With the arrival of the new track season, I'm ready to take the plunge to upgrade my suspension to the Mazdaspeed version. I'm planning to swap out both the springs and shocks, plus the sway bars as well. My questions are

1. Where is the least expensive place to get these parts?

2. What other misc. parts that I'll need for the installation project? ie any additional nuts or bolts, or bushings??

TIA,

Pete

 

1. rx8garaget.net Tell him your from the board before you order.

2 springs/ sways/ shocks/struts and new end links

 

Also checkout Rosenthal Mazda. They are one of the sponsors on this board, and I have bought a few things from them in the past and their service has been great.

www.finishlineperformance.com

I would go :

1) Sway Bars
2) Spring & Shocks (Do endlinks ath the same time)
3) Strut Bars

Good luck.

 

Are the end links used for the sway bars?

I think the Mazdaspeed sway bars use the same end links as stock, unlike some tuners which use a beefier version of the end links for their own sway bars.

 

Btw, are you sure this is the right web addr.? "rx8garaget.net"

 

http://www.rx8garage.net/

 

New end links are not required.
I only had 5k miles on my car, so I did not replace them.
Nothing else extra is needed.
The only pain in the a$$ was the front sway bar.
I had to remove part of the plastic cover to get it out/in.
Otherwise, it was very easy.

-B

 

I think alot of people on this board did the MS Springs and shocks and went with the RacingBeat sways with their beefier end links and it seems like they love that settup. If i had enough money i would do that settup too but gotta stick with my RB springs :D good luck with this and i hope ur wallet is still fat afterwards

 

What difference (stiffness) does the complete MS suspension make to the stock suspension? Is it significantly noticeble where you jarr your kidneys driving around town?

Also how much does it lower the car? Does it eliminate the wheel hop? Sorry for all the questions, but I am looking at this mod and want to know all the specifics before I spend the $. It isn't cheap to go w/MS.

 

The aftermarket suspension setup will obviously give you a firmer ride and the difference over the stock setup will be more noticeable when you push the car to the limit. As far as whether its tolerable for day to day driving, its hard to say and its very subjective. The best is to take a ride on someone else car that have made the modifications and see if you like the ride or not.

The reason I'm looking for the upgrade is because I do take my cars down to the track. And I found the stock setup is too soft for my likings. The Mazdaspeed setup doesn't lower it that much. Probably not even an inch all around. The total cost for the parts is around $1,200 which I think is not too bad consider its the factory products.

 

I did not measure the before height, but I think the MS dropped my car around 1".
The ride is really not bad at all. I am certainly not getting kidney pounded in any way. In fact, I like the ride now more than stock.
I just got an alignment yesterday. I cannot recomment this suspension enough.
The handling is just amazing, especially now after the alignment.
I installed the suspension in my parents garage with a jack, 2 jack stands and hand tools. It was very easy.

 

>I just got an alignment yesterday

What's your alignment settings for the Mazdaspeed setup??

 

Where do you live? Just want to get a feel for what kinds of roads you deal with since you say the ride is not too bad.

 

Did you do the complete package...frant/rear stabilizers, front/rear shock towers, springs & shocks? If so, what was the total price without installation?

Also, you say 1 in., but Mazdaspeed claims 20mm. 20mm wouldn't even be noticeable, but an inch would.

Thanks

 

20mm = .78in so yes it would be noticeable.

 

So much for remembering my metric,I thought it was closer to 1/2 in. I guess I should of looked at a ruler.

Thanks

 

anyone recommend suspension settings with MS?
camber, caster toe?

 

I live in Mount Laurel NJ.
If you are in the area, you are welcome to check out my car. (PM me if so)

I got the shocks, springs and sway bars.
As far as price, I ordered the parts from: http://www.finishlineperformance.com
So the price was whatever they list plus shipping. I do not recall the total off-hand.

The 1" drop is a guess since I never measured.

I cannot tell you the alignment specs.
I went to a mazdaspeed dealer and had them call mazda tech support.
Mazda told them the correct specs for the ms suspension.

I am confident they did it correctly based on how amzing the ride is now.
I used the spray paint method to mark everything so I could re-assemble it back to the stock specs. I was happy before the alignment, but I am thrilled now !!

-B

 

I live in NJ too, but Mount Laurel is kinda far for me! Otherwise I would love to stop by and get a ride in your car and see how great the Mazdaspeed suspensions are ;-)

Btw, how much you pay for the alignment at the Mazda dealer?

p.s. what's the phone number for Mazdaspeed tech support??

 

$79.99 plus tax.

I do not have the number.
I think it is for Mazda dealers only.
But I am sure you can call the mazda customer support line and have them
get you the specs.

Check: http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/contactMazda.action

-B

 

What's this stuff I'm reading in another thread where people claim the stiffer rear end increases oversteer and the possibility of loosing the rear end easier?

 

>What's this stuff I'm reading in another thread where people claim the stiffer rear end >increases oversteer and the possibility of loosing the rear end easier?

As far as my understanding on a rwd car, that's true. And I would tend to think its equally applicable to fwd as well as awd cars.

 

Wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose of upgrading the sway/stabilizer bars? It doesn't sound like it improves performance if the rear end slips out more readily going fast around turns. I'm confused

 

I have the MS springs/shocks/sways, and I can tell you that the car is just as neutral as the stock car, it just corners flatter and responds quicker. (see my write up on the RB vs. MS kits)

Now, the sways on the MS package are not as thick and stiff as the RB and the Tanabe's, so its possible those could end up inducing more oversteer in the rear.

the MS kit is great, its as aggressive as I would want for a daily driver, fairly cheap and really improves the handling.

 

>see my write up on the RB vs. MS kits

Where is it? Can you provide us the link. Thanks.