Im looking at buying an rx-8 and im trying to work out how much it would cost to get the car how I want it.

Im expecting quite a bit of hating but here it goes anyway!

What are peoples opinions on lowering springs? The springs I would consider buying are 25-30mm drop (decent brand tein as an example) for use with OEM shocks. I can't afford to buy decent coilovers and refuse to buy cheap rubbish IMO many cheap coilovers are dangerous more than anything!

Is the use of lowering springs and OEM shocks a plausable soloution to improving appearance without comprimising handling? I don't expect an improvment but I don't want degrade the cars handling.

Thanks

 

Using lowering springs with OEM shocks is not the best idea. They are not built to handle being used with a drop. Some Members havehad luck using OEM shocks, but most are going to advise installing the springs on an upgraded shock. If you are on a budget I would suggest the tein s techs springs on tokico hp blues shocks. I'm running that setup and it's great!

 

^+1

 

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/%7C%7C-hey-l00k-lowering-springs-%7C%7C-158035/

 

Springs are ok w/stock struts depending on the mileage of the car IMO. I have been running springs with stockers for over 3 years and no blowout. My opinion is, get the springs and shocks, but if you can't afford it AND the car has say less than 75k, then you can risk it. If you are buying a car with 100k, I wouldn't do it. There is nothing wrong with the a good strut/spring combo over a coilover, if you are just lowering and want a performance improvement.

 

My car came with OEM shocks and Tein S.Tech springs. I can't say how long the setup was like this but when I changed my shocks a couple of weeks ago 3 of my shocks were dead and the 4th one wasn't far behind. That was at about 102k. I also am not sure when they died, but a fellow rx8 owner told me they felt soft compared to his stock setup.

I would suggest saving up to do everything at once. The rear struts are not fun at all.

 

My oem shocks are still okay (don't know how much more), with cut oem springs (its a long story...lol). It's been over a year now since i chopped it...and kids, do not try this at home. lol

Anyway, the ride on both of my cars are still okay (a little bouncy here and there), but its still drivable (if you just know how to drive it low). lol

I will update it when it reaches 2 years with this (ghetto...lol) set-up.

 

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...hlight=springs

 

Question:
Answered:
You will almost certainly compromise handling to a certain extent if you stiffen the springs with OEM shocks. How much depends on the age of the shocks and the stiffness of the springs.

And, how much degredation you can accept is a personal choice. Clearly some people can accept a certain amount in the name of a lower appearence. That's cool.

Personally, I'd take good shocks on OEM springs over OEM shocks on lowered springs any day. But I'm almost 100% focused on handling, and we all have different objectives & tolerance levels.

 

If it was going to make the handling worse I would rather leave the car as standard. I know some cars take well to a slight lowering some don't. From the replys I think just leaving the car stock for a while untill I can afford to put some coilovers on it would be the best choice.

Thanks for the replys!

 

Just to be clear - the RX-8 does take well to being lowered. It's more the combination of stiffer springs (at any ride height) with OEM shocks that is questionable, if you are interested in preserving excellent over-the-road handling.