Omicron

[RantMode]

Not that aftermarket springs don't make the '8 look good.. they do, IMHO, but why oh why do NONE of the aftermarket springs set the front and rear wheelwell to tire gap the same?

Tanabe, Tein, Eilbach, Racing Beat, Mazdaspeed, you name it - they ALL leave a good 1/2 inch larger wheelwell gap in the front than the rear.

Yeah yeah, I know, unequal length springs may alter the balance of the car. But most of the springs mentioned ARE unequal... just not enough to balance the wheelwell gaps. I can't believe that another 1/2 lower in the front would change handling that much.. could it?

I'm about ready to buy a set of these, then just put the front springs on and see how it does.

[/RantMode]

Discuss amongst yourselves.

syntrix

Wow, I just had a chance to dial in my suspension on the track.

I have no local access to corner weighting, so I did some pit-tuning today

I thought things were about even, maybe a mil or two higher in front.

I started with some baseline settings from the street.

HUGE amounts of oversteer on the track, MUCH more than stock.

After working with the dampning, I got a bit out, but not to acceptable levels of oversteer, still way too much.

So I got a few friends, level pavement, etc... noticed the front was just a tiny bit higher than the rears, so I dropped the front down about 1/4 inch more.

First run out... woah, feels good. Get the tires hot and do a few more laps... WOW very good! After a few dampning tweaks, the car is very very very good right now! I'm hooked.

So it's just a very slight rake to the front, almost looks like it's level, but distribution of the weight can make a huge difference on the track... without baseline corner weighting, I was actually scared and fretting taking it to the track.

Turned out to be a good day, and I look forward to eating S2000's on the track tomorrow.

BTW, mine are JIC's with 9k front and 5k rear.... this probably won't apply to most spring manu's as the stiffness makes a huge diff, too!

Ned M

iTrader: (2)

Omicron, the Tein site says their S-Techs will drop the RX-8 1.4" front and 0.7" rear. That ought to just about equalize wheelwell gaps, since the stock gap is about 1/2" more up front. Spring rates are quoted at 207/145 lbs/in F/R. Bong's car looked pretty even with the Teins altho it is hard to tell from the photos because of the black car in bright light.

Another option a few $ short of adjustable coil-overs might be Koni Sport shocks (if available for RX-8 yet - I haven't checked). The Konis on my RX-7 have a 3-position setting for the spring perch that lets you adjust height up or down about 10mm at a time.

mdw33333

I have to agree with Ned, the Teins did look even to me on Bong's car. I'm going with the Teins, if I can get a hold of a set. If they don't even it out, then I'll just cut a coil off on the fronts! JUST KIDDING!

Ned M

iTrader: (2)

After looking at Leegina's titanium w/Tein S-techs (new thread) I think the Teins do a pretty good job of evening the gaps front and rear.

JASRX-8

why not just get coilovers and get the ride height you want?

mdw33333

I don't want to spend $1200-$1500.

mikeb

I agree
I have eibachs and the ride is great but I wish the front was a tad lower, but since the front is not so low I never hit anything or drag thank god

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

As time goes on, your springs in the front will lower further. It takes time for the springs to settle. In my previous car the front settled about 20% lower than the rear ones. My previous car was front heavy (not 50/50) but even in the 8, the fronts should settle futher.

Most of your cars are pretty fresh, and havent gotten to that point yet.

-Harry

Napboy

i have eibachs also and there will be no further settling in the front. i'll either have to replace them or deal with the larger gap in the front.

310Guy

I was actually thinking about this. I've ordered the Mazdaspeed springs. However, looking at the pix that I've been able to find, it *seems* the Mazdaspeed springs don't make the rear look that much lower than the front as with other springs...

Obviously, I'll know how it looks in person after I have them installed.

Omicron

FYI folks, this is a fairly old thread. I have since gone with the Tein H-Tech springs, and couldn't be happier. Details here.