Aftermarket springs with OEM MS3 shocks/struts

[joe_rocket65]

Doesn't seem anyone has tried aftermarket springs (ie. Eibach Prokit) with OEM MS3 shocks/struts. I'm eventually going to upgrade the springs and want a mild/mod drop and will most likely go with the Eibach Prokit along with rear camber kit. This will leave the springs underdamped with the OEM MZ3 shocks/struts. I'll probably drive it until I either don't want to put up with it or the shocks wear out whichever comes first lol. Since the MS3 has stiffer springs i'm assuming the shocks/struts are set up with increased damping so will using the MS3 shock/struts with aftermarket springs properly balance things out or will I have to go with another setup such as Koni Yellows.

 

[skatethesea]

I am on vacation right now. But I have springs sitting in my trunk. We'll see if they work some time this week.

 

[freeflyfreak]

Dont do it.
The OEM shocks are crap, they cant handle the stock springs.
If you change the springs you MUST change the shocks, or prepare to be disappointed.

 

[joe_rocket65]

Dont do it.
The OEM shocks are crap, they cant handle the stock springs.
If you change the springs you MUST change the shocks, or prepare to be disappointed.

You are saying that the OEM MS3 shocks aren't matched well with the OEM MS3 springs?

 

[freeflyfreak]

You are saying that the OEM MS3 shocks aren't matched well with the OEM MS3 springs?

I am saying the OEM "made in poland" shocks are absolute garbage and are not well matched to anything.
That was my experience and why I changed them asap.

Let me see if I can find that video I saw recently.....
Here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47pbLzb4fc4&feature=player_embedded

Taken from this thread:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5102650

 

[joe_rocket65]

LOL yikes well that decides it. Definitely going to upgrade to aftermarket when mine wear out or i'm sick of the ride on new springs with the OEM shocks. Guess i'll invest in shocks/struts before CAI/exhaust. Looks like he just changed out the shocks and not his struts though. Do they hold up better or POS as well?

 

[gogogomoveit]

Well interestingly I found my 10' MS3 stock suspension setup to be one of the best matched stock damper/spring combination of the cars i have driven/ridden. Dont know where the POS theory came from, Maybe that's just me.

But one thing I can tell you for sure is, if you pair up a OEM shock to an aftermarket stiffer lowering spring, it will not go well because of the characteristic damping capability of the OEM shock does not match the spring stiffness. Your best bet is still buying a reputable (H&R,KW etc) coilover set that has matching damping rate to the spring.

If you just want to slam the car/ride super-stiff springs and think that is good suspension, then have fun

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

That's exactly it. 2010 MS3 suspension is fantastic. 2007-2009 is bleugh.

 

[nynhex]

That's exactly it. 2010 MS3 suspension is fantastic. 2007-2009 is bleugh.

I've gone back and forth with putting springs on my 2010. I know that I'm going to need to balance them with good shocks. The combined cost is pretty much the same as a set of BC coilovers so I'll probably start saving for that route.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

I've gone back and forth with putting springs on my 2010. I know that I'm going to need to balance them with good shocks. The combined cost is pretty much the same as a set of BC coilovers so I'll probably start saving for that route.

Well, if you ever do, let me know. I may ask you to take some pictures of all that stuff (trying to gather if there are different part numbers from first gen to second gen).

If there are different part numbers, I may want to see if you wanna sell that stuff..

 

[joe_rocket65]

I realize that my 2010 MZ3 shocks/struts won't be up to the task if I add aftermarket springs but since the MS3 comes with a stiffer setup I'm wondering if throwing 2010MS3 shocks/struts on my MZ3 with aftermarket springs will work better.

 

[gogogomoveit]

I realize that my 2010 MZ3 shocks/struts won't be up to the task if I add aftermarket springs but since the MS3 comes with a stiffer setup I'm wondering if throwing 2010MS3 shocks/struts on my MZ3 with aftermarket springs will work better.

It is not as easy as it seems . Either underdamping or overdamping will ruin a car's ride quality and handling. Also stiffer rates will accelerate wear on the OEM shocks. If you are going aftermarket springs, you are better off getting adjustable shocks to fine tune the ride characteristics. If you are spending money to buy new/used MS3 shocks, might as well spend it on some Koni yellows?

 

[joe_rocket65]

Well interestingly I found my 10' MS3 stock suspension setup to be one of the best matched stock damper/spring combination of the cars i have driven/ridden. Dont know where the POS theory came from, Maybe that's just me.

But one thing I can tell you for sure is, if you pair up a OEM shock to an aftermarket stiffer lowering spring, it will not go well because of the characteristic damping capability of the OEM shock does not match the spring stiffness. Your best bet is still buying a reputable (H&R,KW etc) coilover set that has matching damping rate to the spring.

If you just want to slam the car/ride super-stiff springs and think that is good suspension, then have fun

I definitely don't want to just slam the car. I'm going for performance and not looks also considering i'll be using this car in the winter i can't have it too low. If I put aftermarket springs on the car i'm doing it to lower the centre of gravity and tighten things up. Coming from riding motorcycles I always believed that anyone can go fast in a straight line but its how much speed you can carry through the corners that can put you in the lead. Living up here in Canada I have to weigh cost/benefit as well since I have to consider shipping costs from the states, duty, exchange so exploring all options.

 

[gogogomoveit]

I definitely don't want to just slam the car. I'm going for performance and not looks also considering i'll be using this car in the winter i can't have it too low. If I put aftermarket springs on the car i'm doing it to lower the centre of gravity and tighten things up. Coming from riding motorcycles I always believed that anyone can go fast in a straight line but its how much speed you can carry through the corners that can put you in the lead. Living up here in Canada I have to weigh cost/benefit as well since I have to consider shipping costs from the states, duty, exchange so exploring all options.

Original 10' MS3 spring+shock is very good for handling. Auto magazines like C&D and Edmunds inside line are able to do 70+ mph slalom runs repeatably. That is serious sport car handling performance. If you can get your hands on a set of these, they make good bargains.

Aftermarket side, You may want to hold on a little bit since KW and Tein are developing new coilover sets for the new MS3. Some other forums reported the previous generation coilovers are compatible with the new car + slight modification. Tirerack.com has the KW Variant 1 for $1300, H&R for $1200

 

[nynhex]

Original 10' MS3 spring+shock is very good for handling. Auto magazines like C&D and Edmunds inside line are able to do 70+ mph slalom runs repeatably. That is serious sport car handling performance. If you can get your hands on a set of these, they make good bargains.

Aftermarket side, You may want to hold on a little bit since KW and Tein are developing new coilover sets for the new MS3.

The more I think about the handling on my 10' I'm thinking about keeping the stock suspension until something better comes along. Honestly, I'd like to close the wheel gap a bit as it's rather annoying to look 4x4, but I'd rather do it right instead of blindly throwing springs on and having an inferior ride. Sounds like it's time to do some research.

 

[gogogomoveit]

The more I think about the handling on my 10' I'm thinking about keeping the stock suspension until something better comes along. Honestly, I'd like to close the wheel gap a bit as it's rather annoying to look 4x4, but I'd rather do it right instead of blindly throwing springs on and having an inferior ride. Sounds like it's time to do some research.

(iagree) lowering the thing by half inch will significantly improve the looks, while not affecting wheel camber by too much. KW variant 1 can do -0.8 to -2.0 inch. Sounds like a good setup.

 

[joe_rocket65]

Original 10' MS3 spring+shock is very good for handling. Auto magazines like C&D and Edmunds inside line are able to do 70+ mph slalom runs repeatably. That is serious sport car handling performance. If you can get your hands on a set of these, they make good bargains.

Aftermarket side, You may want to hold on a little bit since KW and Tein are developing new coilover sets for the new MS3. Some other forums reported the previous generation coilovers are compatible with the new car + slight modification. Tirerack.com has the KW Variant 1 for $1300, H&R for $1200

The issue with using MS3 shocks and springs is the MS3 has a heavier engine therefore the springs are set up to compensate. If I use MS3 springs on the MZ3 it will raise the front relative to the rear hence the question about using aftermarket springs for the MZ3 with MS3 shocks/struts.

 

[gogogomoveit]

The issue with using MS3 shocks and springs is the MS3 has a heavier engine therefore the springs are set up to compensate. If I use MS3 springs on the MZ3 it will raise the front relative to the rear hence the question about using aftermarket springs for the MZ3 with MS3 shocks/struts.

Solid point, but I dont think the spring will be any longer, just stiffer. This does not affect your ride height, but will put in more understeer.

I am still surprised the choices for shocks are so limited for MZ3. I cannot find a namebrand shock manfacturer that provides decent performance replacement to MZ3 OEM.