Also part of the complete MSP suspension package is a front strut tower bar that I had previously installed. This is the same one that was also installed in the MP3 and the Protege 5.
I did this in two stages as I couldn't afford to buy all the parts at the same time.
As everyone agrees, the stock protege is a great handling car. With the addition of the MSP springs (part no. 0000-8M-C13) and MSP struts (part no. 0000-8M-C14), the handling is even better. I bought all my MSP suspension parts from:
I don't have a garage so I have to do most of my work in my driveway. I also don't have air tools so I don't like attempting too much suspension work on my own. However, I have a friend who has both a home garage, air tools and a spring compressor. We help each other out with car work so when it came time to install my struts and springs, I took my car to his house to carry out the installation. With his tools and my trusty FSM, we did the job in about 6 hours - we took our time and things went fairly smoothly. Before the installation, I spoke to my Mazda Service Advisor about alignment and he said I should drive the car for a week or two to enable the springs to settle and then get an alignment. I followed his advice. Even without the alignment, however, the car tracked straight and true with no pulling - the straight-line steering felt pretty much as before. The MSP springs are supposed to lower the car ~ 3/4" after settling.
After the installation, I remounted the stock steels (195/55-15's, the combo I use in the winter) because I wanted to see how much handling was improved from the addition of the MSP springs and struts alone, without any contribution from the wider alloy rims and Yokohama tires. The difference was quite noticeable. Steering into and through turns was quicker and more precise, and turn-in was more rapid. At the same time, I really didn't notice much more suspension harshness, even on fairly rough roads, despite the fact that the suspension is now stiffer. I don't exactly know the right words to use to describe handling changes, but just let me say that it felt great!
With the stock suspension components, changing to the alloy wheels and the Yoko tires improved the handling a great deal. After about two weeks, I replaced the steels with the alloys. As expected, there was a still further increase in handling performance as not only are the Yoko tires wider and grippier than stock, but the aftermarket setup is lighter thus reducing unsprung weight.
I decided to go with the MSP parts, even though they are expensive, to preserve my extended warranty. Since they are, after all, Mazda OEM parts sold as an accessory upgrade, I should have no warranty problems in case anything goes wrong. At some point in the future, when I financially recover from the present monetary hit, I'll be getting the Mazdaspeed Stabilizer Bars to complete the upgrade.
Expensive, but worthwhile, the car is now more fun to drive than ever.
Happy Motoring!
I did this in two stages as I couldn't afford to buy all the parts at the same time.
As everyone agrees, the stock protege is a great handling car. With the addition of the MSP springs (part no. 0000-8M-C13) and MSP struts (part no. 0000-8M-C14), the handling is even better. I bought all my MSP suspension parts from:
I don't have a garage so I have to do most of my work in my driveway. I also don't have air tools so I don't like attempting too much suspension work on my own. However, I have a friend who has both a home garage, air tools and a spring compressor. We help each other out with car work so when it came time to install my struts and springs, I took my car to his house to carry out the installation. With his tools and my trusty FSM, we did the job in about 6 hours - we took our time and things went fairly smoothly. Before the installation, I spoke to my Mazda Service Advisor about alignment and he said I should drive the car for a week or two to enable the springs to settle and then get an alignment. I followed his advice. Even without the alignment, however, the car tracked straight and true with no pulling - the straight-line steering felt pretty much as before. The MSP springs are supposed to lower the car ~ 3/4" after settling.
After the installation, I remounted the stock steels (195/55-15's, the combo I use in the winter) because I wanted to see how much handling was improved from the addition of the MSP springs and struts alone, without any contribution from the wider alloy rims and Yokohama tires. The difference was quite noticeable. Steering into and through turns was quicker and more precise, and turn-in was more rapid. At the same time, I really didn't notice much more suspension harshness, even on fairly rough roads, despite the fact that the suspension is now stiffer. I don't exactly know the right words to use to describe handling changes, but just let me say that it felt great!
With the stock suspension components, changing to the alloy wheels and the Yoko tires improved the handling a great deal. After about two weeks, I replaced the steels with the alloys. As expected, there was a still further increase in handling performance as not only are the Yoko tires wider and grippier than stock, but the aftermarket setup is lighter thus reducing unsprung weight.
I decided to go with the MSP parts, even though they are expensive, to preserve my extended warranty. Since they are, after all, Mazda OEM parts sold as an accessory upgrade, I should have no warranty problems in case anything goes wrong. At some point in the future, when I financially recover from the present monetary hit, I'll be getting the Mazdaspeed Stabilizer Bars to complete the upgrade.
Expensive, but worthwhile, the car is now more fun to drive than ever.
Happy Motoring!
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