Mazda suspension Interchangability Guide
Posted: April 9th, 2003, 8:21 pm
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>
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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>