question

[mazdamxstyle]

Do you have to buy struts when you buy lowering springs? Im not a suspension expert and would appreciate help here, need to lower car SOON!

[ProtegeSTS]

You SHOULD.<p>Struts are built with specific valving to control certain spring rates. The original ones on your MX-3 were NOT designed for anything stiffer than the stock pieces. Hence they will NOT work correctly with aftermarket pieces. This does NOT mean they are "blown", it simply means that aren't working well in unison with the springs.<p>As an anology...<p>You have fuel to support 5 lbs of boost. So if you run 8 lbs of boost, the engine isnt going to run correctly, but the fuel system is NOT broken, it simply isnt built for what you're trying to do.

[Sonicxtacy02]

ok maybe i'm looking too far into this subject... but the question is being asked almost daily at this point. With the exception of the mazdaspeed struts which are far too pricey and the zx2 family, what are some recommended struts that are currently sold for the mx-3 that would work with a given type of lowering spring. I know there are alot of variables involved in determining this... but lets assume that the average person wants a 2 inch drop with tolerable ride characteristics. Maybe some type of formula or basic previs of information would help enlighten the entire community and relieve some of the frustration.

[ProtegeSTS]

there aren't any struts out there that are better than the ZX2s, other than custom koni inserts, or the mazdaspeeds.<p>Right now, you have 3 "good" options.<p>budget minded: ZX2s<p>like adjustability and race on occasion: Mazdaspeeds<p>want REAL struts: Koni inserts<p>
All 3 will handle 2" drops.<p>
Tokico blues arent as strong as the ZX2s and wont handle 2" drops, and are FAR MORE EXPENSIVE<p>KYB GR2s are much much softer, basically an oe replacement, and again arent any cheaper than the ZX2 struts<p>Nobody else makes anything worth looking at.

[Guest]

ok **** i am sorry for dragging this question on, i know you guys are tired of hearing about it, but what exactly are side effects of the drop springs/mx-3 struts? like would it be ride quality thats effected?

[Sonicxtacy02]

Thanks Pro.. that gives people a general consensus as to what works well.<p>Sureshiit, when you said drop springs do you mean the dropzone coils or lowering springs in general? If you mean lowering springs in general.. you can expect a harsher ride (which your going to get with ANY aftermarket spring/strut available). The wrong spring/strut combination can lead to premature wear and ultimate failure of a number of parts of the overall suspension.

[Guest]

alright man thanks for the info, thats what i was looking for. Ya i ust meant your regular lowering springs or coil overs.

[mazdamxstyle]

Thanks guys, hrm this mod might be a little more expensive than I need to go right now, If I could manage to just put lowering springs on my car right now I could afford it till I could afford struts but it seems as though I shouldnt do that.

[zytariuk]

That's exactly why most car enthusiasts (here at least) fail to get rims/rubber/lowering springs/struts, because it's far cheaper to get a full body-kit painted and installed.

[EBUCKS]

Full body kit: $1000 USD
Paint Job partial: $300 USD
Labour: 5 hours <p>Rims: $1000 USD
Rubber: $400 USD
Labour: 20 mins<p>Springs: $400 USD
Struts: $400 USD
Labour: 1 hour<p>These are my best guestimates as I don't pay for full price for these items but, are you sure this statement is true?<p> <blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> That's exactly why most car enthusiasts (here at least) fail to get rims/rubber/lowering springs/struts, because it's far cheaper to get a full body-kit painted and installed. <hr></blockquote><p>one

[Ryencool]

its true if you got on all the ricer population etc. Cant tell you how many 86 accords with bodykits here who ride on blown stock struts and hubcaps. THey go for look not performance I guess you could put it that way. I bought the zx2 struts for 220$ installed myself. I figure I saved 200$ on the price of the struts and another 200-400$ on installation...do it yourself

[marshmallow15]

yep ive done the install twice myself already. the ONLY problem with saving money and doing the install yourself is that when you discover something wrong with the susupension, you can't pay a pro to take it apart for you... you'll force yourself to do the work. (can you tell i hate taking my struts off the car now already? )

[miztahfoolish]

Its not hard to perform really, just need the right tools, patience, and common sense, you could do it on your own...the only time that I have to pay labor is if it involves welding and body work/painting, the rest I do it myself, check out my website on my sig to see all the work I've done to my other cars...

[marshmallow15]

yea i knwo how to do it... im just TIRED of doing it.

[zytariuk]

lol Ebucks, thanks for coming out but you shot yourself down.<p>$1500usd for a bodykit install and painted (based on what you said)<p>$2400usd for rims/rubber/sturts/springs/aligment/camber bolts