All springs are the same on every FD except for the '99 spec which got new rates. The base, touring and R1 all had exactly the same springs from the factory; only the dampers were different.

Remember that the Koni perches show a much larger drop at the wheel due to the way the dampers mount to the suspension; a small change in spring position makes a much larger one at the wheel. I can tell you that with stock springs and the Koni perches at their lowest setting the car is pretty slammed.

 

Well I have to admit I guess I was a little confused with shocks/struts. I always assumed that if the shock and spring were connected to each other then it was a strut. I am used to shocks being able to be changed without messing with the springs.

 

Again, my search for stock ride height brought up so many varying opinions and 'facts' that a decisive answer was not found.

I have taken into consideration what you are saying Damon. Koni *most likely* measures their adjustment on the actual damper body as opposed to the wheel well. That seems like a better route to me, just save $ and use my stock R1 springs and mid perch setting on the front Koni's and lowest perch on the rear.

No decision has been reached, but all my parts are coming via mail right now.

Raj

 

I want the car a pretty low, but *even* from front to back, level. No more nose down garbage.

Raj

 

The term "coil-over" refers to the spring being around the shock. Of course, we use that term even more loosely than shock/strut! The FD has coil-overs from the factory, but we usually mean threaded-body, height-adjustable coil-overs when we say "coil over" around here.

Another fun tid-bit: the Chapman Strut suspension design uses struts that aren't coil-overs.

-Max

 

"well look who thinks he's 'clever Dan'..."

hey guys, was it so hard to take the basic auto class in high school? it was the only class where i really learned something useful EVERYDAY. even if not, read "car repair for dummies". that'll at least get you up to speed with all the proper terminology.


and the hybrid thing- an intresting theory; i like the cut of your jib.

and oh yeah..... bump

 

I am old so I think of coil springs, leaf springs, and torsion bars. Oh well. Heck I just learned yesterday of the whole hub centric ring stuff. Guess I need to call and find out if my Volks are coming with them.

 

i use Bilstiens and i prefered the ride to my touring shocks. IT seemed like they rode better but i also had them mated to H&R springs. Once i changed the springs to HKS springs the ride was alot harsher. But just for your info the bilstiens are top rated. Most of my friends use them on thier M3's and the ride is great. True mono tube self adjusting design. You will like the ride of these shocks paired with either the stock springs or a progressive rate spring like H&R. The shock is a true street or strip and last a very very long time. You will likely sell the car long before the shocks need to be replaced again.

 

Zoom - Thanks for the input. I know Bilstiens come OEM on some cars, a fact that varifies thier worth.

I have already purchased Koni's. I am REALLY not fond of the softest setting not being as soft as stock, but I chose for adjustment over stock non dynamic rates.

Koni's, 285-40-17
255-45-17
Eibach springs...
all waiting to go on this weekend. I will post results here.

Raj

 

Your tire sizes are way too tall, you will hit the fender liner up front for sure.

The proper size for your fronts should be 255/40. For the rear, 275/40 is at the reasonable limit, 285/40 is probably beyond it.

 

H&R with Bilstein is the setup I am considering. My goal is street comfort and slightly lowered.

Why did you change to HKS springs?

 

Actually, I believe Mazda changed the springs for the 94/95 model. They are a little taller, and a little softer. It is a different part number after 93. The intent was to soften up the ride, and reduce oversteer. Basically, to make the car a little more user friendly.


I have been told that the soft setting on the Tokico Illumina's is similar to the stock (non R1/R2) shocks.

 

Damon, do you have any details regarding the 99+ springs? I notice you can buy them from Mazdamotorsports and they're inexpensive.

 

I changed due to the rate and the ride height. I needed soemthing to accomidate the huge tires i put up front. The stock wheel/tires worked fine with the Bilsteins and H&R's. It rode nice and handled like a Slot car. I liked them but i needed to raise the car up a bit. i didnt want stock ride height so I went with the least drop available. The HKS super sports fit the bill. But the ride is 3x harsher with the HKS springs. I still had to roll the fenders up front for my 255 35 18 inch tires but i wish i could use the H&R's with my bilsteins. That is definatly my favorite combo for the FD.

 

The soft setting on my Tokico's almost makes the car undriveable. Floats like a Caddy with 150k mi on the shocks

 

I've been meaning to ask them about the rates for a while but I keep forgetting when I call them. I know they're stiffer, but I don't know how much.