L8apex and cleoent, I'm sorry for not answering questions; are you guys asking questions in threads? I do answer all PMs and emails very promptly, but I don't always go through all of the threads we post in on a regular enough basis. I apologize for that. Anyway, if anyone still wants more pics of the car on H-techs (and Konis, in this case), and doesn't want to have to go to another thread to look, here's ours:

 

What front end is that? I have the stock appearance package also and I've thought about getting a aftermarket front end.

 

'Tis one of the Veilside fronts. I'd recommend the Mazdaspeed though.

 

That is the entire veilside "lip" bodykit. The drop looks really nice actually. Much lower than I had remembered seeing it. That is almost in S-Tech territory.

 

Almost. The skirts are D1-GT.

 

Ah yes....

 

that drop looks just about perfect. I have 245/35/19s and I'm thinkin about going w/ the h-techs over the s-techs. anybody have any advice or opinions on this?

 

yeah and because the red one has a body kit on it , makes the drop look a little lower then on a stock 8....just what i think!!

 

yeah i would like to see that drop on that size tires cause im thinking of getting 19's too!! with the mazda speed kit!!

 

i just dont want a firmer ride, nor do i want to replace my shocks, that's why i want the h-techs. Same spring rates and you really dont need to replace the shocks.

 

cleoent,

you might also consider the......
Tanabe GF's, Probably a nice upgrade from OEM while allowing for the retension of the stock dampers? and provide a nice front/rear drop (1.4 fr & 1.2 rr)

for a little more drop, spring rates are 162/112 almost the same as stock and a bit more drop.

beers

 

swoope, would dropping the car that much effect the stock shocks longevity?

 

i would have to defer to others on this, but how many miles do you have on your car?????

i am at 35k and shocks are coming soon. and while they are out well might as well put in springs!!!!

i am torn between the tein h and the tanbe gf the shocks are going to be koni. hopefully the new ones will be out before i jump.

beers

 

I have 19k on the clock. The tanabe's do provide a nice drop. grr.

Front spring rate is close to the stock springs, but the rear rate is a lot stiffer. Tough decision.

 

nope not at all it is almost identical.

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. . .

Stock 'Sport' Suspension spring rates on the RX-8 are 156/113 (F/R)
Mazdaspeed: 280/190
Tein S-Tech: 207/145
Tein H-Tech: 179/129
Tanabe GF: 179/146
Tanabe NF: 162/112
Racing Beat: 187/136
Eibach: 180/130 (progressive, so this varies a bit)
H&R: 195/141 (progressive, so this varies a bit)


As for the question on coilovers, all aftermarket adjustable 'coilovers' come with a shock and spring. The more expensive ones also come with the upper mount, usually of the 'pillowball' variety (a spherical metal bushing in a metal plate rather than the rubber top mounts that most cars use from the factory). Tein Basics, for example, re-use the OEM top mounts and a few of the small hardware bits. Tein Flex do not re-use any of the OEM coilover assembly. The aftermarket coilovers also come with proprietary springs, so one would never use their OEM springs with their new coilovers. Hopefully that makes sense?
__________________

Phil
Driven Performance Equipment

we are reseaching the same thing i am just a week or two ahead or you, you owe me some time!!


beers

 

look at the tanabe GF rates, 179/146, compared to 156/113 of the stock ones. I think at this point i'm probably leaning towards the GF only because of the extra drop.

 

gf and nf from the thread are the same drop.

beers

 

i know, but if i get springs i'd want them at least a touch firmer.

 

so im thinking it is the gf for you!!!

beers

 

thanks everyone for the pics, i think i'm going to go with the tanabe's.

 

cant wait to see and hear how it goes.

beers

 

have you decided on your cars spring fate?

 

my spring fate has been sidetracked by

inter x
light flywheel
wheels

which is ok as i am intersted in the new konis.

i think i am going to do the same as you with konis, it is just going to be a while.

beers

 

I ordered the H-tech the other day. I plan on installing them this weekend. I can post pictures you want.

 

please