Finally pulled the trigger for a set of Ohlins DFV coilovers from Good-Win Racing, along with a set of their adjustable sway bar end links. Does anyone have recommendations for a good baseline ride height and damper settings? My 2007 GT is a weekend backroad toy, I would call my use performance street. I’d like to minimize the large fender gap and have a ride that is firmer and more responsive without being harsh. No track use planned as of now.

 

4.5" rear, 4.25" front to the pinch welds is a good starting spot, can reduce rake more to bring the front more level to the rear if you prefer

3-4 clicks from full stiff (all the way to the right is stiff) is a good start

Will need to check alignment after you adjust ride height

 

Good timing, they just delivered today! Unfortunately it will be a few weeks before I can install them. I appreciate the input, it’s helpful to reduce having to iterate on the ride height many times. Once I get the ride height where I want it, I plan to drive for a few weeks and then get a corner balance alignment done.

 

Assembly day, these things are pretty! I bought a new rear strut mount but am missing a few other parts so the rears won’t be done today. Hope to get them on the car next weekend.

 

Congratulations! Very interested in following your experience. What parts did you decide to get before doing this install?

(I have 144k on mine so I'm expecting to have to refresh a lot of bits when I finally pull the trigger on new suspension soon too)

... and yes they are very pretty.

 

I’ll definitely post my feedback as this progresses. The rear assembly re-uses the original RX8 upper mount/spring seat, which I have already purchased new. But I didn’t realize it also uses the original upper mounting hardware, shaft spacer, etc to attach the Ohlins damper to the upper mount. I’m doing all new to avoid reusing old worn out parts and so I don’t have to break out the spring compressors which I hate using.

I bought these from Good-Win so I also bought four of their Roadster Sport adjustable sway bar links so I can adjust my sway bar after lowering. I suspect I may need new lower control arms after I get into this, I have a small clunk when going over low speed bumps. But we’ll see.

 

Just food for thought, don't go too stiff in the rear. I did.. and I ended up spinning off the track. The rear needs a bit more play than the fronts do. I have my coil over setup with 1 click rebound less in the rear compared to the font.

Side question, does it say the spring rates on your springs by chance? I want to soften my car up and want to mimic the spring rate of the Ohlins setup you have there.

 

Good note on the rear, I think the Ohlins setup instructions have them equal clicks front and rear. Here’s what Good-Win has on their site for spring rates:

Front: 80 N/mm(8kg/mm or 458 lbs/in.) Rear: 50 N/mm(5kg/mm or 280 Lbs/in.)

 

Slowly making progress! Ended up short one OEM part to assemble the rears, and I decided to replace the front control arms “while I’m in there” because of an elusive low speed clunk that I want to eradicate. Basically everything is out and ready for new parts, pretty straightforward project so far. Thank God this thing is low mileage and bone dry underneath. I stuck the front struts in place finger tight just for fun, they at least look good!

 

Also check the torque on the front subframe lower brace. Mine was making a low speed clunk after I would finish autox runs, that one took me a while to figure out.

 

Will do thanks, good tip.

 

Rears are in. Done except for sway bar links and final torque, but I want to take a quick drive and check ride height first. I ended up leaving them at the standard right height and spring preload, which should be about 1.3” lower than stock. I also released all of the control arm rubber bushings so they can move freely to their new positions with the lower ride height.

 

It’s done! I left it at the default settings and I definitely wouldn’t want lower for street use. I’ll drive it for a few weeks and then measure/adjust as needed and get it aligned.

Compared to my stock 32,000 mile suspension this is a revelation, something much closer to a Porsche in terms of damping and compliance while also stiffer. It absolutely rides nicer than stock, bumps are immediately damped as opposed to several oscillations and
come through the car as a solid thud as opposed to the brittle rattle feel of stock. Pitch and roll are basically eliminated and it stays very flat when cornering. I can only compare to stock and my previous R3, this is substantially better in all regards. I’m happy!

 

I would also add for anyone installing coilovers, this thread on GWR is a good resource.

https://www.mazdatalkforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=659