Sportlines Front, Prokits Rear... Pics/Experience?

[ds08tf]

Hey so I'm thinking of going a little lower and I know someone who needs rear sportlines so I'm thinking about throwing on sportlines on the front and keeping the prokits at the back because I've heard the spring rates aren't that different between prokit and sportline rears.

Has anyone done this or has pictures or anything... I'm looking for a drop similar to Tein S Springs...
I've read some threads about this combo before but they were all only speculation.. never pictures or experience.

Thanks in advance.
Darien

[Hyperion]

That will be retarded.

[trulankan]

if you are looking for a drag car look then maybe but im not sure how it would effect your overall car balance/control since this is not how eibach intended

[ds08tf]

That will be retarded.

Here are the spring rates please explain why it will be retarded? I'm actually curious...

Eibach
Mazda 3 04+
Pro-Kit:
Front 1.2 Rear 1.2
Spring Rate: (F) 160 (R) 171
Spring Type: Linear, Single Rate

Sportline Kit:
Front 1.8 Rear 1.8
Spring Rate: (F) 97 - 280 (R) 114 - 303
Spring Type: Progressive, Dual Rate

S-Tech
Drop: 2.0" front 1.5" rear
Spring Rate: (F) 160 (R) 240
Spring Type: Linear Single Rate

[The Wolf]

I don't think it'll look bad at all. Ride might suck and handling might be weird

[ds08tf]

From what I can see the spring rate on the front of the sportlines will be a little softer over flat road and over bumps or drops it will be slightly firmer (less body roll) than either s tech or prokits... as to the rears it will be softer than either the sportlines or the stechs at anything other than highway driving or just sitting in the car... but then again the prokits are much higher allowing for the ride to BE much softer in the rear. The only thing I'd be worried about would be a little too much bounce...

I'd estimate I'd end up with a 1.7 drop in the front and a 1.3 in the back, which wouldn't result in a "drag car" I don't think... although I probably would have increased launch control.
Also I believe the ride comfort would probably be almost identical to prokits except for really heavy front drops..

Again anyone with actual experience or pics of this... I've seen it on other cars but I'm looking specifically for Mazda 3s or Speed 3s

[ds08tf]

I don't think it'll look bad at all. Ride might suck and handling might be weird

Handling would be kind of a big concern... I could see understeer being a problem as the front end would be much stiffer through turns..
then again I don't track the car...

[GWN]

wait so why not just go sport lines all around?

[07carbon3]

Hey so I'm thinking of going a little lower and I know someone who needs rear sportlines so I'm thinking about throwing on sportlines on the front and keeping the prokits at the back because I've heard the spring rates aren't that different between prokit and sportline rears.

Has anyone done this or has pictures or anything... I'm looking for a drop similar to Tein S Springs...
I've read some threads about this combo before but they were all only speculation.. never pictures or experience.

Thanks in advance.
Darien

why not just get s techs?

[The Wolf]

Cheaper cause he can split the cost with his friend who only needs the rears

[ds08tf]

Cheaper cause he can split the cost with his friend who only needs the rears

Apparently you my friend are the only one that listens/reads. Thank you for that.

[ds08tf]

wait so why not just go sport lines all around?

Beside the cost benefit that our friend sawatsky has pointed out that I mentioned in my original post. Sportlines are the same height all the way around. I was hoping for a slight half inch sorta forward lean. I.e front lower than back.

[Aitch]

Not only are you mixing spring rates, you're also mixing linear with progressive types. Yes there are setups that do this, but Eibach didn't necessarily design these to be mixed together.

When considering spring rates, you also have to think about how they affect the oscillation frequency of the suspension, and now you're varying that front and rear.

I'm not saying it won't work. I'm saying suspension tuning involves a LOT of factors, and us bench guessing could be way off on either direction. So proceed at your own risk and be prepared for odd ride quirks.

[The Wolf]

Just realize that your car might become very unstable very suddenly (this is me being an alarmist, because I honestly don't think it's a huge deal, but I'm far from an expert)

I think you should try it. When I say try it, I mean install the springs and then go to a safe unpopulated area and put the car through it's paces away from anyone/anything that could get hurt. If it's not wildly unstable, then success. If it's wildly unstable, hopefully you didn't roll your car and you can take the springs out. I'll go ahead and say it's far better than cut springs, and lots of guys get away with that.

[Aitch]

^^ I partially agree with you. I don't think it will end up being wildly unstable, but there may be weird ride oscillations over bumps on the highway (i.e. front and rear will want to bounce in an out-of-sync way).

[ds08tf]

hmmm ok you've raised interesting points. I will see if it's worth it with getting the sportlines and my friend getting the rears and maybe if I am able to do the spring install myself I will go for it. If I do I will let you know and I will for sure take it through it's paces somewhere safe.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I swear someone has done this. Mguyver maybe? I know he had two sets of springs for some reason. I think RJ3 has (run mixed springs) too. It's uncommon because ending up with two sets of springs on hand is well.. uncommon.

Considering methods people use to get cars really low I feel that you will ultimately be fine to do what you are thinking though it might not handle 'ideal' however the amount it is off from ideal might be unnoticeable in a street setting.

[michaelm]

I did this before I got sportlines and then coilovers.

Ran prokits in the rear and canuck motorsport springs in the front.

Didn't have any problems... except when you get the itch for moaarr low!! lol.