Autozam AZ-1 Mazdaspeed Spec Anti-Roll Bars - Completed Mar 2024 -Available in shop
July 2023:
I want stiffer anti-roll bars (swaybars) and the Mazdaspeed ones aren’t common or easy to come by so guess what? That’s right. Let’s find a place that makes these to make them.
I purchased a front and rear standard bar and have sent them out to a potential manufacturer to make them. I had one that seemed promising but it didn’t work out once they discovered it had threaded ends vs the typical ones with flatted end with the holes for end links. Stay tuned for updates. They should be receiving them very soon to give me an answer.
August 2023:
I have been told that they can produce these. We are working out the details and sizing. I believe I should go with the Mazdaspeed sizing to keep it not too extreme for the masses. 28mm front and 22mm rears. They should retain the same type of bushings to attach to the control arms and only need larger bushings for the center mounts. I will update when/if production starts.
August 23 2023:
The manufacturer has received both my front and rear bars to use as a sample for the bends. The sizing has been finalized for 28mm front and 22mm rear like the Mazdaspeed bars that were once available. I asked if it’s possible to have a few made thicker for the hardcore folks but the minimums/costs are too high plus they don’t believe their machinery can bend solid bars in a larger 30mm+ sizing.
I now have to source bushings for the kits but the bars themselves are in production!
September 21, 2023:
Photos of the front bars piled up waiting to be finished. There seems to be a hiccup reported with the rear bar's status. It looks like they oopsied the bend and made it not the right shape. I have replied to their inquiry about this that this variance is likely unacceptable due to the proximity of the engine cradle subframe along with how the threaded end has to go into the control arms. See photos below of the front bars and the rear bar issue. The photos of the car and how they fit are of my car with OEM bars.
December 7 2023:
I am still awaiting the sample bars to show up, there was obviously a miscommunication on this between the manufacturer and me and the rear bars are being reproduced and are expected to finish by the end of this month.
Here’s some updated photos. The bars will come with a set of rubber bushings and mount to match.
Jan 14 2024:
Sample bars arrived but there’s a whole backstory to the rear bars… See the video here: https://youtu.be/IvKve3S7F4E
Long story short, they goofed the first time and had to remake them but decided to make an executive decision without me… and you guessed it. They have to remake them again. Those are coming in soon, expecting to have it early Feb 2024.
I fitted the front bar to the car and it fit properly and the test drive went well. Waiting for the rear one to come in and confirm to give it a good whirl.
Feb 18 2024:
Finally got the rear bar! But incorrect bushing size… so I had to improvise and bore it out https://www.youtube.com/shorts/FbmMTbwV2-8
Using the now wider bushing I am able to test fit the bar to confirm it is good. IT FITS PROPERLY! The rear bar is also easier to install than the front one. Much easier.
I have confirmed with the manufacturer this is good, they need to make me new bushings and I will start to figure out how to gather orders to figure out what continent this international ordeal needs to go to.
I will update again with details on purchasing once I get shipping figured out. Buying from the first batch of shipping will be cheaper than later as they will be shipped directly to you thus saving one hop of shipping.
Also note: This is likely a one time deal. 50 sets are made and no more will be made again unless there is a significant amount of demand to justify the minimum quantity and cost.
Mar 31, 2024
The bar’s have been paid for to be shipped to the preorder buyers directly. This saves money because they won’t hop through me and back to the buyer. Thanks everyone for doing the preorder and taking some of the burden of having these bars be all at my house!
I was able to drive around a bit with both the front and rear installed and the car feels great in the turns. I can’t wait to try it out for real on autocross or track days.
There are still sets available for purchase but the early bird pricing is about to close once I finalize having the bars sent directly to me. Basically it’ll be the additional cost of whatever it costs to send to me on top of shipping to you.