Come on in and watch the transformation of my "new" car!

**imported_Astral** · 03-04-2006, 08:49 PM

Originally Posted by White95Max

What`s so hard about removing the sensor? Is it just hard to get a socket around the sensor because the heat shield is in the way?

That`s a little tricky, yes. But I think screwing it back in is difficult, because I *think* it`s difficult to align it nice and perpendicular, so that it screws back in straight.

Then again, I just can`t remember the details, it`s been over 1.5 years since I`ve done. So I say go ahead and unscrew the O2 sensor, that`s what my friend and I did and we were OK.

**White95Max** · 03-04-2006, 08:56 PM

Did you use a special O2 sensor socket? I need to get one of those.

**imported_Astral** · 03-04-2006, 10:02 PM

Originally Posted by White95Max

Did you use a special O2 sensor socket? I need to get one of those.

I think we were able to turn it using a normal 17mm wrench or something like that. Should be easy enough to check.

**White95Max** · 04-03-2006, 07:44 PM

What`s inside Box #1???

Why Mazdaspeed springs of course!

(complete with PB`s APC, AIO, and SG)

I pick up a pair of front strut mounts tomorrow, and I`m waiting on a new set of 4 Tokico HP struts to arrive, hopefully soon. I`m getting anxious here!

**twitch** · 04-03-2006, 08:29 PM

Originally Posted by White95Max

I`m waiting on a new set of 4 Tokico HP struts to arrive, hopefully soon. I`m getting anxious here!

Haha don`t you love and hate that anxious feeling at the same time?

I had the HP`s on my 92 Prelude and liked they way they rode. Much better than stock but not harsh.

Good luck and enjoy

**White95Max** · 04-03-2006, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by twitch

Haha don`t you love and hate that anxious feeling at the same time?

I had the HP`s on my 92 Prelude and liked they way they rode. Much better than stock but not harsh.

Good luck and enjoy

Cool, that`s what I`m hoping for. I just want a slightly firmer, more responsive ride, without sacrificing much ride quality. From what I`ve heard/read, the Mazdaspeed springs and HPs will give me what I want. The HPs came stock on Mazdaspeed Proteges and MP3s, so I will have basically an identical ride to one of those.

**twitch** · 04-03-2006, 08:43 PM

I was the same way and had no regrets. I am sure you researched the heck out of it too and will be happy with the decision.

How much do the springs lower the ride height?

**Quik89si** · 04-04-2006, 12:55 AM

Nice thread, what a great choice for an economical car that will provide reliable transportation! It`s looking great, too. Get that suspension on there and let us know how it does!

**MDetail** · 04-09-2006, 12:03 AM

Mazdaspeed springs inside a duct taped Tein box?

**White95Max** · 04-09-2006, 03:12 PM

Haha, yep. They`re used MSP springs, with 15K miles on them. I got them for $55 shipped.

Originally Posted by twitch

How much do the springs lower the ride height?

They should lower the car by approximately 0.75". I doubt most people will even be able to tell it`s lower than stock.

**White95Max** · 04-09-2006, 03:15 PM

Originally Posted by twitch

How much do the springs lower the ride height?

It should lower the car by approximately 0.75". I doubt most people will even be able to tell it`s lower than stock.

**White95Max** · 04-20-2006, 12:17 PM

My car went to the shop at 8:00 this morning to have the struts/springs/mounts installed. I just got a call on my cell from the shop. I was told that the sway bar links broke during the process, and new front ones can be installed tomorrow, but the rears will take up to a week to arrive.

I was told that I could drive the car tomorrow and bring it back next week to have the rear links re-installed. For the time being, I`d be driving it without a rear sway bar. Is this safe to do so?

**General Lee** · 04-20-2006, 02:08 PM

It can be done, however I would be easy around turns and such. I would definitely rather drive without the rear sway bar than the front though. You may feel the rear end to be a little loose but just drive like an old lady and you should be fine.

**White95Max** · 04-20-2006, 02:12 PM

That`s the plan. I`ll have to delay my fun with the new suspension for a little while.

**Tasty** · 04-20-2006, 02:59 PM

This seems to be a common problem on Proteges. I have heard stories about these links breaking, and how easily they rust up. I`m hoping the Protege5 I`m about to buy doesn`t suffer from this. However, the Eibach springs are already installed so...