Eibach FINALLY is ready to release their Pro-Kit for the MS3!

[builthatch]

It's been a long time coming.

Eibach has prototyped, then track tested, then finalized their MS3 Pro-Kit, PN# 5549.140

People, like me, have used the regular 3 Pro-Kit on the MS3, and while it does lower the car wonderfully, it also gives up a little bit in the rate department vs. the stock springs, so what you gain in lower center of gravity, you lose due to the rate difference. I am pretty sure they are linear, too.

This new kit will evidently be available through select outlets after the first week of September.

check this out, PROGRESSIVE SPRINGS!

This means that while driving casually, the car will ride better than stock. When the springs are compressed in any type of aggressive manner, they actually tighten up. You get the best of both worlds.

So, compare-

Stock linear springs:
Front- 188lbs
Rear- 171lbs

Eibach Pro-Kit
front rates 160lbs-239lbs
rear rates 148lbs-228lbs

the lowering amount will be .8" in the front and .7" in the back. this is to minimize camber tire wear while offering the best performance possible with stock dampers. it might seem to be 'not low enough' for some when they look at the numbers, but rest assured the performance and comfort will be top notch.

I can't wait.

 

[Je5ter]

Dane and done!

 

[autoxes]

I was under the impression that linear rate springs > progressive rate springs in performance applications.

 

[builthatch]

I was under the impression that linear rate springs > progressive rate springs in performance applications.

linear springs in a hardcore performance situation would ideally be better than progressive springs for one main reason- faster response. Progressive springs don't necessarily offer the constant performance that a linear rate spring would offer in a quick transition situation. linear springs are already at their max rate, whereas progressives need to respond to the transition.

linear springs sometimes are used for certain types of suspension geometries in OE configuration, but i don't know exactly why. i will ask.

but, for the street, nothing beats a progressive spring. it's literally the best of both worlds.

 

[ZooMIN3]

link?

other than thier web site? =)

price range= 200-$300? I may look into these if I don't go with COBBs.. thanks for the update!

 

[builthatch]

link?

other than thier web site? =)

price range= 200-$300? I may look into these if I don't go with COBBs.. thanks for the update!

these aren't out yet. they aren't even on the website yet, as far as i know. there will be "official" info available when they start shipping in September. Price range will probably be inline with most Pro-Kits on the market.

 

[Yoo Shin]

Sounds like the ideal spring for me. Can't wait to see some actual applications and impressions.

 

[ericrapp]

linear springs in a hardcore performance situation would ideally be better than progressive springs for one main reason- faster response. Progressive springs don't necessarily offer the constant performance that a linear rate spring would offer in a quick transition situation. linear springs are already at their max rate, whereas progressives need to respond to the transition.

linear springs sometimes are used for certain types of suspension geometries in OE configuration, but i don't know exactly why. i will ask.

but, for the street, nothing beats a progressive spring. it's literally the best of both worlds.

Well put sir. i am little pissed though. i might well have gone for these if I had more patience and waited. I purchased the Cobb and that is not a bad thing by any means, But aren't your new springs rated a bit stiffer at the top end of range compared to the Cobbsters?.

 

[freeflyfreak]

But aren't your new springs rated a bit stiffer at the top end of range compared to the Cobbsters?.

COBB spring rates are approx. (calculated using stock rates multiplied by Cobbs stated % increase.)

F 188*1.15= 216 lbs/in
R 171*1.25= 213 lbs/in


Eibach according to builthatch are:
Eibach Pro-Kit
front rates 160lbs-239lbs
rear rates 148lbs-228lbs

 

[ZooMIN3]

roger that Builthatch... I'm going to look into these before going the cobb route...besides, I'm sure these'll be in a red powdercoating... so I'd like it to match my hotckis kit when i install it! yey yey!

 

[ericrapp]

COBB spring rates are approx. (calculated using stock rates multiplied by Cobbs stated % increase.)

F 188*1.15= 216 lbs/in
R 171*1.25= 213 lbs/in


Eibach according to builthatch are:
Eibach Pro-Kit
front rates 160lbs-239lbs
rear rates 148lbs-228lbs

I thought it was 15% and 25% front and rear respectively for Cobb over mazdaspeed stock? I came up with 230 and 205. But my math sucks,ha.

 

[ericrapp]

s***, they would match my red Hotchies too. This is getting worse

 

[Quiksilver05]

Darn and I just ordered some H & R's (hand)

 

[speed3se-r]

sweet. Keep us updated!

 

[iredremix]

ahh damn i bought cobbs!

 

[builthatch]

ahh damn i bought cobbs!

ahh it's ok! i'm sure the cobbs are nice. do they have the R&D experience that Eibach has, no, but they surely are a decent option.

the brightside is it's nice to have multiple options. atleast you have a kit meant for your car! i have the pro-kit for the regular 3 on my ms3 currently, so i have switch over when these are shipping in september.

 

[lestat13]

I had progressive neuspeed springs in my Integra, and it was fantastic. A friend's civic with the same drop rode quite harsh while mine was very tolerable. We are talking about 2 inches of drop, but the ride was nice and tight without being harsh (well for me, the girlfriend didn't like it so much). It also did a nice job of tightening when I got aggressive.

But I am thinking, if only eibach would take it down another quarter of an inch I'd snatch these up

 

[builthatch]

I had progressive neuspeed springs in my Integra, and it was fantastic. A friend's civic with the same drop rode quite harsh while mine was very tolerable. We are talking about 2 inches of drop, but the ride was nice and tight without being harsh (well for me, the girlfriend didn't like it so much). It also did a nice job of tightening when I got aggressive.

But I am thinking, if only eibach would take it down another quarter of an inch I'd snatch these up

i agree with you that this car looks ideal at about 1.2 up front and 1.0 in back.

there are a few potential reasons for this decision, based on past experience with pro-kit releases-

1. camber adjustment potential using factory specs and equipment

2. no add'l performance gains from lowering any further

2. they might decide down the line to do a sportline kit, which would end up requiring some sort of aftermarket camber correction to get back to reasonable spec?

3. they also might have found that the travel sacrifices of the stock damper are not worth it for the add'l fraction of an inch.

i have some interesting info about what happens with the ms3 when you lower it.

the front OE camber is a hair under -1 degree.

when you lower it .8", you are now at about -1.4 degrees. it's possible to re-align it with the factory equipment to factory spec. no camber kit needed. that is a nice feature, esp with a car that already likes to eat tires (turbo fwd, oi!)

the rear is where the surprises are. the rear OE camber is about the same as the front, from the factory, about -1*. When you drop it only .7", you are now at -2.1 degrees! again though, evidently this seems to be still within the range where the alignment can be adjusted to factory spec using stock equipment.

i have alot of faith in the eibach R&D, but i thought the same as you when i saw the numbers initially.

AFAIK, someone from this board had their car used to develop these. i think it was possibly Channah but i'm not sure.

 

[lestat13]

Wow, EXCELLENT information!! Makes me reconsider eibach over roadmagnets

 

[ericrapp]

ahh it's ok! I'm sure the cobbs are nice. do they have the R&D experience that Eibach has, no, but they surely are a decent option.

the brightside is it's nice to have multiple options. atleast you have a kit meant for your car! i have the pro-kit for the regular 3 on my ms3 currently, so i have switch over when these are shipping in september.

Cobb is no Eibach for sure, but maybe an apples and kiwi comparison. The Cobb did do track studies to develop a balanced package that will decrease track times. One of the few spring/ bar packages that are nicely tied. But, Builthatch, Eibach certainly is all that and then some for engineering a quality piece