I assume that you are planning on switching out the struts as well? If not, then you may want to stick with something a little closer to stock, but that gives you a drop. If you're planning on switching out your struts...you best bet is to stick with the matched set of MS springs and struts. They are made for each other and I don't feel much difference in ride quality from the stock Sport suspension. However, the drop is nice, and the quality of the performance on the track is incredible, and very predictable.

Another option for you may be a coilover...that way, you have some adjustability in both ride quality and ride height.

Two of the guys in our group have gone with the Tein S-techs...and have stayed with the stock sport struts. I've driven their cars and the feel is nice...and drop seems perfect.

I'm doing Tein S-techs with stock struts, my ride feels pretty good and the drop is fair I'd say:


http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/6500/pict0007xm0.jpg http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/2406/pict0010hr7.jpg
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/3641/pict0025se9.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2973/pict0034uq9.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/2320/pict0006ey4.jpg

Thanks Shinronin!! Next question would be, what shocks will work best with the tein s. tech springs? I'll check out the pricing..not unless you have those handy?

i'm 99% sure the tein s.tech's are designed to work best with the stock shocks. someone else will surely correct me if i'm wrong. ;-)

They should work fine with the stock struts...I definately wouldnt see a reason for changing out perfectly good stock struts with the S techs. The spring rate is about the same so the strut will not be working that much harder.

okay guys, i've been readin a few threads about springs now an i wanted to ask you guys cuz im really confused. i wanted to get the koni yellow shocks. but wat springs go well with the koni shocks? i am doing mostly street driving and no real autox or drag or watever. so wat would u guys recommend the most with those shocks??

... in that case, how low do you want to go? that would really be the only thing you are concerned with. :)

My question would be, why do you want to go with the Koni Yellows...they are a really stiff option and are going to be difficult to match up nicely with any spring. The stock Tokico's will go with most springs without much difficulty...of course they will wear faster, but the valving in them is not as stiff as the Koni's. This is just my opinion...


If you are set on the Koni Yellows, maybe go with a softer spring in the ride height you are looking for.

^^^ I agree with him. if you are not racing it, why bother with the struts? (or are you looking for a better mountain runner?)

if your set on the Koni's then dont get the mazdaspeed springs. they are pretty stiff from what I hear. the two will beat you up. honestly, just pick the drop you want, and then find the spring that best fits that on the first page here. :)

for a long time I used to have stock struts and sprint drop springs. car handles fine like that. but it's all up to you. :)

oh okay guys, hahah i shall look at the springs and juss use them on stock struts. i juss thought that if i got aftermarket srpings, then i thought i had to get some shocks or soemthing and i heard the koni yellows are the best. hahah thnx guys. i shall look at the springs now:)

Swift springs added.

I wrote to Sprint to ask then what their spring rate are... here is their reply.

Hello Casey,

We no longer provide spring rates due to coping of engineering and design of SPRINT Springs, you may find many other manufactures also do not for the same reasons. We can say our springs are approximately 20%-30% firmer than your current OE springs application. We thank you for your questions and support of SPRINT Suspension.



so I wrote back and told them that I have a spring rate checker (which I do) but I just didnt want to have to pull them off to find out. I also said that I understand their resoning, but If I have a spring rate checker, then so do the people that would actually copy their springs.


anyways, here would be the 20-30% numbers

Sprint
Front drop 2"
Front rate 187 - 202 lb (20-30%)
Rear Drop 2"
Rear rate 135 - 147 lb (20 - 30%)

updated the first post.

Anybody know whether there are any differences between a GT springs vs. SHINKA springs? We aren't talking about the shocks, just the springs...also...what is the average life of springs? When you change it out, should you do the shocks as well? Asking because I got some shinka springs that I might want to swap out with the GT's...

They are the same, would be a waste of time. The springs should last the life of your car.

Hmm..oh, well :p Would it really last the life of the car?? Am I to assume that the weakest link would be the shocks, not the springs if this is the case?

yes, struts will wear (40,000 miles or so sound about right ULLOSE??) but springs take more like 300,000 miles or 50 years or so. (cars from the 50's and 60's are getting spring sag.)

Dang....I assumed the springs last just as long as the shocks/struts..but 300K??? Guess it is a good thing I bought the Shinka springs for only $20 :p Hmm...anybody have any ideas on how to use these?

I noticed that there were suspension options when I purchased my 2004 RX8, but when we went to purchase another 8 in 2005, all 8's came with the "GT" factory package for springs/struts/sways....so no more differences.

Maybe I can put them on my wife's van?? :) Hahahaha..damn..guess I'll have to find someone who needs the GT/Shinka springs for the 03-04 owners :p

Anyone near Rancho willing to help me install the S-tech or know any shops who can install them cheap?

I've done 4 spring installs so far....a spring collapser and air compressor makes the job easy.

I'm located in Fontana.

Alignment Needed?
 

Is there a limit on how low you can go and still maintain the factory alignment specs (camber issues)? If I drop the front and rear 2", can I still align w/o a camber kit?

I have the sprint springs (2" drop) and I can not maintain factory settings..... so no not that low.... any other spring though and you should be fine.

Good info here guys - tks speeddemon.

I'm pretty sure I've got the overall idea, but let's just confirm my new knowledge. Here's the plan - I have my eye on a set of wheels I like and will be buying over the next 6 weeks or so (got snows on til April-ish). Long story short - I want to lower the 8 when I get the new shoes.

So here's how I understand it - correct me if I'm wrong. I can buy a set of springs that will provide me with the drop I want and don't need anything else. Stock shocks can stay, and just swap to the new springs when the tires are switched for the desired look. (Assuming I don't try to slam it.)

Correct?

no problem!

you got it. :)

(besides getting an alignment when your all done.)