Rear anti-sway bar on P5

[RipperSnapper]

Do they make better rear anti-sway bars for the P5. I was behind a MSP this morning and I noticed they have a rear anti sway bar that looks like it would perform better. It looks thicker an (not that paint does anything LOL) its red.
I heard you can't use the MSP rear sway bar because the P5 is structured differently obviously because its a wagon.

[Projekt_proto]

there was a page listed here a while back that said no.
whatever page it is that lists engine #'s and specs

[RipperSnapper]

Yeah, I first did a search, but came up short. When I first got My P5, about 2 years ago, There wasn't any. I just wanted to see if that has changed. Its not a big deal, but I do want to get rid of as much body roll as possible. The tien springs I'm looking to get will help, but its winter now an Getting lower springs now isn't much of a priority. I don't wanna be a snowplow unless I get paid for it

[NegatiZE]

The Protege5 has the same suspension as any other Protege. The fact that it's a wagon makes no difference.

The Mazdaspeed swaybar kit will work but it includes a different subframe for the mounting points on the swaybar.

AWR also makes a 21.5mm rear swaybar that will work on the Protege's.

[RipperSnapper]

Nice! Thanx Negatize. Looks like I found a canidate for my Christmas/B-day money!

[gcs118]

Don't forget AWR's 19mm sway bar as well.

[StuttersC]

I've heard that the 19mm bar might be a better option for the wagon, as the 21.5mm makes the Protege 5 really tail happy.

And if you aren't ready for it, the snap over-steer from trail braking or lifting off the throttle mid turn could send you and your car into an unfriendly object.

[gcs118]

Originally posted by StuttersC
I've heard that the 19mm bar might be a better option for the wagon, as the 21.5mm makes the Protege 5 really tail happy.

And if you aren't ready for it, the snap over-steer from trail braking or lifting off the throttle mid turn could send you and your car into an unfriendly object.

The 21.5mm bar does take some getting used to, but also keep in mind you can fine tune it with the adjustable endlinks and slider brackets. It has a wide range of stiffness, you just have to have some idea of what you are doing.

[StuttersC]

Originally posted by gcs118
The 21.5mm bar does take some getting used to, but also keep in mind you can fine tune it with the adjustable endlinks and slider brackets. It has a wide range of stiffness, you just have to have some idea of what you are doing.

I undertsand that. But the problem is, most people don't.

They buy the bar, put it on the stiffest setting and drive like maniacs...BLAM!

[redfyre]

I can't remember where I read it, but there is a guy from another forum that installed the MSP anti-sway bars in his P5. The only difference is that the MSP ones are thicker.

[gcs118]

Originally posted by redfyre
I can't remember where I read it, but there is a guy from another forum that installed the MSP anti-sway bars in his P5. The only difference is that the MSP ones are thicker.

You don't have to worry quite as much about being too tail-happy with both bars because you're also getting the thicker front sway bar as well in the package. C'mon AWR...thicker front!

[Grocerygetter]

Where would be the best place to purchase one of those bars?

[macklum]

I have the MP3 rear sway bar on my LX sedan ,I believe the P5 uses the same crossmember . I used AWR racing Sway bar spacer brackets and rear endlinks . I had to use the stock LX swaybar bushings and bracketrs ,the bushings opened up to fit the MP3 rear sway bar. hope this links works

http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/macklum2001/detail?.dir=/car+pics&.dnm=rear+swaybar.jpg

[StuttersC]

You don't have to worry quite as much about being too tail-happy with both bars because you're also getting the thicker front sway bar as well in the package. C'mon AWR...thicker front!

I had heard that the SWC cars actually run a stock front bar and the 21.5mm or 19mm depending on the track. The SWC cars run a really stiff rear-end because they want the car to rotate.

A bigger bar upfront will not allow the car to rotate all that well.

[Natey]

Where would be the best place to purchase one of those bars?

http://www.protege5online.com/For_Sa...sale_page.html

I have the AWR 21.5mm in my P5 and it works great. All it really does is lessen the understeer so that the car is more neutral in the corners. I have never had my car oversteer even in the rain with the bar at it's stiffest setting...And I drive the **** out of my car.
Be aware that the 21.5mm bar has been known to break off the endlink mounting tabs on the strut. An MSP or MP3 strut has much stronger tabs, so if you do go with the 21.5, be prepared to swap struts too.

One more thing: If you plan on putting in a front swaybar as well, you're gonna have to drop the whole subframe of the car to install it. There's no way to snake it into place without a major ordeal.