Suspension Upgrade Needed!

[dirtyd]

Yup, its time. My stock struts are heading out the door, and a single bump in the road now feels like 3. Going to upgrade to Koni Sport struts, coupled with Eibach Pro-Kit spring set. I'm not a mechanical genius, as much of you may know by all my questions. Just wondering if there is anything else I'll need to purchase for this setup. I'm most likely going to tackle the job on my own. I'm assuming I can follow Workdawg's coilover write-up for this?

All thoughts/opinions/suggestions are appreciated! Thanks!

 

[mndsm]

Eibach pros and koni yellows are a great setup. The nice thing is, as long as you don't grenade em, you can use the factory dust sleeves and bearing caps, and you should be good to go. The front end can be kind of a pita due to the whole LCA not wanting to let the shock go piece, but generally speaking, it's not that bad.

 

[Workdawg]

If you're going to drop more than .5" or so, you might want to consider some adjustable camber arms. I ended up with a little bit of neg camber all around (more in the back) and bought a pair of camber arms to set the rear back to 0.

My coilover install writeup should get you installed NP. If you are looking for a hand, post up a thread with when and where and I'm sure someone would be willing to help ya out. I certainly wouldn't mind as long as I'm not too busy.

 

[dirtyd]

Thanks, guys! Awesome news! I'm thinking about the install either July 2nd or July 3rd. Hopefully I can get all the parts before then. The feedback I'm getting from the road currently is pissing me off!

Workdawg, thanks for the offer! I'll for sure post up a help wanted thread as soon as I'm ready! I really appreciate it!

 

[spek1098]

I have close to the same setup just with cobb springs and I have to say that setup gets two thumbs up from me. Only bummer is the rear shocks have to be pulled to be adjusted. I went with what Erik and Tom recommended, and set the rear to there stiffest setting. Also set the fronts to the middle of the range. It makes the ride feel like a slammed honda, but after everything settled I absolutely love what it has done for both corner handling and launching. The performance increase was well worth the loss of comfort IMHO. And the rear camber arms are required for a good alignment as Dan said.

 

[dirtyd]

Thanks! I'm assuming camber arms are the same as the front/rear end links? Any suggestions on brands?

 

[Workdawg]

Camber arms are not endlinks. The shop manual calls them upper arms IIRC. (I have an install post about them as well) http://www.mnmazda.com/forum/showthread.php?6558-How-To-Camber-Arm-install-on-Mazdaspeed-3

You only need camber ARMS in the back. Camber plates would be required in the front... but most people like having some camber in the front... so I just left mine.

If you check out various parts sites (street unit, etc) and just look for camber arms you'll see what they are. I'm really happy with the ones I got though.

 

[spek1098]

Adjustable endlinks may be needed, depending on the amount of drop, to eliminate the sway bar from knocking against the subframe. At least that’s what I needed, but I also have Cobb sway bars as well, so that may change the equation.

Anyone done a decent drop and not had a sway bar clearance issue?

 

[Workdawg]

I'm dropped around an inch (probably a little more) all around and didn't have any issues before the camber arms.

Stock RSB

Though I have to say, I'm confused about how a drop would cause problems with the RSB.

 

[mndsm]

changes the angle of the dangle, son!

 

[ij1889]

i highly suggest megan racing springs, they are pretty cheap price, but amazing quality, and they will also loewr your car 2" inches if you want to go really low

 

[dirtyd]

Thanks for all the info guys. So from what I've gathered, this is what I need:

Struts: http://www.protegegarage.com/1304-koni-sports-mazda3-mazdaspeed3.html
Springs: http://www.protegegarage.com/1554-product-1554.html
Rear Camber Arms: http://www.streetunit.com/SPC_Camber_Arm_MS3_Mazda_3_p/67420.htm
Front Camber Plates: Optional
Rear Sway: Not Necessary

Please let me know if this is everything! I hope to order the parts tonight or tomorrow. I really want to do this install next weekend. I really appreciate everybody's help!

 

[Workdawg]

The SPC camber arms are sold as singles for some reason, so you actually need two of those... FYI.

Other than that though, that should be it.

 

[dirtyd]

Yup, gotta order two of those. I just wanted to find links to the correct parts. Thanks for all the help man! I was reading over your how-to's and they are super comprehensive. Which is exactly what I need. Now, I just need to get the parts and get it done.

 

[spek1098]

Though I have to say, I'm confused about how a drop would cause problems with the RSB.

It's the FSB that has the most severe clearance issues when dropping, at least with stock struts. The koni yellows may address this with an optimized mounting point for the front endlinks as they are designed for a lowered car. I did my front endlinks when I installed my yellows, so I'm not sure if you will avoid the clearance issue when stock endlinks and the yellows, I'm guess it will depend on the total drop you end up with.

Don't forget to check Tire Rack's prices in the struts, I got mine there, they were the cheapest when I got mine last summer.

 

[Workdawg]

Ahhh... FSB makes more sense...

And yeah... I read a ton of writeups before I went after it and I found that there were a lot of things people didn't cover very specifically, so I figured I'd write it up with as much detail as possible to try and answer all the questions I had.

 

[dirtyd]

Here is my order list from Protege Garage (lowest price with free shipping):

Koni Yellows - Sport package $649
Eibach Pro Kit - $229
Mazdaspeed rear camber kit - $225

The eibach prokit springs aren't supposed to drop the car too much. Maybe just under an inch all around. Is that enough of a drop to cause me problems with the FSB? And by FSB, I'm assuming thats front stabalization bar?

 

[mndsm]

There's only one problem with that.... you ordered from PG. Good luck getting your stuff before Christmas.

 

[Workdawg]

The MS camber kit isn't adjustable, FYI. It probably won't really be an issue, but if you're going to spend the money, getting a set of adjustable ones makes a lot more sense, IMO.

Honestly, I'd order either SPC or the Dominant engineering pieces I have. I'd highly recommend the ones from DE, plus you get free powdercoating


Also, what Tom said about PG. It took them like 2 months to ship me my STS when I ordered from them. The price was ZOMG GOOD, but the hassle of dealing with them was enough that I wouldn't go back.

 

[dirtyd]

Yeah, its a gamble. I've ordered some parts from them in the past via their website, and I got the parts pretty quick. I've also ordered parts through that CaptainKEN character or whatever the hell his name is on mazdas247 and it took a month to get them.

I have my fingers crossed that as long as I don't order a part via private message on mazdas247, I'm fine. If not, well fug me and I'm going to be pissed.