best/lowest drop for msp?

[MrDiggler]

Glad someone else asked for a "summary" of springs vs. stance vs. potential issues, with pics from those who have them installed. I've searched plenty but haven't found what I'm looking for yet. (IMHO I think we need a whole subforum of stickies for things like this, with the b.s. posts edited out and just straight, concise info. Nobody should have to search and dig for hours on end for answers to questions like this. I dare to dream...)

In case you don't have it, attached is a list of different springs and their rates/drops.

Update: According to the web info I just turned up (despite the chart), both Goldline and Eibach Sportline are progressive springs, which may or may not be desirable.

 

[MrDiggler]

Eibach Sportlines here. No rubbing yet.

56K Beware!

Yeah, but you're running 205/40/17's. Not quite apples to apples. Stance looks killer though.

 

[MP3Architect]

wuz the difference between progressive and linear?

 

[toucci]

wuz the difference between progressive and linear?

progressive gets stiffer as it compressed while linear is the same always. linear springs handle better becuse they're more predictable but generally don't ride as smoothly since they have to run higher spring rates and also can't go as low without risking bottoming out.

 

[MrDiggler]

Yeah, it's been explained to me that linear provide better turn-in response and feel. That happens to be very important to me and I'd prefer a linear spring like the factory.

 

[jflo]

i like my goldlines. i've got probably a 1/2" gap all around on my 16s and rides pretty close to stock. the gap is less on the stock rims/tires and a bit lower to the ground as well (the 17s just barely touch parking blocks, but the 16s with 55 profile tires have just a little more space)

 

[1moreMPH]

ok, i hear what you are saying about the progressive springs and their handling, and ive heard it before...but can you really feel that much of a difference? Id like to hear someone who has the Goldlines or some type of Progressive springs...are they really that bad/even noticable? Th.x

 

[Protege_Speed]

Not sure what you mean. Maybe I should add some more info. Wheels that I have are a +42 offset which is borderline. The Toyo Proxes 4 tires are 23.5" overall diameter and 8.6" in width. I originally tried the 215/40/17 and the rears would have rubbed. Fronts would have been okay however. Their overall diameter is 23.9" and the width is 8.9". If I purchased the Toyo Proxes T1-S tires instead, I would have probably been able to use the 215's since they are not as wide as the Proxes 4's. Right now my rears are borderline so I would have to say as long as you stay within those limits, all of you should be fine.

Yeah, but you're running 205/40/17's. Not quite apples to apples. Stance looks killer though.

 

[srd555]

56k sorry

I keep hearing that the Sportlines are progessive all round, but they are actually Linear front, and progressive rear.

Front are the outer ones in the pic

 

[srd555]

Here is my car with and without sportlines.

Stock:

Below are the cars stock measurements at 24,977 miles on the clock. It has a full tank of gas and nothing in the trunk. I have Avon Tech M500 tires with 600 miles on them. Pressure was set at 36 PSI in the front and 34 PSI in the rear.

The measurements in RED are the most universal; they don't matter what size tire you have, just the rim diameter. They are measured from the bottom of the rim lip through the center of the wheel to the bottom of the fender at the outside edge of the wheel well. My stock numbers were 23.25 " in the
front and 22.5 " for the rear for this measurement.

All other measurements were taken with the ground as the reference point. And for those that like the finger method (glare) . I got 3 in her front and 2 in the rear, loosely.

 

[srd555]

Sportline with Illuminas front and stock struts rear

All the conditions described above were duplicated for these measurments.

 

[Fede_italiano]

All the conditions described above were duplicated for these measurments.

Great job on pics.

Thanks.

How is the ride. Same, better or worse than stock?
I mean over bumps, holes, road imperfections.

 

[srd555]

Here is the difference bettwen the MSP rear strut and the Illumina.

I have installed it in the rear, but I did not done the measurments or pics yet.

The top of the rear tire is slightly tucked.

 

[srd555]

Great job on pics.

Thanks.

How is the ride. Same, better or worse than stock?
I mean over bumps, holes, road imperfections.

With the front struts set to 1 and the rear set to 4:
the ride is near stock for most road surfaces. When driven over really rough roads and big dips, the car become floaty and nervous. I think the compression is fine but the rebound is not enough.

With 2 fr and 4 r:
The ride is bumpier that stock but passes the old lady test on most road surfaces. On rough roads with big dips and potholes the cd will skip and you might need a kiddney belt.

With 3fr and 4r:

Car does not want to turn. If you hit a bump mid corner the front will skip of the ground. ABS if braking hard over bumps.


I do not mess with the rear because its a hassle to get to it.

 

[JOGADOGGZ]

Sportline Springs

All the conditions described above were duplicated for these measurments.

Whats the part# for these springs, shops here keep telling me i can only get coilovers for my MSP and no springs.

 

[MP3Architect]

Whats the part# for these springs, shops here keep telling me i can only get coilovers for my MSP and no springs.

never buy springs or anything like that from a shop. they'll charge you up the ass. whenever i got springs a place around here said they'd lower my car for i think $400. $250 for the springs and 150 for the labor. So i bought the springs myself and did the work with the help of citizenpro. the springs only cost me $150 and the labor was free!

 

[JOGADOGGZ]

i know this shop i've been dealing with them for years, what springs do you have on your car??

 

[JOGADOGGZ]

So Tein doesn't make springs for msp, only progress and Eibach?? is this correct, i just bought a msp and i want to lower it but i can't figure out who makes springs for my car because everyone else only sells them for the protege.

 

[MP3Architect]

hate to break it to ya but the mazdaspeed IS a protege. but anyways...........no tein has not created any springs specifically for the mazdaspeed version (ive spoken with tein reps about it) but i am riding on tein s-tech sedan springs. and i know quite a few others in my area doing the same. i posted pics of my msp earlier in this thread.

 

[msp102]

Here's my car on espelir springs...not too many ppl run with these. The first and last pics are on 225/45/17 tires (which rubbed in the rear...I'm on 215/45/17's now). The pics in the middle are 205/40/17 tires, which were too low profile for me, and all wheels are 17x7.