whats better mazdaspeed or racing beats springs or is there something better out there?

 

Depends on what you want to do. If you are looking to keep your stock shocks then the RB is the way to go. If youa re looking to switch shocks as well, then the MS units work well with the MS springs. The MS springs do not work on the factory shocks. Other brands include Tein & JIC for springs.

 

I like my Tein S-Tech. I think its a perfect drop.

 

Make sure to look at the drop the springs will provide. Many spring sets to not drop evenly (some drop the rear more than the front).

I have the Espelir Active Super Downs. 30mm drop all around.

 

Careful with the H&R it will drop low....

 

Help me with this, are there springs out there that will make our RX8 into a 350Z regarding ride comfort? What's the general rule about how springs effect ride vs how shocks effect ride?

In the future I would like to drop the 8 (just a little bit) and make it handle better but I don't want to turn it into a 350Z.

 

Then get the Racing Beat Sprngs.

 

MS springs u'll need to buy shocks

 

I definitely like my RB springs. A little stiffer but the comfort is very close to stock. I do notice small bumps (expansion joints and such) a little more but it's fine. I like the modest drop (.5 " all around), too. Not too aggressive.

I did get a performance alignment after install to make sure everthing was good even though it probably wasn't necessary. I heard Mazda's alignment tolerances are too generous, so this was the perfect time to have it done.

If you lower a car more than 0.5", you definitely need to get an alignment. I was suprised how much my alignment changed with me in/out of the car. I recommend you get it done with you in the seat. Cost- $85

 

I'm not going to say which springs are 'better', but customers who buy Tein seem to be happy customers. As far as rates, of the available springs for the car only the MS models are significantly higher-rate than the rest of the aftermarket springs; at least the ones we've seen. However, don't let rate scare you; the Tein Basic coilovers for the RX8 come with nearly triple the rates of the OEM springs, yet our RX-8 with that suspension is far from harsh. Firmer for sure, but nowhere near a 350Z. Which we have also recently put springs on. Amazing what a pleasant difference putting good progressive springs on a Z made; better ride, 1.0" lower, and better handling. Usually don't get those three things at the same time. But I digress.

Where the rate matters more is how they'll work with the OEM shocks, which are already slightly weak with the stock springs. I'd go with Tein H-Tech with only a 15% rate increase were I going to run any kind of spring on OEM shocks and expect the OEM shocks to last for any decent amount of mileage (Depending on how and where you drive, of course. One of our RX8s' shocks were notably worn in less than 20k miles, and that was with all stock suspension. But you might say we drive the car pretty hard, too ). Apparently the RB springs are also well matched and won't overpower the OEM shocks in a big hurry. I would avoid MS springs with OEM shocks. Not to say it wouldn't work, it just doesn't strike me as a good idea.

We have a special this month that gives you Tein H or S Tech springs and Koni shocks for $720 shipped, if that would be of any interest to you (see our vendor forum for details). The Konis being adjustable can be matched to the springs quite nicely, and you have some ability to adjust how soft or firm the ride is. Not easy as you have to remove the rears to adjust, but we can guide you on what a good starting point might be depending on what you want the car to do. And the front adjustment is a simple turn of a **** on the shock tower, so at least it's easy.