Just got them installed the other day, And WOW the ride is just Amazing! They were worth every Penny!

 

If someone can still edit the first post, you should add the following:

MazdaSpeed Adjustable Coil-Over: F~400/R~275 2" maximum drop overall
Bilstein PSS9 Adjustable Coil-Over: F~370 (main), 145 (tender). R~375-445 (progressive) 2" maximum drop overall

 

ok so i have read most of the pages on rx8 suspensions and suspensions for dummies....... i have just a few questions. o and yes i have searched alot. and read alot of stuff. its a 04, non moded, daily driver only.

1. im just looking to drop the car. the lower the better. dont ask why. just one of those things.
2. im on a budget with a $300 max limit. uninstalled.
3. ive read about springs but what is/are spring rates and how do they impact the car and why do they matter to aftermarket springs?
4. u only replace struts once or twice in a cars life so im not looking to do coilovers due to the budget problem and replacing them with stock parts is still cheaper than most coilovers at $87 a strut uninstalled.
5. what is the impact on the tires if you lower it? more wear less wear?
6. im running the aftermarket springs on stock struts. is there a point where i cant get too low (ive read somtn about it not being good to go over 1" or you bottom out)
7. all the inches that are posted on the 1st page of this and many threads...are they permanent in that ive also read that those numbers are without driving for a while on the new springs that they actually get lower with driving time. for example 1.4" in the front brand new. 2" after a month of driving on them.
8. do i NEED to replace anything else with aftermarket springs?
9. finally brand names. Tein, tanabe, mazdaspeed, ect.....does brand count in this aspect. like i found a set called Dropzone Lowering Springs DZ Sport that bost a 1.8" drop all around. but ive read something about crappy brands needing to be replaced because they are made bad. anyone elaborate.

yes i realize some of these have been answered. trust me ive read the pages. however none to the detail that a complete suspension noob like myself can understand. so if you would be so nice as to respond can you dumb it down to like a 5th graders level please.

-icedemon

 

So, you've read it, you have very specific questions (that have been answered very specifically) and now you want to be spoon-fed?

Just leave your car alone. Or flip a coin. It just doesn't matter in your case.

 

maniac i respect what you have said.....i have no mechanical knowledge only audio/video knowledge. so when I read some posts i really quite honestly have no idea whats being said. I am only trying to buy them so my mechanic can put them on. not making any excuses but im just looking for help.

no i dont wish to be spoon fed. only led in the right direction. just lookin for a little bit of help as why i signed up.

 

OK.

So what do you want someone to tell you?
You've read the threads. You've asked very specific questions that are all very carefully addressed in the threads and answered in the only way that make sense.
Do you just want someone to tell you what to do?

 

thank you maniac...

any relevant links or threads you have knowledge of. i dont mind reading or trying too. so either any answers to any of my questions or just even 1 link. ill literally take anything. till than i will keep searching.

-icedemon

 

To be honest you have a lot of questions for someone that basically just wants to slam their car. I believe sprint springs goes low. I would change out the OE shocks as well. Read up and see what others are pairing up with the springs and then be done with it. When you have them installed be sure to tell the shop to preload the front so it settles down. The car will lower a bit more after a few days.

Checkout this thread for pics and what people are running.

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=springs

 

is the rear spring rate correct jeff? that seems very hi..

beers

 

Put 500 lbs of stereo equipment in it and you're golden, no lowering springs required


.

 

Paperwork with my Bilstein PSS9 (the GM5-B029 B16/PSS9 for the RX8) gives:
Front Spring Rate main 371 lb/in helper 80 lb/in
Rear Spring Rate main 240 lb/in

Cheers

 

A couple more data-points (is anyone gonna update the first post?):

Progress Technology Springs: Tein S.Tech SpringsEspelir Active GT Springs

 

very nice info

 

Folks,

These shots are before and after, the same day. I replaced stock Tokico shocks and springs with H-Tech and D-spec. D-Spec is set at 6. 5 was too hard. Will track at 5 though.

I read the DIYs here for install and pre-load. Biggest pain was fitting the adjuster cable through the holes in the back, they kept hanging. This is a 2 person job. Note, an 8 year old fits well in the trunk.

Before:




After:



Other notes, book says set D-Spec on 5 to start, it lies, start with 6.

I got most of the drop right away, am a 1/4 of an inch shy all the way around after 2 weeks and alignment. I was worried that some of the thousands of suspension posts said Tokico will add drop, but I did not see that compared to stock Tokicos.

 

^ 5 on the D-specs feels like stock to me. I daily drive on 5 and track on 2. Try tracking on 2-3. Ive been on the some of the same tracks as you

Ive never heard that the d-specs add drop, its the Koni yellows that add drop by themselves.

Looks nice though, good job. Yeah I wouldnt want to tackle that job solo.

 

Thanks,

I got one bridge on the way to work that is incompatible with 5. Think waves in concrete. Makes my teeth clack together. I will stiffen up for Roebling. I will be there with PCA on Sept 10. Thanks.

I could not find where I read about D-Spec and drop. Overall, I am really happy though.

Mike

 

no drop with the shocks..

do you self a favor.. turn them all the way in. then back them off 7 turns.. and enjoy the car on the road..

as to track settings. it will cost you a beer!!

i have some hints for the rear cables.

beers

 

Beer is in the veg drawers in the garage fridge. I am sitting at around 6 right now and happy. You mentioned the cables and I realized I did not post that picture.

Biggest surprise is the 1.5 to 2.0 instant increase in MPG. It has sustained over 3 tanks. A 10% increase in fuel economy from springs was unanticipated. Someone mentioned it, I figured no way (sorry whomever that was). I did not figure this was a mod that would help pay for itself, but I saw 300 miles on the trip odometer for the first time ever. I figure I am getting a free gallon of gas with every fill up.

Now, to figure out turn 1...

For the Rear Adjuster Cable (a separate item, make sure you order it).
I used this hole so they can stay out of the way. I then ran them over the liner. I did not cut a hole in the liner. Hardest part is the part of the cable on the top of the shock catches when you are about an inch from installed. you want to push out, away from the center line of the car, to knock it free. This was the hardest part of the install, the rest was just work.

 

Your sig pic looks like the midpoint of turn 5, or 5/6, depending on the numbers used at Roebling. Am I close? I will be there with the FCR PCA in a few weeks, I could not wait for Dark Side (Signed up there as well, may have MM tune done for that one with some luck). What other tracks? That is it for me so far.

I am investigating Seabring, I have a friend in PCA that is going to try. If he comes back with his car, it ought to be fun. I am looking forward to his gun camera video either way.

 

just throw o some bilsteins and cut the springs for a quick and "cost effective" result!

 

if you come up with something at sebring let me know i will be with you..

as to mpg. that is silly. disconnect battery? but they dont suck.

beers

 

Yeah Roebling was the track I was referring to. That is either turn 5 like you mentioned or turn 3. I cant tell in the pic. Has to be one of the two though.

 

Hey guys i need help. I have tein s thech springs and i want to know if i need cambers anyone can helpme please.

 

I assume you mean camber plates? No unless you have wheels with the wrong offsets. The springs fit on the OEM shocks just fine but you should get the car re-aligned as the drop in ride height changes your alignment.

I wouldn't change just the springs though. Change the shocks at the same time. You're doing all the work required to change both and you will want to change the shocks about 3 months after you change the springs. Trust me. Pick up the Tokico's or Bilsteins and put those in while you're at it.

And you don't need camber plates for those either.

 

what you gonna do with the car, track?? street?? or drift??
street you don't need much maybe -0.8 max
race , is depend on tire chose and how fast you are, it range from -1.5 to -2.5.
I don't do drift, so i don't know...