Mazda suspension Interchangability Guide

[Gro Harlem]

I wrote one of these for the Escort guys, but I'm not super sure on a bunch of things for the MX3's however . <p>Here is a list of the various suspension parts that interchange between the MX3 and other Mazda-designed cars (including the ford escorts/mercury tracers).<p>Swaybars
I know for a fact all swaybars interchange between the following cars:
1990-1994 Mazda Protege & 323
1991-Present Ford Escort, ZX2, Mercury Tracer<p>I am not sure but are the swaybars from the MX3 interchangable with these cars? I'm pretty sure the rears are but i'm not sure about the front<p>Struts
All struts interchange between the MX3, 1st gen Protege, 91+ Escorts and Tracers.<p>Springs
All springs interchange between the MX3, 1st gen Protege, 91+ Escorts and Tracers. However the spring-rates may be different between certain models. I have heard that the MX3's front springs are stiffer b/c of the heavier V6 they carry, but this may/may not be true.<p>Strut Bars
All strutbars interchange between the MX3, 1st gen Protege, 91+ Escorts and Tracers. However for the 3rd gen Escorts/ZX2 you might need to relocate some of the stuff like ABS modules or other brackets<p>
Tie Bars
All rear tie bars interchange between MX3, 1st gen Protege, 91+ Escorts and Tracers. I am not sure about Front tie-bars. There were about 20 manufactured last year for Darryl Craig (mazdaspeedwest), and he sold them to us 1st Gen Protege owners...I'm not sure if they would fit the front of a MX3.<p>Crossemember brace
According to SRD the GS's crossemember brace they make will fit the Protege/escorts and RS's only if you drill holes. Not many details other than that about this one.<p>Engine Mounts
I know for a fact that all #3 (or maybe it is the #4) engine mounts interchange. This mount is located right under the battery tray, and mounts to a bracket on the top of the transmission. The brackets are likely different but the mount is the same.<p>The lower front mount is also identical between these cars, although on the 3rd gen Escorts it has a differently contoured rubber inside (but the mounting hole is in the same location).<p>The lower rear mount near the shifter linkage MIGHT interchange (it does for the protege/escorts/zx2's) but i'm not sure. It is likely it is the same for the RS but not for the GS since it uses a larger bellhousing.<p>The passenger side engine mount interchanges between all proteges/escorts/zx2's. I haven't really seen a RS mount, but I have seen a GS mount and it is completely differnet. The RS mount COULD be the same (anyone have a picture of it??)<p>Camber Bolts
All camber bolts interchange between ALL mazdas (including RX7, 626, millenia, protege5, and even the GLC from the 80's!).<p>Shifter bushings
There are 3 different sets of "shifter bushings" on our cars. One is the SRD one you've probably seen that isolates vibration from teh transmission to the shifter arm. The other 2 sets are seen at each end of the shifter linkage rod itself, and there are two on each side. These bushings interchange between all Escorts/ZX2's, MX3's and Proteges.<p>In other words all Protege/Escort/ZX2/Tracer owners can use the SRD shifter bushings and bronzeoil bushings for their cars if they like.<p>I hope you find this "guide" helpful in finding parts. I know when I first realized the Escort was similar that I realized that there are EVEN MORE aftermarket parts that would fit my car.<p>[ June 01, 2003: Message edited by: Gro Harlem ]</p>

[Steeb]

i would think the escort zx2 might have stiffer springs being that its about 100lbs heavier with the same weight distribution. good info for faq

[millionflame]

Gro, if you're still interested, the chassis code for MX-3s is GE / HSL30.<p>I have also seen another person say it's GC, not GE. GE seems to be the most likely to me though.<p>~A<p>[ May 04, 2003: Message edited by: Aiden ]</p>

[Gro Harlem]

I found out that it was EC. I dunno, maybe it has different chassis codes in different markets b/c I think i've seen it called the GE on one website, but they were talking about the autozam version.

[EBUCKS]

Are you saying that my '95 stock springs could be used in a '95 Escort? I have a friend who has an Escort and needs springs. I wasn't sure if this was possible. I think that you might be speaking only of aftermarket set-ups though.<p>one

[ProtegeSTS]

Yeah...here's some of my comments about this list...<p>a) sway bars off the MX-3 are NOT interchangable with any of the BG chassis cars<p>b) the rear sway bar off a BG Protege will NOT fit on a 3rd gen Escort...i know, ive tried. The bends in the middle are different.<p>c) The struts all interchange, but as with the springs, they aren't the same. Different dampening characteristics for each. In general the ZX2 and MX-3 pieces are the most aggressive.<p>d) MX-3 has different control arms, sway bar endlinks. I doubt the bushings would transfer. Beyond that, being that sway bars are different diameters depending on model, the bushings aren't universal.<p>e) Don't know about the front lower tie bar. David and I never threw it up against his car to see if it would work.<p>f) only the 90-94 Protege and 91-95 Escorts are actually BG chassis cars. The 3rd gen Escorts and ZX2 are based on the BG, but are NOT BG cars.