turok4n64

i know it's probably a personal preference thing, but i cant for my life decide on a lowering set up

i originally intended to get the
MAZDASPEED Lowering Springs Set

with the

MAZDASPEED Front Shocks
MAZDASPEED Rear Shocks (2)

but now I hear about Eibachs!!!


AHHHHH!!!!

I just want a smooth stock like feel but lowered

please help

i've researched and searched and everything else and I just cant figure it out for my life

Jax_RX8

If you want lowering with an almost stock ride, then you need the Tanabe NF210 (Normal Feel) springs. The springs lower the car 1.4" Front and 1.2" Rear and only increase the spring rate about 10% to compensate for the shorter spring travel. These are slightly lower than Eibachs and are softer, providing closer to a stock ride quality.

The Mazdaspeed Springs you are considering are very firm and are more for tracking/autocrossing and will significantly stiffen up your ride. Also, they only have about 0.8" drop F/R.

Also, the NF210 will work very well with the stock shocks, eliminating the need to purchase new shocks (unless yours are due for replacing anyways).

If you need to replace the shocks as well, Bilstein HD's or adjustable Tokico D-specs sound like they would suit your need for close to stock ride with the D-Specs being adjustable but more expensive.

Aipex8

iTrader: (1)

I agree. Tokico D-Specs can be set to softer than stock and the Tanabe NF are near stock spring rate.

BigRed

i have h&r springs and i happen to like them alot! i think they are about the same height as the tanabe...right?
-BigRed

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

There's some good information above. Also, check out this thread which has spring rates and lowering heights for most of the kits sold for the RX-8. Very useful post. The Tanabes definitely seem to be one of the most conservative springs out there, if not the most, other than the stockies. I'm concerned with how much they lower the car though, since the MS sideskirts I have are already pretty low to the ground. The Tein H-techs might be a good compromise.

snizzle

I was thinking the same thing. With mspd stuff, I can't even get underneath the car with stock ride height.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Exactly! And I've already scraped the rear underside of one of the skirts on a curb. I do want to lower the front more than the rear, which is why I'm thinking H-techs.

snizzle

Do you change your own oil? I have to drive my car up on ramps that are super low profile and placed at the end of the driveway before it hits the grass. I need a lift.

Olorin2

iTrader: (6)

Yeah, I change my own oil, but I'm able to just jack up the one side a little to get to the pan (I have a low profile jack that just barely clears the skirts).

turok4n64

thank you so very much for these posts, i will be getting the Tanabe NF210 springs and haven;'t fulled decided on replacing the shocks yet, but if I do they will either be Bilstein HD's or adjustable Tokico D-specs.

Thanks so much, everyone!!

CTrx8

iTrader: (2)

if you don't mind, can you post where you end up getting them? i'm trying to find a good deal on some myself.

turok4n64

sure will, will be buying stuff int he next few weeks, ill update it here when i do

dmp

Tien Basic Coil overs - No better performance per dollar kit out there. If you havent purchased, give the tiens a fair shake. My kar rides better than stock. More firm - but not harsh at all.

Jax_RX8

Here is the best deal I have found on the Tanabe NF210 Springs - $160 plus $10 shipping

http://www.performancecenter.com/pro...c+Applications

Here is the best price I have found on the Bilsteins HD's for the 8 - $411 w/free shipping

http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/i...cted_year=2006

turok4n64

wow those springs are very nicely priced!!!

their about $100 cheaper than then racing beat springs, and $100 cheaper than the mazdaspeed springs

what gives?

turok4n64

Tokico D-Specs, where to get these?

Jax_RX8

Here about $625 with rear adjustments (DPE is a good company and forum supporter)

http://www.dpeweb.com/ProductsList.a...oductTypeID=11

Jax_RX8

They are likely trying to move out stock they have had awhile.

Jax_RX8

BTW - I have been searching out some lowering springs myself for a while, being more concerned about the lowering than any added performance, and have just decided on and ordered these NF210's today. I intend to keep my stock Shinka shocks as they are still very new and a little better than a standard sport shocks - which is fine for my purposes.

I did consider the Sprint and a few others that drop more than these, but did not feel comfortable going any lower as too much drop will not allow you to keep your stock alignment settings creating heavy inside tire wear, and would likely cause some undercarriage dragging issues.

dmp

Or, for a few - just a few dollars more, you can get ride-height-adjustable coilovers

:D

myriadshalaks

iTrader: (1)

i think the coilovers are the better way to go as well. dmp, can you compare the teins to the mazdaspeed? review?

ac3mastuh

iTrader: (1)

i've never been a big fan of tein stuff but their coilovers are extremely reasonable. i recently got ohlins coilovers which cost me 2 arms and a leg but the ride quality on full soft is softer than stock and it looks awesome!

Jax_RX8

Update - Got my NF210's today and have scheduled to have them installed this coming Tuesday. I will provide an update then. I too was looking to lower some while maintaining a close to stock ride/performance as I do not track or auto-x my car - thus my choice for the NF210's.

BTW - I agree that the Tein Basics are a great deal for added performance and lowering - but that was not the topic of this thread - the original question by Turok was how to lower WITHOUT changing ride quality, not how to increase performance and lower. This was also what I was looking to do.

CosmosMpower

Mazdaspeeds will NOT give you a stock like ride. The spring rates are nearly double and you won't like it. I'm running MS and Konis and it's double the stiffness of stock.

I'd check out racing beat for stockish feel with a drop.

CosmosMpower

Please tell me you track or autocross the car. If you spent the money on Ohlins just to get a ride softer than stock I might throw up.