Suspension compatibility

nightfire · Post by **nightfire** » March 20th, 2007, 3:02 pm

Hey guys,

The Koni yellows are backordered everywhere I call. I'm trying ebay and I found a few hits for the Miata kit. Does anyone know if it's compatible?

Does anyone have the actual part number for the adjustable konis for our car? I've asked a few places and gotten different answers.

Is there any other more recent/popular car I could search for struts for?

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » March 20th, 2007, 3:56 pm

MX-6s are a decetly close fit, but not exactly. Search for a recent post where a guy fit some MX-6 true coilover shocks made for a MX-6 onto his MX-3. I hear that Protoges and 323s are adaptable too, but don't remember seeing pics of them on a MX-3.

Mazdaracer · Post by **Mazdaracer** » March 20th, 2007, 6:37 pm

The Miata stuff is not compatible.

solo_ryder · Post by **solo_ryder** » March 20th, 2007, 6:59 pm

Mazdaracer is right, the Miata stuff is not gonna work. As for what you are looking for anything is compatible within the BG chassis class, so Escort/Tracer, Protege and 323 and of course MX3 (even though it is a EG chassis, but that is because of the difference in swaybars) will work. Look for the older years 89-93 respectively.

If you have a v6 though keep in mind that you have added weight on the front end. The best known struts that you can get besides Mazdaspeed's and Koni inserts would be the ZX2 shocks from ford racing. They require a small amount of modification to work and have the best valving for what is available in the market. The valving on the ZX2 Strut is 297F and 182R so they are meant to be matched with the Eibach spring with I believe is 300F and 200R. But any spring will work. You can also look into Ground Control coilover sleeves.

nightfire · Post by **nightfire** » March 20th, 2007, 8:19 pm

Hmm. Ok, I just got a response from corksport that the there was no koni yellow compatible with our cars anyway. This is more complicated than I thought it would be.

I guess I have to do some more research. Thanks guys.

nope-mx3 · Post by **nope-mx3** » March 21st, 2007, 3:17 am

Just go with the Koni`s that are available for our car.

Partnumbers:

Front: 86-2442
Rear: 86-2443

-n

neutral · Post by **neutral** » March 21st, 2007, 7:30 am

Not too complicated. nope-mx3 listed the correct P/N's. These shocks are known as Koni Reds. Enter your car at this link below and will take ya to pics and a link for pdf download installation instructions. You'll see Koni prices em at $312 USD per pair but you can google around and find em for closer to $275/pr. http://www.koni-na.com/sport.cfm

nightfire · Post by **nightfire** » March 21st, 2007, 11:17 am

neutral wrote:Not too complicated. nope-mx3 listed the correct P/N's. These shocks are known as Koni Reds. Enter your car at this link below and will take ya to pics and a link for pdf download installation instructions. You'll see Koni prices em at $312 USD per pair but you can google around and find em for closer to $275/pr. http://www.koni-na.com/sport.cfm

Thanks. :)

Koni reds it is.

Mazdaracer · Post by **Mazdaracer** » March 21st, 2007, 1:33 pm

solo_ryder wrote:Mazdaracer is right, the Miata stuff is not gonna work. As for what you are looking for anything is compatible within the BG chassis class, so Escort/Tracer, Protege and 323 and of course MX3 (even though it is a EG chassis, but that is because of the difference in swaybars) will work. Look for the older years 89-93 respectively.

If you have a v6 though keep in mind that you have added weight on the front end. The best known struts that you can get besides Mazdaspeed's and Koni inserts would be the ZX2 shocks from ford racing. They require a small amount of modification to work and have the best valving for what is available in the market. The valving on the ZX2 Strut is 297F and 182R so they are meant to be matched with the Eibach spring with I believe is 300F and 200R. But any spring will work. You can also look into Ground Control coilover sleeves.

correctomundo...except... the matched eibachs are the 297/182 rates. Keep in mind these are progressive rate springs (those are the max rates) so going with a linear spring of the same rate will put that constant rate on the strut. I'd suggest a 220/180 spring rate using linear springs. If you do go this route, get a set of 97+ Escort/ZX2 upper perches and thrust bearings. This eliminates the need to modify the stock MX3 upper perch. It's merely a little grinding to enlarge the hole, but a perfect fit OEM part is always nice

and isn't the MX3 an EC chassis

and the compatible BG cars are from 90-94. The Escorts from 91-03 are all compatible as well.

solo_ryder · Post by **solo_ryder** » March 21st, 2007, 2:18 pm

Shat, your right, I guess I still gotta memorize some more hehe. Thanks for the info

Mazdaracer · Post by **Mazdaracer** » March 21st, 2007, 3:39 pm

no worries man, thats why we are all here...to help each other.

I find the whole K series stuff confusing as hell myself...after 2 years, i am beginning to finally retain the info...lol

chertel · Post by **chertel** » December 6th, 2007, 12:12 pm

I know this is an old post but are the tokico front struts any good?? or are koni still better?
thanx

wytbishop · Post by **wytbishop** » December 6th, 2007, 12:49 pm

I have been running on the ZX2 struts and springs for about a month now and I find that they do not damp quite as well as I would like for the condition of hte Edmonton roads. The stiffness is just right though and the stance of the car is perfect for my taste.

If they ever get the roads improved they'll be perfect.