I want to replace my whole suspension on my gsl se. i heard that the stock suspesion is pretty good. Is that True? Should i go with that same setup or should i get a little different setup if i want good performance. Everything else on my car is stock and i am not going to be doing any racing but i want very good handling. What is the best equipment.

Also where should i buy the stuff.


Where can i buy the rubber bushings for the control arm ect.

 

Victoria British has alot of stuff. And mazdatrix does also. I can't say about stock or aftermarket because I've only drivin stock. By the way great user name!

 

Struts @ classicgarage.com Cheap koni's and they work well.

 

yes, the stock suspension is pretty good ... and i would imagine a lot better when brand new, but unfortunately, even the youngest Gen I is already 17 years old.

better handling can be achieved by careful shock/strut selection, and a spring upgrade. i personally recommend Tokico Illumina (adjustable shocks/struts) and a good set of springs, there are few good brands so it's hard to go wrong (meaning, stay away from stuff like Elroy's Special Springs or crap like that! ) sway bars are not absolutely necessary, but i'd recommend at least getting the front one. i don't know your driving level or style, so don't take everything i say as good advice. the best solution to get a good fit for you is to take your time and do research.

the one thing that i would say, however, is replace your bushings with polyurethane - don't go back to rubber.

 

...except be prepared for megasqueakage with poly bushings. I replaced my front swaybar with the RB one (iIve the rear RB one sitting here uninstalled) and lubed it twice - it still sounds loke a box fulla styrofoam over every little bump. Corners like it's on rails though.

 

Thank guys for your response!

 

The GSL-SE suspension has larger brakes and a different wheel bolt pattern. The rear gear ratio is different, too, to offset the larger diameter tires used on the -SE.

The springs and stabilizer bars are the same. The shocks were different, but after 17-18 years they will be dead and need replaced anyway.

 

yes BUT they wont stand behind the warrenty of the koni's, i got all 4 corners from them and the fronts were leaking when i got them... they said its from the way they get stored so i said ok and installed them.... 3 mts went by and they are TRASH. classic told me to order a new set and send the old set to koni... WRONG i should beable to send them to classic and them send me a new/rebuilt set right away...nopi would

 

Why is mazdatrix so expensive? Does anyone else think so

 

No joke. $300 for a freaking console faceplate? $225 for a window roller? 50 bucks of a door handle? whats going on here?

 

What do you guys think about the tokico performace shocks not the illumina? Are they good because they are a lot cheaper

 

while we are on the topic of suspension.

i have 4 kyb shocks that came with my car but uninstalled. i was thinking after im done with my exhaust, start working towards springs. such as racing beat. i want it to handle.. and a soft ride isnt to much of a priority, but i dont want to bounce all over the place.

is kyb shocks and struts a good combo with racing beat springs? any other suggestions, i kinda want to use to kyb shocks since they were free and i have them already

 

ok, all i know is from what i experience, and i have tokico blues, and ebiach springs, and i aboslutly LOVE the combo, i dont know how much all of it was, cuz it came with the car, but trust me, they shocks and springs rock. my car is on rails, its not an uncomfortable ride, and there is absolutly no roll around courners or anything, its jsut soo much fun!!!!! if you want awesome suspension check that combo out and see if its in your price range, cuz it has never treated me wrong.