Astina SP20

[bj240z]

Is there anyone out there who has done some major updates to their SP20. I have already added the whiteline rear swaybar and that has helped quite a lot, but I am still not happy with the amount of body roll that I am getting. I'm chopping out the outsides of my tyres which isn't pretty.

I would appreciate any help in this area. Ideally I am looking to see if anyone has put a camber kit on their car or an uprated fornt sway bar...:)

Let me know what you guys/girls have done!

[Peter]

G'day,

Could you tell us a bit more about your chassis please ie: Year of manufacture and model code eg: BD-BJ etc

Also, if you have the details, could you advise the rear swaybar part number.

We have a range of "Ugly Bits" available and I'm sure we can asist in making your car "stand up" and pay attention :)

Peter
peter@whiteline.com.au

[bj240z]

Peter,

Sorry about that I should have known better. It's a 2003 model SP20, and I think that is the BJII....?

The sway bar that is on there is actually from the Laser if my memory serves me correctly. I got it from Fulcrum at Mooraka in Brisbane. I'm just trying to think of the name of the guy who sold it to me.....I think his name was Jarod. He has a blue SP20 03 as well and he took me for a spin in that. He had the same swaybar as I had just purchased. He also had lowered King springs and Koni's.

I don't really want to lower my car too much/at all if I can avoid it. It already scrapes on too many driveways. I am serious about trying to set this up to handle without having to drop it.

I had a Mazda 929L 1980 model and I set it up with a double front sway bar (custom job ala Ben :)) and that turned in like a lotus on rails.

What are your thougts on how to approach this. I am far more interested in dealing directly with the source, as I do all the work on my car myself (means I can afford more parts that way).

Let me know.

Ben :)

[bj240z]

Peter,

Just looked up the sway bar, it's the BR59, which is from the Laser. Apparently this was the better of the rear bars for this car. Obviously I have taken the advice of Jarod from Fulcrums. Hopefully that is wise. I must say that the turn in is better, but I have noticed since having it that the car can be "Pushed" through the corner at hign speed with some considerable understeer. I do have the tendancy to drive this car hard sometimes and as such I am here. Help me please :(

Thanks,

Ben:D

[Peter]

G'day Ben,

Thank you for all the info on your car.

It's great to hear that you are receiving product support and sound advice from Jarod at Fulcrum's in Brisbane.

You are also correct in respect to the rear swaybar for the Mazda 323 BJ Series 2, (02/2001-2003) being the same as fitted to the Ford Laser KQ.

It is important to note that there are significant differences between the Series 1 and Series 2, 'BJ' 323 and we currently have the following items available for the Series 2.

Rear swaybars: BFR59 Fixed rate 20mm, (as said to be fitted to your car) and BFRZ59 Blade adjustable 20mm. We also have a front strut tower brace KSB622.

Now to your Handling problem. The scuffing on the outside edge of your tyres would tend to indicate an alignment issue and would suggest that additional neg camber is required.

Our camber adjusting bolt kit KCA412 will fit the front and rear of all previous 323 models but I will have to confirm if they are suitable for the Series 2.

We have a front caster adjusting bush kit for the Series 1 but this will not fit your Series 2.

We are still shut down tighter that a lizards hole for the Christmas - New Year break and I can't access all our info until tomorrow - I will get back to you then :)

Regards

Peter
peter@whiteline.com.au

[bj240z]

Thank Peter,

I to am on holidays presently and will be back at work tomorrow. I will try and see if I can get on to this discussion group from work, but if not I will check when I get home. I hope that we can use the camber kit on the series2, it's a shame that you don't have a castor kit for them, as I do a lot of higway driving (Brisbane to the Gold Coast and Back everyday) and that would have definitly increased my high speed stability and my turn in camber.

Look forward to seeing what you can find when you're back at the office!

Thanks,

Ben :cool:

[Peter]

Hi Ben,

We are unable to access a Series 2 BJ 323 and therefore we are unable to confirm if the camber adjusting bolt kit KCA412 will fit the front and rear of your chassis.

Maybe you could contact Jarod at Fulcrums in Brisbane and ask him to trial fit a set for you. You will then be able to dial in some meaningful alignment numbers and plant those front and rear tyres on the pavement correctly.

Alternatively, if "any one" out 'there" who can get there Series 2 BJ 323 to our Minto workshop, would care to contact us we might be able to resolve this problem.

Regards
peter@whiteline.com.su

[bj240z]

Thanks Peter,

I'll have a chat with Jarod and see what I can find out. I have been trawling the net for SP20 parts over the last few days and have found a site in the US that supplies Camber pins similar to the White Line design that are in the 12mm varient, so I feel safe in assuming that all would be good.

I'll have a chat with Jarod in the next week or so and see what I can find out from him.

Thanks,

Ben