Haze

Hey guys -

Sorry to bother you all with a new thread, but I couldn't find any posts on after market shocks for the stock springs and suspension. Sometime during the winter my left shock went boom-boom and spilled all of its oil over the bottom of the spring so it's time for new shocks. Since this shock only lasted 20,000 miles I was wondering if anybody knew of an aftermarket shock made for the stock set-up that might be a heavier duty and better damper than the stock shock was? I was also wondering if anybody had an opinion as to whether it would be preferable to replace all four shocks or just the front pair if I changed to another manufacturer of shock? I'm sorry to ask such basic questions, but I really am just looking for a slightly better damper which will last longer than the stock one did, and I have no idea if anybody manufactures an aftermarket damper or who would be good for the stock set-up. Any help is always appreciated and thanks - Haze

idriverx8

I think Mazdaspeeds would be your best bet. They will mount up just like the stockers. Should be a fairly comfortable ride.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...daspeed+shocks

http://www.srmotorsports.com/RX8_Per...ion_Parts.html


I am getting some Koni's should be available by the end of April. I called The Tire Rack yesterday and they gave me pricing of $163 a piece for the fronts and $146 a piece for the rears.
The Koni's should be stiffer than the Mazdaspeeds and offer a harsher ride but better performance for racing(my opinion, others may disagree).

www.tirerack.com

http://www.koni-na.com/display.cfm?m...ubmit=Continue

Haze

Thanks idriver! That's just the sort of stuff that I needed to know. I am annoyed though that thread should have come up in my search, but I typed in the word blown and because the other thread had it in quotes, no such luck. Thanks for giving it to me. It seems to me that I should replace all four if I am going to go to a stronger shock.

Are you keeping the stock springs with the Konis?

idriverx8

I would replace all 4.
Yes I am keeping my stock spings because I have to to stay in my stock category when I race.
Here are some threads on springs

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/shocks-springs-vs-coilovers-56516/

https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/spring-rates-33424/

Haze

Great, I don't want to replace the springs unless I absolutely have to, which it seems that I don't, so I will keep the stock springs and use four shocks.

My independent mechanic tells me that Mazda has a TSB out about the shocks leaking oil although Mazda is only supposed to replace them if there is "too much leakage". Now what that means I have no idea. Leaking is leaking and it should be replaced, however mine is definitely too much. The shock is clunking around all over the place and the entire bottom of the spring is covered with oil. I find this particularly irksome because I took the car to the Mazda dealership to have the clunk looked at and the mechanic there said that there was nothing wrong and that they were "unable to reproduce the clunk", which is total bull or the guy is totally incompetent. I have seen few shocks go this badly.

I too think that I will go with the Konis. I have them on my old Alfa where they have worn well for twenty years. I am pretty disappointed with Tokico and Mazda for this low grade part and poor service. Thanks very much for all the help. - Haze