Help Me Pick a Suspension !!!!!
- Thread starter RichB
- Start date
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
They are adjustable anyhow so it looks like it shouldn't matter much. Do some reading to find out how much you want to adjust them before they are on the car, because its a PITA once they are installed. Even if you are going to stay with the stock springs I would look for a RSB to install too. Actually springs and RSB would be a nice setup since you could still run in the "stock" class if you even decide to auto-x the car.
Nliiitend1
Member
There have been some complaints about insufficient rear damping in the rear when Mazda 3 spec'ed Konis (especially the FSDs) are used on MS3s.
Lee Grimes at Koni recently bought an MS3 as his personal vehicle, and subsequently they've re-vamped their recommendations, and the actual kit that the they offer, for the MS3.
There is a TON of information regarding this stuff on one of the "other sites" that talk of is censored here, but that's the basic story.
I certainly wouldn't put the regular Mazda 3 spec'ed stuff on my car at this point, knowing what I've gathered from the guys that are running those setups, and after Koni themselves have changed their application offerings.
Lee Grimes at Koni recently bought an MS3 as his personal vehicle, and subsequently they've re-vamped their recommendations, and the actual kit that the they offer, for the MS3.
There is a TON of information regarding this stuff on one of the "other sites" that talk of is censored here, but that's the basic story.
I certainly wouldn't put the regular Mazda 3 spec'ed stuff on my car at this point, knowing what I've gathered from the guys that are running those setups, and after Koni themselves have changed their application offerings.
I have a quick question for anyone who has done this install. Is there a procedure noted somewhere on how to remove the front top mount from the front spring/shock assembly so you don't sprinkle bearing peices everywhere? I see a bunch of cautions mentioned but nobody really describes the correct way to do it.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
solidtrance
Member
- :
- HIS: 2005 RX-8 WWP GT 6MT* HERS: 2006 Speed6 BCM 6MT**
If it is anyhting like the 8 (and I think it i very similar) you don't want to remove the center bolt that goes on the shock itself until you have the whole assembly off the car. Once it is off the car you will need a spring compresser to take the tension off the spring. If you don't do that the whole thing will basically explode when you take that center bolt off.
Yea it is exactly like the rx-8 (suprising?). I was planning on taking the whole assembly off and using the spring compressor, etc.
The part that worries me is when you have the spring compressed and you are removing the top mount via the center bolt. Some people have posted that if you are not careful, the bearing up there will come apart. I haven't really seen any detailed tips though.
The part that worries me is when you have the spring compressed and you are removing the top mount via the center bolt. Some people have posted that if you are not careful, the bearing up there will come apart. I haven't really seen any detailed tips though.
mortimersnerd
Member
They're a great option. I'm thinking about picking up a set myself. If you get them let me know. I'm not too far from you and wouldn't mind helping on the install so I know how to do mine when I finally take the plunge.
KW's finally got installed yesterday. Man did it wear me out. My problem was that I had a roller hockey game in between. I did the fronts, played hockey, then did the rears. Bad planning on my part.
I still have to adjust the height in the rears but my first impressions are that the ride is much more controlled. I was expecting the ride to be a lot stiffer but it isn't at all. This set-up definitely feels progressive which I wasn't expecting. I probably could have gone stiffer but I'll take my wife for a ride at some point and see what she thinks. The more she hates it, the more I like it
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I was also very suprised at the difference in corners. I didn't take anything hard but It doesn't feel like I am about to loose control like with the stock set-up. I also noticed that my wheels stay planted when hitting bumps in corners (there is a bumpy turn on my way to work). Overall, my car feels much more stable and I am glad I went with these KWs.
I still have to adjust the height in the rears but my first impressions are that the ride is much more controlled. I was expecting the ride to be a lot stiffer but it isn't at all. This set-up definitely feels progressive which I wasn't expecting. I probably could have gone stiffer but I'll take my wife for a ride at some point and see what she thinks. The more she hates it, the more I like it
.I was also very suprised at the difference in corners. I didn't take anything hard but It doesn't feel like I am about to loose control like with the stock set-up. I also noticed that my wheels stay planted when hitting bumps in corners (there is a bumpy turn on my way to work). Overall, my car feels much more stable and I am glad I went with these KWs.
garret2331
Member
- :
- Mazdaspeed 3
Nice now take it to mountain pass?
