AWR Endlinks, Sway bars, etc.

[KyRaceFan]

Discussion for the AWR suspension upgrades.
Who other than Distant Tea has them?

Im probably going to be upgrading to them very soon, and want to hear some other opinions on them.

Are there any other alternatives to the AWR pieces? Ive looked and havent raelly found anything.

My basic goals are minor improvements in body roll and crisper turning during autox.
Not getting crazy here, just want an improvement and some adjustability.

Thanks.

[mazdaowner123]

Bump, I wanna know the answer as well. I'm probably going to be getting their bar sometime during the summer.

~brian

[Mike R]

I have the 21.5mm rear sway bar and adj front endlinks. Both are good pieces. They definately reduce roll and make the turn in much better. I'm having some minor issues with the fronts coming loose. I think I need to grind some of the mount off of the strut. The rear has worked flawlessly and quietly for the 3 months I've had it on.

[StuttersC]

I have both the 21.5mm rear bar and the adjustable end-links up front.
I've had strange issue with my end-links for some reason, but the pieces are quality and everything looks.

The rear bar will make a clunking noise. It is normal.

Another option would be Delsing Motorsports. They have some things coming out.

I personally wanted the rear end to rotate more, and so wnet with the AWR piece. It works great.

[KyRaceFan]

Awesome, im gonna order the end links, and probably the 19mm 2 way adjustable. A little clunking is ok i guess...

[StuttersC]

Awesome, im gonna order the end links, and probably the 19mm 2 way adjustable. A little clunking is ok i guess...
If you have a MSP, you don't want a smaller rear bar. The MSP has a 20mm rear bar stock.

You would have to go up to the 21.5 in order to get the less understeer.

[BadBandar]

i ordered the adjustable front end links. and they gave me too many problems. i had to go to the dealer and get the stock ones. cuz i have a 2000 protege. and tokico struts are different then the stock.

but when i ordered them. they kept on screwing off and the screws broke off. if u want the ones i have. let me know. ill sell them. and i heard the make a clunk noise. so im cool with awr.

[SuperSpud]

If you have a MSP, you don't want a smaller rear bar. The MSP has a 20mm rear bar stock.

You would have to go up to the 21.5 in order to get the less understeer.
getting a bigger rear will stop understeer? I lowered my car on eibach prokit, and ever since have had some understeer. if the bigger awr rear sway will help, im VERY interested

[StuttersC]

getting a bigger rear will stop understeer? I lowered my car on eibach prokit, and ever since have had some understeer. if the bigger awr rear sway will help, im VERY interested
It won't stop it. But it will help the car handle more nuetral. A bigger rear bar will help the increase rear roll stiffness which will bring the rear end around more.

[SuperSpud]

so, I dont get it.. the stock one is 20mm. and the awr is 21.5mm.. thats only 1.5mm more, how is that going to make a difference?

[BlueMP5Dave]

I honestly think the difference is more in the adjustablity of the endlinks. Not nessecarily the size of the bar especially on the MSP. I had the 21.5 for about 7 months on my ES sedan before I sold it. The only problem I had was that the aircraft style bushings in the endlinks picked up to much road trash and sand. They made awful clunking noises and required cleaning every two weeks to keep them quite. I believe they have revised there bushing setups on the endlinks. I am not positive. The bar was great though made the car very neutral. there my .02

[StuttersC]

so, I dont get it.. the stock one is 20mm. and the awr is 21.5mm.. thats only 1.5mm more, how is that going to make a difference?
I forget the exact math, however the 1.5mm difference is huge when it comes to roll resistance.

If I remember correctly, the 1.5mm difference makes for about a 20% difference in roll resistance in the rear. It is significant. The adjustability allows for you to fine tune that.

[SuperSpud]

kickin rad.. how hard is it to adjust it? I mean, is there a setting, that you guys can tell me to put it on so I dont have to tinker with it and more than likely throw off my suspension?

[BlueMP5Dave]

Just pushing the bar up will make the car loose. Then pushing the bar way down can make the car way tight. You kinda have to find the happy medium for yourself. The important thing to remember is that once you have it adjusted. Make sure you measure the total length of the endlink so you can get the car back to that setting once you tinker with it again. After awhile you will get a feel for it. I spent every weekend for about a month taking test drives messing with it. Good times :)

[SuperSpud]

so how do you adjust it? does it have seperate holes you can put it at? I saw on the site that it comes with endlinks... does anyone have any pix of this setup installed?

[Logan]

I HAD the 21.5mm bar on my MSP. I didn't notice much of a difference when AXing, so I sold it and am running the stock bar again.

[KyRaceFan]

Are the Front and rear end links compatible with the stock stuff on the MSP? Id like to upgrade them, but dont wanna spend the money for the rear sway bar(dont need it)...

[macklum]

Yes the endlinks are compatable with your stock stuff .
One other item that I noticed,No one has mentioned the rear trailing arm ,the stock ones are real flimsy ,I had AWR make me asset front round stock ,They made a big differance in the road manners of the car .

[KyRaceFan]

Yes the endlinks are compatable with your stock stuff .
One other item that I noticed,No one has mentioned the rear trailing arm ,the stock ones are real flimsy ,I had AWR make me asset front round stock ,They made a big differance in the road manners of the car .
How much were the rear trailing arms?
Im not a serious autox'r just yet, and dont really need/want to spend a ton of money on the car making it handle better... especially until i get some race rubber.

I think the end links and some good rubber are the best things i can do. :)

[StuttersC]

Yes the endlinks are compatable with your stock stuff .
One other item that I noticed,No one has mentioned the rear trailing arm ,the stock ones are real flimsy ,I had AWR make me asset front round stock ,They made a big differance in the road manners of the car .
I have a set of the trailing arms as well. Nice pieces. Much better than stock.

And the end-links work just fine with the stock bars.

[NegatiZE]

What are the benefits/differences to the AWR trailling arms over stock?

[StuttersC]

What are the benefits/differences to the AWR trailling arms over stock?

Urethane bushings in each end, sold metal construction front to back.

Basically, get rid of the cheesy plastic metal combo that coems stock with an all metal (weighs about the same) piece with urethane versus rubber bushings.

Can I say I noticed a huge difference? No. But I'm sure it helped with keeping the back end planted and help to cut down on lateral movement.

Plus they look cool.

I have some pics at home that I can post up if you want to see the differences.

[NegatiZE]

Pics would be appreciated. :) I'm planning on getting either the AWR links or the GT Spec links in the future.

[StuttersC]

Pics would be appreciated. :) I'm planning on getting either the AWR links or the GT Spec links in the future.
I'll toss some up here once I get home then.

[StuttersC]

Here we go...


Stock on top, AWR under that. I have two pics, one showing one side and the next showing the other.


http://www.msprotege.com/members/StuttersC/trailinglinkup2.jpg

http://www.msprotege.com/members/StuttersC/trailinglinkup.jpg

[NegatiZE]

Thanks a lot, those do look beefy compared to stock.

[StuttersC]

Thanks a lot, those do look beefy compared to stock.
No problem...

[KyRaceFan]

definately going to be upgrading eventually... :D

[Bremmer]

How much did they cost you?

[Familia323]

I have the 21.5mm rear its a great product. But if you do get this bar I highly recommend using lithium grease on the endlinks. I had serious squeekage from the endlinks before I greased them. It was loud. So far though Ive been going for about 5 months without any squeeking. The only other thing I didnt like was that the endlinks seem to be rusting a little bit. Makes it kinda hard to adjust the endlinks. Ive had the bar for almost 9 months now.

[carbonkid]

I am installing the majority of these parts on saturday...see this for a list:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96874

Pic of all parts is on post #15

Anyone who has done these already have any advice (order of installation, etc)??

[Panzozo]

It would be nice if you could take some pictures of the installation and may be write a "How To" for these suspension parts.

[JHew84]

I am installing the majority of these parts on saturday...see this for a list:
http://www.msprotege.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96874

Pic of all parts is on post #15

Anyone who has done these already have any advice (order of installation, etc)??

dang, nice pile of parts, eventually i want to have all of the GTspec parts installed, they are so pretty :D, as far as suspension goes i will have adjustable coilovers though, when you install that stuff make sure to take a lot of pictures, it would be much appreciated by many i'm sure :D...

- James

[carbonkid]

dang, nice pile of parts, eventually i want to have all of the GTspec parts installed, they are so pretty :D, as far as suspension goes i will have adjustable coilovers though, when you install that stuff make sure to take a lot of pictures, it would be much appreciated by many i'm sure :D...

- James

Thanks. I will do my best to take pictures of everything at every stage!