the_josher

I'm learning about my 8 everyday, and I really want a smooth ride on the road because sometimes it just feels like my ride is really bumpy.

Can anyone assist me in what parts I can get to make my ride a lot more smoother, thanks. only things I was interested in the past year was power gain but now im changing my ways

shaunv74

Tokico D-spec shocks.

crafted_soul

But aren't the sport cars' suspensions supposed to be siffer than regular luxury cars' ? True sport cars will always have stiff suspensions..right? So if you want a smooth ride, you might as well trade in your 8 with a Lexus. :D

lxlxlxl_saki_lxlxlxl

iTrader: (1)

Tein Flex Coilovers =] xD

shaunv74

The Tokico shocks are adjustable and can be softer or stiffer than stock with the turn of a **** on top of each shock tower.

crafted_soul

I forgot that they now have adjustable shocks....:D cool cool!

sticks888

http://www.extremeturbosystems.com/p...oducts_id=3013

Anyone try these? Might be what you are looking for. Saw them advertised in Modified Magazine. How do the specs compare with stock suspension system? Any techs/mechs/gearheads want to chime in?

Model: RX-8
Year: 04+
Body: SE3P
Part Number: DSM56-R1SS3
Note:
Front Spring Rate (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 5/280
Rear Spring Rate (kgf-mm/lbs-in): 3/168
Front Ride Height (in): -0.9
Rear Ride Height (in): -0.5
Front Ride Height Adjustment (Min): -0.6
Front Ride Height Adjustment (Max): -2.3
Rear Ride Height Adjustment (Min): -0.2
Rear Ride Height Adjustment (Max): -1.1

the_josher

im never trading in my 8 just want it a little smoother thats all

swoope

iTrader: (5)

if it is stock. you are done..

get some touring all season tires..

beers

savedsol

Some Goodyear Comfortreds on 17's (if you currently have 18's). You'll have yourself a Buick in no time!

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires....nce+ComforTred

SouthFL

Yes. Taller touring tire on smaller wheel and you're set. Bring out the Dramamine.

shaunv74

There is a springs sticky on this forum if you want to compare spring rates. Do a search. There's a lot of good information already posted.

the_josher

will do

Xtasy94

My '04 RX8 has been bumpier than **** since day one. I thought it was just me, but after driving my friend's 350Z and a few '04 RX8's over the past few years, I have concluded that my RX8 is an anomoly. The other RX8's feel almost as smooth as my ten year old Mazda 626. Mine feels like the shocks are nearly closed and not properly damping. It feels like a jolt every time I hit a bump. Even small irregularities cause the car to bounce, just enough, so that after 10 minutes, your neck hurts. Add that to LA freeways and I decided to stop driving my RX8 on weekdays. I just use my 626. Therefore I am typing this at the dealer waiting for them to get a tech to test drive the car with me. It's really disappointing. The worst part is that I never test drove my particular car. It was special ordered and I had driven RX8's about 4 times before I picked mine up and they were all outstanding. I just happen the get the one with faulty suspension. Kumho Escta SPT's help a little but there is something definitely different with my car. Tell me if yours is the same. Mine bounces on the freeway, mostly front end and it doesn't absorb bumps worth a damn.

Xtasy94

At this point, the tech has driven mine and another older RX8 with me. The older one had Falken 40 profile tires while mine has 45 Potenzas on the front and 45 Kumho's in the rear. The other RX8 was still slightly smoother than mine...Go figure, I'm not crazy after all. He is going to put mine on the lift and inspect the rear suspension to see if he can find anything. We'll see what happens and keep you posted.

shaunv74

I am guessing your shocks are broken or your springs have failed and deformed. My advice is swap out to the Racingbeat setup.

DarkBrew

+1

Get the RB complete kit, end links, adjuster cables plus D-spec shocks
Keep the stock springs if you want a really soft ride

Nubo

This is true. My OEM Dunlops were worn after 30,000 miles and I replaced them with Yokohama AVID W4S. My intent was to have a tire with a wider range of performance in terms of weather -- I never was crazy about the concept of "Summer only" tires and had several incidents where the Dunlops got unnerved in colder and rainer conditions (we don't get snow here but it does get into the 30's and rain).

Anyway, the Yokos definitely give a more compliant ride. Of course there is some tradeoff, like anything else tire design is a balance of compromises. These are not as razor sharp as the OEM. But my 8 is still far from being a land yacht. These are "ultra high performance All-Season". Not so far removed from the OEM, just a bit more optimized to retain grip in the cold/wet, and better water handling.

These tires are nimble enough for any driving short of track days, and I would say they are even superior as far as letting you know about your grip level and breaking free in a very predictable manner -- I've had some real fun powerslides with these, actually.

Anyway, if you're looking to tame the harshness just a bit, but still retain decent handling, this might be your ticket.

Xtasy94

So even though the tech admitted that the other RX8 was slightly smoother with lower profile tires and possibly stiffer suspension, his manager along with the useless Mazda techline claim it is because I have Potenzas in the front and Kumho's in the rear. This makes no sense to me since it was doing this worse when I had all Potenzas and the Kumho rear tires actually helped a little. My Potenzas still have about 5K miles left on them and I don't want to waste them. One of the guys who works there also has an '04 RX8 so I had him drive my car and his car which had a sportier Eibach setup which lowered the car and he admitted that his was smoother and that there was definitely something different about mine.

So now I have to write a scathing letter to Mazda and tell them what asses they are being about this. I had the same kind of thing happen to me 9 years ago when my 626 rotors were scoring badly after only 14K miles and they told me twice that it was normal. My mechanic was the one who spotted it originally and told me to take it in under warranty. After many letters and phone calls, Mazda finally admitted that there were a few instances where they had soft rotor castings and replace both the rotors and the pads. They have been fine ever since and now the car has 120K+ miles on it (I go real easy on my brakes).

I think any suspension I put on there at this point will be better than what I have. Does anyone know if there are any good adjustable suspension setups out there for our car? Thanks.

shaunv74

Never heard of it.

Especially not in any of the posts in this thread.

OR any of the posts in the tires/brakes/suspension section. Search there and you will find answers. there's a bunch of stuff out there on this forum already on the topic.

Nubo

Possible. Tires can get harsher as they wear and the treadblocks become thinner and less elastic.