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Mazda 323 and Protege Coilovers

You may know it as the Familia, the Protege or the rally GTX. We carry fifteen Mazda 323 and Protege coilover kits, from the 1988 GTX to the 2003 Protege5. Four of them are BC Racing kits.

Not sure whether yours is a GTX, a GTR or a front-drive car? Read us the VIN: 1-800-460-9106.

White Mazda 323 GTX lowered on coilovers in a rally stage service park
Also sold as the Familia
Mazda 323 and Protege

Animated illustration. It shows where coilovers sit on a car, not your exact kit. Depending on the car and the kit, coilovers can lean forward or back or stand straight up, and some cars use a separate spring and shock in the rear. Your ride height depends on the kit and how it is set up.

Pick your 323 or Protege

Three things to check on your 323 or Protege

Once you know these, the right kit is easy to find.

323 or Protege

From 1995 on, Ksport has separate kits for each name. BC does too from 1999.

GTX, GTR or 2WD

On the BG, Ksport has a kit for each of the three. BC has GTX and GTR kits.

Sedan or Protege5

KW lists the 2002 to 2003 Protege5 hatchback on its own.

BC Racing coilovers for the Familia line

BC kits for the GTX, GTR and last 323 and Protege

BC Racing makes three series for the Mazda 323 and Protege: BR, DS and RM. BC has no kit listed for 1995 to 1998. Free shipping on BC Racing kits in the continental US.

See all BC Racing coilovers Jump to the BG cars

How the three BC series differ

Here is what each BC series gives you on a small Mazda.

BR

BC Racing BR coilovers have one knob with thirty clicks that sets compression and rebound together.

DS

DS has the same knob, plus a digressive piston for firmer control.

RM

RM is an upside-down single-tube shock for MacPherson strut cars.

KW, Feal and Ksport on the 323

Kit counts are from our store. Call 1-800-460-9106 to compare them side by side.

Ksport

Ksport has eight kits, from the BF GTX through 2003.

KW

KW has Mazda Protege coilovers for the sedan and Protege5, 1999 to 2003.

Feal

Feal has one 323 AWD kit, for 1989 to 1992.

Three example cars and their kits

1990 323 GTX

Three kits fit the GTX.

Kits to look at: BC Mazda 323 GTX AWD, Ksport 323 4WD GTX (BG), Feal 323 AWD (BG)
1993 Protege, front drive

BC's GTX kit says it fits; call us first.

Kit to look at: BC Mazda 323 GTX AWD (Also Fits 1990-1994 Protege FWD)
2003 Protege5

There is one hatchback kit, plus two Protege kits that do not name a body style.

Kits to look at: KW Protege 5 (BJ, BJD) Hatchback; BC Protege FWD and Ksport Protege do not name a body style, so call us first.

Every Mazda coilover kit, 1988 to 2003

Newest cars come first, and each card shows the kit's product name.

The last 323 and the Protege from 1999 on

Code: BJ, BJD (in KW kit names)
BC Racing coilover kit for the 1999 to 2003 Mazda 323
BC Racing kitThe BC Racing coilover kit listed for the 1999 to 2003 Mazda 323. Photo: BC Racing.
Good to know: BC has a 323 FWD kit and a Protege FWD kit, each in BR, DS or RM. KW has a Protege sedan kit (BJ, BJD) whose name says "Turbo TBA", and a separate Protege5 hatchback kit for 2002 to 2003. Ksport also has separate 323 and Protege kits.

BG 323: GTX, GTR and front drive

Code: BG
Good to know: BC's GTX AWD kit name adds "Also Fits 1990-1994 MAZDA Protege FWD". A separate BC GTR AWD kit fits 1992 to 1994, and both come in BR, DS or RM. Ksport has separate GTX 4WD, GTR 4WD and 2WD kits. Feal has a 323 AWD kit for 1989 to 1992.

Every 323 era in one table

Model Years What sets the kits apart BC Racing series
323 and Protege, 1999 on 1999 to 2003 323 or Protege, and KW splits sedan and Protege5 BR, DS, RM
1995 to 1998 1995 to 1998 323 or Protege No BC kit
BG: GTX, GTR, 2WD 1989 to 1994 GTX, GTR or 2WD BR, DS, RM
BF GTX 1988 to 1989 GTX only No BC kit

Before you buy: the 323 and Protege on coilovers

The 323 GTX won rallies, and the Protege5 had a keen following, but these cars are now old enough that most owner threads have gone quiet or disappeared. Nothing we found was confirmed by two separate sources. BC Racing still lists four kits for this family, which says owners keep asking. If your car is one of the rare ones, call us and we will help you confirm the fit.

The Familia story

Familia history: 4WD and rallying

Mazda's own history records that in October 1985 it added "full-time four wheel drive to 3-door hatchback of 6th generation Familia (323)".

  1. 1985
    A first for Japan"Japan's first full-time four wheel drive system was equipped."
  2. 1987
    Win in SwedenThe "Familia (323) with full-time 4WD becomes the first Japanese car to win the overall title at Swedish WRC".
  3. 1989
    The BGMazda "Adds full-time 4WD model to 7th-generation Familia (323) (3HB, sedan) lineup".

Questions on Protege fit, GTX and GTR

I have a 1990 to 1994 Protege. Is there a BC kit?

BC's 1989 to 1994 323 GTX AWD kit name says "Also Fits 1990-1994 MAZDA Protege FWD". Call us with your car and we will confirm before you order.

Do the GTX and the GTR take the same kit?

Not from Ksport, which lists them separately. BC has a 1989 to 1994 GTX AWD kit and a separate 1992 to 1994 GTR AWD kit.

What about the Protege5?

KW lists a Protege5 hatchback kit for 2002 to 2003. Its sedan kit is sold separately.

What does "Turbo TBA" mean on the KW Protege kit?

It is part of KW's name for the sedan kit. We will check with KW for a Mazdaspeed Protege before you order.

What BC series can I choose?

You can choose BR, DS or RM on all four BC kits.

What warranty does BC give?

BC Racing North America currently lists a two-year limited warranty on full kit orders, subject to its warranty terms. KW, Feal and Ksport set their own warranties.

Elsewhere in our Mazda library

Coilover Kits by CarEvery car page. AWD, RWD or FWD: Why Drivetrain Changes the Coilover Kit You OrderWhy the drivetrain changes which kit fits your 323. Buying Used Coilovers: What to Check Before You PayWhat to check on secondhand coilovers for an older 323. Comfort and Stance on a Daily Driver: Setting Up Coilovers for BothA comfortable drop on a 323 you drive every day. How to Set Ride Height on CoiloversMeasure and set the drop on your 323. After You Lower It: Alignment Timing, Driver-Assist Calibration and Headlight AimAlignment, driver-assist and headlight checks once the 323 is lower. Mazda 3 and Mazdaspeed3The compact that followed. Mazda MX-5 MiataMazda's roadster. How to install coiloversA walk-through of the job. BC Racing for MazdaBC's Mazda kits.
Give us the year and trim, and we will name the right Mazda coilovers for your car

Call us weekdays, 9 AM to 5 PM Eastern.

Call 1-800-460-9106