Innexpensive suspension kits for 3rd gen Proteges

[worth_fixing]

I used the word innexpensive as opposed to cheap because I'm looking for something durable more than innexpensive, but still within a student's budget. My shocks are going to sheisse schneller and I need replacement. I like the look and feel of "sportier" suspension (maybe even a 1"-1.5" drop) but don't need all out racing suspension. In other words, this is going to be a daily driven car and will never see the track. I just want something that'll handle aggressive corners with ease without giving me a pain in the back for going over crappy roads.

Also, this is the first time I'm going to attempt a suspension replacement myself. How would someone rate this kind of job, from 1 to 10 (1=easy, 10=suicidal, 0=a beer) and are there any particular special tools one might need for this job? I have a load of standard tools, but I don't have things like a press, or a spring compressor? I thought I heard that a while back from someone who did his. Also, an approxiamte time frame a noob might take to do this.

I'm also just learning new suspension ethymology, such as I didn't know coilovers were a springs-over-shocks kit, I didn't know struts=shocks=dampners, etc. A real noob I tell ya. Just to add to the noob-ness of the up-coming purchase/job, I'm not quite sure what price range is acceptable or expensive for suspension kits. I was browzing a few websites to get a feel for the later when I saw a "tunable suspension kit for 3rd gen Proteges" for $2,250 from AutoEXE. Holy jumping motherphucker. Is this what these kits cost or is this just ridiculously overpriced, or a bloody F1 kit? Anyway...

I know I'm asking alot

Thanks guys! Cheers!

James

P.S. The car in question is a 2001 Mazda Protege LX 2.0

[goldstar]

Welcome to CP.

For an overview of how to improve the 3rd Gen Protege suspension system, and the Mazda parts required to do it, check out:

http://www.wihandyman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9813

For performance struts and springs, go to Racing Beat:

http://www.racingbeat.com/Protege/Shocks.html

http://www.racingbeat.com/Protege/Suspension.html

For trailing link kits, strut tower bars, and stabilizer bars, go to Anthony Woodford Racing:

http://www.awrracing.com

To do extensive suspension work, you'll definitely need a FSM, a spring compressor, and air tools. I couldn't have done the work on my car without them.

Happy Motoring!

[Turpro]

Its not hard of a job. Maybe a 3-4 on your scale. The mazdaspeed protege came with tokico struts and eibach springs. You'll probably pay around 600 for both. Its about a 1 inch drop. Doesn't sound like much but you'll have good ride quality and better cornering capabilities without sacrificing not being able to go over speed bumps

Strut don't equal shocks. Struts have the spring and strut in one unit. Shocks were mounted by springs.

I did a cmplete spring/strut install within 2 hrs using no air tools but you definetly need a spring compressor. You can rent that for free at an autozone