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View Full Version : AWR 21.5mm rear sway bar installed!


NegatiZE
10-29-2002, 01:11 AM
Boy, this this thing make a huge difference. There's virtually no lean throughout corners. Straight line stability has improved, and steering feel is better. You can feel the steering want to turn back to the center faster. The car just begs for more.

Installation took about 3 hours, because the endlinks are a pain in the ass. I had put the things on backwards first, then I realized I couldn't get to the hex screws without taking the rear wheels off. I had to completely remove both endlinks and start over.

Here are the pictures:
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/IMG_0547%20copy.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/IMG_0548%20copy.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/IMG_0549%20copy.jpg
http://www.knology.net/~negatize/images/IMG_0550%20copy.jpg
StuttersC
10-29-2002, 02:39 AM
Have you noticed of any clearance issues?? Those end links look like they are about an inch above the ground..
NegatiZE
10-29-2002, 11:31 AM
Originally posted by StuttersC
Have you noticed of any clearance issues?? Those end links look like they are about an inch above the ground..

None at all. The endlinks move up with the suspension when you hit a bump so there shouldn't be any trouble unless you're going off-roading or something...
20ESGUY
10-29-2002, 01:02 PM
are those end links fully adjustable??
NegatiZE
10-29-2002, 02:43 PM
Yes, you can adjust them using hex screwdrivers on the side. The endlinks slide forward and back.
melicha8
10-29-2002, 08:16 PM
It doesn't look like a problem since they are in between the wheel
GOTZOOM?
10-29-2002, 11:04 PM
Whats up negatiZE, I see you are in PC, I am over here in Fort Walton. Anyway, what is AWR, I will probally do a DOH! as soon as you tell me, but right know I cant figure it out.
StuttersC
10-30-2002, 01:37 AM
Originally posted by NegatiZE


None at all. The endlinks move up with the suspension when you hit a bump so there shouldn't be any trouble unless you're going off-roading or something...

That's cool. I wasn't sure how much movement there was and the angle of the pictures made it look like they were right on the gorund...
NegatiZE
10-30-2002, 08:15 AM
Originally posted by GOTZOOM?
Whats up negatiZE, I see you are in PC, I am over here in Fort Walton. Anyway, what is AWR, I will probally do a DOH! as soon as you tell me, but right know I cant figure it out.

AWR stands for Anthony Woodford Racing...here's their URL: http://www.awrracing.com/awr.html

They sell a bunch of stuff actually...
BlueMP5Dave
11-01-2002, 03:00 AM
Where did you purchase your swaybar from? Did you purchase it from AWR? Thanks I would like to purchase one but, it is not available through Mazda anymore unless you are part of there race support. I am not a racer and I am not rich so I can not afford to plan a specific time when project will be finished. Well any help with purchase is appreciated. Thanks
NegatiZE
11-01-2002, 08:19 AM
I bought it from Protege5Online.com. Very fast delivery and great service.
BlueMP5Dave
11-01-2002, 04:12 PM
Thanks appreciate your time have you seen any replacements for fromt sway bar other than stock MP3.
StuttersC
11-02-2002, 12:29 AM
Originally posted by 2001redmicadave
Thanks appreciate your time have you seen any replacements for fromt sway bar other than stock MP3.

Nope, nobody really makes a front bar because it is a pain to change. The bar from the MP3 is the only one out there so far.
BlueMP5Dave
11-02-2002, 01:46 AM
Thanks Stutters looks like i will buy the MP3 bar and call it a day.
GXL
11-29-2002, 12:03 PM
What about these:

http://www.performancebuyers.com/images/products/dPRO3004.jpg

They are manufactured by Mazda according to the site. They sell both, front and rear bars for $399.99 with all the hareware included.

The front bar is 25mm, while the rear is 20mm. Not sure if they're solid?

Is that a good setting for a P5 with stock springs and shocks?


Here's the source: http://www.performancebuyers.com/ca...=2399&areaID=-3
mazdadan
11-29-2002, 12:28 PM
The 21.5mm bar looks a lot better than the 19mm AWR bar I have. I'm glad to see AWR got their act together and made some end links that actually work properly. On the 19mm bar, I had to make my own end links to make it work on the stiff setting. AWR kept saying the stock end links would work fine, but there were clearance issues with them. The bar would interfere with the TTL links. Unless the 19mm bar is on the stiffer setting, there is really no big gains over the stock bar since the AWR bar is hollow. I also have to make sure this bar has plenty of grease or else it will creak like crazy. I figured they would come out with a better product eventually.
Gyre
11-29-2002, 02:46 PM
Originally posted by GXL
What about these:

Look like the MP3 ones to me.
GXL
11-29-2002, 03:40 PM
Are those 2 (mp3) better than a single AWR 21.5mm rear bar?

By the way, do P5s have sway bars at all? If so, what are the mesurements?
BlueMP5Dave
11-29-2002, 04:04 PM
Are those 2 (mp3) better than a single AWR 21.5mm rear bar?

Problem again with the MP3 bars is the end links on the stock Protege are different than the MP3? Now I don't Know the difference between the endlinks because I have only seen one MP3 in person and it was not from underneath unfortunately. So perhaps somebody could take a look at the difference for us and take some pictures I know that is a big request but perhaps it is possible? I am going to install my AWR 21.5 rear swaybar in about two weeks. So I will make sure to document my work very well. Before and after pictures with a how to will be available after Christmas.


http://www.performancebuyers.com/images/products/dPRO3004.jpg

These bars are the stock MP3 bars and need endlinks and possibly lower strut tower assemblies to make it work. I am going to investagate this further because I woul like to to do my front bar when I take my engine out to get forged internals, cams, etc.
StuttersC
11-29-2002, 10:08 PM
Originally posted by 2001redmicadave


Problem again with the MP3 bars is the end links on the stock Protege are different than the MP3? Now I don't Know the difference between the endlinks because I have only seen one MP3 in person and it was not from underneath unfortunately. So perhaps somebody could take a look at the difference for us and take some pictures I know that is a big request but perhaps it is possible? I am going to install my AWR 21.5 rear swaybar in about two weeks. So I will make sure to document my work very well. Before and after pictures with a how to will be available after Christmas.

These bars are the stock MP3 bars and need endlinks and possibly lower strut tower assemblies to make it work. I am going to investagate this further because I woul like to to do my front bar when I take my engine out to get forged internals, cams, etc.

The endlinks on the MP3 are stock Protege, however the mounting point on the strut is beefier than that on the stock Protege strut housing.

You would either have to get aftermarket struts with the modified mounting point (The JDM Mazdaspeed sturts have it), or beef up your stock strut housing.
BlueMP5Dave
11-29-2002, 10:27 PM
Cool thanks for clearing that up for me. :) I am pretty positive my Jic Coilovers will support this so I guess I will have to buy the swaybar kit and sell the rear one. Awesome now I will be able to complete my suspension. :D
GXL
11-29-2002, 10:42 PM
That's bad news for me because I'm not about to go in a mission to installed something the car doesn't really need. It's just me trying to make the car handle better.

I guess I have to settled for the AWR rear bar...

How much is the bar anyway?
StuttersC
11-29-2002, 10:46 PM
I don't know, check the web site..
BlueMP5Dave
11-29-2002, 10:51 PM
http://www.protege5online.com/For_Sale_Page/AWR/awr.html

Perhaps this will help this is where I ordered my AWR stuff from, Mitch Got me a good deal and has great service.
GXL
11-30-2002, 02:17 AM
How thin is the stock front sway bar on the Pro5s?
BlueMP5Dave
11-30-2002, 04:04 AM
original sway bar is 3/4
GXL
11-30-2002, 11:45 PM
19mm, so the 25mm MP3 bar along with the rear Should make a Big difference...

Bonus check coming up in 3 weeks:D
low_psi
12-04-2002, 05:01 PM
so you just had to get the 21.5mm bar? so its was just $241, you didn't need to buy anything else to make the bar install easily and correctly?
BlueMP5Dave
12-04-2002, 05:57 PM
Not that I know of, maybe some lithum grease to lube the bushings.
ZoomZoomH
12-04-2002, 07:55 PM
some clarifications:

stock rear sway bar: 16mm

MP3 rear sway bar: 20mm

AWR has 2 kits, a 19mm kit and a 21.5mm kit. both are sold as complete kits with all hardware and instructions.

and to reduce the squeaking, I use lithium grease to grease up the poly bushings.