Available Sway Bars

[Nex]

Are there currently any aftermarket sway bars for the Mazda 3?

[Xenon]

Someone posted something in M3F a while back... But looking under the hood (I got a GT) with all that plastic casing (I know it can be removed) and there is a vap in the way at the top of the engine bay where the bar would go....

Will it fit? I think the sound absorbion material on the hood will have to go...

[Nex]

You\'re probably talking about a front upper strut bar. Sway bars are bars that go under your car both front and rear. The only ones I\'ve seen so far is Mazdaspeed ones, but they\'re expensive!

[Xenon]

think Mazda Japan will have some? I\'m pretty sure the Mazdaspeed Axela has them.

[FLIPDADY]

Front upper strut bar through Japanparts.com. Not sure if it\'s a Mazdaspeed but the price is like $383.92.


http://img75.photobucket.com/albums/v228/FLIPSPEED/018-712.jpg

[Xenon]

Ooooo... I\'ll be getting one of those....

[bluntman]

That\'s in Canadian dollars too, which isn\'t too bad.

[Xenon]

Actually it is bad.

My brother\'s integra: 2 strut bars, front & back, $200 CDN, brand new

Bro\'s Lexus IS300: Front Strut - $129 USD

A strut bar for $383 is expensive. Just wait until next year, there will be tons of stuff out for the 3, just like there is for the protege.

[bluntman]

But it\'s a \"Mazdaspeed\" part, plus (for now) it\'s only available in Japan...well OK, I see your point. However, until some else comes up with their own brace, this is your only alternative.

Actually, I remember seeing one made or distributed by AutoExe for the front and rear and it seem a little more elaborate than a simple single straight bar tying the two strut towers together.

[billyfo]

are someone install strut (tower) bar yet? when I open the hood, I found that there\'s only little cleareance between the hood and engine.

[Xenon]

I\'ll install one when there are more brands of them out there for the Mazda3, making the price go down. Currently they still cost over $250.

[Nex]

I guess someone should change the thread to \"available strut bars\" instead.
In anycase, strut bars with hinges just don\'t seem sturdy enough for me. I\'ve always liked the design from neuspeed. One solid piece with no hinges for any chance of flexing.
http://www.neuspeed.com/data/images/35.20.81.jpg

[whodilly]

Hey all,
GTSPEC has complete suspension packages: front Strut Brace, front and real lower tie brace, rear link reinforcement panel, rear v-brace and trunk reinforcement brace. They say it\'ll increase overall chassis stiffness by 30%... and hey they\'re orange to match my sunset orange hatch!!!
http://www.gtspec.com