View Poll Results: Should the Track Springs by Progress Go into Production with spring rates discussed?
Yes! Pull the Trigger I am ready to buy!
32
74.42%
Not interested.
11
25.58%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll
Progress Technology Springs
09-15-2009, 08:42 PM
#152
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Unfortunately, I won't be able to take part in this group buy anymore.
I have a warranty issue I need to work out with koni following a blown shock at Nats, and once it's sorted out, I'll want to replace my suspension with coilovers...
I have a warranty issue I need to work out with koni following a blown shock at Nats, and once it's sorted out, I'll want to replace my suspension with coilovers...
09-21-2009, 04:14 PM
#153
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I got busy remodeling my friend's house for the last month, also found out I lost my wheel lock key, so I am going to my friend's house this weekend to use his compressor to take out the wheel lock, and install the springs, going to get some pic asap for you guys.
09-26-2009, 03:34 PM
#154
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I have had the Progressive Track Springs on my RX8 now for about one month. During that time, I have used them on the street as well as for one event, an "autocross," at a local go-kart track.
THE CAR
2005 Mazda RX8 base model with Tokico D-spec shocks in back with adjustment cables and Koni yellows in front. That is really about it. I do have Whiteline front swaybar bushings and HKS single exhaust. The wheels are 5Zigen 17x9 +35 with 255/40/17 Dunlop Star Specs.
Distance from ground to center of wheelwell in inches (before/after):
LF: 27.375/26.25 RF: 27.25/26.25
LR: 26.375/26.5 RR: 26.25/26.5
So, on my car, the rear raised a bit and the front was nicely lowered. It looks better, but the pictures show that there is not as much lowering as one might expect. I think my stock rear springs were sagging, which is probably attributable to the tendency to carry heavy loads almost anywhere I drive for a long time. An interesting thought if going back to stock, maybe it would make sense to get new stock rear springs. As noted, my car has always been high riding. Even with these springs, the front looks higher than many cars in BS--part of that might be related to the shorter wheel and tire combination.
CAMBER (before/after):
LF: -1.3/-2.5 RF: -0.7/-2
LR: -1.5/-1.3 RR: -1.5/-1.5
These changes correlate well with the reduced ride height.
PHOTOS
STREET IMPRESSIONS
Positives: These springs have absolutely transformed the street handling for the better. The car is much less prone to understeer and it no longer has that obviously softly sprung feel. It feels similar to the stock S2000 I have driven and it rides better than the stock 350z I have driven--both on the street. As might be expected, the car is flatter through the corners. It is a little bit prone to oversteer, but only when I want it to be. I enjoy driving the car much more than I did before the change in springs.
Negatives: The ride is stiffer, and with this, my mild case of gynecomastia has become more noticeable. Thankfully, no black eyes or need for a bro, manziere,etc.yet. At any rate, the ride is definitely stiff, but this has been tuned to what I believe is a very acceptable level by adjusting the shocks to about 1.5 turns above full soft.
"TRACK" IMPRESSIONS
MaxQdata for the car with the tires and wheels (42), and with the tires, wheels, and springs (44) are attached. I posted the best runs (by lap) for each combination. Note that the best lap I had all day with the springs was my very first run. In looking at the lap times overall, the car was consistently faster with the springs. The 39.*** time before the springs was the outlier. With the springs, 39.*** laps were the norm. If I find time, I will compare the laps statistically.
Interestingly, my father ran faster times in the RX8 with the springs than he had in his prepared Mustang, which I was getting 37-second lap times in. I think this is a testament to how comfortable the car feels with the springs.
Positives
The car was immediately faster with the Track springs and it was SO fun to drive.
NeutralUnfortunately, the fun I was having really screwed up the lap times. One run I literally drifted through three of the corners dirttrack style. This is not the fault of the springs of course. Before the springs, even with the street tires, the problem was managing push and understeer. With the springs, the issue becomes managing speed and oversteer. There is no doubt in my mind that a better driver would be able to exploit the springs' potential very quickly. I need to play with the stiffness settings on the shocks to better balance the car especially in relation to use of street tires.
Negatives Really, I am not sure that there are any negative here. Even with my limitations as a driver, the springs consistently produced faster times. If you want a car that is benign and has no risk for spinning, then the springs might not be for you. Once you have tires and shocks, these springs are the way to go.
Well, that's it for now. The car is a better car with these springs. I would buy them for the street if the interest was in performance versus looks. I had never really considered using the RX8 for track days, but the change in the car with these springs has me thinking about doing it now.
Please note, I was not given the springs, I purchased them for $300. I was not paid for my thoughts or impressions.
THE CAR
2005 Mazda RX8 base model with Tokico D-spec shocks in back with adjustment cables and Koni yellows in front. That is really about it. I do have Whiteline front swaybar bushings and HKS single exhaust. The wheels are 5Zigen 17x9 +35 with 255/40/17 Dunlop Star Specs.
Distance from ground to center of wheelwell in inches (before/after):
LF: 27.375/26.25 RF: 27.25/26.25
LR: 26.375/26.5 RR: 26.25/26.5
So, on my car, the rear raised a bit and the front was nicely lowered. It looks better, but the pictures show that there is not as much lowering as one might expect. I think my stock rear springs were sagging, which is probably attributable to the tendency to carry heavy loads almost anywhere I drive for a long time. An interesting thought if going back to stock, maybe it would make sense to get new stock rear springs. As noted, my car has always been high riding. Even with these springs, the front looks higher than many cars in BS--part of that might be related to the shorter wheel and tire combination.
CAMBER (before/after):
LF: -1.3/-2.5 RF: -0.7/-2
LR: -1.5/-1.3 RR: -1.5/-1.5
These changes correlate well with the reduced ride height.
PHOTOS
STREET IMPRESSIONS
Positives: These springs have absolutely transformed the street handling for the better. The car is much less prone to understeer and it no longer has that obviously softly sprung feel. It feels similar to the stock S2000 I have driven and it rides better than the stock 350z I have driven--both on the street. As might be expected, the car is flatter through the corners. It is a little bit prone to oversteer, but only when I want it to be. I enjoy driving the car much more than I did before the change in springs.
Negatives: The ride is stiffer, and with this, my mild case of gynecomastia has become more noticeable. Thankfully, no black eyes or need for a bro, manziere,etc.yet. At any rate, the ride is definitely stiff, but this has been tuned to what I believe is a very acceptable level by adjusting the shocks to about 1.5 turns above full soft.
"TRACK" IMPRESSIONS
MaxQdata for the car with the tires and wheels (42), and with the tires, wheels, and springs (44) are attached. I posted the best runs (by lap) for each combination. Note that the best lap I had all day with the springs was my very first run. In looking at the lap times overall, the car was consistently faster with the springs. The 39.*** time before the springs was the outlier. With the springs, 39.*** laps were the norm. If I find time, I will compare the laps statistically.
Interestingly, my father ran faster times in the RX8 with the springs than he had in his prepared Mustang, which I was getting 37-second lap times in. I think this is a testament to how comfortable the car feels with the springs.
Positives
The car was immediately faster with the Track springs and it was SO fun to drive.
NeutralUnfortunately, the fun I was having really screwed up the lap times. One run I literally drifted through three of the corners dirttrack style. This is not the fault of the springs of course. Before the springs, even with the street tires, the problem was managing push and understeer. With the springs, the issue becomes managing speed and oversteer. There is no doubt in my mind that a better driver would be able to exploit the springs' potential very quickly. I need to play with the stiffness settings on the shocks to better balance the car especially in relation to use of street tires.
Negatives Really, I am not sure that there are any negative here. Even with my limitations as a driver, the springs consistently produced faster times. If you want a car that is benign and has no risk for spinning, then the springs might not be for you. Once you have tires and shocks, these springs are the way to go.
Well, that's it for now. The car is a better car with these springs. I would buy them for the street if the interest was in performance versus looks. I had never really considered using the RX8 for track days, but the change in the car with these springs has me thinking about doing it now.
Please note, I was not given the springs, I purchased them for $300. I was not paid for my thoughts or impressions.
09-26-2009, 06:06 PM
#155
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Just did my springs, the temp out side is 97 degree. It is hot like hell, but I did it.
The ride height is about 27" on the back and 26-13/16" front.
I set the shocks to max and back 1/4 turn.
going to to let the springs settle before doing alignment.
after Install I went out to test out the springs. I though it will be a back breaker with the springs rate that high and the shock setting nearly max. but found out it was not that bad, you could feel the road more but not like the coilover that break your jaw. The back raise back up a lot from my Mazdaspeed springs. this looks like a 1/2" drop. I am very happy with the height. I got one pic that is before and after.
The ride height is about 27" on the back and 26-13/16" front.
I set the shocks to max and back 1/4 turn.
going to to let the springs settle before doing alignment.
after Install I went out to test out the springs. I though it will be a back breaker with the springs rate that high and the shock setting nearly max. but found out it was not that bad, you could feel the road more but not like the coilover that break your jaw. The back raise back up a lot from my Mazdaspeed springs. this looks like a 1/2" drop. I am very happy with the height. I got one pic that is before and after.
09-26-2009, 06:25 PM
#156
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I did not do an alignment yet, but it feel good going on and off ramp. Before the car push a lot, and now it want to rotate but not tail happy. I have to think about what kind of alignment I want now, to match the set up.
here is some more pic.
enjoy.....
here is some more pic.
enjoy.....
09-27-2009, 12:35 AM
#157
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j/kit raise because of the mazdaspeed springs lower 1"
Last edited by Winning 8; 09-28-2009 at 10:28 AM.
09-28-2009, 05:06 PM
#160
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09-28-2009, 05:15 PM
#161
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10-02-2009, 01:47 PM
#164
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I think everyone that drive the RX-8 as a dual purposes should get this springs, the ride quality, and the cornering ability with this springs is one of the most best buy.
10-11-2009, 10:53 AM
#167
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My first STX times are in: http://dmvrscca.org/s_100409r.htm#PAX
Please note that I coned away my fastest runs or I would have been third in PAX. This is with my continued attempt at drifting instead of autocrossing. As for STX prep, my car has only wheels, tires, and springs in terms of modifications from BS. I think that this outcome is pretty encouraging. If you look at the results in detail, note that it warmed up in the afternoon and the r-tired cars picked up their time during their last runs, which were later than I ran.
The drivers that beat me always do...
Again, the car is so much more fun to drive with these springs. I really can't imagine going with any other setup. You can get Koni's and these springs for around $900. The quality of that setup is immensely greater than any typical coilover setup out there for around or under $1000.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renesis...7622393419181/
Brent
Please note that I coned away my fastest runs or I would have been third in PAX. This is with my continued attempt at drifting instead of autocrossing. As for STX prep, my car has only wheels, tires, and springs in terms of modifications from BS. I think that this outcome is pretty encouraging. If you look at the results in detail, note that it warmed up in the afternoon and the r-tired cars picked up their time during their last runs, which were later than I ran.
The drivers that beat me always do...
Again, the car is so much more fun to drive with these springs. I really can't imagine going with any other setup. You can get Koni's and these springs for around $900. The quality of that setup is immensely greater than any typical coilover setup out there for around or under $1000.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/renesis...7622393419181/
Brent
Last edited by Cito; 10-11-2009 at 10:56 AM.
10-11-2009, 07:49 PM
#168
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Cito,
Now that you've autocrossed the car and let the suspension settle for more than 1 month, can you post your ride heights from the center of the hub to the top of the wheel arch? As a rule, more people use this measurement when posting ride heights as it negates the O.D. of the tire you're using.
P.S. Btw, please check your ride heights on as level ground as possible.
Now that you've autocrossed the car and let the suspension settle for more than 1 month, can you post your ride heights from the center of the hub to the top of the wheel arch? As a rule, more people use this measurement when posting ride heights as it negates the O.D. of the tire you're using.
P.S. Btw, please check your ride heights on as level ground as possible.
Last edited by chiketkd; 10-11-2009 at 11:17 PM.
10-12-2009, 12:46 PM
#169
Row faster, I hear banjos
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LF & RF: 13.75"
LR & RR: 14.0"
(Note: 255/40/17 Star Specs have an OD of 25.0" per the TireRack)
On stock springs with koni yellows front & rear, my B-stock ride heights are as follows:
LF & RF: 14.5"
LR & RR: 14.25"
P.S. Even though I've mentioned that I want to purchase coilovers, I'm not overly estatic about my choices at the 2K level. Seems like I'll need another 1.5K to get to the coilovers I'd really want (Vorshlag AST's). So I might just keep my konis and take part in this group buy after all. I'm selling my B-stock stuff now, so I'll monitor how quickly it fills up and may jump in closer to the end. These springs paired with some konis should make a very solid set-up for a local STX car, which is all I'll be doing with my car next season.
10-12-2009, 03:15 PM
#172
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I'm not sure the measurements were useless given that they reflected the change in ride height on my car with my wheels and tires, but I understand that they were not exactly what you were looking for.
I can take those measurements from the hub to the fender, and I will post them soon.
If you already have the koni's, then I think buying the springs is a good initial way to go. You can have the koni's rebuilt into double-adjustable or go with revalving if you don't like the results.
Even KW's run in the $1,800 range. Just buying the springs, $300, leaves a lot of extra money for swaybars, accessport, etc.
I can take those measurements from the hub to the fender, and I will post them soon.
If you already have the koni's, then I think buying the springs is a good initial way to go. You can have the koni's rebuilt into double-adjustable or go with revalving if you don't like the results.
Even KW's run in the $1,800 range. Just buying the springs, $300, leaves a lot of extra money for swaybars, accessport, etc.
10-12-2009, 08:33 PM
#173
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Don't take my comments personally Brent. I did see that there was a change in ride height after the install (also reflected in your new camber #'s), but when trying to compare your data to someone else's (e.g an STR MX-5), it was impossible.
10-13-2009, 09:58 AM
#174
Row faster, I hear banjos
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Btw Brent, what swaybars are you running on your car F&R? I saw the action pics at the link you posted and I just want to get a better understanding of your current set-up.
10-13-2009, 01:56 PM
#175
Based on the fact you mentioned you recently picked up a new set of 255/40/17 Star Specs which you're running unshaven, I was able to calculate your estimated ride heights from the center of the hub to the top of the wheel arch with the Progress Technology Springs:
LF & RF: 13.75"
LR & RR: 14.0"
(Note: 255/40/17 Star Specs have an OD of 25.0" per the TireRack)
On stock springs with koni yellows front & rear, my B-stock ride heights are as follows:
LF & RF: 14.5"
LR & RR: 14.25"
P.S. Even though I've mentioned that I want to purchase coilovers, I'm not overly estatic about my choices at the 2K level. Seems like I'll need another 1.5K to get to the coilovers I'd really want (Vorshlag AST's). So I might just keep my konis and take part in this group buy after all. I'm selling my B-stock stuff now, so I'll monitor how quickly it fills up and may jump in closer to the end. These springs paired with some konis should make a very solid set-up for a local STX car, which is all I'll be doing with my car next season.
LF & RF: 13.75"
LR & RR: 14.0"
(Note: 255/40/17 Star Specs have an OD of 25.0" per the TireRack)
On stock springs with koni yellows front & rear, my B-stock ride heights are as follows:
LF & RF: 14.5"
LR & RR: 14.25"
P.S. Even though I've mentioned that I want to purchase coilovers, I'm not overly estatic about my choices at the 2K level. Seems like I'll need another 1.5K to get to the coilovers I'd really want (Vorshlag AST's). So I might just keep my konis and take part in this group buy after all. I'm selling my B-stock stuff now, so I'll monitor how quickly it fills up and may jump in closer to the end. These springs paired with some konis should make a very solid set-up for a local STX car, which is all I'll be doing with my car next season.