replacing front P5 strut bar

[mazdaspeed777]

I am pretty tired of the front P5 strut bar and would like to replace it with a better one. Looking for something pretty cheap if possible(nothing over $50). I saw the thread about the MX-6 rear strut bars from ebay fitting the P5's and actually bought one and will be installing it this week. So I was wondering if the front strut bars for the MX-6's fit the P5's?? Or does anyone have any other cheap solutions??

[the tortoise]

http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123649880

[mazdaspeed777]

^^^Thanks for the thread link but there isn't really any cheap solutions on that thread or any answers to my questions.

[mazdaspeed777]

Also does any one if there is a cheap three point strut bar that would fit a P5?? any three point strut bars from other models that would fit the P5? or does anyone know if there is any other front strut bars from other models besides the MX-6 that would fit the P5??

[L8R]

As far as cheap strut bars go, try to do a search for 'ractive' but I don't think there is a cheap 3 point bar.

[L8R]

http://search.ebay.com/protege-strut-bar_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturne dZ300QQssPageNameZRC0022 - here you go! No 3 point though, sorry.

[mazdaspeed777]

http://search.ebay.com/protege-strut-bar_W0QQfrppZ50QQfsooZ1QQfsopZ1QQmaxrecordsreturne dZ300QQssPageNameZRC0022 - here you go! No 3 point though, sorry.


Thanks for the link l8r. Most of those say they will only fit a protege up to 98, I wonder if any of them would fit an 03 P5. Does any one know??

[njaremka]

sorry, but none of those cheap bars are going to be any where near as effective as the stock bar. to get one thats better than stock, you'll have to spend some money

[ke20sprinter]

Get the corksport bar! It's not under $50, but cheaper than the name brand stuff (GTSpec).

http://corksport.com/store/category/4qc0/99p-suspension_misc.html
$79

WiL

BTW, you likey the ebay rear strut tower bar?

EDIT: The MX6 front bars fit...But I think the stock front bar's are better than the ebay ones.

[mazdaspeed777]

Yah I will probably will just wait till I get the money for the corksport one. Thats just my impatient addicted to modding side coming out so I thought I would at least try.

[ProtoType5]

Everything I have read says the stock front mount is as good or better than most of the "cheap" replacements......I'm thinking a coat of paint and "viola!!!" brand new strut bar...cost-$10.00 for paint and a Mazdaspeed sticker...(first)

[2003newlyack]

the only thing about that corksport bar is that it says...
Note: This bar does require adjustment/relocation of the cruise control and AC brackets.

[Kansei]

the only thing about that corksport bar is that it says...
Note: This bar does require adjustment/relocation of the cruise control and AC brackets.

It isn't really an issue. I have the corksport bar. It's nothing a little hammering can't fix. I didn't actually have to relocate the cruise control bracket last I checked, I just had to flatten out that bracket and the battery tie-down bracket.

[mazdaspeed777]

Everything I have read says the stock front mount is as good or better than most of the "cheap" replacements......I'm thinking a coat of paint and "viola!!!" brand new strut bar...cost-$10.00 for paint and a Mazdaspeed sticker...(first)

yah I already painted it and the battery tie down, but I don't have a mazdaspeed sticker on it yet. Thats what missing lol

[P-Funk!]

^ditto for paint. Maybe a carbon fiber sticker for the center portion if you likeee rice...

[amsgator]

^ditto for paint. Maybe a carbon fiber sticker for the center portion if you likeee rice...

what kind of paint is needed? does anyone know what kind of paint is good for painting the front strut bar? the stock p5 one? i want it to match my car so i am gonna paint it, but what kind to use?

[njaremka]

you can use anything that i made for painting with - well, except maybe finger paint.

[i12drivemyMP5]

Thanks for the link l8r. Most of those say they will only fit a protege up to 98, I wonder if any of them would fit an 03 P5. Does any one know??CP Racing used to make a 3 pt front bar. Not sure they are still around or not. Someone else here on the forum I think is tooling up to sell some 3 pts that are similar to the CP racing one. I forgot again who it was or if they are definitely doing them but it'll probably come up if you do a search.

[mazdaspeed777]

CP Racing used to make a 3 pt front bar. Not sure they are still around or not. Someone else here on the forum I think is tooling up to sell some 3 pts that are similar to the CP racing one. I forgot again who it was or if they are definitely doing them but it'll probably come up if you do a search.

Thanks for the info^^^ I will check it out

[Demoniam]

When I did mine last week, I used regular semi-flat black Krylon spray paint. Turned out real smooth and not too shiny, almost blends in to the engine bay!

For the brackets, I used High heat paint with ceramic, forgot the brand, b/c it was the only shade of orange that i liked.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b372/DEMONiAM/Mazda%20P5/53034312811_0_ALB.jpg

[mazdaspeed777]

Great Job! ^^^ and great color choice. Looks awsome. Now it would look even better if you panted your valve cover black, or orange

[Kansei]

Looks nice. I'll probably redo my stock bar gloss black if I get the time.. might just have it powdercoated along with all of my intercooler/intake piping at the same time though.

[GNO]

I used one of those cheap eBay ones after I bent my stocker. Excuse the dirty engine bay, but here's a pic:http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=58681&d=1126472349

[khaosman]

I used one of those cheap eBay ones after I bent my stocker. Excuse the dirty engine bay, but here's a pic:http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=58681&d=1126472349

MSP turbo setup and Microtech EMS install in March buddy... you should come play :D

[Demoniam]

Mazdaspeed777---that's my next "big" project. Black VC with orange lettering.

[melicha8]

Any of those strut bars with hinges are no good. The stock bar is pretty damn rigid. The only bar that might be better is the CP racing bar

[Kansei]

Any of those strut bars with hinges are no good. The stock bar is pretty damn rigid. The only bar that might be better is the CP racing bar

good luck finding a cp racing one though haha

[mazdaspeed777]

Any of those strut bars with hinges are no good. The stock bar is pretty damn rigid. The only bar that might be better is the CP racing bar

I always thought an aftermarket front strut bar would be better because it would get rid of those extra bracket pieces the stock bar mounts on top of. Im not saying one of the ebay ones would be better but is seems to me a strut bar that bolts straight to the top of the struts would be more ridgid. I could be wrong, thats just my opinion.

[FastMSP]

no improvement will be noticed if you had an aftermarket front strut bar. Don't waste your money.

[spotthedogg]

sorry, but none of those cheap bars are going to be any where near as effective as the stock bar. to get one thats better than stock, you'll have to spend some money


+1+1
CHEAP=SUCK
The stock bar is pretty damn good, I have a cp racing 3 point it's nice but makes under hood work a pita, like removing the battery.

[mazdaspeed777]

[QUOTE=spotthedogg]+1+1
CHEAP=SUCK[QUOTE]

not always. I got a rear strut bar from ebay for $20 shipped and it made an amazing difference, and it looks great. I painted it a metalic black and slapped a mazdaspeed sticker on it and wammmy!(omg)

[njaremka]

any bar in the rear is going to make a big difference in the back of the protege5.


[quote=spotthedogg]+1+1
CHEAP=SUCK[quote]

not always. I got a rear strut bar from ebay for $20 shipped and it made an amazing difference, and it looks great. I painted it a metalic black and slapped a mazdaspeed sticker on it and wammmy!(omg)

[spotthedogg]

[QUOTE=spotthedogg]+1+1
CHEAP=SUCK[QUOTE]

not always. I got a rear strut bar from ebay for $20 shipped and it made an amazing difference, and it looks great. I painted it a metalic black and slapped a mazdaspeed sticker on it and wammmy!(omg)

Let's see it and the link, I have been looking around for one for the P5.

[amsgator]

well its an mx-6 bar that you have to mod some things. there is a how-to on it in the how-to section.