Help with future setup

[CDILIM]

Hi
Just got RX-8 wheels and planning to put them on my 09 Mazda5 GT. Also planning lower it. When looking for a set of lowering spring I could not find any Eibach's do they make it for the M5. I found H&R

Would I need any camber kit? if so what brand is good?
Would I need a camber for the front and rear or just the rear?
My commute is about 85 miles a day so I wouldn't want to keep on buying tires if my camber is off.

Was planning to put 225/40/18 would there be any issues such as rubbing?
Got kids so I don't want such a rough ride.

If there are any other thing I that I need to add please let me know. I'm sure I will need new shocks. Keep in mind Im on a tight budget.

Thanks

 

[Robotazky]

LOL, I think 225/40/18s on a lowered platform are gonna ride a little rough man. Your kids are gonna have whiplash.

 

[mpvue]

tight budget? that means different things to different people. if you can't afford to do it correctly, better leave it stock.
I tend to stay conservative w/ mods (esp on the family car!) so don't veer too far from stock if you don't want issues.
also, rubbing is more from incorrect offset wheels than the size. lots of guys here running RX-8 wheels w/ sucess though.

 

[CDILIM]

had lowered cars since high school, back in the day when we use to even cut the springs. so I'm use to the rough ride. Previously owned a prelude, integra, civic, Benz, Protege5 and now the Mazda5. Kids have been riding on lowered cars so they are use to it too. Just don't want it to be too bounce.

I was basically gonna go for springs and shocks but want to know if I need a camber kit to help with the tire wear since we drive 85 miles a day. Does it cuz the tires to butterfly to much without a camber kit. I want to do the setup right the first time so I don't have to do it over. Also I don't want to be buying new tires every few months.

 

[Tsuru]

There's enough people complaining about uneven tire wear on this car while stock. Some say it's due to poor alignment specs (which hopefully you can address with the camber kit) others say it's due to the poor OEM tires. There's another group that think it's largely due to insufficient tire pressure. There's whole threads here dedicated to issues people have had. I'm thinking that just dropping the car and widening the tires as is part of your plan is just going to exacerbate this effect. (if any)

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

Make sure you click the links below.

Just got RX-8 wheels

I hope you got them free, because they are still STOCK RIMS.

Also planning lower it.

Okay, you need to be a little bit more specific, there are
lots of "WAYS" to lower a ride, springs, struts, spring& Struts,
entire suspension swap, smaller tires and rims, etc.

When looking for a set of lowering spring I could not find any Eibach's do they make it for the M5. I found H&R

Here is the deal on that. Shop around, keep looking and when
you find a set that you like, get them and stay committed to
that set of springs, it's like buying a new TV, awwww, next day
it's on sale and the new model hits the floor, sucks to be you,
right? So no one here can lend a hand in your internet shopping
when there are tons of places that sell springs for a 5. i.e. (See
bottom link), etc. etc. will work with you for springs, because they
make 1,000s of spec springs, and one of 10,000 specs will have to
fit your ride.

Would I need any camber kit?

No.

if so what brand is good?

Shop around, read reviews on the net, compare,
no one is going to give you a direct link, because
if something goes wrong, you'll b**** up and down
on here how hard a time you had.

Would I need a camber for the front and rear or just the rear?

No, no and NO, just freaking rotate your tires,
NOT JUST MOVE ONE RIM/TIRE TO ANOTHER SPOT,
I'm talking take the tire off and mount and balance
it again on the other side. So the worn part is on the
outside, or have the $$ to get new tires every two-three
years.

My commute is about 85 miles a day so I wouldn't want to keep on buying tires if my camber is off.

Then sell your Mazda 5, it has purposely negative
camber built in for handling and looks, don't like it,
spend cash on a camber kit or buy another car.

Was planning to put 225/40/18 would there be any issues such as rubbing?

NO. I run 225/30 R19 on a lowered Premacy (M5)
and mine, even on hard bumps have NEVER rubbed,
so your smaller rims, yet higher tire wall will work
better than my low profiles.

Got kids so I don't want such a rough ride.

Then why lower it, springs etc if you don't like that?

I'm sure I will need new shocks.

M5/Premacy does not have 'shocks' it has struts,
and if you want to know the dif, Google strut vs.
shocks and see the pictures.

Keep in mind Im on a tight budget.

LMFAO, well, good luck, do you have access
to a car lift? Tools? Please don't tell me you
are going to do this in your driveway, the M5
is one fat as b**** and a pain to work on, see
the first link below.

Thanks

Hey no problem, here to help. (kiss)

LOL, I think 225/40/18s on a lowered platform are gonna ride a little rough man. Your kids are gonna have whiplash.

A little bit, but not that bad, I've got 225/30 R19
on and lowered, see first link below, rides fine,
however I'm on a tropical island and NO POT HOLES
so sorry guys youve got to equip your ride to meet
your area/driving locations and style,

Eskimos dont surf!

SGT_OKINAWA's Lowing Springs how-to

HERE: let me Google that for you

Good luck, PEACE!(rei)

 

[red headz]

SGT - relax a bit man. This guy is here to learn, not get berated.

CDILIM - I think I might have the car you are looking for.

What I have on my car:
RX8s with 225/40R18, MazdaSpeed3 springs (~1" drop), stock struts/shocks, SPC adjustable rear camber arms (you do not need to adjust the front).

If I did it over again, I would get:
RX8's with 225/40R18, H&R springs for a 1" - 1.5" drop, stock struts/shocks, MazdaSpeed rear camber arms (non-adjustable).

Reasons:
MazdaSpeed3 springs are cheap and easy to find, but the rear of the M5 sags a little more than the front. Get the H&R and you'll have the perfect drop.

SPC rear camber arms are adjustable, but who needs to adjust them once they are set... the MazdaSpeed rear camber arms are not adjustable and work just fine.

You might need to roll the rear fenders for more wheel/tire clearance. I did and it sure helped the rubbing.

A few picts.

michael.

 

[SGT_OKINAWA]

SGT - relax a bit man. This guy is here to learn, not get berated.

RX8s with 225/40R18, MazdaSpeed3 springs (~1" drop), stock struts/shocks, SPC adjustable rear camber arms (you do not need to adjust the front).

You might need to roll the rear fenders for more wheel/tire clearance. I did and it sure helped the rubbing.

I'm relaxed, just keeping it real for him. (burnout)

Red headz, you get rubbing with 225/40 R18's? .. and I've got 225/30 R19's and it's dropped and no rubbing at all,...humm must be your springs are lower.

Good point about the camber too. Forgot that.

Oh, and I'd advise against 'rolling the wheel weels' for more room if possible,... rust. (unamused)

Peace!(rei)

 

[CDILIM]

Thanks Red Headz thats the info I was looking for. I'm so use to fixing up Honda/Acura and Euros. Last year I got a P5 and Mazda5. Fixed up the P5 and like how it turned out so not decided to fix up the Mazda5 but wasn't quite sure since I still kinda new to Mazdas

Kinda want it to look stockish with a little flavor since its the family car. (tired of the cop harassing me, getting to old for that but love fixing up cars)

SGT- I appreciate you keeping it real.

So 225/40/18's rub a bit? should I go 215/40/18? confusing some people say 225/40/18 won't rub.

Also if I get the MazdaSpeed rear camber arms and do an alignment I wouldn't have to worry about the fronts... Sorry to repeat this but just want to make sure.

Also are you talking about the MazdaSpeed3 rear camber arms?
Where can I get a decent price for the MazdaSpeed rear camber arms?

Thanks again in advance for the info.

 

[A1an]

I'm liking that SPC adjustable camber kit as opposed to the Mazdaspeed kit. The SPC kit is a bit cheaper and allows greater adjustability.