Yes i know there are billions of threads on springs. Each with reviews etc etc. Im looking to finally lower my 8 this spring. Im torn between the s techs which most people have on their 8s and the tanabes. It seems that the s techs are probably the SAFEST springs to go with stock shocks but i was wondering how the stock shocks would hold up on the tanabes.

Looking for a drop that will even out my front and rear wheel gap. They both drop the same in the front but the tanabes drop a bit lower in the rears. Thoughts ? Opinions please

s techs
Ride Height (F) -1.4in (-36mm)
Ride Height (R) -0.7in (-18mm)
Spring Rate (F) 207lbs/in (3.7kgf/mm)
Spring Rate (R) 145lbs/in (2.6kgf/mm)


tanabes gf
Front Lowering 1.4in
Front Spring Rate 3.2kg/mm
Rear Lowering 1.2in
Rear Spring Rate 2.6kg/mm

 

how many miles are on your car? either one of these springs KILL your stock struts. id suggest buying some stock style struts and do the tanabes.

 

Stock shocks will eventually fail prematurely with any lowering springs. Personally the Tanabe's look better and if I was to replace my Teins again I would go with GF's. I only went for S techs again on my KYB shocks because I received the new S techs in trade. But for ride quality you might want to go with the Tanabe NF's since they have a softer spring rate.

 

Right now i have about 85, 000 km on the car (its an 06).

9krpmrx8: Really ? In terms of looks i was leaning more towards the s techs cause they drop the front more than the rear and the stock suspension has my front higher than my rears like most rx8s. Im worried about the GF (or NF .. they drop the same) dropping too low in the rear. But ill go with your advice though thanks.

I know the shocks will eventually fail but how long approximately does it take ?? I mean i dont track the car yet (probably start next year) and toronto roads dont have many potholes (there are some but they are avoidable). Will the stock shocks hold up at least for a year ? to give me time to buy some shocks in the future

 

85k clicks is about 52-53k miles... the recommended interval for struts is 50k although most people get 74k out of them before failure. of course that number drops significantly with lowering springs.

 

^ youre making me rethink this lol. Thanks for the info.

 

I have had two sets of stock shocks on lowering springs and both sets lasted a bit over 50k with some hard driving and a few autox days.

tbk started out with tanabe's and I was always jealous of how the rear sat compared to my S techs. With my new KYB shocks (high pressure) and S techs, I think mine sits too high in the rear. I do have a set of megan's laying around though that I have been thinking of throwing on but I'll probably just get coil overs once my tuning and turbo stuff is completely finished.

I am very happy though with how the KYB's and S techs work together though, the car handles great. You could also pick up a set of low mileage stock shock for next to nothing ( I have a couple of sets) so don't worry about blowing them.

 

Thanks bro. That really helped with my decision. Tanabes it is. Cant wait ... i just cant stand the wheel gap anymore. Appreciate the help.

 

^^I'm in the same boat. Can't stand the wheel gap anymore and trying to decide on coilovers, wheels, tires, etc.

 

^ was gonna go the coilover route but 1000 bucks . I unno its a bit steep for me, even though i have purchased parts for that price lol. Right now i cant see myself spending a grande though. BTW looks like youve got your wheels picked out already

 

Yeah just a quick lil photoshop, but that's the look I'm goin for