I am looking for some new springs for my 8. I would like to lower it about an inch front and rear and increase cornering performace without sacrificing too much on ride comfort. I DO NOT want a rough ride but will tolerate a bit rougher than stock (6mt). Does anyone have a suggestion?

 

mazdaspeed spring/shock setup

 

Be careful. If you are keeping your stock shocks lowering your car 1" or more can lead you to hitting your bumpstops, and some funny handling characteristics. Racing Beat springs will lower your car about.5" but are made to work with your stock shocks. Mazda Speed springs are made to work with their units, and people who have gotten just the shocks ran into some strange handling for their cars. Some people have also gotten the Tein springs. If you are looking to lower about an 1" these might be your best bet.

 

I just installed the Espelier Springs (about a 1.1 inch drop). Handling has dramatically improved, body roll all but gone. Yes, if I hit a monster pothole, i hit the bumpstops. Any spring setup you have to be more mindful of the road imperfections. Its a tradeoff tho, I think the handling is worth the extra driving work. Another thing you have to think of.

Espelir Springs - $170 shipped
JIC FLAT2 Coilovers - $1400
Mazdaspeed Spring/Shock setup - not sure exactly, guesstimating $600+

Plus the Espelir are designed to work with the stock shocks.

 

Don't get springs if this is what you want. Get sway bars, then strut bars, then new tires, then shocks and then springs...

Admittedly, just changing the tires can have a huge impact on handling. If you want the "look" of the car lowered then get what you want based upon budget. Most springs are more for appearance than performance. That's what the market wants, so they make them... Remember, once you lower a car you have changed the entire geometry of it. If anything, stick with one brand (Mazdaspeed or Racing Beat) to "complete" the entire package (springs, strut bars, sway bars and shocks).

 

I have the Tein S-Tech's and they are great. It is a noce ride still and just a slight bit better performance, and the price is just about right. I have had them for about 5-6 months and still love them.

 

310guy has the right idea!!!! stick with the same stuff....MAZDASPEED!!!! :D I'M doing the same stuff to my 8.... 310guy how's your car handle with the mazdaspeed setup??? just wondering bc i'm getting it done soon

 

Without hijacking this thread, what I tell you is that the car is REALLY planted now. She is a bit stiffer overall but I've got everything from Mazdaspeed so she's tight all around. It's not bad for everyday driving but if I had longer drives (especially on some of the crappier streets in L.A.), I dunno how I would feel. Steering response is awesome now, even braking seems improved. :D

 

Thanks for the input 310...

 

Thanks 310 , I think i will stick with mazdaspeed...ZOOM ZOOM !!

 

The mazda speed sway bar end links are like $350.00, are they worth it???

 

That's for you to decide. Again, I wanted to keep my car entirely Mazdaspeed (except for my intake). This IS Mazda's own in-house develpment team building and testing these parts. I figured you can't go "wrong" with buying Mazdaspeed. Racing Beat is also respected - even by Mazda.

Admittedly, unless you're going to get into some serious racing, e.g. autocross, etc. no matter what you get is going to be fine for daily driving, some improvement, performance and looks.

Remember, each individual mod will give you a slight change. When you sum up everything is when you'll feel the difference. Don't get caught up in some of the threads that say how a mod suddenly changed the car from average to some super performer. It's not going to happen like that.

 

John,

Where did you find the MS end links? Ive searched all over the internet and can only find the sways/springs/shocks/struts etc..

$350 is steep, but from the reading Ive done on the forum, worth it.

 

Sorry, There not MS there SR's But still looked very heavy duty!
http://www.srmotorsports.com/RX8_Per...ion_Parts.html