound

              while you're out there, you might as well adjust your air/fuel ratio by smell... and your tire pressure by ride height

              Comment


                #8
                ditch the kumho tires, unless they are MXs
                "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
                -93 MR2, 129 ES
                ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

                Originally posted by WTF
                Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

                Comment


                  #9
                  The MX3 H&Rs are stiffest, even more so than the Protege H&Rs. IIRC, 200# frt and 180# rear.

                  I'd ditch the big hoops for 16s or 15s. You want those control arms to be as flat as possible, with the Eibachs and 17s, they will angle up towards the tire. But going with smaller wheels, you bring that angle closer to flat with 16s w/205/45 tires, even better with 15s w/205/50 tires.

                  Falken Azenis are awesome street tires and cheaper than the Kumhos by a long shot, BUT, they will wear rather quickly.

                  LCA and rear trailing link bushings.

                  Upper strut mounts


                  Comment


                    #10
                    wheel size doesn't have anything to do with control arm geometry.
                    "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
                    -93 MR2, 129 ES
                    ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

                    Originally posted by WTF
                    Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

                    Comment


                      #11
                      can you explain.....

                      Comment


                        #12
                        the control arm's angle is directly connected to the amount that the spring/strut combo is compressed.

                        This being the case, the only way to change this is add weight to the car, change the ride height, or hit a bump or dip while driving.

                        smaller diameter wheels and tires will just lower the car, but won't change the geometery of the control arm.
                        "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
                        -93 MR2, 129 ES
                        ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

                        Originally posted by WTF
                        Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

                        Comment


                          #13
                          how often do u guys with the azenis change your tires? i go thru 2-3 sets of kumhos a year

                          Comment


                            #14
                            kumho's suck a fattie. Use Falken ZEIX 512's
                            93' Noble Green MX-ZE (sold )
                            02' Graphite Grey WRX Stage 4, 286whp
                            05' Pontiac Vibe daily driver, lowered/tinted/rims

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by iwokeupfrmadrea
                              how often do u guys with the azenis change your tires? i go thru 2-3 sets of kumhos a year
                              Ummm, autocrossing on them a lot, I only went through ~2 sets of Azenis a year.

                              Check your alignment...it's off
                              "Never run out of real estate, traction & ideas at the same time"
                              -93 MR2, 129 ES
                              ClubProtege.com Tech Articles

                              Originally posted by WTF
                              Remember low compression makes more space for AIR, HEEELLOOOO!

                              Comment

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