I've had my Mazdaspeed springs for over a week now. I've got to say, they are VERY bouncy for me for daily driving. I've had H&R and Eibach in previous cars and they (especially Eibach) weren't this bad.

I do not have the Mazdaspeed shocks but I could only imagine it would make the ride even harsher. I'm going to stick with the springs for some time and see how it feels, but I may end up going back to the factory set-up.

Overall, I'm a bit disappointed with the Mazdaspeed springs.

Just my $0.02.

 

Based on the spring ratings I saw posted here previously, the stock shocks most likely can not support the Mazdaspeed springs. You are seriously underdamped.

 

Yup. Get the MS shocks and the bounce will go away, and the ride will be better.

 

Hmmm, you think it will make that much of a difference?

I just don't want the ride quality to be any harsher.

I'll look into it though. Thanks.

 

wow
this is the first complaint I have heard about any MS part

 

Yes but the MS springs were not designed to be used with the OEM shocks, so the complaint should be taken with a grain of salt (no disrepsect to 310Guy intended).

Also, 310Guy, I just noticed that you have the automatic, no? The auto cars don't get the OEM sport suspension that comes on the 6MT cars, so I suspect the shocks have even less damping than I was thinking. So, it may be that the MS springs would work OK with the sport shocks. But clearly they are not intended to work with the base shocks.

 

I had no idea the springs were different from each other on AT and MT models. I'd like to read more documentation on this...

 

I was referring to the shocks, actually. But the springs (and sways) might be different as well. I'll be honest - I'm not sure exactly what the difference between the base & sport suspensions are - the shocks could be identical. But there are two OEM suspension calibrations out there.

Checking the web site, I see that 4AT cars with the GT package do get the sport suspension (while 4AT base cars do not) so 310Guy has the sport suspension already.

My bad, back to your regular programming.

 

This info from Alex Cisnero's sticker post at the top of this forum:

*************
Stock RX8 6spd
F 155.61 lb/in
R 112.86 lb/in

Stock RX8 Automatic
F 144.21 lb/in
R 101.46 lb/in

Mazdaspeed Spring
F 280 lb/in
R 190.4 lb/in

*************
You have nearly doubled your spring rates without using a more responsive shock, so I can believe you're not liking the ride.

Suggest you either get the Mazdaspeed shocks or else sell your MS springs and get yourself a set of Tein H's (~ $150 on eBay), Tanabe sustec's, or something else that's much closer to stock spring rates.

 

Yeah, I'm thinking about changing the springs to something "softer." My mistake for not researching this more. I'm pure Mazdaspeed on my 8 (except intake), that's why I went with the springs. Oh well.

It will be less expensive, though, to go with another set of spring versus the shocks.

 

Get the shocks...

 

get the shocks

 

Damn, more money. Oh well. I will say I like the stance of my 8 with the MS springs. Just enough of a drop for me without scraping everything...

 

9 times out of 10, shocks should ALWAYS be replaced when lower springs are installed, since the OEM shocks can never accomodate the new specs of the springs. I have always found that replacing shocks and springs at the same time saves money in the long run, since you basically have the suspension apart anyway. If you do it separately, you now have to pay labor twice to get to the suspension.

Sorry, only replacing the springs is not a good idea.

 

as everyone else is suggesting, you need new shocks with the correct dampening.

 

or... sell the MS springs and buy the Tanabe NF210 if you just want it for looks

 

Yeah, Tanabe is first on my list if I remove the MS springs.

Does anyone know if the MS springs are linear or progressive?

 

Progressive...

 

Really? Huh, I would have thought linear based on how they feel (compared to the other aftermarket springs I had in the past).

Thanks.

 

I should also add to my "complaint" about the MS springs is that I recently increased my tire pressure to see if it would change my gas mileage. I talked with the shop that helped me put in the springs and they said to drop my air pressure back down and see how the ride is then. I think it's pretty cool they were looking into ways for me to NOT spend more money. Whether I get new springs or the MS shocks, they would be doing the in$tall...

We'll see how the my 8 feels over the next couple of days.

I still dig my RX-8 (even WITH the crappy mileage I get). :D