mazda3online opinions

[Gambino]

Ok, here is my situation. I ordered some parts from Ken a few days ago. Turns out that one of the parts I ordered (GT Spec trunk reinforcement brace) was recalled due to some issues. Since I have already paid for the part, ken gave me the option to use that as a credit or give me a refund. I am looking at the progress anti-roll bar kit and either the chromium or thinline halo lights. I thought I would start a poll (my first poll ever, so if I mess it up, please give me some time) to get some opinions. thanks.

progress - http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/product_info.php?products_id=404
halo lights - http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/index.php?cPath=22_121

[rednecks_r_us]

Here are some pictures from AZMC of one of our 3's with the larger halo's.





Mazda 6 Know-it-all

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« Reply #41 on: January 22, 2006, 18:52:23 »
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[Da 6]

Halo unless you drive the car aggresively enough to warrant the bars...

[o.g.sk8er]

Progress sway bar all the way!

[Gambino]

Here are some pictures from AZMC of one of our 3's with the larger halo's.



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it isnt letting me view those

[BC3I]

yea def go with the sway bar. now that you mention it i might just have to buy one now 2

[rednecks_r_us]

it isnt letting me view those

Here is one let me save the other one to my computer and then upload it here.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/rednecks_r_us/signatures/mazda%203%20halo.jpg


Here is the other one. This is Mike's (rum) car.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/rednecks_r_us/signatures/mazda%203%20halo%202

[BC3I]

so do you know if those are operated by a switch or are they daytime only?? and is install easy?

[Gambino]

so do you know if those are operated by a switch or are they daytime only?? and is install easy?
I have no idea how they operate. The install involves baking the headlight and taking it apart. Thats why I am nervous about it

[rednecks_r_us]

Yep we baked mike's headlights installed the halos. The halos were hooked up to a open place in the fuse box under the hood that is ignition hot. So they come on anytime the car is on.

If it was my car I would have wired them to a switch so I could turn them on or off when ever I wanted.

[BC3I]

i just know that its prob a pain in the ass taking that headlight out. yea i think that i read on another thread that the baking of it was easy

[Gambino]

Yep we baked mike's headlights installed the halos. The halos were hooked up to a open place in the fuse box under the hood that is ignition hot. So they come on anytime the car is on.

If it was my car I would have wired them to a switch so I could turn them on or off when ever I wanted.
cool, thanks for the info. So was the install very hard? I am mostly worried about getting them to seal properly so water doesnt get back in.

[Murray]

I'd do the sway bars, personally. Performance > looks any day, IMO (says the guy w/ the LED kit (boom07)).

[rednecks_r_us]

cool, thanks for the info. So was the install very hard? I am mostly worried about getting them to seal properly so water doesnt get back in.

Now that we know how to do them they aren't really that hard, just time consuming.

I baked my p5 headlights to paint them back in 2003 and still no fogging yet.

If you do get some fogging then a thin bead of clear RTV will solve that problem.

[Da 6]

baking was actualy the easy way..other way was manualy cutting them open ;)

[Gambino]

hmmm.....I just dont know which to get....

I dont do a ton of hard driving too often, so I am wondering if the current GT Spec pieces I have on order will be enough for now (4 point ladder brace and rear lower tie brace). I plan on getting the front lower tie brace as well when they make one for the 2.3

[BC3I]

the sway bars are only going to make the parts you have on order perform better.but those damn DDE look so fuckin sweet

[tonyzoomzoom]

Does the progress anti-roll bar kit include BOTH the front and rear bars (per the pic on their website). If they do, then I'd def get that for $150. Hella good price for the pair...

[Gambino]

Does the progress anti-roll bar kit include BOTH the front and rear bars (per the pic on their website). If they do, then I'd def get that for $150. Hella good price for the pair...
I would assume that it does

[rednecks_r_us]

the sway bars are only going to make the parts you have on order perform better.but those damn DDE look so fuckin sweet

They look even better in person. The pictures don't do them justice.

I need to look around and see if anybody makes them for the Protege 5 headlights.

Oh sorry I got off topic.

[Gambino]

My other concern is that I recently bought blue headlight protection film from rockblocker. I have not put it on yet though. Do you think the DDE would look good through the blue too?

[rednecks_r_us]

Yes because the rockblocker doesn't change the color of the light as much as you would think. The halos would look awesome behind the blue rockblocker protective film

Here are some pictures of my lights with rockblocker

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=117303&page=5

[Gambino]

cool, thanks for that link. I am a little nervous to install the headlight protection too. I am afraid I will mess it up too! God, I worry too damn much

[POSEIDON]

I have the progress rear sway, and let me tell you. It pwns hard.

[rednecks_r_us]

cool, thanks for that link. I am a little nervous to install the headlight protection too. I am afraid I will mess it up too! God, I worry too damn much

You want help installing the rockblocker? I'll be in Salt Lake in March LOL

[Gambino]

You want help installing the rockblocker? I'll be in Salt Lake in March LOL
oh yeah, well if I dont have them on by then, sure!

[tsunami]

go with the sway bar...

[BC3I]

where do the sway bars install at?

[POSEIDON]

where do the sway bars install at?

Well, it's (A) bar. It will replace your factory rear sway bar. If you aren't familar with it's location, it is between your rear wheels. It runs across the back of your undercarriage connected to the endlinks near your struts. Pretty straight forward installation, however, be extremely careful with your endlinks. They are quite easy to break. I believe there is a how-to in the how-to section. If you are unsure on how to install it, take it to your local shop. Should run you about $30-50 to install. Definetly worth it.

[thasilver3]

Here is one let me save the other one to my computer and then upload it here.

http://www.msprotege.com/members/rednecks_r_us/signatures/mazda%203%20halo.jpg


Here is the other one. This is Mike's (rum) car.
http://www.msprotege.com/members/rednecks_r_us/signatures/mazda%203%20halo%202


that looks really really nice i want em!!

[goldwing2000]

I'd do the sway bars, personally. Performance > looks any day, IMO [/i].

(werd)

[Gambino]

so I just found out the progress anti roll kit is only the front sway bar and is 22mm

[Da 6]

how big is factory?

[Gambino]

how big is factory?
no idea

[anarchistchiken]

Whatever you choose to do, I'd just like to say that you have one heluva fine looking automobile.

If you're not really an aggressive driver then you might as well get the halos. I voted for rear sway but that's before I read the thread. If you just like romping on it every once in a while, the GT spec stuff with your aftermarket springs (struts?) will be more than enough.

[BC3I]

hey tphskab check this out http://www.pracing.com they have some sweet stuff

[Gambino]

Whatever you choose to do, I'd just like to say that you have one heluva fine looking automobile.

If you're not really an aggressive driver then you might as well get the halos. I voted for rear sway but that's before I read the thread. If you just like romping on it every once in a while, the GT spec stuff with your aftermarket springs (struts?) will be more than enough.
well thank you kindly sir! Just for the record, I dont have aftermarket struts yet. I am still leaning towards the halos, but suggestions and opinions are still welcome

[BC3I]

i know they aren't as cheap but they got some nice products

[Gambino]

sure, i will bump this

[Gambino]

how big is factory?
I have been looking for this for a while now and cant seem to find it anywhere!(rant)

[goldwing2000]

I have been looking for this for a while now and cant seem to find it anywhere!(rant)

So go measure it. You have a caliper that reads in mm?

edit: according to this guy (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123617523), they're 19mm. For what it's worth...

[Gambino]

So go measure it. You have a caliper that reads in mm?

edit: according to this guy (http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123617523), they're 19mm. For what it's worth...
I dont have one......so a 22mm sway bar is gonna make some substantial difference?

[anarchistchiken]

Yes. It's not so much the fact that it's 3 mm bigger, it's the better design of the progress kit that will make the difference. I went from my 17 mm stock bar to my 19 mm AWR and it made a HUGE!!!! difference.

[goldwing2000]

A little means a lot when you're talking about torsional rigidity. (yes)

Materials make a big difference, too.

[anarchistchiken]

I really want to see you drive over a car in that Blazer.

[goldwing2000]

I really want to see you drive over a car in that Blazer.

LoL... I almost did.

My brother junked his wrecked Intrepid before I had a chance to play with it. :D

Some day after I get my lockers installed... (evil)

[Gambino]

well, i decided to go with the anti roll kit. I ordered it yesterday. I guess that means I can go ahead and close this thread. Check my thread called "new goodies" in the mazda3 lounge section to see all the new stuff I installed the last week and check for updates with this