Question for all you suspension geeks out there:

Is there any drawback to installing Eibach's only in the front?

Here's my dilemma. The rear sits lower already. At some point I will add a sub back there which will bring it down further. The front, however, could use a bit of lowering. For reference, here how the car sits now.

I'm not a performance guru, but i imagine just putting new aprings in the fornt, knowing the rear may be lowered slightly with a sub box, may or may not affect handling. I'm sure someone could give a more professional answer.

Originally posted by Napboy
Is there any drawback to installing Eibach's only in the front?


Yup - your handling balance will change. Assuming the Eibachs are stiffer than stock front springs, you will probably increase understeer with that change. Since the stock RX-8 already tends to slight understeer, that wouldn't be a good change.

[Edit] - then again, I just checked your recent "wheels" post - with 235 width tires on the front and 275 tires on the rear, your handling balance is already shot to hell. I'll bet that you've already got major understeer happening at the limit - so what's a little more understeer for the further sake of appearances? Go for it.

Regards,
Gordon

Originally posted by oosik
I'm not a performance guru, but i imagine just putting new aprings in the fornt, knowing the rear may be lowered slightly with a sub box, may or may not affect handling. I'm sure someone could give a more professional answer.

thanks, this is exactly what i was hoping for.

Originally posted by Gord96BRG
Yup - your handling balance will change. Assuming the Eibachs are stiffer than stock front springs, you will probably increase understeer with that change. Since the stock RX-8 already tends to slight understeer, that wouldn't be a good change.

[Edit] - then again, I just checked your recent "wheels" post - with 235 width tires on the front and 275 tires on the rear, your handling balance is already shot to hell. I'll bet that you've already got major understeer happening at the limit - so what's a little more understeer for the further sake of appearances? Go for it.

Regards,
Gordon

Are you being sarcastic or will it affect the understeer that much. I suppose I could always try it.

Originally posted by Napboy
Are you being sarcastic or will it affect the understeer that much. I suppose I could always try it.

Sorry, being serious. It depends on how much stiffer than stock the front Eibachs are - but any change in spring rates will affect handling. If you change the front only with springs that are designed to be replaced in sets of 4, you're experimenting on your own. Typically, stiffening the front end without changing the back will result in more understeer. I was also serious when I said you've already seriously screwed up the handling balance with your tire size choices.

Regards,
Gordon