Shocks
#1
Shocks
I purchased a RX8. The car had Megan Shocks on it. I checked the forum and they do not get positive reviews. How bad are they? Does anyone have any experience with actually using them? The car is going to be a track dedicated.
#2
Registered
iTrader: (1)
Do you mean Megan coilovers?
I have no personal experience, but they're just a basic one-size-fits-all coilover. Your car won't explode, but expect a bouncy ride and less than ideal grip in race conditions. Before you dive into replacements, do a few track events, get a feel for the car and solve problems from there.
That goes for any new track car. The suspension may not be the thing holding you back
I have no personal experience, but they're just a basic one-size-fits-all coilover. Your car won't explode, but expect a bouncy ride and less than ideal grip in race conditions. Before you dive into replacements, do a few track events, get a feel for the car and solve problems from there.
That goes for any new track car. The suspension may not be the thing holding you back
#4
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
well why didn't you ask in one of those threads instead of starting a new thread on cheap, crappy shocks in the race forum area? There are plenty of shock threads in here where people have numerous reviews and you should be able to assess rather quickly who's using what successfully.
Guess what; it's not those shocks. That said anything will get you by for the short term.
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Guess what; it's not those shocks. That said anything will get you by for the short term.
.
Last edited by TeamRX8; 10-26-2017 at 02:11 PM.
#5
Water Foul
If you want a competent hybrid coilover, look at Bilstein PSS or PSS9 or Ohlins DFV, depending on your budget. Bilsteins are good shocks that will give you solid performance and communicate their limits. PSS9 has a "rebound" adjuster that is little more than a gimmick. The collective verdict on Ohlins is, that they are great shocks that will make you feel like Superman, and cause to to tend to want over-drive the limits of your setup, because you feel like the car should be able to do even more than the more they granted you. The shocks are so good, you will basically over-drive your spring rates and roll stiffness. That's not a bad thing, just something to be aware of.
If you want a dedicated track setup, look at Penske, MCS, Ohlins Track, Feal, and Fortune, in that order, with appropriate spring rates, also depending on your budget.
Virtually everything else is junk.
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Last edited by Steve Dallas; 10-26-2017 at 09:47 PM.
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Warrior777 (08-28-2023)
#6
Do you mean Megan coilovers?
I have no personal experience, but they're just a basic one-size-fits-all coilover. Your car won't explode, but expect a bouncy ride and less than ideal grip in race conditions. Before you dive into replacements, do a few track events, get a feel for the car and solve problems from there.
That goes for any new track car. The suspension may not be the thing holding you back
I have no personal experience, but they're just a basic one-size-fits-all coilover. Your car won't explode, but expect a bouncy ride and less than ideal grip in race conditions. Before you dive into replacements, do a few track events, get a feel for the car and solve problems from there.
That goes for any new track car. The suspension may not be the thing holding you back
I know there is no substitute for track time, but I do eventually want a competitive car. It's not in me to just tool around.
I realize they are extremely limited (mono shock / damper adjustment only), but i'm just trying to get a feel for their short coming and see if I can make it thru a few track days.
Appreciate the feed back
Last edited by jayh; 10-26-2017 at 09:45 PM.
#7
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You'll be fine on them while you're getting used to the car but if you want to be competitive, you'll want to change them out. IMO, any coilover costing less than $2k is a complete waste of money for track use.
I like my KW Variant 3's (normally ~$2500) but only because I got them lightly used for $1500. If I were paying full retail, I'd have gone with Ohlins DFV or just gone straight to Shaikh at FatCat Motorsports for a non-adjustable setup.
All of that said, I have a friend in an RX-8 who did a ton with his Stance coilovers. They aren't well-liked here but he says they have great customer service. He used to autocross in STX but migrated to NASA TT and does very well. Well, he DID very well until he flipped his car at Autobahn Country Club.
I like my KW Variant 3's (normally ~$2500) but only because I got them lightly used for $1500. If I were paying full retail, I'd have gone with Ohlins DFV or just gone straight to Shaikh at FatCat Motorsports for a non-adjustable setup.
All of that said, I have a friend in an RX-8 who did a ton with his Stance coilovers. They aren't well-liked here but he says they have great customer service. He used to autocross in STX but migrated to NASA TT and does very well. Well, he DID very well until he flipped his car at Autobahn Country Club.
Last edited by NotAPreppie; 10-27-2017 at 06:39 AM.
#8
I had a set of the now discontinued 8100 series Penske coilovers on my previous car. They were great easy to service and Penske was helpful. I checked the forum but haven't located anyone running a set. I guess it's due to high costs.
Do the KW or Ohlins have remote canisters?
Do the KW or Ohlins have remote canisters?
#10
Water Foul
I had a set of the now discontinued 8100 series Penske coilovers on my previous car. They were great easy to service and Penske was helpful. I checked the forum but haven't located anyone running a set. I guess it's due to high costs.
Do the KW or Ohlins have remote canisters?
Do the KW or Ohlins have remote canisters?
#12
I'm running these. Not enough track time on them yet to have an informed opinion but they are well respected among racers. Only complaint is that they leak often.
AC
#13
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
Make sure they’re not using the low friction shaft seals because that’s the rub on those. Also need to make sure there’s no side loading on the shaft; free-rotation sphericals on both ends solves that. The seals are designed to use pressure to seal also; some people make the mistake of trying to run lower than the minimum recommended nitrogen pressure. Who’s working on them might impact that some too in my experience ...
I had the very first set for an RX8 made in early 2006; used them several years, sold them, then bought them back several years later. So they’re over 11 years old now, though a lot of parts have been replaced over that time. You can service them yourself by investing in a few special tools, but the issue with that regardless of which brand/model shock is being used is having the ability to dyno check them to ensure they were done properly.
I had the very first set for an RX8 made in early 2006; used them several years, sold them, then bought them back several years later. So they’re over 11 years old now, though a lot of parts have been replaced over that time. You can service them yourself by investing in a few special tools, but the issue with that regardless of which brand/model shock is being used is having the ability to dyno check them to ensure they were done properly.
#15
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
You should also consider Shockwears or something similar to keep the abrasive grit around the shaft/seal to a minimum
Late Model/Modified | Shockwears
Late Model/Modified | Shockwears
#16
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I like the current suspension in my 2010 GT. Should I go OEM or is there a batter value in the aftermarket for cost and logenvity?
My 2010 GT - with 51K miles - driver side rear shock damper went from fine (last week) to leaking oil status. What should I do: OEM damper replacement (Mazda part F197-28-700A listed as two parts short and large (Bilstein)) or is there a better alternative out there today in 2019? I really liked the stock setup. I see from searching ahead of time that the Bilstein PSS9 is highly recommended (for track/racing).
My 2010 GT - with 51K miles - driver side rear shock damper went from fine (last week) to leaking oil status. What should I do: OEM damper replacement (Mazda part F197-28-700A listed as two parts short and large (Bilstein)) or is there a better alternative out there today in 2019? I really liked the stock setup. I see from searching ahead of time that the Bilstein PSS9 is highly recommended (for track/racing).
Last edited by wannawankel; 08-29-2019 at 05:55 AM.
#17
Water Foul
Off the shelf Bilstein shocks are quite nice, and are an improvement over the factory shocks. They also last forever. If you want to stay similar to stock, Billies are an easy decision.
If you want to go to coilovers and are considering PSS9, look at PSS instead and spend $500 less. The shocks are much better without the gimmicky adjuster, which does nothing useful.
If you want to go to coilovers and are considering PSS9, look at PSS instead and spend $500 less. The shocks are much better without the gimmicky adjuster, which does nothing useful.
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wannawankel (08-29-2019)
#18
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I wanted to confirm that the Bilstein equivalent to the Mazda F197-28-700 part is the B6 (Bilstein's site will not accept the Mazda part nor MY info - seems like their product page isn't working on 3 separate browsers). They do recommend the B12 and PSS - but I know that's not the OEM replacement. It's because their site can't give me the shock for a 2010 GT - but I can see the 2006 RX8 items - they list several B6, B8s.
In addition - while I'm in there - what other parts like absorber/gaskets shall I also replace as preventative maintenance?
In addition - while I'm in there - what other parts like absorber/gaskets shall I also replace as preventative maintenance?
Last edited by wannawankel; 08-30-2019 at 10:04 AM.
#19
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
For OE replacements, the S1 rear shock perch position is different than S2 and not interchangeable, but the fronts are the same and interchangeable. There were some variations of specific models too; Shinka, 40th Anniversary, R3 which I think were OEM specific Bilsteins. So you need to keep that all in mind.
the rubber pieces in the top mounts should all be renewed. That should cover it for installing OE-replacement shocks only.
if you get an adjustable coilover kit instead then they’re all the same for S1and S2 models since the ride height is adjustable. So the rear shock perch thing goes away.
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the rubber pieces in the top mounts should all be renewed. That should cover it for installing OE-replacement shocks only.
if you get an adjustable coilover kit instead then they’re all the same for S1and S2 models since the ride height is adjustable. So the rear shock perch thing goes away.
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Last edited by TeamRX8; 08-30-2019 at 10:50 AM.
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wannawankel (08-30-2019)
#20
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I assume that when I go to order, the online parts places like Summit or Tire Rack will be able to lookup the exact OEM replacement for perfect fit.? when I give them the Y/M/M as 2010 Mazda RX-8 GT. It makes me nervous that Bilstein's site cannot give me the OEM replacement for the 2010 Mazda RX-8 GT.
#22
Water Foul
I assume that when I go to order, the online parts places like Summit or Tire Rack will be able to lookup the exact OEM replacement for perfect fit.? when I give them the Y/M/M as 2010 Mazda RX-8 GT. It makes me nervous that Bilstein's site cannot give me the OEM replacement for the 2010 Mazda RX-8 GT.
#23
No respecter of malarkey
iTrader: (25)
I was surprised that RockAuto doesn’t offer any shocks at all for the S2 models
alternatively, you could put a set of Koni STR.T shocks on it, which are their newest non-adjustable OE replacement type, though with upgraded valving over OE. They do have a specific S2 listing.
2009-2012 Mazda RX8
Front 8250-1040
Rear 8250-1042
alternatively, you could put a set of Koni STR.T shocks on it, which are their newest non-adjustable OE replacement type, though with upgraded valving over OE. They do have a specific S2 listing.
2009-2012 Mazda RX8
Front 8250-1040
Rear 8250-1042
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wannawankel (08-27-2023)
#24
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Looks like Koni has a replacement set for the S2 rear: https://shop.koni-na.com/products/8240-1280sport . Anyone tried these?
#25
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Anyone with a Series 2 running Koni Orange STR.T 8250 1042: https://www.fitmentindustries.com/st...rand%20Touring