demon

Hi guys,

I am setting up my car for somewhat frequent HPDE-type driving, as well as competing in the Open Track Challenge this year (at least intending to). I was wondering, given no real restriction on suspension components, what an "optimal" setup is regarding shock/spring combinations. I typically have used a GC/Koni combination in the past, but having spoken to GC this week it appears they have no real plans for an RX8 setup. With a limited selection of springs available so far this worries me.

The car will still see street use, and I am hoping to be in the ~$2k range for the shock/spring setup (no Penske's please!).

I have never been sold on the JIC/HKS/Tein style "rice coilovers" but am always open if they are deemed worthwhile.

Thoughts please!

Batman220

I'm not too sure, but I am guessing you're going to get some crap for the "rice coilovers" comment. I am interested in what the recommended setups will be.

Razz1

USE Racing Beat Springs.

The Koni's were developed with the RB springs. There a perfect match.

Call RB and ask Jim Tanner if want to confirm.

demon

Doesn't seem optimal if I can't change spring rates though...that is the beauty of coilovers after all.

Matt RX8

There is a backissue of Mazda Sport Magazine where they have some articles on building an RX8 for the track. Perhaps that would be a good place to look for some info.





http://www.mazdasportmagazine.com/ca...0&cat=8&page=1

demon

Thanks, I have it on order!

Matt RX8

I just ordered one for myself as well :D . I'd been meaning to but I kept forgetting.

demon

Just spoke to Tripoint who have a coilover-converted Koni sport setup available for $1200, but are backordered on the shocks. This setup can use any standard 2.5" OD coilover spring so is probably what I will go for.

Rennwagen

Why would you consider reputable manufacturers from Japan, "rice"?

RE Amemiya builds some of the fastest rotary powered cars in the world. Odula makes an Ohlins application for our cars. Kei Office stuff is great and HKS is certainly the real deal.

http://www.re-amemiya.co.jp/new_part...rx_8_quan.html

PUR NRG

These two statements sorta contradict each other.
The beauty of coilovers is the ability to adjust ride height and corner weight. They do not change spring rates.

I think you would be best served reading (and understanding) "How to Make Your Car Handle" by Fred Puhn.
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Matt RX8

BTW, I received that magazine and it was pretty worthless for track set-up information.

Anything with an RX-8 on the cover can't be that bad, however...

demon

If you don't think that one of the qualities of coilovers is the ability to easily change springs (and therefore spring rates) then I'm not the only one who needs the book you mentioned Thanks for the heads-up anyway, I've been looking for a decent handling book. Of course ride height and cornerweighting are other useful coilover functions, I figured that was a given.

I used to be able to swap springs in my Z in about 30 mins at the track.

I actually ran clockwise on the infield at California Speedway this weekend and posted a best of 1:21.28 in bone stock configuration. I think with some tires and sway bars this car would be really moving.

I still haven't recieved my Mazda Sport magazine, maybe it came today!

Stop&TurnFreak

Take this with a grain of salt, because the 8 I have is not an RX8, but an Evo8. However, I have a set of the 'rice' coil-overs, and I love them. Granted, I would rather have alot of things, but I got the Tein Flex system for about 950 bucks new. Guy bought them, and decided to go with springs, because he wasn't into adjusting the system wanted. Typical ricer, wanted the 'coil-overs' for mad crazy cornering ability.

Anyway, the ride is better than stock, and the ability to jack weight around is a HUGE help at the track. I clocked some 1:48's at RA on street tires, running about 18.5psi (had GOOD air though). If you don't plan to go with R compound tires or slicks, then I wouldn't go too extreme on the setup. I loose bite in my tires now, and I am only running Azenis 215's. The Tein's 'seem' to be quality built, and have proved easily adjustable at the track.

Again, I won't say they are the 'cats meow', but they are a nice step up from stock, and well worth the 950 bucks I dropped for them. Plus, they have enough adjustability, that the wife can learn how to setup the car, without being overwhelmed. And, any time you can get the wife to the track, well, that is just a win all around. However, for my One-Lap setup, I am having something 'custom' made from Eibach. Wait and see.......... :D

demon

Thanks for the words. I think people took my rice comment a little incorrectly - all I really meant was that I hadn't seen any definitive research/evidence regarding the quality of these units. I'm sure they are more than adequate for most uses. Nice times at RA too

A word about my car - it is about to become an <insert best engine guess here> equipped mostly-track car. I don't use this car daily so have no real need to compromise on anything. I'll definitely be running R compounds at a minimum - I had good success with the Kumho V710's on my Z racecar.

rabinabo

Yeah, I was confused about the ricer coilover comment too. Since you really can't see them without sticking your head in the wheelwell, they are very distinctly non-bling. The only rice quality to them is that you can lower your ride plenty, but it's only incidental. The only reason I can think of that you haven't seen definitive research/evidence is that it's not as easy to measure as horsepower, plus not too many people question their quality since those are exactly what most track cars use. The typical rice suspensions are the airbags so that you can make your car bounce.

Stop&TurnFreak

I would like my car to bounce . Not from the air in the suspension though. I knew there was a reason to take out the back seat, not for a cage, but for ............

If you do go the c/o route, get the car corner-weighted, thoroughly. Find out how much changing ride height makes in suspension bias. I spent 1 whole day at RA just playing with ride-height and corner-weights. Having done this for 15+years, I don't weigh them out anymore, I just take them to the track and tweak till it feels right. Then I put it on the scale. I was +2% loose after RA, right where the old girl needs to be. Safe, but unloads nicely off the corners.