Spring rates and other basic suspension info
03-30-2014, 04:35 AM
#153
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Can I ask a question here?
Cause everybody I am asking around here (Greece), gives me a different answer.
Is it possible to install spring wrong?
By saying wrong, I mean install front springs to rear, and rear springs in front?
Is something like this even possible?
Thanks!
(I have KYB's Gas-a-just, front and rear, and Weitec springs 20mm front and rear)
Cause everybody I am asking around here (Greece), gives me a different answer.
Is it possible to install spring wrong?
By saying wrong, I mean install front springs to rear, and rear springs in front?
Is something like this even possible?
Thanks!
(I have KYB's Gas-a-just, front and rear, and Weitec springs 20mm front and rear)
Last edited by FateGR; 03-30-2014 at 04:36 AM. Reason: extra info
03-30-2014, 04:49 AM
#154
Can I ask a question here?
Cause everybody I am asking around here (Greece), gives me a different answer.
Is it possible to install spring wrong?
By saying wrong, I mean install front springs to rear, and rear springs in front?
Is something like this even possible?
Thanks!
(I have KYB's Gas-a-just, front and rear, and Weitec springs 20mm front and rear)
Cause everybody I am asking around here (Greece), gives me a different answer.
Is it possible to install spring wrong?
By saying wrong, I mean install front springs to rear, and rear springs in front?
Is something like this even possible?
Thanks!
(I have KYB's Gas-a-just, front and rear, and Weitec springs 20mm front and rear)
03-30-2014, 05:07 AM
#155
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I have springs from Weitec 20/20mm.
That means they provide equal drop of 20mm front and 20mm back.
They are simply lowering springs that replace the OEM springs.
(I also have installed KYB struts front and back but that doesn't matter I guess...)
So is it possible to install them wrong or not?
04-13-2014, 06:37 PM
#156
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camber after lowering
im buying the megan racing lowering springs. they drop 1.75inch in the front and 1.5inch in the rear. do I need a camber kit.if so which one should I get Megan Racing Lowering Springs Mazda RX8 (03-11) MR-LS-MRX8
04-29-2014, 10:03 PM
#158
Man I keep getting confuse on what to buy. I know now I **** shocks and springs but I want 2 " lowered or close to that. I keep reading and reading so many options I narrow it down from coilovers to shocks I'm 100% sure I want shocks and lowering springs. I just want to Align car once a year or so and I'm done . If I happy with ride height I'll be happy with shocks well if they good .
04-30-2014, 08:43 AM
#159
Go with a good spring/shock combo if you don't require the need to adjust height. You won't need to get an alignment every year, as long as your aren't changing ride height.
I would suggest the Tokico D-Spec shocks, as they have adjustable damping. If you aren't familar with suspension systems though, adjustable dampers can be confusing.
I would suggest the Tokico D-Spec shocks, as they have adjustable damping. If you aren't familar with suspension systems though, adjustable dampers can be confusing.
05-07-2014, 08:05 AM
#160
Go with a good spring/shock combo if you don't require the need to adjust height. You won't need to get an alignment every year, as long as your aren't changing ride height.
I would suggest the Tokico D-Spec shocks, as they have adjustable damping. If you aren't familar with suspension systems though, adjustable dampers can be confusing.
I would suggest the Tokico D-Spec shocks, as they have adjustable damping. If you aren't familar with suspension systems though, adjustable dampers can be confusing.
05-14-2014, 07:10 PM
#162
even my plates are tinted
I have H&R's on (OEM?) Tokico's that cracked in the front 
Even before this, they looked lower than some pics i am seeing here. And now that they are cracked in the front, it sits even a little lower and i love the height.
My question is will a softer spring sit lower than harder one that advertises the same drop?
Even before this, they looked lower than some pics i am seeing here. And now that they are cracked in the front, it sits even a little lower and i love the height.
My question is will a softer spring sit lower than harder one that advertises the same drop?
10-20-2014, 03:40 AM
#165
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Are the rear shocks the same?
I mean if let's say my right shock is dead, can I swap it temporarily with a rear shock, either left or right? Or are they completely different and I need to get a specific one. R or L.
I mean if let's say my right shock is dead, can I swap it temporarily with a rear shock, either left or right? Or are they completely different and I need to get a specific one. R or L.
11-15-2014, 11:47 PM
#166
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I have an 08 anniversary that needs the rear shocks replaced. I've spent the past couple hours reading posts on this site and have decided that the Tein Basics would be the best fit for me. Mostly because of this post here:
Sounds exactly what I'm looking for and has the added benefit of being able to lower it slightly.
Problem is I'm not sure what I'm supposed to buy. I've found several that are called Tein Street Basis, but none for sale actually called Tein Basics are those the correct ones? Seems to be model number GSM56-11SS2, but the Tein website isn't exactly clear.
Are these links here the correct thing?
04-10 Mazda RX-8 Tein Coilovers: JSC Speed
TEIN GSM56 11SS2 Street Basis Damper coilover lowering Kit | eBay
If anyone can confirm that or point me to the actual right thing (or the best place to buy) I'd appreciate it. I'm guessing these kits come with everything needed and I don't need to buy or replace anything else? I can just hand it to my mechanic and he can throw them on? Thanks for the help!
In daily driving, I traverse plenty of pothole-ridden midwestern roads, so I appreciate that the Basics aren't super firm. The stock suspension is decent, but definitely soft. The Basics do cure that. I have driven the car on some road trips and it remains plenty comfortable. That the engineers at Mazda have given the car such a good GT/sportscar blend is a testament to their chassis tuning prowess, but there were obviously compromises made. The Basics get rid of those compromises, mostly without making any compromises of their own in harshness
Problem is I'm not sure what I'm supposed to buy. I've found several that are called Tein Street Basis, but none for sale actually called Tein Basics are those the correct ones? Seems to be model number GSM56-11SS2, but the Tein website isn't exactly clear.
Are these links here the correct thing?
04-10 Mazda RX-8 Tein Coilovers: JSC Speed
TEIN GSM56 11SS2 Street Basis Damper coilover lowering Kit | eBay
If anyone can confirm that or point me to the actual right thing (or the best place to buy) I'd appreciate it. I'm guessing these kits come with everything needed and I don't need to buy or replace anything else? I can just hand it to my mechanic and he can throw them on? Thanks for the help!
11-16-2014, 10:01 AM
#167
I've never driven on the basics or the basis. According to Tein's website they don't make the basics for the RX8 and the basis is an evolution of the basics.
You can get them from Goodwin Racing, I think they're listed at $669. Brian Goodwin is a good dealer.
You can get them from Goodwin Racing, I think they're listed at $669. Brian Goodwin is a good dealer.
11-16-2014, 11:30 AM
#168
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Thanks for the reply. I thought that was the case, but wanted to make sure and you helped clear it up for me. And thanks for the shop too.
Last night I read many posts with people saying the basics were a smooth street ride for a daily driver (no track planned). I wonder if these basis are the same... guess I'll find out.
01-21-2015, 09:26 AM
#169
Tein Street Basis
have to say, installed this on October 2014, very satisfy with the results, hight just right and very comftable on the road, similar to stock feel but lowered. had a 1997 RX7 in Japan and had Tein basics and it was very rough on the road. handling its way better than stock, I have the RX8 since 2006. happy with the investment.
02-20-2015, 12:35 PM
#170
I am looking at getting the Tein Tein Street Basis, my concern is the rear spring rate seems significantly higher than every other option listed below.
Spring Rate (lb/in):F: 5kg/mm, 280lb/in R: 4kg/mm, 224lb/in
Since my car is only a DD and not a track toy I am worried that it might be too stiff. Does anyone have any experience with rates that high in the rear?
Spring Rate (lb/in):F: 5kg/mm, 280lb/in R: 4kg/mm, 224lb/in
Since my car is only a DD and not a track toy I am worried that it might be too stiff. Does anyone have any experience with rates that high in the rear?
This info can be found elsewhere on the forum, but given we've posted a lot about suspension and have some experience with it, we figured we make it a Sticky right here.
All numbers taken either from the manufacturer, or from other posts on this forum. Some we can verify, and a few we can't. Just keep that in mind. Addtionally, the amount of drop you get varies based on the weight of your particular car, fuel load, and other factors.
Stock 'Sport' Suspension RX-8: 156/113 (F/R)
Mazdaspeed: 280/190 - Drop = 0.8"/0.8" ***** Not Confirmed - Actual rates have tested much lower
Tein S-Tech: 207/145 - Drop = 1.4"/0.7"
Tein H-Tech: 179/129 - Drop = 1.0"/0.3"
Tanabe GF: 179/146 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Tanabe NF: 162/112 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Racing Beat: 187/136 - Drop = 0.5"/0.5" ***** Not Confirmed
Eibach: 180/130 (progressive) - Drop = 1.2"/0.8" ***** Not Confirmed
H&R: 195/141 (progressive) - Drop = 1.0"/1.0" *****Not Confirmed
EDIT: Added advertised drop by request.
EDIT: Added more disclaimers for those springs we can't confirm the rates of
All numbers taken either from the manufacturer, or from other posts on this forum. Some we can verify, and a few we can't. Just keep that in mind. Addtionally, the amount of drop you get varies based on the weight of your particular car, fuel load, and other factors.
Stock 'Sport' Suspension RX-8: 156/113 (F/R)
Mazdaspeed: 280/190 - Drop = 0.8"/0.8" ***** Not Confirmed - Actual rates have tested much lower
Tein S-Tech: 207/145 - Drop = 1.4"/0.7"
Tein H-Tech: 179/129 - Drop = 1.0"/0.3"
Tanabe GF: 179/146 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Tanabe NF: 162/112 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Racing Beat: 187/136 - Drop = 0.5"/0.5" ***** Not Confirmed
Eibach: 180/130 (progressive) - Drop = 1.2"/0.8" ***** Not Confirmed
H&R: 195/141 (progressive) - Drop = 1.0"/1.0" *****Not Confirmed
EDIT: Added advertised drop by request.
EDIT: Added more disclaimers for those springs we can't confirm the rates of
03-01-2015, 01:24 PM
#171
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I may need to raise my ride anyone have a possible solutuion
I moved back here two years ago to Austin, TX in the hill country. I am currently running stock Shocks. w 53k miles and I need to replace my shocks, but I may also need to slightly raise the vehicle from stock shocks. I've been all over this website and everybody on here wants to "lower their ride". Here is my dilemma I need to raise the rear slightly and/or prevent bottoming and the front. I have a 2005 RX8 GT MT. I have Axis Shine Wheels, 19 x 9.5 +40 Rear, and I was running Dunlop Sport Max 275/35/19 ZR Rears with no problems for 7 years not even down here. I could even have rear seat passengers. Then my rear tires wore out and needed replacements so I could pass inspection to renew my plates. Dunlop stopped making this exact tire and only makes a run flat version now which isn’t the same as the tire I had plus run flats ride like S#!t. Also their new tires and all of the replacement tires in this size I looked at now have a wider tread and side profiles that bulges out more at the top and the sides. I got a good deal on some Michelin Pilot Supper Sports but they rubbed so bad on my rear inside fender skirt where it attaches at the back side of the wheel well and fender. It's where the union of the upper rear fender (body) and rear bumper clip meet and the screws attach the inside fender skirt there. even without the fender skirts the tires would rub where the union of the two body parts meet and the shocks bottom I had the fenders lips rolled and that changed nothing and then they adjusted the alignment as well and the rear end slid more in tight turns but the tires still rubbed when the shocks bottomed on dips on highways or even slow over speed bumps and in general driving around corners etc. So I tried changing out the rear Tires to
Yokohama 275/35R19 Y96 S.drive ’s in the rear that have a slightly straighter side profile but they still rub? These tires are getting shredded up and that is with just me in the car? I can't even drive the car now period. I need to fix this!!! My mechanic said he would do the rear shocks for $200.00 per corner and realign it, but I had to buy the shocks he didn’t want to get involved because there are just too many aftermarket shocks out there for this vehicle and he wasn’t sure on what I wanted to spend and what would accomplish what I’m trying to do since most “coil-overs” lower the vehicle. I wonder if I put a coil over shock or racing shock that would let me limit where it bottomed so it wouldn't hit any more or slightly raise it so I can get someone in back if needed (not often but out of necessity). When I go to replace the front tires I expect a similar issue, so I may need to raise the front slightly as well to clear wheel rub I had originally tried some Falken tires 7 years ago but they rubbed in front inside when turning? . Here in the TX Hill country and even in the city of Austin many driveways here where they meet the street at steep angles on hills cause my front air dam clip to bottom on the street as I enter it and it even rubs on my driveway as I back out and pull up. Any idea on what I could do? Or does anyone know someone who does?
Yokohama 275/35R19 Y96 S.drive ’s in the rear that have a slightly straighter side profile but they still rub? These tires are getting shredded up and that is with just me in the car? I can't even drive the car now period. I need to fix this!!! My mechanic said he would do the rear shocks for $200.00 per corner and realign it, but I had to buy the shocks he didn’t want to get involved because there are just too many aftermarket shocks out there for this vehicle and he wasn’t sure on what I wanted to spend and what would accomplish what I’m trying to do since most “coil-overs” lower the vehicle. I wonder if I put a coil over shock or racing shock that would let me limit where it bottomed so it wouldn't hit any more or slightly raise it so I can get someone in back if needed (not often but out of necessity). When I go to replace the front tires I expect a similar issue, so I may need to raise the front slightly as well to clear wheel rub I had originally tried some Falken tires 7 years ago but they rubbed in front inside when turning? . Here in the TX Hill country and even in the city of Austin many driveways here where they meet the street at steep angles on hills cause my front air dam clip to bottom on the street as I enter it and it even rubs on my driveway as I back out and pull up. Any idea on what I could do? Or does anyone know someone who does?
