Best strut/$$$ option for MSP

livelyjay · Jul 24, 2007

carbonkid said:
Anyone have this setup???

I sent a message to ChopstickHero to see if his friend could do a little write up about them and either send it to me or post in this thread.

livelyjay · Jul 24, 2007

I just updated the list with links to the various manufacturers, listed lowering capability and spring rates where available.

Jeff@Tri-Point · Jul 25, 2007

JRTritsch said:
I have just decided to do an STX build as well. I will probably have much to share. And I'm interested to see where your build ends up. I may, unfortuneatly, have to add another data point to the K-sport failure list. The price for the package seemed too good. I really wish koni sold a shock I could throw under some ground controls and do it the cheap way- properly
I also did the engine mounts, s-pipe back exhaust w/ single high flow cat and intake. I think thats all I will do for now and see where that takes me. I am not sure that the MSP is ever going to dominate in STX but should be reasonably competeitve.

BTW- Has anyone tried running the 235/40/17 advans or azenis on something like a +45 wheel? I'll think I'll find out in a few weeks

I'm running 245/40/17 in this picture with a 47+ Offset

/End thread jack

Jeff@Tri-Point · Jul 25, 2007

drdking said:
So if I were looking for more information/where to buy the Konis, where would I go? I can't find them on Tri-Points page.

http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123651640

livelyjay · Jul 25, 2007

Jeff@Tri-Point said:
I'm running 245/40/17 in this picture with a 47+ Offset

The quote you provided is someone's opinion dealing with suspension set ups, so I wouldn't consider it a thread jack. You also inadvertently answered a few of my questions about offset and tires. Your tires are pretty close to the fender wells with your setup. I have +45 wheels right now, and I think I's still be able to fit 245/40-17, but would definitely be able to fit 235/40-17. That's good information to have.

I've pretty much nailed down what I want to do, now it's just up to pricing. Once I become a member of Mazda Motorsports my decision on what setup to go with will be clear, because apparently you can get some decent discounts on parts through them. Either way I think I am sold on either the AWR or Koni single setup, but that will wait until I move into STX, which will be when my current stock struts blow.

livelyjay · Jul 25, 2007

Jeff@Tri-Point said:
http://www.mazdas247.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123651640

I linked that thread on the first post in this thread to make it front and center.

carbonkid · Jul 25, 2007

I love this thread...

xelderx · Jul 25, 2007

livelyjay;3297800Either way I think I am sold on either the AWR or Koni single setup said:
You will be happy with either choice. people don't realize how good the Koni setup is. I ran the J-Spec Mazdaspeed adjustable struts (green ones) before the AWR Konis and I thought they were really good. I didn't realize how much better the Konis were going to be. Even though it was the single most expensive purchase I've made by far for the car in 5 years owning it...I'll never regret it.

carbonkid · Jul 25, 2007

How do you feel about the AWR setup, as far as when you aren't autocrossing? Fairly versatile?

xelderx · Jul 25, 2007

carbonkid said:
How do you feel about the AWR setup, as far as when you aren't autocrossing? Fairly versatile?

I don't have to make any special sacrifices to daily drive it. The spring rates I use are over double the stock rates so I have a very stiff ride. It's not distractingly stiff, though. It just feels like your in a purpose built sports car. No extra noises or creaks so far. The Koni inserts are just so well damped that it makes the ride feel a lot smoother than it should be.

khaosman · Jul 25, 2007

Justin, what springrates were in the car when I drove it? 300#/450#? What are in it now?

xelderx · Jul 25, 2007

khaosman said:
Justin, what springrates were in the car when I drove it? 300#/450#? What are in it now?

I think they were 350f/450r when you drove it. Right now they are 450f/600r

carbonkid · Jul 26, 2007

xelderx said:
I don't have to make any special sacrifices to daily drive it. The spring rates I use are over double the stock rates so I have a very stiff ride. It's not distractingly stiff, though. It just feels like your in a purpose built sports car. No extra noises or creaks so far. The Koni inserts are just so well damped that it makes the ride feel a lot smoother than it should be.

Perfect. This is where my stupidity will show, however: I thought AWR uses Bilstein inserts, not Konis. Would someone have the same results with the Bilsteins?

xelderx · Jul 26, 2007

carbonkid said:
Perfect. This is where my stupidity will show, however: I thought AWR uses Bilstein inserts, not Konis. Would someone have the same results with the Bilsteins?

AWR can do both. The Bilsteins are non-adjustable and the Konis are adjustable. The Bilsteins are very good and on par with the Konis if you don't want or need adjustable dampening. I rarely play with the dampening on mine, but for events where it rains or the surface has very little grip it can help a bunch to turn the rebound down.

srd555 · Jul 26, 2007

Kw

livelyjay said:
I'd say if you are serious about running you car in auto-x and other competition, I would go with any of the bottom three options. The KW Variant is also an option, but no one has spoken up about them.

BradC · Jul 26, 2007

srd555 said:
Sorry im late.

I had the KW's on my car for about 8-9 thousand miles. While I dont autocross with the MSP, I have do autocrosses in the past and have had some driving classes though the years. I have also had two other cars with coilovers (tein SS).

Now that I have setup my history, let me tell you, this are the best coilovers I ever had. The tein ss I had on my Impreza and my spec v never felt right.

Example. I would set the shocks one day and everything would be fine that day. The next day it might feel too soft or too hard or the car had no turn in or it would rotate too much and I would have to adjust again. This was not the case with the KW. It took a coulpe days for me to figure out the rebound settings but after that I never had to touch it. The ride quality was exactly the same as me friends E46 BMW M3 at a hight of one figure gap all round on the MSP.

The top strut bolt holse are sluted and gave a camber range of -1 to -3.1 on my car.

I have resently traded in the MSP and will be selling the KW as soon as I get back to town.
Here are some tech. pics:

Good info, thanks!

Give me a shout when you are ready to sell

srd555 · Jul 26, 2007

A good friend of mine with a MSP got the Tein SS at the same time I got the KW and we have done some tests.
His car can be made softer than mine by turning down the shocks, however the car gets floaty at high speeds. When he sets it up were he is comfortable with the handling, its too stift for the street. He comentted that my car just always fells right.

Example.
If he hits a bump while braking the car skips off the ground and the ABS goes off. At this setting the car does not want to turn into the corner at first but then it settles on the exit. The kw on the other hand, does not have the ABS going off all the time. I also had great turn in and I could get on the gas earlier than he could out of the turn.

He could not go as low as I could without the springs losing contact with the perch.

srd555 · Jul 26, 2007

BradC said:
Good info, thanks!

Give me a shout when you are ready to sell

Will do.

BradC · Jul 26, 2007

srd555 said:
Will do.

Great, look forward to it. If you don't mind, PM what you think you will be asking?

Thanks

carbonkid · Jul 26, 2007

If BradC falls through, i am interested.

Best strut/$$$ option for MSP

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Zoom Zoom Boom X 3

Member

Zoom Zoom Boom X 3

Member

Zoom Zoom Boom X 3

Member

Zoom Zoom Boom X 3

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member

Member