Lowering Springs Question

[Razfyn]

Hello,

I am 35 minutes new to this forum. Hello all. I am looking for lower the 3 and my buddies have recommended these springs (http://www.tunersdepot.com/Suspensi...gs---04-08--Mazda-3---Incl--5--Door--879.html)
I was wondering if anyone had any experience with these to know how they will turn out.

Should I purchase new shocks and struts to go with the springs or will the stock ones be able to handle the 1 to 1.5inch drop?

Also, I am getting ready to purchase a new set of wheels, and finally upgrading to 18 inch, should I wait to add the springs and possibly struts and shocks until I install the wheels or do it separate, or doesnt matter?


One final off-topic question. How can I determine the exact numbers I need for the wheels?

 

[Yuko]

the springs are nice idk about the shocks

 

[Chefsp0t]

You should buy new shocks when you install lowering springs but with an eibach pro kit you'll probably be fine for a while before they blow. It will put more stress on your shocks and they will wear out faster than before but they will work okay if you don't plan on racing the car.

Wheels are a whole different ballgame. Generally speaking if you want 18 inch wheels you should get 225/40/18 tires. Wheel offset is a little different for each wheel but if they are 18x8 you'll want an offset between +45 and +50 if you don't want to rub your fenders. If you find some wheels you like post them up in here and I will let you know how they will fit.

 

[Razfyn]

Thank you so much Chef, I do not race my car like on a track, but a few on the road instances might occur with my knowledge. Does that count?

http://www.custom-wheels-car-rims.com/Store_Detail.cfm?ID=184408&InfoID=4134&ShowLarge=True

Those are the rims I am looking at currently? I am having trouble also with the bolt pattern, cause I am looking at these on eBay and they have different numbers, the ones I am finding are Size:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-M...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
18 x 7.5 (Front)
18 x 8.5 (Rear)

Offset: +48 (Front)
+45 (Rear)

Bolt Pattern: 5 x 114.3

Lip Size: 1.0" front
1.5" rear


and
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-M...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Size: 18 x 8.5 (Front)
18x 9.5(Rear)

Offset: +35 (Front)
+45 (Rear)

Bolt Pattern: 5 x 120

Lip Size: 1.5" (Front)
2.5" (Rear)

 

[Chefsp0t]

The first set would fit but the second ones will poke out from your fenders a bit. Why do you want staggered wheels?

 

[Razfyn]

I have no idea, I just LOVE the look of the actual wheel. Also, will a 5x114.3 bolt pattern work on a 08 2.3l 3?

Is there something about staggered wheels that makes them not as good as far as performance, or something that messes with the car at all?

 

[Chefsp0t]

They won't mess the car up but if you want staggered wheels you need to think about two widths and offsets to decide how they are going to fit the car.

You want 5x114.3 lug pattern wheels with a 67.1mm hub diameter or larger. Smaller won't fit without modification or spacers.

 

[fateexceeds]

You should get Road Magnet springs: they are true progressive springs and are available in 1.25" and 1.75" drops. Many, many Mazda3 owners on another forum are running these springs and love them (and several of those owners have tried the Eibach Prokit and/or H&R springs, and they all say the RMs are better). If you get the 1.25", you will be ok with the stock struts. Many of the RM owners on this other forum are also running Koni Sport struts (yellows), and the pairing of the RM springs and Koni struts has been described as a match made in heaven.

I just ordered 18x8.5 +48 Tenzo wheels from Black Mamba Motorsports; Anthony from BMM told me that that size and offset will fit the 3 without rolling the fenders if the car isn't lowered too much. If you go higher than a 1.5" drop, or if you don't want any wheel poke, you'll probably have to roll the fenders to fit that size.

 

[Razfyn]

So, it would be advisable to find another set of wheels that are not staggered so that I would not have to mess figuring out before buying if they will look good on my car?

Also, if I do not race the car like on a track, just drive it hard on the road and occasionally some fun on the road, should I worry about shocks or could it wait?

 

[Razfyn]

Thank you, I have been looking at the Koni yellow shocks and those are the ones I want to purchase, however, they are a bit pricey compared to the lowering springs. Also, thank you for the lowering springs information, they look great, I think I will order them today! Now, I just need to decide on a set of wheels and find cheaper shocks!

 

[fateexceeds]

Also, check the center bore of any aftermarket wheels you look at. If it's greater than 67.1 mm, you'll want to get hubcentric rings, which you can get in pretty much any size from justforwheels.com for about $30 shipped; for example, I just had to get 67.1x73.1 rings for my Tenzo wheels.

 

[Razfyn]

Honestly, I am a complete noob when it comes to wheels and tires and sizes and what fits and honestly what the numbers mean. Lol, I am sorry but I figured I would just be upfront about it so you don't waste you time throwing numbers down. I am trying to learn, but I guess I will just find a few I like and post them and I guess if you all check back here, I could get a yay or nay on the wheels.

 

[fateexceeds]

Thank you, I have been looking at the Koni yellow shocks and those are the ones I want to purchase, however, they are a bit pricey compared to the lowering springs. Also, thank you for the lowering springs information, they look great, I think I will order them today! Now, I just need to decide on a set of wheels and find cheaper shocks!

You're welcome! Like I said, if you get the 1.25" drop, you'll be ok on the stock struts until you can afford to upgrade to the Konis. Check out Black Mamba Motorsports clearance sale for wheels... I got the Tracer V1 Black Matte for $440 + shipping (normally about $1070 + shipping!).

 

[Chefsp0t]

That's usually a good way to go. You have to learn somehow and it sounds like the people in this thread know what they are talking about.

 

[fateexceeds]

Honestly, I am a complete noob when it comes to wheels and tires and sizes and what fits and honestly what the numbers mean. Lol, I am sorry but I figured I would just be upfront about it so you don't waste you time throwing numbers down. I am trying to learn, but I guess I will just find a few I like and post them and I guess if you all check back here, I could get a yay or nay on the wheels.

That's alright, we're here to help! I was in the same boat not that long ago.

 

[Razfyn]

Ok, I found a new set of wheels that I actually like more than the old ones.

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse.com/Custom_Wheels.cfm?pn=Katana-Rims-GR4-18B&pID=14950


Yea, I appreciate everyones help.

 

[Chefsp0t]

Honestly man I would stick with tirerack.com or discount tire direct for wheels. I have a hard time trusting wheels with brands that I haven't heard of.

 

[Razfyn]

Honestly man I would stick with tirerack.com or discount tire direct for wheels. I have a hard time trusting wheels with brands that I haven't heard of.

Ok, I guess I just dont know the ones that are reputable.

 

[Chefsp0t]

That's why we are here.

 

[Razfyn]

Another dumb question, the websites are asking what style my Mazda is? Like I-touring, I-sport, S-touring, S-sport

Where can I find this out about my car?