I herd a suspention rumor didnt know if it was true with relation to the mazda 3

S40T5TurboGT · Dec 21, 2007

I was yammering with a mechanic about my S40 and complaining that all the suspensions for it cost a 10000 million dollars and that I don't want to just lower it with springs, I want shocks as well and no one seems to sell any. He told me that Mazda 3 suspension will interchange with our cars suspension and that all I need do is find a suspension I like (I want koni adjustable) for the Mazda 3 and toss them on my car.

Any one know if this is true, can our cars work with mazda 3 designed suspensions?

zerocover · Dec 21, 2007

Our suspensions are interchangeable with the mazda3's.

The front shocks are exactly the same, the rears are a different damping rate but will bolt right in.

S40T5TurboGT · Dec 22, 2007

Re: (zerocover)

Quote, originally posted by zerocover »

Our suspensions are interchangeable with the mazda3's.

The front shocks are exactly the same, the rears are a different damping rate but will bolt right in.

THATS AWESOME! You totaly made my day!

http://********************/smile/emthup.gif

PornSStar · Dec 27, 2007

I dont understand why you dont get the konis or bilstien for our cars? that is 3 different setups plus the heico variant and the Evolve?

bopmychimbeech · Dec 27, 2007

Great I'm thinking about the Tein type flex line now...

S40T5TurboGT · Dec 27, 2007

Re: (PornSStar)

Quote, originally posted by PornSStar »

I don't understand why you don't get the konis or bilstien for our cars? that is 3 different setups plus the heico variant and the Evolve?

Because they are all 1500 dollar plus coil over systems. I want just improved shocks and struts and different springs. I don't want my car to bounce after just putting lowering springs on stock shocks because of the diffrent spring rates and shock valving of the stock shocks.

Most people here lower for looks. I am lowering for performance. I auto cross and the stock height and soft springs are not my preferred set up.

Mazda speed 3 Springs shocks and struts fit our cars, and the MS3 is unbeatable

Not to mention coil overs put me into a different class where as a stock spring and shock do not.

I cant also see a reason for me to buy coil overs, I don't need to actively raise and lower my car. I live in FL and we don't encounter snow, gravel ect. Like I assume you would up north where you may want that height adjustment.

Like I stated I don't just want to put springs on stock shocks, and have my car bounce around after every speed bump. I was a WHOLE set up. Unless some one sells struts and shocks for our cars, Im going with speed3 suspention.

Not to mention I can get the whole thing for 200 bux.

zerocover · Dec 28, 2007

From where? Get me one!!
I would love a speed 3 suspension.

Be warned you have a sedan the speed 3 is a wagon, I believe that your rear will be 1/2 inch lower then it should be as you weigh more in the back. As the speed 3 already rakes forward this might just work out perfectly.

FinnSpeed · Dec 28, 2007

Re: (zerocover)

No, Mazdaspeed 3 is NOT a wagon, it is a hatchback. Pretty much the same as sedan but just with wagon-like trunk door. I bet the springs are OK with no ride height issues.

max power · Dec 28, 2007

Re: I herd a suspention rumor didnt know if it was true with relation to the mazda 3 (S40T5TurboGT)

the mazda3 is literally hundreds of pounds lighter than a volvo S40

i'd imagine in addition to the lower spring and damping rates applied to aftermarket mazda3 products, the bushings in the mounts and camber arms are also considerably softer too

just a point i wanted to make.

genjy · Dec 28, 2007

Mazdastuff.com is a pretty reputable place to get Mazda OEM stuff for less than MSRP. The site is owned by a dealer.

http://www.mazdastuff.com

The whole Mazdaspeed3 struts + springs + camber kit set up is about $900.

Free shipping and no sales tax for non-Texans.

If you want the regular Mazda3 suspension, just e-mail them. They are usually very helpful.

zerocover · Dec 28, 2007

Dam looks like I hit a nerve with wagon guy. (In the mazda world we with sedans like to poke fun at hatchback owners by calling them wagons.)

Springs need to match the struts. On the speed 3 there already matched no amount of ride height adjustment can change that. The spring rate however will be fine the car will just sit lower. With our beefy swaybars and the mazdas increased spring rate body roll should be long gone.

i know the mazda has a 60/40 weight distribution. Anyone know what ours is?

S40T5TurboGT · Dec 28, 2007

Re: (zerocover)

Quote, originally posted by zerocover »

Dam looks like I hit a nerve with wagon guy. (In the mazda world we with sedans like to poke fun at hatchback owners by calling them wagons.)

Springs need to match the struts. On the speed 3 there already matched no amount of ride height adjustment can change that. The spring rate however will be fine the car will just sit lower. With our beefy swaybars and the mazdas increased spring rate body roll should be long gone.

i know the mazda has a 60/40 weight distribution. Anyone know what ours is?

Thats why I wanted a Speed3 Suspension

, Be great for auto-x competitions. Kills body roll and no bounce from not having matching shocks.

Also I work at a dealership I get pretty big discounts, we own a mazda dealership

Thats how im getting em so cheap.

Oldman · Dec 29, 2007

Re: (genjy)

I'll take a little credit for saying um many many moons ago the hot ticket is going to be a stock MS3 suspension and the ubber one would be the Mazdaspeed OEM aftermarket or just plain after market. Anyway call me old but I can't find the pricing for the whole deal. Also we do need FRONT camber kits.

FinnSpeed · Dec 29, 2007

Re: (zerocover)

Quote, originally posted by zerocover »

Dam looks like I hit a nerve with wagon guy. (In the mazda world we with sedans like to poke fun at hatchback owners by calling them wagons.)

Naah, no problem. I genuinely thought someone can't tell the difference (and I have seen some writings in the local car magazines where there were clearly confusion). We Finns are sometimes like that, we take stuff seriously even if there is no need. Personally I have had sedans and hatchbacks earlier, the V50 is my first wagon.

The weight difference between S40 and MS3 is not that big 3153lbs vs. 3363lbs (T5 FWD) so that's not going to be a problem. Also the MS3 suspension is regarded quite stiff by many tests I have seen, that is why I think it will work OK. http://********************/smile/emcocktl.gif

Oldman is right, AFAIK he was the first one to bring up the idea. Now it is time for someone to test it.

Does MS3 or Focus ST have a front camber kit available? Anyway, someone with racing car building experience should be able to create a camber kit, rather easily even.

Oldman · Dec 29, 2007

Re: (FinnSpeed)

problem with the fornt is this is a sleeve mounting on the strut bottom so the typical offset crash bolts don't work. The top we need an offset plate or whole new mount made. I like a new mount made for that is already offset, so no adjustment but also nothing to fool around with or slip or make noise etc.

Anyway I'lm lazy today, somebody please send me a link to the best deal for the rear adjustable arms, and I'll put them in.

I got a problem with my Honda puttputt, now that it is cold it has a check engine light. Same deal here with the S40 and a big exhaust, so it does not heat up and bingo check engine light. No nothing silly like a fart pipe, just a mild turbo setup on an HX 44 MPG and 200 HP. Stock sounding but able to take down 99% of the winged ricer fart pipes in a local throwdown.

Found the Mazdaspeed list:
http://www.mazdastuff.com/dire...D=245
Not the Mazdaspeed springs come with a new rear camber arm.. wow!

So stupid question, are these Mazdaspeed3 springs = OEM on the MS3? or are these even more aggresive?

Modified by Oldman at 11:50 PM 12-29-2007

I herd a suspention rumor didnt know if it was true with relation to the mazda 3

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