09 R3 on PSS9s
 

Figured this section would be the best place to throw these pics up. A little background; I use the car for track days, AutoX (STX) and weekend use. She doesn't DD for work, unless its just a gorgeous day and I just can't help but drive her.

At any rate, in these pics, she is on PSS9s, Rev8 catback, and 15mm spacers (I have dedicated track/autox wheels, the spacers come off for those events,) stock R3 wheels with 245/35/19 'Kook V12s.

Enjoy (or flame, either way)

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Sick man, looks great!!

with the 15mm spacers do u get any rubbing?

Very nice. Great minds thing alike: I have 15 mm spacers and lowering springs on my black '09 R3.

How do you like the V12's? I was thinking of picking up a set next spring.

do your rims rub with 15mm spacers and lowering springs? did u have to roll your fenders or just leave them alone? wanted to know because I was looking into getting spacers for my r3

Thanks, Mazda did most of the work, I personally think the black R3 was the best looking RX8 to roll off the line (biased a little? absolutely) :yelrotflm

Absolutely no rubbing, with the ride height I am at now, I think I could have probably done 20mm and been fine. And that includes making a drive completely loaded full of track gear, extra set of tires, etc.

I think they are great, I used them on my first track day and two autocross events before they became street only tires. Quiet, good in the wet, pretty vocal when they get to the edge, and let go smoothly when you overdrive their ability to stick. When its time to replace them, odds are it will be with another set of the same.

nice thanks for the response any brand to choose from when buying spacers?

I went with Ichiba, after searching through lots of threads on this very site. There are plenty of options.

Just remember that R# wheels are +47 and all other wheels are +50, not a huge difference, but I think if you aren't on R3 wheels you can do 20-25mm. Search is your friend there.

thanks bra ill look into these spacers u call ichiba haha

Very nice set-up! So how do you like the pss9 at the track and street compared to the original R3 Bilstein set-up? I've been looking at these coilovers for months for my R3. I am considering the Fat Cat as well. Can you give some feedback on your new suspension?

Nice ride, I ove Autocross I was racing today in Orlando and will be out with the SCCA again tomorrow. SO do you get much of an advantage having the R3 over other models?
I run STX (better Pax) but my car is stock. I will be buying the PSS9 one I have extra cash.

looking good sir. FYI I have 25mm spacers on stance coilovers with no rubbing, no rolling.

You can do 25mm on stock R3 wheels easily. Stay tuned for pics of that :)

Superb pics mate....for a superb RX-8..

The difference between the stock bilsteins and the PSS9s is night and day. The car is so much more composed, inputs happen now as opposed to waiting for the body roll to complete before the supsension sets. I spent a bunch of time reading through the big PSS9 thread, and it all applies to us as S2 folks as well. I run a 3 setting in front and 5 in back for autocross/track, and set them all to 7 for the street. 1 is the hardest, 9 is the softest. The ride on the street is very similiar to stock, except you are a little lower.

I also have the adjustment set approx 3/8 in higher in the back than front. It feels better to me that way, and my cross weights are within 0.5% of each other.

I have now had 4 autocross events, and 2 track days at Roebling Roads on this suspension, and right now I am not a good enough driver to be worrying about sways, or the sways are already good, as the car is very balanced with my driving style with the stock R3 sways.

As far as any advantage, I don't think so. Except the seats, especially at the track are awesome, I slide the seat back, lock the seat belt, slide forward to driving position, and I don't move, so all I have to do is drive and not brace. I weighed this car at around 1/2 tank of gas with me in the car, and then a friend weighed his S1 GT immediately after on the same scales with around 1/2 tank as well. His was actually a few pounds lighter. My half tank is slightly heavier than his, guage accuracy, etc. So probably no real weight advantage either. Bottom line is I have mine set up in a very similiar fashion to what S1 guys use, and it works.


Thanks for the compliments Ash, really appreciate your work here for the smaller (more selective? :rofl: ) S2 community.

Remember the S2 fuel tank is larger than S1, by half a gallon from memory.

Sure, we discussed that, he has an RB dual resonated midpipe, I was stock, my tank is a little larger, I'm probably a few pounds heavier, etc. But everything was really very close all the way around. Just meant that any weight differences were minor is all. Specifically with regard to competition and any R3 advantage. I suppose even if they were identical weights, one benefit is no sunroof, for helmet room, no high cg weight for the sunroof. All in all, at my level anyway it is certainly the driver that makes the difference.

Nice setup!

I've been wanting to get a set of PSS9s for my 2009 since I bought the car but my RX-7 keeps eating up my budget.

I'm always looking for a deal so if you got a great price for the set, please share!

I ended up getting them through Tire Rack, wasn't a super sweet once in a lifetime deal, but it was the best price I found. I expect buying new will be similiar anywhere.

Wow OP car looks Great! I cant wait to get my R3 home. Dose the PSS9 kit for the 09+ still have the same rate springs front and rear?

I am a big fan of Fat Cat and think it is really the way to go but good luck getting stuff in a timely manner from him lol.

Congrats on a great looking ride and very tasteful too.

How good are Bilsteins man!..the B8's on mine are so smooth its ridiculous. After putting them on, I don't get tired after like 6hr drives. It's night and day. Faster you go, smoother they get

you all are making me want to trade in my GR+'s for a set of these

Thanks Hoss.

The PSS9s are the same part for S1 and S2. The difference was the spring perch as far as I know, and that of course is adjustable on coilovers, so yes no difference between S1 and S2 PSS9s.

Very nice. How far out of the recommended range did you have to set the perches to get that ride height in the rear? I'm about 10mm above the range and it still looks sunken in on my set.