RX8 Coilover Selection
 

My son and I are working on some minor modifications of my 04 RX-8 to enjoy more our track days and with the intentions of competing in Autocross, time attack and road rally events. We want to improved the suspension with a good set of coilovers, but we can't decide which brand and setup to purchase.

We always haul the car to all the events, but not to the Autocross, which we drive. We are thinking in a good set of OHLINS coilovers, any advise Thanks

You can't go wrong with Ohlins but you're asking a loaded question since there is so much to proper suspension tuning that goes far beyond just picking coilovers.

Coilover Selection
 

We already change the sway bars and have adjustable links and we are running with Racing Beat springs and Tokico shocks which is not that bad but in Autocross not good. I'm thinking to go with 460 lbs/in front and 230 lbs/in back. I believe, but not sure, that this setup will give me better setting range for bumping tracks like Buttonwillow and Willow Springs but much better handling in Laguna Seca. Thanks for your input...:rock:

Check this site out.

Autocross to Win (DGs Autocross Secrets) - Buying Shocks

Also, check out this youtube channel by a well known suspension builder called Fat Cat Motorsports

https://www.youtube.com/user/SuspensionTruth

:cool:

I too am looking at getting new coilovers for my series 2 as my front winter tires are rubbing due to the front end being too low (height adjustment is already maxxed out). I currently am running HSD Monopros. Any recommendations that will give me the ground clearance I require?

Ground Clearance
 

You can increase the spring force which will increase the ground clearance, but the downside is more suspension stiffness. You will need to play with the adjustments. Good luck :icon_tup:

Is it the tires that are rubbing or the body of the car? Because if it's the tires, your problem isn't ride height. I had mine around 12.5" ride height at some point and the tires were fine. The splash guards were not.

Anyway, Ohlins are fantastic, as stated in this thread. I'm running MeisterR CRDs and very VERY pleased with them as well. They're only just now starting to enter north america.

Why must you turn this forum into a house of lies?

The tires are rubbing the fenders whenever I hit a bump or go to make a tight turn

What wheels are you running (in particular offset)? Because like I said, unless the HSD's are poorly designed for the car, you shouldn't be hitting the fenders. And you would hit bodywork on ground way before that. So if you have the wrong wheels, different coilovers aren't going to fix it. Especially if it rubs on a hard turn, that sounds like wrong offset, more than ride height problem.

Can you measure your ride height from center of the wheels to the top of the wheel arch?

225/55R17 all around, summer wheels/tires are 225/40ZR19, 245/35ZR19. I want my car to atleast be stock ride height so I can finally go over some speed bumps without worrying about getting stuck.

Those are tire, not wheel specs. Anyway, the HSDs should be able to give you near stock ride height, I have a couple of Miata friends with them (and the suspension is identical to ours). So what I'm saying is, installing new coilovers might be an expensive way to find out the coilovers aren't the problem. How did you determine they're at maximum ride height?

Cant even fit my fingers between tdc of my tire to top of the wheel arch. I had my mechanic (1 year ago) adjust the suspension for max ride and they were unable to get any more ride height out of the front coilovers

Center of the wheel. As in, where the lugnuts are.

https://perfautogroup.files.wordpres...easurement.jpg

1'1"

Yeah so you're lowered around 1.5". That shouldn't produce rubbing with correct wheel offset, so that's one thing.

You should be able to raise it higher with the HSDs. It's easy enough if you do your own work. There is no actual maximum on those, you just need to make sure about 20mm of tread remains in the part that attaches to the wheel knuckle. If you don't do your own work then... I guess it's even easier :)

This size will have a substantially bigger overall diameter than stock -- 0.77" according to the calculator on this site. Bet this is part of your problem. And either way it's not optimal for your ABS and DSC.

Slight lowering alone wouldn't be an issue. A slight offset difference alone wouldn't be an issue. A slight tire size difference alone wouldn't be an issue. But put 2 or 3 of those together and, yeah, you could have problems.

On a 17" wheel, use 205/55R17 (a hair smaller than stock OD) or 215/55R17 (a hair bigger). Narrower is usually better for snow anyway.

Problem is fixed, turns out there was some more vertical adjustment left in the coilovers. As for TC/ABS/DSC, I dont drive with them on anyways.

You can't really turn ABS off... anyway, glad you fixed it!

Pretty sure you can

I have Penske 8300 double adjustable shocks one my rx8 and they use regular 2.5" ID coilover springs, They are pretty amazing to say the least.

I am personally going with Silvers.

Hi all. My rear shocks/ springs have sagged a lot and I have been researching options available. Possibly still on original shocks on a series 1 (yes I know this is in S2 section but what can I say, I get around!).

I'm looking for any feedback on Blitz ZZR coilovers. Good, bad or ugly. It appears I can get these for the right price if they are any good. The RX8 kit has extended damper adjusters on the rears. The ZZR are similar in price to BC coilovers.

These do appear to be near identical looking to the BC coilovers and have the same spring rates being front 8 and rear 6. A reviewer in another forum stated they appear to be excellent quality and the valving is different but that's all the info I have now.

Any more info appreciated.

Pic of Blitz ZZR coil overs. Notice they are near identical to one of the BC units.
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx8...6bee881e1d.jpg

So I have up to 1k to spend on some coils overs for the street only. What do you all suggest? I want to lower it alittle, but still comfy on the street. It’s an 09 R3.