Has anyone tried mazdaspeeds springs on their 8. According to Vivids website they are 1.5" drop in the front and a 1" drop in the rear. That is just about perfect to get rid of that pesky wheel gap.

Well, according to the listing on Mazdaspeed springs on the Japanparts.com website (http://www.japanparts.com/shop/shop.cgi?mode=itemlist&maker=Mazda&type_car=RX%2d8+SE3P&type_second=Handling+and+Braking&type_third=Suspension) they actually lower the car 20 mm, or .79 inches. They also cost $343 USD before shipping, prolly close to $400 after shipping from Japan. The Eibach springs, on the other hand, run something like $225 with shipping and give you 1.2 in drop.

I have eibachs installed and they are great with look and ride

But the magic question is....

What is the spring rate of these,... and what is the spring rate of stock???

But the eibachs lower the back the same amount as the fronts. I want springs that lower the front more than the back to make the stance of the car more even.

As far as I know, adjustable coilovers are the only thing on the market right now that will let you do that. JIC makes a set that run around $1600. Check the Vendor's forum, or talk to Vivid Racing (this forum's sponsor). Autoexe makes a set toofor around $1900. Check Japanparts.com again for those.

Of course, you could also buy both sets of springs discussed in previous posts, and put the Eibachs in front and the Mazdaspeeds in back...

If its true that vividracing is misrepresenting the specs on the mazdaspeed springs. (seen here) http://vividracing.chainreactionweb.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=17_18_648_1141&products_id=2674&osCsid=9e808302055436fa714bf949e74cdb2d

Then the only other springs i see that could do what I am looking for are the Tein S-Spec Springs found here: http://www.rx8store.com/product.asp?0=562&1=636&3=301

But as you can see these are not scheduled for release for some time now.

I don't see myself dropping 1600 on the JICs. Engine modications and apperence are higher up on my priority list then suspension right now.

Is there anyway to verify that the mazdaspeeds springs quoted correctly on the japan mazdaspeed site? Possilbly there is a different version for the US?

Originally posted by TeKP
If its true that vividracing is misrepresenting the specs on the mazdaspeed springs. (seen here) http://vividracing.chainreactionweb.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=17_18_648_1141&products_id=2674&osCsid=9e808302055436fa714bf949e74cdb2d ... Woah, dude, careful there before you go accusing Vivid (or anyone for that matter) with "misrepresenting" anything. What Vivid has listed on their page is just what they got from the manufacturer, and it's the same deal with Japanparts.com . One of them may be wrong, but that's not misrepresentation. If they deliberately misstated the facts when they knew better THAT would be misreprestation, but I'm sure that's not the case here. This stuff is all brand new to the market, and the facts are still getting sorted out. Give it a year and you won't see inconsistancies like this.

Is there anyway to verify that the mazdaspeeds springs quoted correctly on the japan mazdaspeed site? Possilbly there is a different version for the US? Best thing you can do is to get it straight from the horse's mouth, so to speak... call Mazda and ask them.

Left Pic - Rear Springs:
stock on left vs. mazdaspeed progressive springs on right...

It's more of a 3/4" - 7/8" (one finger-width) drop in the front and about the same in the rear... the drop in the rear is more pronounced b/c of the reduced fender clearance in the rear to begin with. The front fender gap is so abysmal stock, you can't see much of a difference (there is one!) with the springs. Ride is similar to stock, though noticeably more stable through spirited turns.

Top pic is factory, bottom pic is with MazdaSpeed springs through VividRacing via Japan; so far, there is only one version of these springs.

Thanks for the info shawrf1. That back tire looks slightly tucked, perfect. A subtle change, but very complimentary to the overall look. Nice wheels by the way. Are those 18's?

Anyone know the reason for the slightly higher ride height on the front wheels?

Sweet Shawrf1... I was hoping someone would post some pictures of the MazdaSpeed coils on their car. I like that the drop isn't too drastic, though I think it might look a bit better if the front was dropped just a bit more.

Has the "squat and dive" been calmed a bit too (over stock)?

Originally posted by TeKP
Anyone know the reason for the slightly higher ride height on the front wheels?

Ride isn't higher - the wheel clearance is greater.
The front wheel arches are a bit ddeper than the rear. Just measure from the center of the wheel to the edge of the fender lip in the front and back and you will see what I mean.

That said, I think the car would look better with .25" - .5" more drop in the front than the rear.
I have Auto EXE springs on mine and they dropped the car more than the Eibachs or MS springs seem to.
However, there is still a bit more clearance in front just like in these examples.

Damn Shawrf1 I'm jealous. MS springs, GReddy exhaust, and Volk TE37's =sweet ride.

Great info, and nicely put together reply shawrf1. Coupla questions for ya tho...

How long, and how many miles have you had the MS springs on the car? I hear that new springs "settle" in 2 - 4 weeks, and the ride gets somewhat "bumpier." Have you experienced this?

Also, you said the ride is similar to stock, though noticeably more stable through spirited turns. Sounds good, but could you define "similar to stock" a bit more? Is it harsher? Harder over bumps? Notice small imperfections in the road now? Etc... please elaborate a bit here, if you don't mind.

Also, have you had to have the car realligned?

Thanks...

how much drop does the autoexe springs give

Originally posted by mikeb
how much drop does the autoexe springs give

They claim .75".
That actual drop was more like 1.5"
I'll go out and measure it later.

Originally posted by Omicron
Great info, and nicely put together reply shawrf1. Coupla questions for ya tho...

How long, and how many miles have you had the MS springs on the car? I hear that new springs "settle" in 2 - 4 weeks, and the ride gets somewhat "bumpier." Have you experienced this?

Also, you said the ride is similar to stock, though noticeably more stable through spirited turns. Sounds good, but could you define "similar to stock" a bit more? Is it harsher? Harder over bumps? Notice small imperfections in the road now? Etc... please elaborate a bit here, if you don't mind.

Also, have you had to have the car realligned?

Thanks...

I've had the springs on for 3 days... hence, the short review. Haven't had an alignment yet and not enough time has passed to give a complete review or to let them settle. As for the 'similar to stock' ride so far... my discerning wife couldn't tell a difference in the ride after installing the springs (and she would be the first to let me know).

The wheels are 19x8.5 front and 19x9.5 rear.

sup3rbad: Here's my previous ricemobile ;) (http://www.nationalcustomcarassociation.com/html/elite_rob_shaw.shtml)

Damn! You still have that car right? I could not see anyone letting a car like that go.

that is one sweet ass subaru

Originally posted by shawrf1


sup3rbad: Here's my previous ricemobile ;) (http://www.nationalcustomcarassociation.com/html/elite_rob_shaw.shtml)

Wow... should we expect anything less for the 8? where do you the money for this stuff? I don't consider that rice at all man. Great ride. One of the best looking show subies I've seen.

back on the spring subject....a guy could just buy a set of Eibach springs and a set of mazdaspeed springs, put the Eiback fronts in and the Mazdaspeed rears in to lower the front more than the back but this would also only hold true if the mazdaspeed really is only a .79 drop. yes it would cost a lot but a lot less than 1600 dollar coil overs.

Originally posted by Jhouse
mazdaspeed really is only a .79 drop.

Has this ever been clarified?

From the vendors on this site:

Part #: RX08MS1009
Drop: 20mm average
Rosenthal Mazda

Part #: QSEA-34-01Z
Drop: 20mm average
Trussville Mazda

Part #: QSE13401Z
Drop: 1.5 front, 1.0 rear
Vivid Racing


Is it possible Vivid Racing has a different spring? I'm a bit confused because 20mm = 0.79 inches.

Thanks for any info.

Originally posted by TeKP
But the eibachs lower the back the same amount as the fronts. I want springs that lower the front more than the back to make the stance of the car more even.

I fully agree, the front needs to be lowered more than the rear. My ideal drop would be 1.25 R and 1.75 F, without spending the money on Coilovers.

I've called a few places to get the Tanabe Sustec GF210 springs but have been told I have to wait 2 weeks just to place the order. Tababe claims a 1.2 drop in the rear and a 1.4 drop in the front. Can anyone confirm?

Also looking for advice on adjustable shocks. KYB AGX okay??

KYB will be your best bet , although I don't know if they have anything out yet for the 8...

I ran Eibachs with KYB shocks/struts on my Integra...rode AWESOME...

Originally posted by XeRo
KYB will be your best bet , although I don't know if they have anything out yet for the 8...

I ran Eibachs with KYB shocks/struts on my Integra...rode AWESOME...

Thank you for the info. You are correct, nothing out yet in the way of Adjustables so I hear. Not sure why it's taking so long but it will just make me appreciate the ride that much more.

Was this ever answered?????

From the vendors on this site:

Part #: RX08MS1009
Drop: 20mm average
Rosenthal Mazda

Part #: QSEA-34-01Z
Drop: 20mm average
Trussville Mazda

Part #: QSE13401Z
Drop: 1.5 front, 1.0 rear
Vivid Racing

Anybody now have the Tanabe's installed....with pics?

I think if appearance is all you're concerned with, then a different drop front and rear is the way to go. The front wheel gap really is too much. BUT, I'd be concerned about screwing up the stellar handling of the '8 as it comes from the factory. It might be especially bad if you mix spring manufacturers and spring rates, too.

Regardless, dunno if a half inch difference between the front and rear would make that much of a difference in handling or not, and I suspect the only way we'll ever know is if someone tries it. I'm personally thinking about getting a set of the adjustable JIC coilovers, and if I do, this'll be the first thing I try.

What size tire did you put on the 8.5 & 9.5s, and what are the offsets you used?