hey - i posted in rx-8 discussion to try to get opinions on what i should buy - didn't really get any responses. it was a long list, but i've dwindled it down so i thought i'd post here. i have tein s drop and i noticed a big difference in handling. i can't decide what to get next (for xmas): rb sways, rb intake, or rp short shifter. i'm leaning towards the sways b/c i want the most bang for my buck (since i can't get everything i want, i want to get something that i will definitely feel and enjoy every time i drive my car).

soooo...my main question is, since i put tein s on first, will sways still make a big, noticeable difference in the twisties? i think a lot of people run that set up, but will it make too big of a difference and cause wheel hop of anything?

the intake would mostly be for sound i know, and the rp short shifter everyone says has a great feel. i'm leaning to sways unless you guys think/know it won't work as well as i expect since i already have stiffer springs. thanks!

 

I'd go with the sway bars. I just picked up a pair of S-Techs but I'm waiting to get some RB Sway Bars to do the install. At least you will be able to monster through turns, sway bars made a big difference on cars I had in the past, I'm sure it would be the same case with the 8.

 

Sways are a great idea but I have to say that the short shift is something that would make you smile everytime you drive your car

 

Just my opinion, but I would get the springs first. Installing them will improve an already great handling car, but also do away with that unsighly front wheel to fender gap.

 

Yeah get the springs for the look & feel. Then keep getting goods down the road.

 

you'll notice a more with sways and with only a set of springs.

 

Yep, get the sways with end links next.

 

sorry for the confusion - i already have springs - tein s. yes, the drop is perfect (i hate fender gaps!!), and yes, the handling is frickin' a-w-e-s-o-m-e with the tein s. i guess i can't imagine it handling a turn any better than it does now, so that's why i was asking if sways were still worth it considering i already have the springs. does that make sense?

thanks for all the opinions - i think i agree to go with sways, and the rp short shifter will *hopefully* soon follow...

 

Are the end links worth it? I'd love to get them but they are pretty pricey for a couple inches of metal. The stock one's don't looks so tough next to an aftermarket pair but I haven't seen them for under $130.

 

you're talking about adjustable endlinks, which you may sometimes need to offset the settings on adjustable sways. racing beat has endlinks which are slightly bigger than stock, but stock endlinks will work just fine for street use.

 

Ahhh, OK....

 

I would get the RB sways, then the AFE SS, then if you have the dough change both springs and shocks doing just the springs (assuming you are paying someone to install) is a waste of money.

 

oh yeah? saving 50 bucks and staying with stock endlinks sounds good to me. can you "tell" if you need to replace them? i mean, say i keep the stock endlinks on (just for street/everyday use, i don't track or anything), will they either be fine for a while and eventually flat out brea in half or get loose over time or anything?

 

^bump, im curious about this as well.

also it sounds to me like people are suggesting to replace the shocks at the same time you add lowering springs?

 

Yes the stock endlinks are fine. Racingbeat states this on their website and mentions that the beefier ones are more for track use. You could always go back later when you put more money together and get the RB endlinks. They're about $35 for the set.

Bulletproof: if you haven't already replaced your springs definitely do the shocks and springs at the same time. It's literally doing the same work twice if you replace them separately. You can save $400-$500 in installation and alignment if you get it done all at once. I bought the Espelir springs and had them installed with the stock shocks and they were a big improvement but now a year later I'm putting on the Koni sport shocks because my stock shocks are underdamped for the stiffer springs and just about shot. I'm going to do the work myself because I can't justify spending the money twice on installation labor.