Mazdaspeed - coilovers vs shocks&springs
 

I know this is a newb question - please excuse me but "coilovers" is not a term i'm familiar with .

It seems Mazdaspeed put out
coilovers : which are adjustable
and
shocks + springs : which aren't

can someone tell me what the differences are apart from the adjustability bit
Also what is the meaning of "coilover" . I always refered to them as shocks .

From my recollection, the coilover has spring rates in the neighborhood of KW Variants...and the MS spring/shock combo is much less...

This was originally posted by DPE (ex forum vendor) and I think it will help your basic understanding:

Coilovers and you. . .
To clear up some questions we've seen on coilovers, some have correctly (though confusingly to novice folks) pointed out that the OEM RX-8 suspension is in fact a 'coilover' suspension. By definitition, this generally means a 'coil (spring)-over-shock' setup. So it's awesome, we ALL have coilovers!

But not in the sense they are typically discussed on automotive forums. 'Coilovers' are nearly always aftermarket suspension kits that come with four shocks and four matching springs and are sold as a complete set. What makes these aftermarket 'coilovers' unique is that they all allow the driver to adjust vehicle ride-height by an adjustable lower spring perch or other means, depending on the application. Basic coilovers, including the aptly named Tein Basics, come as a kit with four shocks and four springs, and have an adjustable lower perch. With these you re-use the OEM upper mounts, and a few of the OEM hardware bits to complete the assembly. The shock on the Basics (also called the damper) is not adjustable.

More advanced coilovers such as the JIC FLT-A2s come with come with the upper mount, usually of the 'pillowball' variety (a spherical metal bushing in a metal plate rather than the rubber top mounts that most cars use from the factory). JIC and HKS do not come with a pillowball mount for the rear, deeming it unnecessary, while Tein does include rear upper mounts with their Flex kit. These kits also have adjustable shocks, which allows you to stiffen or soften how the car rides. This is a nice feature for cars that spend time on both the street and track.

Miscellaneous Comment #1: The aftermarket coilovers also come with proprietary springs, so one would never use their OEM springs or an aftermarket lowering spring with their new coilovers.

Miscellaneous Comment #2: There are some coilover kits out there that come just with springs and some mounting hardware, and you cut up a shock designed to fit in the OEM location (often Konis are used), put a threaded sleeve on it, and you've got coilovers! Ground Control is known for making these kind of kits. As far as I know there aren't any of these kits for the RX-8, just wanted to note it lest someone saw 'coilovers' of this kind and wondered about it.

Hopefully that information helps. Feel free to comment, criticize, or berate, just remember I'm the Mod on this specific forum .
__________________
Phil
Driven Performance Equipment
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2004 RX-8 GT - Finally!


Hope that helps some.

many thanks - that clears that up for me .

I have just puchased the MS spring/shock combo second hand (near new) thinking I was getting something special for cheap - Bugger ...

Its still pretty special :)

unless you're tracking your car, you'll love what the MS springs/struts will do for you... i do.

well i am tracking the car but i didn't want to go a lot stiffer than stock because 95% of my driving is street

for the 5% that you'd really be getting the benefit of coilovers it isn't worth the money. You'll be more then pleased with the MS struts/springs

Gotta strongly disagree. The MS suspension performs very well on the track. Makes it a completely different animal vs. the factory equipment.

i have ms springs/struts and love them every damn corner, i mean day

I have them too, and love them. But there isnt a strut/spring combo out there that will outperform a good quality coilover.

That is true, but those start at about $1500. I have less than half of that in my combo (Eibach springs+Bilstein shocks) and couldn't be happier. :)

Can't believe it has taken me so long - I only just installed them yesterday .Went to the track the day before and am really starting to notice the back bouncing around on fast sweepers - so it had to be done .
Installation took me all freakin day - first time I've ever attempted that job on any car.
Initial impressions are they feel only slightly stiffer than stock - not uncomfortable at all . Which was just what I was after .
Hopefully I'll get what i'm after on the track ......

brettus have you been to the track with your new mazdaspeed shock ?? if you dude what did you thinking of the shock compare to your stock ones

Hi Yushi .
No have not tried them yet - was going to go tomorrow but the whether looks crap

I have yet to track or auto-x my 8 since I installed .... well quite a bit, including the MS spring/shock setup. I've had a spirited drive on a back road or two and can say I'm VERY impressed with how my car corners now. It almost feels like I did sways along with the shocks and springs (that's next). As a matter of fact, I let a friend drive my 8 (he'd driven it before when it was stock) and he thought I did do sways along with them. When I told him I never got around to getting them (sways that is), he just was silenced in disbelief. He's itching more than I am to get my 8 to Summit Point for a lap or 40.

As far as street driving, it's fine. My wife rides and drives my 8 with really no complaints. She does like my dad's Lexus LS better, but come on!!!

One thing though. My 8 seems a bit lower than the 1" drop claimed by this setup. And it seemed even lower after a couple of months. Anyone notice this or have this happen?

Still no track time on these but I did take it to the twisties yesterday & I'm very very happy with how it is handling . The slight decrease in comfort is well worth it for the handling improvement .

pretty sure the car has dropped a little (10-15mm perhaps) after driving on this setup for a while . I know because I used to be able to get my jack under the suspension mounting points and now I can't . Funny thing is , it was the same height as stock when I first installed it .

Last week at the track - suspension felt good . Not great but certainly better than stock .

yeah.. forgot to mention that. After mine were installed it looked stock. A week later it had settled in and dropped. Low profile jacks ftw now. I even have some 5/8ths plywood cut into squares to drive onto to make the jack slide under easier.