[Kevin715]

Wanted to share some info on my lifted 2022 CX30 Turbo as is seems to be hard to find for those of us who want to lift the CX30 for off-road use.

Currently I am running the most aggressive setup that is possible with zero rubbing or major suspension modifications.

I am using the TEMA 4x4 40mm lift kit, and running Falken Wildpeak A/T Trail in a 225 60 18.

This tire size will clear without rubbing just barely about 1/8" clearance at tightest spot on OEM 18" GT/turbo wheels, with or without a lift.

If you want to run the Rokblokz mudflaps, you will rub once in a while in parking lots, just ever so slightly and only on the flap itself so no cause for concern.

The 40MM lift dose not give you clearance for bigger tires as the clearance issues are at front and rear of wheel at full lock.

total I'm around 2.25" of lift between the tires and suspension lift.

So far I have driven about 500KM on the lift kit and have zero complaints, ride and handling are the same as factory, no vibration or noises or negative effect at all.

I will update in May after I get the CX30 out on the trails for my first camping trip this year, these are true sometimes tricky off road trails commonly used by jeeps and other off-roaders, so will be a great test of what the CX30 is capable of I'm expecting similar results if not better than a similarly built RAV 4, I'm coming from a lifted and big tire CX3, so I'm very excited to try the same trails with 2.5" more of ground clearance s my CX3 was about same height as a stock CX30.

other mods include.
3D all weather deep floor mats
BMS Stage 1 intake
Rockblokz Rally Mudflaps
Lower Grill inserts

Also worth noting, in 2022 they changed the automatic parking brake to shut off as soon as you put it in gear which is better for off-roading and daily use, and also added a 360 view camera with multiple foreward and side views which is usable under 15 kmh and high resolution and clarity, and is perfect for off-road use, something that is usually an add on as "off-road camera" on other brands. just something to think about when deciding which model year you want for your overland build, if that's what you intend to purchase a CX30 for like I did.

 

[Kevin715]

Here are a few pictures of install I didn't take many but figure some is better than none.

Install was a bit of a pain getting everything to fit back in but well worth the hassle.

You will need a spring compressor for the front to replace the upper strut studs with the included longer ones, just use a small socket and the original nuts to pull new studs in after hammering out the old ones.

The rear is straight forward, just drop sshocks out and lower whole axle and pop spacers in then Jack axle back up and bolt shocks back in with spacers, the spacers for shocks at rear don't have the best tolerance, so I jacked up the axle to hold shock in place against the spacer, and used a nut inside a socket so I could apply upward force while trying to get the extended nut started, was a PITA but it is doable with some patience.

 

[CeEquis-Treinta]

It looks wicked, so I hope that it performs as you expect it to perform.

 

[key1cc]

I like the look. I prefer your type of hang down mudflaps over the molded plastic tiny ones that Mazda sells. I personally want a little wider tire like a 235/50 R18 minimum if I stay with my stock 7 inch rims.... or possibly Porsche Macan- like tires such as 265/45 R18 if I can manage to fit wider 8.5 or 9 inch wheels on that puppy.
Key1

 

[livinglife]

I really like this! I hope the aftermarket grows for this car. Id love to set mine up for light off-road use. I feel like this car would make the perfect little rally car. how did the lift effect the performance as far as handling? Is there any issues with the CVs now there at steeper angles due to the lift?

 

[Kevin715]

I really like this! I hope the aftermarket grows for this car. Id love to set mine up for light off-road use. I feel like this car would make the perfect little rally car. how did the lift effect the performance as far as handling? Is there any issues with the CVs now there at steeper angles due to the lift?

handling feels the same as stock, I drive the shit out of my CX30, no issues with CV, I tested full lock at full droop no binding, zero issues with anything, all works as factory, including all safety features. went from 8.7 to 8.8 l per 100km on highway with lift and tires.

 

[livinglife]

handling feels the same as stock, I drive the shit out of my CX30, no issues with CV, I tested full lock at full droop no binding, zero issues with anything, all works as factory, including all safety features. went from 8.7 to 8.8 l per 100km on highway with lift and tires.

Thanks, that’s great to know. I would love to do something similar to this down the road. Great to know that it’s a solid setup and no issues. I’d love to lift with new springs instead of spacers but idk if there is any options for that yet.

 

[Kevin715]

Thanks, that’s great to know. I would love to do something similar to this down the road. Great to know that it’s a solid setup and no issues. I’d love to lift with new springs instead of spacers but idk if there is any options for that yet.

Spacers are better than springs for smaller lifts, as you maintain the same travel with the shocks, with just springs you will top out the shocks which will cause a violent banging over bumps, also reduce droop and decrease overall travel as you loose some droop more than you gain upwards travel.
I had springs in my CX3 40mm and it rode horrible and banged over bumps when shocks topped out.
The idea of spring lifts being better is just an internet fairy tale.
Spacers are the way to go when it comes to cheap lifts.
The only time springs are ok is if you get a kit that includes extended travel shocks or spacers for the shocks in rear and dropped strut hats in the front, which nobody makes for a Mazda and likely never will.
If you want cheap worry free and reliable go with the spacers, anything over 40mm is generally where you start to encounter issues with binding etc, at 40mm there is still about an inch of diwn travel left from full droop to where the suspension maxes out up front as far as usable geometry I checked with the struts out, the rear is also about maxed out at 40mm for a reliable bolt in setup with no major modifications.

 

[livinglife]

Spacers are better than springs for smaller lifts, as you maintain the same travel with the shocks, with just springs you will top out the shocks which will cause a violent banging over bumps, also reduce droop and decrease overall travel as you loose some droop more than you gain upwards travel.
I had springs in my CX3 40mm and it rode horrible and banged over bumps when shocks topped out.
The idea of spring lifts being better is just an internet fairy tale.
Spacers are the way to go when it comes to cheap lifts.
The only time springs are ok is if you get a kit that includes extended travel shocks or spacers for the shocks in rear and dropped strut hats in the front, which nobody makes for a Mazda and likely never will.
If you want cheap worry free and reliable go with the spacers, anything over 40mm is generally where you start to encounter issues with binding etc, at 40mm there is still about an inch of diwn travel left from full droop to where the suspension maxes out up front as far as usable geometry I checked with the struts out, the rear is also about maxed out at 40mm for a reliable bolt in setup with no major modifications.

I appreciate all that information. I will definitely keep all that in mind when I lift mine down the road. Sounds like you’ve done quite a bit of research on it all. I was mainly concerned with the CV angles and binding but it sounds like if I go with something along the lines that you have I should be fine. I completely understand about the springs. It’s to bad no one has the extended shocks and springs to lift it. I’m not surprised as most people who buy this car will never think of doing anything like that. It would be cool though if someone would Design a kit. A man can dream. Haha

definitely keep posting all your mods you do. You have some good ideas for it. Also what size tires are those on the stock rims?
Thanks.

 

[Kevin715]

I appreciate all that information. I will definitely keep all that in mind when I lift mine down the road. Sounds like you’ve done quite a bit of research on it all. I was mainly concerned with the CV angles and binding but it sounds like if I go with something along the lines that you have I should be fine. I completely understand about the springs. It’s to bad no one has the extended shocks and springs to lift it. I’m not surprised as most people who buy this car will never think of doing anything like that. It would be cool though if someone would Design a kit. A man can dream. Haha

definitely keep posting all your mods you do. You have some good ideas for it. Also what size tires are those on the stock rims?
Thanks.

225 60 18 is the tires size, you'd definitely be ok with this setup it's considered mild for sure as far as suv lift kits go.

 

[Kevin715]

Just an update put about 4000km on the kit so far no issues, finally took it on some trails few weeks ago to go camping, was able to clear more than my dad's chevy 1500 😎 these were some fairly advanced trails maybe a 2+ or 3 few watercrossings as well, had a guy in a jeep amazed that I made it as far as we did, very impressed with the off road mode it's very aggressive when you lift wheels off the ground, almost makes you think you broke something with how loud it is when it slams the brakes on when it's slipping but, didn't break anything everything works as normal on the road 🙂👌

 

[livinglife]

Awesome pictures. Thank you for posting. I really like the look with the lift kit. I’m glad to hear it’s been reliable. I’m tempted to do this with mine but I’m worried about voiding the warranty. It’s great to hear that it performed well on a off-road trail. I think it could be a great little trail rig for some light off-road adventures if setup correct.

 

[Nanook]

Just an update put about 4000km on the kit so far no issues, finally took it on some trails few weeks ago to go camping, was able to clear more than my dad's chevy 1500 😎 these were some fairly advanced trails maybe a 2+ or 3 few watercrossings as well, had a guy in a jeep amazed that I made it as far as we did, very impressed with the off road mode it's very aggressive when you lift wheels off the ground, almost makes you think you broke something with how loud it is when it slams the brakes on when it's slipping but, didn't break anything everything works as normal on the road 🙂👌 View attachment 4816
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Kevin,
any more softroading trips accomplished? Also, how is everything holding up with the lift? I’m also, looking at turning my CX30 into a softroader.

 

[Kevin715]

Kevin,
any more softroading trips accomplished? Also, how is everything holding up with the lift? I’m also, looking at turning my CX30 into a softroader.

It was definitely not softroading lol, these were trails that regularly lifted a wheel a few feet in the air and a few water crossing up to my knee. I've since upgraded to a new 22 chevy colorado Z71 due to the fact that aftermarket to further increase the lift for the cx30 did not exist, I had about 8000km on the cx30 when I sold it, and had zero issues with anything from the lift kit or any of the stock vehicle components.

The main reason I upgraded was the potential for more ground clearance but I will add the cx30 dud not bottom out once on the 3+ rated difficulty trails I took it on due to its short wheelbase and suspension setup and it keeps underbody components tucked up. And flat along the bottom vs having a diff hanging down lower in a truck as well as suspension mounts on a truck axle.

At the end of the day your not fitting 33-35" tires on a cx30 which it where I'm going with my truck for a relaxing effortless trail driving experience.

 

[Kevin715]

My dad's chevy 1500 4x4 on the trail bottomed out and high centered constantly, if that gives you any idea how capable the cx30 is off road it's insanely capable with minor mods, just avoid deep ruts and mud cause by bigg tire jeeps, and you will fine.

 

[Nanook]

My dad's chevy 1500 4x4 on the trail bottomed out and high centered constantly, if that gives you any idea how capable the cx30 is off road it's insanely capable with minor mods, just avoid deep ruts and mud cause by bigg tire jeeps, and you will fine.

Thanks for the info. I think I’m going to get the TEMA lift. Hopefully, the aftermarket support picks up in the next couple years. I had a 2019 Tacoma that we traded in for my wife’s Bronco. The cx30 MPGs and ride helped me lean towards keeping it over the Tacoma.

 

[22Turbo]

Just wanted to add a quick note I saw while browsing the rear sway bar product page on the Corksport website.

It states "Cannot install on AWD vehicles with a lift kit. The sway bar will interfere with the differential/driveshaft system."

Just thought I would pass it along for those thinking about lifting their vehicle.

Rear Swaybar Upgrade for 2019+ Mazda 3 & CX30 & 2022+ CX50

Improve the driving experience with the CorkSport Rear Swaybar Upgrade. Reduce understeer, improve driving feedback and confidence at the edge. Designed for the FWD and AWD models of the 2019+ Mazda 3 and CX30 aswell as the 2022+ CX50.

corksport.com

 

[wegrantjr]

Here are a few pictures of install I didn't take many but figure some is better than none.

Install was a bit of a pain getting everything to fit back in but well worth the hassle.

You will need a spring compressor for the front to replace the upper strut studs with the included longer ones, just use a small socket and the original nuts to pull new studs in after hammering out the old ones.

The rear is straight forward, just drop sshocks out and lower whole axle and pop spacers in then Jack axle back up and bolt shocks back in with spacers, the spacers for shocks at rear don't have the best tolerance, so I jacked up the axle to hold shock in place against the spacer, and used a nut inside a socket so I could apply upward force while trying to get the extended nut started, was a PITA but it is doable with some patience.


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Here are a few pictures of install I didn't take many but figure some is better than none.

Install was a bit of a pain getting everything to fit back in but well worth the hassle.

You will need a spring compressor for the front to replace the upper strut studs with the included longer ones, just use a small socket and the original nuts to pull new studs in after hammering out the old ones.

The rear is straight forward, just drop sshocks out and lower whole axle and pop spacers in then Jack axle back up and bolt shocks back in with spacers, the spacers for shocks at rear don't have the best tolerance, so I jacked up the axle to hold shock in place against the spacer, and used a nut inside a socket so I could apply upward force while trying to get the extended nut started, was a PITA but it is doable with some patience.


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How did you get the bolts out of the strut tower connector, When the top of the strut was removed, there looked like there was no way to hammer out the small bolt or a way to install the larger bolt. I did not see a way to separate the two pieces

 

[Natedawg799]

handling feels the same as stock, I drive the shit out of my CX30, no issues with CV, I tested full lock at full droop no binding, zero issues with anything, all works as factory, including all safety features. went from 8.7 to 8.8 l per 100km on highway with lift and tires.

Happy New Years! Recently bought a 22 CX30 got aftermarket wheels and tires LP7’s 225/55/R18 matched with Falken AT WILDLEAKS. Also got the TEMA Lift Kit 40mm. Though had an issue worth the rear bump extender. So only installed the front kit. Anyways I’m having an issue with the driver side front camber it is currently sitting a little positive can’t remember exactly how much exactly. Though my passenger side is perfect so I was wondering if you had a similar issue. I do understand that you stuck with the factory wheels. Just looking for some input! Thanks!

 

[Natedawg799]

Happy New Years! Recently bought a 22 CX30 got aftermarket wheels and tires LP7’s 225/55/R18 matched with Falken AT WILDLEAKS. Also got the TEMA Lift Kit 40mm. Though had an issue worth the rear bump extender. So only installed the front kit. Anyways I’m having an issue with the driver side front camber it is currently sitting a little positive can’t remember exactly how much exactly. Though my passenger side is perfect so I was wondering if you had a similar issue. I do understand that you stuck with the factory wheels. Just looking for some input! Thanks!