iridearocket

I've come to the conclusion that putting aftermarket springs on the stock shocks is a pointless idea. The H&R springs were put on my car at the 10,000 mile mark, and now at 20,000 miles, the car is too bouncy. It is not terrible, but it is not acceptable for a car with the RX-8's capability. 6 more months and the shocks would be deadder than a doornail at the rate they are going.

I don't race the car and I sure don't hammer railroad tracks to see how fast I can blow up the shocks. I'm too old for that crap now.

We have debated before if lowering springs a) ruined shocks or b) that stiffer springs just make shock wear seem to be more evident... whatever the case may be... the bottom line is that the ride is ***** after a very short time!

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

FINALLY!!!

Everyone out there who keeps saying shocks aren't needed... read what iridearocket posted. Save your money now and by shocks/springs at once... you'll regret having to pay for the install twice.

Oh, Thanks for sharing your story.


-HS

grinn253

iridearocket which springs did you get? IIRC some springs actually have slightly lower to equal spring rates compared to stock such as the Tanabe NF series. Which one would assume would not hurt the stock shocks. The Tanabe NF series also lowers the vehicle by ~1.2 inches. A list of specs are here:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension-55/spring-rates-other-basic-suspension-info-79096/

310Guy

Interesting. In one of my previous cars (2000 Eclipse GT), I had Eibach springs with the factory shocks for 20k miles with no problems at all. Maybe it's the H&R's (spring rate)?

iridearocket

The H&R's are quite stiff and they lower the car a lot. I've not seen any RX-8 as low as mine, perhaps the odd one seemed to be close, but nothing lower for sure. In the beginning the handling was amazing, and I love a very planted ride. If you go with a more cushy spring, you will probably get away with it for a while longer than I did. I'd bet that there is no spring out there that is much stiffer or lower than H&R, being the reputable racing company they are. Already have the tokico D specs in the box ready to be put on in the spring, but as you say I have to pay the install twice... but that sure beats 2 more years of watchin my car turn into a bouncing ball.

Since springs and/or shocks really won't last much longer than 3 years of average driving, you should probably do both together.

And to be honest, until you have a great set of shocks and springs put on together from the beginning, you all who think you're car feels pretty good really have no idea how much better it might be. The average person who drives my car would never say it's terrible, but when you drive it every day and feel the spongyness start to set in, it becomes depressing. It's only been 1 summer of having these springs... and it was a great one, but it will not make a 2nd summer of good performance.

rabinabo

One other thing to consider is that lowering the car forces the stock shock absorbers to operate outside of their usual range. So if the shocks were designed to work within a specific range, you might be wearing them out faster.

Rotary Rasp

iTrader: (2)

What are you talking about, if that were the case mazda would be buying us all new springs and shocks at 40K. Your stock springs and shock should last at least 70K+ miles.

KJ238

The keyword in ur post is stock...

BigOLundh

iTrader: (1)

Also... theres is the performance benefit of upgrading your shocks.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

you didn't listen then, you probably still won't ...

Fanman

My RB shocks have been on for 10K miles now (stock shocks), still no problems. But they weren't nearly as aggressive as some of the springs (.5" drop vs. 1.25"+ for some of the other springs).

EZZY

got any pix of your 8 to show?

iridearocket

Rotary Rasp: The stock setup will be reasonable for a long time, but don't put a stiff spring on a shock with 70k or you'll thow yourself into a guard rail. If you like bouncy cars then you can get away with driving your suspension into the ground as you like, while sacrificing fun and your own safety.

TeamRX8: ???

I don't manufacture shocks, but I do race superbikes which have a more expensive single rear shock than most complete set of 4 aftermarket coilovers for cars. I know a thing or two about good suspension and how to set it up. After 2000mi the $2000 shock is dead as far as a racer is concerned and will never be competitive. You need a rebuild otherwise you loose too much time each lap. (Thankfully you can do this for $150 once you morgage your house to buy the darn thing in the first place.) If you take that rear shock which a racer considers dead, and put it on a road bike, the rider would be in heaven for at least 10,000mi.

Thankfully, I'm not that picky with my cars, but I'm trying to warn those who can save their pennies to mount shocks as well as springs (or coilovers) that in the long run you will be happier. If you can only afford springs, I would not go with a very stiff one otherwise you will notice that the response will be negatively affected as the shocks wear out.

I'm pretty confident that most people who mounted coilovers or spring shock combo's will have smiles on their face from ear to ear ever time they get in the car... for at least 3 years.

Anyone who wants to see a pic can e-mail me at idrivearocket@hotmail.com.

cgrx

I agree