New Springs/Stock Shocks...Is it ok?
 

Wondering whether its ok to put new springs on stock shocks? Im looking at purchasing some Tein S-Techs and probably cant "spring" for shocks as well (pardon the pun) considering I just spent $2,000 on wheels and tires too... so.. is it ok? Also what is the general cost of spring instillation? Thanks to those who can help me with this!

well. a new set of spring with no new damper hardly makes a difference. try it you would know.. and besides, the springs would kill your shocks in about one year.
so your choice.

alot of us have just springs and stock shocks, you should be fine. As for install it depends, but a good guess would be $50 a wheel, so $200 for the whole car (you could do it yourself, there's a Do It Yourself write up on it here)

I've got S-Techs on the stock shocks, and I wouldn't say I have noticed a decline in the performance of my stock shocks. Thats after almost two years and 30k miles. I've often wondered what it would be like with Koni's, or some other type of aftermarket shock, but not because I'm in need of replacements.

I am on stock shocks and springs at 37K, and I have been noticing since 35K that the shocks are starting to go. I am getting a tad more bounce, a tad less damping.

Because the decline in shock performance is so gradual, and because people have different driving habits and are differently sensitive, it's difficult to notice this. One won't know how much one's shocks have degraded until the shocks are replaced.

At 35 or 40k on my stock shocks I really felt the rears starting to go, during high speed cornering 110mph+ it was very noticable with alot of bouncy bounce and wobbel from the rear end.

I wouldn't go with a stiffer sping than Racing Beats on the stock stuff, lots of people aggree that the MazdaSpeed spring is too stiff for the stock shock.

Do it all at once unless you can do the labor yourself and don't mind doing it all later and then paying for another alignment. Paying 100 for springs and using the factory shocks which will die soon is hardly an upgrade at all.

it will be fine for the people who don't know any better ....

Thanks to all for the replies. I suppose it will work but there may be issues in the long run and need to replace the shocks sooner or later. For now im most concerned with lowering the car some so I dont look like Im driving a 4x4....

Don't get why you would pay, or spend the time, to have the same work performed twice. Kind of like only getting the clutch replaced when you had planned on the flywheel also all along.

I spoke with another 8 owner at the track last summer that had RB springs/sways but OEM dampers. After about 10 minutes into each 25 minute session their car would get bouncy and in his words the ride would become "unpredictable".

just changed my stock shock to Type S shocks, if u check the part list, there is 2 type of shock, type s (which come with tye S and E cars) and nornal ones.

changed to mazdaspeed spring recently, i found that its more comfortable and perform better.

just that i am not sure is it realiable to have stock shock on MS springs.

I ran Eibach's Pro-kit springs on the stock shocks, and that was fine for a while. I don't care for the compression characteristics of the stock shocks at all. Mine were very "harsh" over small, quick impacts. Definitely not as harsh as a 350Z or Mitsubishi Evo, but not as well-damped as a WRX STI.

If you were doing the install yourself, I'd say go ahead and do the lowering springs now, then shocks later when you can afford them. If you're going to pay for it, wait until you can afford a good set of shocks too.

where are you located RX8Raider? Install should cost about 150-200....may or may not include an alignment.

I'm in NC.. thanks for the info kwescott!

So after installing new shocks/springs you always need an alignment??

Anyone have the shocks/spring install DYI link, I hate searching :)