Introductions first, my name is Mitch, 17 years old and I am a proud owner of a Red Mx3 1992 with 230K on it. My lady neighbor sold it for $1,000 for wich my parents gave it to me as my graduation gift. It's got a few "niks" and "bumps" here and there but is in nice condition. Very little rust, only noticable on fenders. It as also been anti-rust sprayed since here in Montreal, the winter weather here is horrble with all the salt on the roads (very messy engine bay
).Ive been reading http://www.mx-3.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; for about 2 months now, very cool and fun to have at your disposal. All the stuff that can interchangeable with other cars and such is very cool.
Now for what I want to do:
I want to re-do my whole Suspensions, Shocks/Struts, Brake Discs, Brake Pads, Calipers, Rims and Tires + various other stuff. Now the first thing that comes to everybodys mind is money, dont worry, I got deep pockets (Only when I dont fell like being lazy, I work my own hours, 120$ a day avg. but I only work 3 days out of 7. Oh + my walmart job.) So as you can see, I work my money depending on my needs.
Now let's tackle each subject in the order I wrote them previously.
Suspensions: I don't know much about cars since I am still learning but as I can conclude, suspensions are springs ( Im so cool
). The popular brands seem to be H&R Lowering Springs Kits or Eibach Pro Kit Lowering Springs. I hear there like 250$ for a set of 4. (oh btw, i did something STUPID, i went for that dropzone kit on ebay 
) That's a days work in the garbage .Shocks/Struts: Now eveyone seems to be talking about the Eibach Pro Kit Lowering Springs + ZX2 shocks combo. Now if I conclude correctly, the ZX2 shocks/struts are the STOCK shocks/struts on the Ford Escort ZX2, correct? So a trip to the junkyard can pretty much gimme "free" shocks/struts? What about like Tokico HP Struts made for the Mx3 if I can't find any? There like 90$ a piece from a website, is that more expensive then the ZX2 from a Ford Dealer?
Brake Discs/Pads + Calipers: I havent seen much topics about any 3 of these subjects. Suggestions with brand names, prices, dealers, sites, types like cross drilled, ceramic, semi-metalic and what not. What are the mesurments of the stock mx3 equipement and such so I can also do my own research. Also another thing that sounds interesting to do is to take off the drum system at the rear and put the GS equipement to make for a Rear Drum to Disc conversion. How hard could it really be?? + I got 2 friends of mine who just got there mechanic diplomas, so I got plenty of help not forgeting to mention im going to school to become an engineer.
Rims: I still haven't decided between 16" or 17" rims. Will 17" still fit after the loweing springs? If so, will i need like low profile tires? Ive read alot of threads about this but still very unclear. Lots of terms and lingo of wich im unfimiliar with, such like when poeple say something like 230/25/17 (No clue what that is) same for Offset and other words. I know on ebay I can get O.K looking 16" rims with a set of tires. http://cgi.ebay.ca/16-ROTA-BOOST-RIM-4X ... dZViewItem" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Don't now about em' tires.. there Kumho but ebay always finds a way to screw you off.
Tires: Like I said previously, not to strong on the lingo. I know a couple of brands and stuff. Suggestion would be nice as I haven't red anything in that domain yet.
Various Other Stuff: Ok now other stuff like Strut bars, ill probably get the ones from Corksport as everyone seems to get that one (Front and Rear). Should I used the old other various small parts for my suspension and shocks or get brand new mounts, Strut/Shocks Boot w/bumper kit and so on...
Ok so thats about all I have to say but I would just like to throw out that im not trying to do the lazy way of things and get all the answers handed out to me like baby, I will continue reading and doing my research as I am (like i said) very new to all this. Just hints and direction would be a big thanks. I am willing to spend around $2,000 - $2,500 to re-do everything, if it aint enought, I could cut back on some high performance parts or stop waking at 1 everyday and go work
Another thing I want to say is that I plan to be doing like a BP-T swap late winter/early spring this is why I want to re-do my Supension/Shocks/Brakes to ensure a safer and better handling ride before getting more horsys and torque, seems logic to me, no?
Thanks in advance all!
-Mitch
Btw, when buying big brake kits, is that in pairs or in a pack of 4? I know I shouldnt take stuff to lightly like for the rear disc switch. To me, the hardest part would be to find a GS, I should start by finding out where my local junkyard is.. if I even do have.
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