Tanabe vs Eibach Springs
 

Pro Cons of each?

Eibach obviously has the stronger rep and more sales right now but I like how the Tanabe springs lower a tad more in the front and I have had Tanabe products in the past and they have been good quality.

Eibach: ~$230, 1.2F 1.2R lowering, unknown rates
Tanabe: ~$180, 1.4F 1.2R lowering, 3.2F 2.6R spring rate

Thx
-Chris

I have the eibach and the ride quality is great

also I like that the car is lower but not scraping around town

Where can you get these and who would put them on? Seems like a cool mod.

I got them from mazdatrix.com and they installed them for me in cali

Same here. Did a great job. They also installed my sway bars, borla exhaust, and K&N air filter. Very cool guys. Waiting for my clear lights from them.

Hey mike. We should meet up so I can see check out each others mods. When is the next so cal. meet??

I think we are gonna have a meet in jan

check under west forum

I just ordered a set of the Tanabe Grip Feeling SUSTEC GF210 springs, thought id be a bit different and read favorable reviews of their springs for other cars.

Ill letcha all know my opinions when I get them and get them installed ;)

-Chris

I just installed Tanabe NF210 springs on my 8 but have not driven it yet. Springs lowered the car a hair over 1".

I know I'm gonna sound like a dolt right here, but can somebody tell me what the differences between springs and coil-overs are? How do they compare as far as handling and ride quality is concerned? I would like to lower the car a bit and maybe get a little more road grip, but I don't want to change the ride quality much.

coilovers cost more and can be adjusted by owner

springs can NOT be adjusted

I'd be very intersted in seeing pix of the lowered 8 with Tanabe Springs?

I want to reduce the gap more in the front than the rear and don't want to spend the cash on Coilovers.

Also, I went to http://mazdatrix.com/index8.htm but didn't see the Tanabe Springs?

I would like to add to RotorMotor's question regarding coil overs. I understand that they are adjustible and that in most cases they increase road holding. do they however change the suspension geometry significantly in a way that might affect tire wear therefore causing problems like the 350z and its tire shreddign toe in?

I'm hoping on the questionary train here.

I talked to somebody recently and he told me I shouldn't just get springs to lower the car, having everything else stock (and lowering springs), it would damage the car.

After that I concluded I'm going for coilovers, is that correct? Can somebody point me into a product direction? Money is no object, I rather spend more for quality. And I dont' care if it screws the "smoothness" of my ride, I'm someone who likes go-karts, go figure :D

Deeper, harder, ... a pain in the ass,... but the more fun I have :)



I'm just so confused with the english terms. In germany you don't get just springs, over there everyone referres to a new "Fahrwerk" (translated: chassis) when talking about dropping the ride height

Coilovers are usually a complete system, a strut valved for a specific spring(s), they are usually multiway adjustable 4-22 points depending on maker for stiffness, ridehight, etc etc etc

Springs are generally just an increased springrate, not as agressive as a coilover usually and you cannot adjust them. They sometimes are made for stock struts, some really need aftermarket struts.

You can run lowering springs on stock struts and it wont damage the car in anyway, you are just likely going to need to replace your struts sooner than you would with the stock springs.

On my other cars (besides my Z) i have had lowering springs and/or coilovers. I definately prefer the coilovers for the adjustability but the ride always seemed harsher.

If you just want to get rid of some wheelgap and you arent going to be taking the car to the track (road courses) I would suggest getting a set of *mild* lowering springs and just put them on the stock struts, when the stocks blow (months and months down the line) get some adjustables like koni or kyb. If you want to get a full on suspension then I would highly suggest coilovers, they will improve the handling way more than just springs will, will be adjustable for different road conditions and will be a matched system (custom spring rates to a custom valved strut). But they will also cost about 10x the cost of just a lowering spring.

If you are getting coilovers I highly recommend getting JIC or Tein (I personally would get the JIC). As far as lowering springs stay away from anything that does an extreme drop especially if your running stock struts (that means stay away from Sprint springs). Eibach has always been known for their great ride and they can be used just fine with stock struts (I have Eibach prokits on my Eclipse w/ KYB struts and it rides nice), On my Civic Ive had Neuspeed Sport Springs w/ stock struts which rode very nice and the stock struts lasted forever, I then went to KYB AGX struts and Ground Control coilovers (it is still preferable to get a matched spring/strut coilover than piece them together like this)

Anyway.. update on the Tanabe GF210 springs, they are on backorder so it looks I wont get them for about 2 weeks but after reading reviews and looking at their page on how they make them I am expecting Eibach quality (which is very good) at a bit cheaper price and a tad bit lower in the front.

-Chris

thanks synthtk, outstanding post. Now I understand it, I guess I'm going for the JIC FLT-A2, kinda pricey but ok.

Btw, here is a nice guide on how to install 'em

Also I did want to clarify that most springs from good manufacts will also give a bit more agressive handling than stock (which is good imho since most factory suspension is mushy to make grandma happy) due to the higher springrates so its not just about getting rid of wheel gap usually the handling will improve also but just wont be as "racey" as coil overs like the JIC or Tein which are traditionally very agressive and harsh for race purposes.

With my Tanabes I am expecting reduced wheel gap and slightly improved handling but nothing too harsh to distract from the comfort of daily driving, same as the Eibachs.

-Chris

I would like to see the Tanabes when they are on too synthtk. I agree with most everything posted, except, if you are going to change your springs I would advise doing performance shocks at the same time. There are a number of reasons for this. The most important in my book is ride quality. From the start the shocks will be more compressed than they are designed to be which will result in poor rebounding etc. + they will wear much faster than with a stock set up. On my previous cars I did springs only and found that the shocks needed replacing within 1 year with low mileage driving. Unless you are doing it yourself there is also a cost issue as it is very little more, if any, to replace the shocks while you are doing the springs. You will basically pay twice in labour to do the shocks months after doing the springs. I will do both at the same time. Lastly, the vast majority of daily drivers looking for a change in look will never get their $ worth out of coilovers. Unless you MUST have the low ride, are entering the car in shows or are on the track go with good springs mentioned above and performance shocks.

Chris,

Any update? Especially if you have pictures of them installed. I'd like to see how the rake is since it appears the front will be a bit lower.

Thanks.

any pic on the tanabe install ?
its a good choice between both suspensions brands
i personally used tanabe sustec on my fd.
it felt more stable than my friends eibach setup.
but of course that was on a different car.

Mikeb, after the Eibachs install, I assume you got a new 4-wheel alignment.

Was there enough adjustment available in the lowered suspension to get back to the stock camber settings? I'll likely get Eibachs or the Mazdaspeed springs in a couple of months.

THanks

I have not had a alignment yet but the car drives very straight still

hmm, im leaning towards the eibachs, is it neccesary to install aftermarket struts/shocks for this setup?

For those who have installed the Eibachs, are you using it with the OEM shocks. And what's the ride quality like when compared to the stock setup?

TIA,
Pete

p.s. Anyone has tried the Mazdaspeed spring/shock setup?

I have eibachs with stock shocks and the ride is just as good if not better than stock. the car is not too firm

bump

just thought i'd give this a bump since i just installed these springs (after four months of them in my trunk)
the eibachs ride isn't noticeably different from stock. it doesn't make the ride any harsher, i do feel like it reduces body roll though. in regards to springs rate the eibachs are progressive so they respond to tension/load. so they rates will change according to how the car is driven. the car has a a bit meaner stance. the only thing i don't like is the fact that the rear sits lower than the front. but i knew that initially so it wasn't a big disappointment.