Eibach Sportline Springs on Stock Shocks?

[Y.B]

Hi guys,

So Ive read through a couple of threads regarding aftermarket springs with stock shocks, and everyone generally says that it should be ok for a couple of years before you need to replace the shocks, but from what Ive read everyone usually talks about the prokits. I bought myself a set of sportlines which as you may know its a 1.8 drop, so Im just wondering is that going to wear down the stock springs much faster than the prokits?

Would you guys recommend I wait it to save up the cash and buy a set of Koni yellows as well? Give me your opinion guys, cause this is the first time Im going to be lowering my car.

[Thrizzl3]

your stock shocks won't last with sportlines :( maybe a few weeks/months.

[Mazdy]

Pretty much the same situation as the prokits but as the sportslines drop more and yes it would wear down the shocks faster...

Like what im doing...im switching from prokits to sports...but i would still use my stock shocks untill its done and put on Konis..

[Y.B]

Really? :( So would you recommend I go with prokits instead?
Whats the least expensive set of shocks I can go with, if I was planning to stick with the sportlines?


your stock shocks won't last with sportlines :( maybe a few weeks/months.

[Thrizzl3]

Really? :( So would you recommend I go with prokits instead?
Whats the least expensive set of shocks I can go with, if I was planning to stick with the sportlines?

depending how low you want to go. there is a set of KYB shocks for sale (http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?59478-FS-KYB-GR-2-SHOCKS&p=873510#post873510) if you want to pick these up.

[Mazdy]

Im on prokits with stock shocks for about a year now and still drives perfect and still feels good...

Also you will need really good aftermarket shocks (like Konis) for the sportlines to keep up...other aftermarket shocks like KYB are OEM like so it wouldnt be good for sportslines

But if your going prokits...then that KYB thats up for sale is good.


Really? :( So would you recommend I go with prokits instead?
Whats the least expensive set of shocks I can go with, if I was planning to stick with the sportlines?

[Y.B]

How are you able to tell that the shocks are gone? Is it through the poor ride quality?


Pretty much the same situation as the prokits but as the sportslines drop more and yes it would wear down the shocks faster...

Like what im doing...im switching from prokits to sports...but i would still use my stock shocks untill its done and put on Konis..

[Mazdy]

You would feel your ride is bouncy meanig your shocks are done...


How are you able to tell that the shocks are gone? Is it through the poor ride quality?

[Y.B]

Damn :( How much would a set of Koni's run me?


Im on prokits with stock shocks for about a year now and still drives perfect and still feels good...

Also you will need really good aftermarket shocks (like Konis) for the sportlines to keep up...other aftermarket shocks like KYB are OEM like so it wouldnt be good for sportslines

But if your going prokits...then that KYB thats up for sale is good.

[Mazdy]

Most sponsors right now are having a sale on them from $650-$680 + $100 install on most shops...

If your going prokits then u can still use stock shocks and just wait untill someone post up Konis on sale on forums or kijiji/ebay...etc

But if your going sports...you will need that Konis right away..


Damn :( How much would a set of Koni's run me?

[aris]

How are you able to tell that the shocks are gone? Is it through the poor ride quality?

Your going to have poor ride quality once you Lower it.... I got pro kits on my car with stock struts/ shocks and the ride is rough.

[Y.B]

Now if I were to replace my shocks with Koni's how long should they last me? Sorry I know Im asking alot of questions :$


Most sponsors right now are having a sale on them from $650-$680 + $100 install on most shops...

If your going prokits then u can still use stock shocks and just wait untill someone post up Konis on sale on forums or kijiji/ebay...etc

But if your going sports...you will need that Konis right away..

[Y.B]

The thing is I need to replace my shocks soon, cause I was at green and ross to get my alignment done the other day and they said your shocks/struts are pretty bad so Im going need to replace them anyways. So is it worth me investing the 600 into the Koni shocks?

[aris]

The thing is I need to replace my shocks soon, cause I was at green and ross to get my alignment done the other day and they said your shocks/struts are pretty bad so Im going need to replace them anyways. So is it worth me investing the 600 into the Koni shocks?
If your shocks/struts need to be replaced and you want to put sport line springs then yes put the Koni ones on...but if your going with pro-kits then their is way cheaper alternatives

[Mazdy]

IMO yes its worth getting Konis as a replacement for your stock shocks as they are really good quality shocks but only if your also getting lowering springs...

But staying stock height you could just get something like KYB (which you mentioned you will go lower) so might as well get shocks that are meant for lowered cars


The thing is I need to replace my shocks soon, cause I was at green and ross to get my alignment done the other day and they said your shocks/struts are pretty bad so Im going need to replace them anyways. So is it worth me investing the 600 into the Koni shocks?

[schmat66]

im on sportlines, my car has been lowered on it for 2 years coming up in may.... stock shocks... they make noise and are fully blown, im picking up coils very soon, just waiting on someone, lol, mine lased a solid year before going bad.

[Mazdy]

Dont mean to thread jack :chuckle

Sell me your sportlines when u get coils...i already have a thread up.. :)



im on sportlines, my car has been lowered on it for 2 years coming up in may.... stock shocks... they make noise and are fully blown, im picking up coils very soon, just waiting on someone, lol, mine lased a solid year before going bad.

Anyways bCk on topic:

Also of your going that Low..you might wanna consider getting a Camber Kit...if you wanna save your tires life longer...cuz being on sportlines u will get major nasty camber wear

[Y.B]

Yea it looks like I need to dish out the 600 and buy the Koni's. Cause I know my shocks arent the best right now either. Thanks for all the tips and pointers guys :)
Now I gotta start looking for somewhere with a good deal on them :P

[Y.B]

I think for now Ill just buy the Koni's and worry about the camber later :P Its going to be too much for me right now, cause I want to get an autoexe spoiler as well :$


Dont mean to thread jack :chuckle

Sell me your sportlines when u get coils...i already have a thread up.. :)




Anyways bCk on topic:

Also of your going that Low..you might wanna consider getting a Camber Kit...if you wanna save your tires life longer...cuz being on sportlines u will get major nasty camber wear

[Thrizzl3]

ewwww not that one! lol...

[Y.B]

lol I love that one. Everyone has the speed, its not everyday you see the autoexe one. And theres no other option other than OEM.


ewwww not that one! lol...

[Thrizzl3]

lol I love that one. Everyone has the speed, its not everyday you see the autoexe one. And theres no other option other than OEM.

so go speed 3. lol done and done

[Y.B]

lol we ll see when april comes around.


so go speed 3. lol done and done

[Jackal]

Agree with Mazdy. You'll most likely need a camber kit. Get one used off a member. They will save your tires.

[Hyperion]

I think for now Ill just buy the Koni's and worry about the camber later :P Its going to be too much for me right now, cause I want to get an autoexe spoiler as well :$

I don't think worrying about the camber later is such a good idea. Forget about the spoiler for now. Depending on how you can drive you can easily lose a set of rubber with how much camber sportlines will give you.

[FoXy]

Shit, if you are going to spend over 600 on shocks and on top of that buy springs too you might as well just get coilovers, one thing to install. More expensive but you can get cheaper ones. That's what I am doing... my shocks are donedy lmao

[Hyperion]

Bc coilovers: $800 used if you're lucky like me
Springs + shocks: $900 +

[loki]

Having read through all the posts here, I'd say regardless if you're on pro-kits or sportlines, if you're running the stock struts, the ride will not be pleasant even if the stock struts hold out.

Once you reduce the spring height, you've now reduced the amount of distance that the strut has to travel to absorb any impact and they were not designed for that.

I had pro-kits with my stock mazdaspeed3 and the ride was terrible, and once I switched to the koni sports it was enjoyable again.

You can pick up a set of brand new koni's from alphamotorsports for under $600, and they even had a packaged deal with install, although I'm not sure if it's still on or not. Even with a pro-kit drop, turns out I need to install rear camber arms.

Lowering your car is not as simple as just throwing on your springs (actually it is...), but it will cost some money to do it right.

My honest opinion, do it right the first time, or don't do it at all.

[Mr Wilson]

I echo Loki's statement that running springs without upgrading the shocks sucks. Even though my drop on Cobb springs is not as much the Pro Kits there is a very noticeable drop in handling and I'm pretty much just waiting for the stock shocks to let go.

Brand new, $1000 will get you a top of line shock/spring combo while $1000 will get a 'middle-of-the-road' coilover.

There are benefits to a coilover, but also more work involved with them. It really depends on what you're hoping to achieve with a lowered look.

[loki]

I echo Loki's statement that running springs without upgrading the shocks sucks. Even though my drop on Cobb springs is not as much the Pro Kits there is a very noticeable drop in handling and I'm pretty much just waiting for the stock shocks to let go.

Brand new, $1000 will get you a top of line shock/spring combo while $1000 will get a 'middle-of-the-road' coilover.

There are benefits to a coilover, but also more work involved with them. It really depends on what you're hoping to achieve with a lowered look.

and before anyone goes ahead and says Mr Wilson is being biased, he had BC coilovers, actually I think they're the same ones Hyperion bought

[Kiyomi]

you should ask gwn, he was riding with sportlines and his shocks lasted for a long time. :D

[Mazdy]

And he used 1st gen sportlines on his 2nd gen...so it was low i mean low low...LOL


you should ask gwn, he was riding with sportlines and his shocks lasted for a long time. :D

[schmat66]

id say get a cmaber kit when you do it, i didnt have one, still dont and camber is bad. save your tires lol cheaper in the long run!

[mazdaskit]

jimmy told me im 50/50 with prokits if i need a camber kit but if you go sportlines he said its a must

[Mazdy]

I have prokits on my 18" last summer...used for a year and when i took them out only slight camber wear....

So basically if your on sportlines...its a must having camber kit...your tires will have major camber wear less than a year


jimmy told me im 50/50 with prokits if i need a camber kit but if you go sportlines he said its a must

[Pivot]

If I cannot be a shining example, then let me be a shocking cautionary tale.

I'm running Sportlines on my stock shocks and struts right now, and it's gross. Just don't do it. It's a rough, rattly, noisy ride that only gets worse with each added passenger (which luckily for me is a rarity). I love the stance and the performance, but I'm picking up some good replacement shocks in the spring...

[Y.B]

Thanks for all the tips and pointers guys :) But as some of you guys have pointed out I think the best bet is to actually sell the springs and buy a set of coilovers, cause it does look like its the cheapest way to deal with everything. And yea I was thinking about it, Im most likely going to get a camber kit as well cause if I dont end up selling my speed rims.

Now what kind of coilovers do you guys recommend?

[Y.B]

And what kind of camber kit is best?

[aris]

And what kind of camber kit is best?

I have eibach

[schmat66]

im grabbing eibach camber kit. and im getting kw coils. lmao everyone else runs bc coils so id say that

[Hyperion]

I have eibach Camber kit. Bought of PearlM3. With BC Coils.

[Kiyomi]

I have eibach Camber kit. Bought of PearlM3. With BC Coils.

do you need a camber kit if u get bc coils!?!?

[schmat66]

depends on how low you wanna go, the lower you go the more your tires wana do this / \

[Kiyomi]

depends on how low you wanna go, the lower you go the more your tires wana do this / \

F(*%, !@$!$@%@#Q ,. wait what if you only wanna go lets say half an inch lower in the front and an inch in the back?

[Hyperion]

F(*%, !@$!$@%@#Q ,. wait what if you only wanna go lets say half an inch lower in the front and an inch in the back?

Answer to question 1:
Yes, unless your coils come with them, you need to buy seperate adjustable ones.
Answer to question 2:
.5" and 1" from stock, nope.

[Kiyomi]

Answer to question 1:
Yes, unless your coils come with them, you need to buy seperate adjustable ones.
Answer to question 2:
.5" and 1" from stock, nope.

its not from stock. so it would be i think near to 2" in the front and 2.5' in the rear.

[schmat66]

look at your tires and tell :p

[dentinger]

i had sportlines/stock shocks for i think a year and a half. never had a problem with leaking shocks. i just had to replace strut mount bearings from time to time.

[Hyperion]

its not from stock. so it would be i think near to 2" in the front and 2.5' in the rear.

2" and 2.5"
Yea, I'd buy a kit. Look for one used. 1st gen will work on 2nd gen

[Kiyomi]

2" and 2.5"
Yea, I'd buy a kit. Look for one used. 1st gen will work on 2nd gen

yeah now that you say it and i think about it, not sure i wanna be buying tires every year... lmao. plus i think ill look into buying those sleeve covers for the coils.

[Hyperion]

yeah now that you say it and i think about it, not sure i wanna be buying tires every year... lmao. plus i think ill look into buying those sleeve covers for the coils.

Just saw those too. Look like a good idea

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I ran sportlines for about two years no camber kit.

There was camber wear but I still got multiple seasons out of the tires.

I have a dominant engineering camber kit now...

[standsideways]

yeah now that you say it and i think about it, not sure i wanna be buying tires every year... lmao. plus i think ill look into buying those sleeve covers for the coils.

You! RS3 or star spec, and camber kit! THEN TRACK DAY!

Really tho, i used my star specs WITHOUT camber adjustment in the rear, for 4 track days and 8000k street, and my insides of the tires are DONE!

Couldhave had 3 more track days atleast with a camber kit.

Dominant engineering is where its at(good call dave!)

[Y.B]

What do you guys think of skunk 2 coilovers?

[rzapata]

What do you guys think of skunk 2 coilovers?

Hmmm, I don't think they make it for mazdas though.... At least that's what I get from their website..

[Mazdy]

+1
i havent seen them on mazdas....always on a civic LOL


Hmmm, I don't think they make it for mazdas though.... At least that's what I get from their website..

[Y.B]

Really? I know they make them for proteges.

[rzapata]

Really? I know they make them for proteges.

That I'm not sure of. But for the coils, it appears that they don't manufacture them for our cars..

Pro-C (http://store.skunk2.com/suspension-tuning/pro-series-coilovers/pro-c-coilovers.html)

Pro-S II (http://store.skunk2.com/suspension-tuning/pro-series-coilovers/pro-s-ii-coilovers.html)

Unless the mounting points are identical (which I doubt).

[standsideways]

Skunk 2 imports products from a "YO-YO r&d" company in taiwan, and skunk2 is owned by group a autosport(importing company i guess)

My guess is BC or another taiwanese company produces them and skunk2 gets specific coloring and badging.

The best coil for your $ is the bc coilover.

The best for track would likely be a koni racing shock setup from koni(not advertised kits) or the hks hipermax 3 for the 1st gen speed3.

Best craftsmanship/r&d goes to kw for sure-mazdaspeed uses kw coils as an aftermarket mazdaspeed part.

Teins options are limited and only really "better" if you want the EDFC control.

[Y.B]

Based on what everyones saying, and what everyone has BC coilovers are probably the best way to go. Now I just have to shop around and find the best price for them.

[Jackal]

KW are really good. Stainless steel but a bit more $.

[GWN]

<3 my KW's

if only I could adjust the front camber...

[zzz3]

KW are really good. Stainless steel but a bit more $.


<3 my KW's

if only I could adjust the front camber...

+2 if i had to get coilovers, i wouldn't get anything but KW because of the quality (construction and durability).

[standsideways]

Kw are no good for slamming your car, wich is what 70% of tm3 members want to do.

Its safe to say that if youd like to lower your coils past what they come set at, kw isnt your best option. Bc, yellowspeed, or any of the adjustable lower collar coils are. Otherwise you are just beating on your new shocks.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

It's weird KWs seem to slam other platforms but not so much the 3.

I know Shea had to remove his helper springs.

That being said I am having a hard time going lower than I current;y am on my BCs and stilk keeping allt he collars.

Back to the BC R&D dept I go.

[GWN]

I have no problem slamming my car on KWs... at IF height (1.8" clearance), I still had well over an inch of thread left. Yeah, I had to remove the helper springs, but that's the only modification I had to make (no perches, collars, etc)

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Oh I didn't know you had so much left.

[cSPEED]

Didn't read whole thread but people usually exaggerate pretty hard with the likelyhood of stock shocks to fail with aftermarket suspension. My rsx was on the lowest possible springs (which also happened to be eibach sportlines) with stock shocks, it was tucking, and lasted 5 years and not a single problem. But I also avoid potholes and speed bumps like it's my job. Don't upgrade the shocks until you have to if you're only going for aesthetics, imo.

[cSPEED]

Most sponsors right now are having a sale on them from $650-$680 + $100 install on most shops...

If your going prokits then u can still use stock shocks and just wait untill someone post up Konis on sale on forums or kijiji/ebay...etc

But if your going sports...you will need that Konis right away..
Maybe I don't know enough about mazda suspension (I hope I'm wrong for my own sake, lol) but why do you say that? The shocks will not blow right away or even within a year probably (I guess it depends on the age of your car). I don't know I've never lowered a mazda yet and maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges but my rsx on sportlines was not too bad, although much more rough and go-carty than stock.

[Mazdy]

Based from peoples experience (if you read the whole thread)...their stock shocks are blown after a week...

Im only on prokits for a year on my 2006 and i can tell that my shocks are almost there....but its still driving smooth (knock on wood)


Maybe I don't know enough about mazda suspension (I hope I'm wrong for my own sake, lol) but why do you say that? The shocks will not blow right away or even within a year probably (I guess it depends on the age of your car). I don't know I've never lowered a mazda yet and maybe I'm comparing apples and oranges but my rsx on sportlines was not too bad, although much more rough and go-carty than stock.