^

They aren't very stiff at all. The rear Swift spring is 129lbs - same as an H-tech with. The front is 207lbs - same as an S-Tech.

I forgot Swift after having two Swift spring sets fail (excessive drop along with poor ride/handling) after 3 months use each on my WRX. Different application, but it was enough to steer me clear of their "less coils/stronger & lightweight metal/less spring rate" approach.

 

Wasn't that because they had two different types of springs or something for the sedan and the wagon, or something like that. I remember reading a thread a while back that explained that problem. I also remember reading a thread on clubwrx.net (I think) that explained the problem.

On the RX8, the swifts are good. There is a reason why top tuning companies like JUN, Zeal, Top Secret, even T1R (gives swift as a $200 option for the S2000), Spoon Sports, and RE (I think) uses swift springs. There is a reason why Isami Amemiya, and Nobuteru Taniguchi uses swifts on their cars.


TEINS are crap, I drove a friends rx8 with S-TECH's and the back end came out very easily, very easy to drift. You pay for what you get, the is a reason why the swifts are expensive; and why the TEINS only cost $150.

 

^
Yes, it was a defective Wagon spring design which Swift came out with. Version 1 sagged excessively. Version 2 was supposed to be a fix to the problem, but still sagged more than what they were adverstising. They ended up simply changing their advertised drop.

Swift does have a very good reputation otherwise. But, what they are known for is linear coilover springs more than anything. I unfortunately had a bad experience with their Sport Mach springs. Their approach to a lighter spring with less coils seems good in theory, but it didn't work for the WRX Wagon application.

FWIW. Statements like Teins are crap are blanket generalizations. DPE used to track well with both the Tein S and H Tech on Konis. Oldragger and myself are seeing much success with the Koni/H Tech combo. I've been happy with the H-Tech as a compromise daily driver/track day spring. It's a decent spring for what it is and it sees track days once every 6 weeks on my car, which is dialed in pretty well to my liking exhibiting neutral handling.
Saying that your friend's back end came out easily could have much to do with the overall suspension setup of that car - mostly alignment. Swaybars and springs would be contributing factors as well.

 

the Tein springs are OK, the coilover shocks are crap tho ...

 

I agree 100% with Team on this one. And, Tein H-Tech and S-Tech springs (as well as most mass market off the shelf springs which are biased towards ride instead of competition) are crap compared to a true competition spring for all out performance. Not nearly enough spring rate. But they're fine for what I need them for.

 

Sorry, when I said TEINS are crap I meant the S. TECH; I have never had any other experience from TEINS, but from the prices I cant imagine that their coil overs are good. Other wise stock suspension,with stock alignment's.

 

are the koni yellows the same as the koni sport on tirerack? anyone know why they only sell the front ones?

 

Yes, they are the same. They sell front and rear, except the front one says "front fitment" at the top of the entry, but if you look lower, it says: Note: Rear fitment. The part numbers are correct. If in doubt, you can call Tirerack...

 

OP: what did you end up getting?

 

Ja, what did you get?

 

i think he got H-techs from reading his posts... LOL

 

H-Tech's ha ha.......

 

Swift Springs for the RX8 are AMAZING. That's all i have to say. This is coming from an avid coilover user.

The SWIFTS Walked all over my car on NON SMOOTH SURFACES.

Rishie