What are the most cost effective struts? suggestions?

[Ryan]

ZX2 suspension is baisically stock suspension concerning ride height, (in GS) but I'd say its a bit softer.

[mmmx3]

So you meant it will "bolt right up" to my MX3 gs?

I found a set of used ZX2 suspensions (all four) that comes with
strut mounts, springs, and shocks for $200 usd, if that's a good deal?

I will go to that junkyard and see if they are in good conditions, any trick?

You meant it'll be softer? ride height is the same? My front springs
broke, and one mount makes noise! One strut at the rear is going pretty
bad as well.

To go everything new as 4(mounts, springs, shocks) it'll cost probably
about $550. That's quite expensive. :/

[Ryan]

Mazda should recall your front springs, if you live in a place with snow and road salt.


Recall # 70709


I paid $80 all said and done for my ZX2's .
For $550, you could go full aftermarket struts/lowering springs or coilovers.

Lots of discussion on aftermarket stuff around the forum.


Yes, the ZX2 struts bolt straight on, no modification. just remember any time you change the ride height at all you'll need a 4 wheel alignment or your tires will wear prematurely and ruin the point of your 'budget'.

any year between 91 and 02 will bolt on.

[mmmx3]

Mazda should recall your front springs, if you live in a place with snow and road salt.


Recall # 70709


I paid $80 all said and done for my ZX2's .
For $550, you could go full aftermarket struts/lowering springs or coilovers.

Lots of discussion on aftermarket stuff around the forum.


Yes, the ZX2 struts bolt straight on, no modification. just remember any time you change the ride height at all you'll need a 4 wheel alignment or your tires will wear prematurely and ruin the point of your 'budget'.

any year between 91 and 02 will bolt on.

Ryan,
I called mazda like 2, 3 weeks ago and gave them my VIN and checked with them.
They said there's no recall on that on my mx3 gs. One recall open is the auto seatbelt.
But I do live in a place with snow and road salt. I wish there's the recall.
Definitely both of my front springs are broken in pieces.

Thanks for your telling. If I get the whole ZX2 struts, I plan on doing 4 wheel alignment after that.

How could you get them for so cheap? $80 for four?
The price (that junkyard gave me, $200usd + tax) includes 4 strut mounts, 4 shocks with 4 springs.
The parts are from a wrecked 2002 ZX2 with 57K miles.

Yes, the $550 budget is what I add them up with full aftermarket (shocks, springs, mounts) and
not that cheap to go with coilovers.

PS: do you know how does spring spacer work? I am thinking to buy a set and think that it
might make the suspension more stiff if I go with the zx2 suspension (i mentioned above) since
you said they are a bit softer. spring spacers are not expensive.

[Ryan]

you'd look like a monster truck though.

if your tight on money, I'm sure someone close has a set of used GS springs. Shipping them can't be much more than $50.

[_-Night-Shade-_]

I'm about to part out my red parts car and I'll be selling the lowering kit on it (springs + struts)

[mmmx3]

you'd look like a monster truck though.

if your tight on money, I'm sure someone close has a set of used GS springs. Shipping them can't be much more than $50.

you mean my mx3 gs will have a lot of clearance in btwn the fender well and tire like the monster truck lol?

to put the spring spacers in zx2 struts is want to make the suspension stiffer not to lift the car oh well!

you have pic with your mx3 with zx2 struts? thx

[mmmx3]

I'm about to part out my red parts car and I'll be selling the lowering kit on it (springs + struts)

how much do you want for 4 for price with shipped to 26505??

how many miles on them? what is the spec?

thank you!

[Ryan]

Ah, I know what you mean now.

I only have ride height comparisons on my RS...

[mmmx3]

thanks for the pics, ryan!

the stock suspension height definitely looks nicer.
the zx2 definitely looks higher.
( does it handle good with that high? )
( how about the ride? )
( u have any problems with zx2 so far? )

my front springs are broken....it looks almost half lower than your
mx3 stock. looks good lol. just like lowered spring. but it's broken...
not really safe to drive.

[Ryan]

It didn't handle great. I was just under the impression that it was supposed to be a drop, but I now know that its a raise for the 4cyls, and a drop for the v6's.

I used the struts later, though, with Evotion lowering springs, and that handled better.

It looked like a monster truck, especially on 14"s

I never had any problems with the struts, but I suspect they're VERY similar, if not the same, to the stock ones. Maybe I'll cut some open and end the debate.

[fowljesse]

I got on this topic a bit late, but here's my 2¢:
I have Gabriel struts with H&R springs, and it's a great set. The struts are softer than the rest, so the ride isn't as harch. Also, since I have poly bushings all around, and Nylatron A-arm bushings, it's very responsive. And since I put on the Whiteline swaybar, and solid endlinks, the effect was a stiffer rear end, with more squat in the corners. A guy who track races with expensive adjustable coilovers said that my car handled comparitively with his.

I have to drive over railroad tracks every day, and was very concerned about driving over them in the low car, but honestly, the fast car is more smooth over them than my stock car. Of course the stock one has much older suspension parts, and hits the bumpstops on the backside of the tracks.

[nos92mx3]

^^ How much do the H+R's lower you? 2"?

[fowljesse]

Yaeh, about 2" in the front, and 1.7" in the rear.

[nos92mx3]

Ryan,
The evotion springs, yay or nay?
Ive got a set i bought a couple of years ago, never got around to putting them in.
Im thinking the evotion springs and some gr2's , maybe the gabriels or im looking at spring tech struts on ebay.
Anyone run the springtechs?