JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I'm not into lowering my car. However, I'd love to spend some money to improve the handling capability of my car.

People over on msf.org just recently found out that my year's mazdaspeed3 directly share suspension components with Volvo S40. So both Koni yellow's and Bilstein Sport shocks can be installed on my speed3.

These shocks are surprisingly pretty affordable!

My question is would it be a good idea for me to pair up these good sport shocks with my stock springs? Or since it's just the stock springs, I won't benefit much from it.

Oh yeah, I don't go to tracks. I just enjoy my car everyday as a DD.

Thanks guys!

stangg172004

I had Bilstein Sport shocks and they are perfect for DD. Not harsh at all. Only problem I had was that they had a bit too much travel for me because I was so low. Rubbed in the back when I was heavy or hit bumps...

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Are there any testimonials from other MS3 owners on the forums? Perhaps you can get the shocks only and try them out. If you don't like it you can put the money you saved towards a set of Swift springs? It'd be nice if you had a shop hookup to save on two installs though.

d-townhakuzo

I'd say get the Koni's. I'm really happy with mine and would suggest them to anyone. Then again, Bilstein's are also really nice.

Gfaze

Bilstein

mrmako

+2 for the Bilstein. They are a nice firm ride but not punishing.

fsttyms1

You wont go wrong with either. Both are probably the best shocks you can buy. I have owned both in the past on other cars and loved each of them. Depending on what type are made for the car go with one that is adjustable rebound and dampening) you can tailor the ride a little better.

I have Konis on my TL and it rides better than stock even lowered 1.75 inches.

vwong

It's perfectly ok to pair up either the Koni or Bilstein shocks with your stock springs. Many autox guys do this if they're in any Stock classes, since the rules for Stock class cars prohibit the changing of the OEM springs, however the shocks can be replaced with any aftermarket shocks. Some real hardcore guys even spend thousands of dollars on expensive shocks like Penske and Moton, and they still run with the stock springs. So I see no ill effect on this at all. Go for it!!!

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the advice guys! I feel so confident on this now.

Btw, Koni's products are all on sales right now. I can get 4 shocks for under $500! Good deal, huh?

How much would be for installation? I've never done shock swapping.

vwong, since you are in socal, can you recommend any good affordable shops?

vwong

Would love to help, but I've done all my installations in the past. So I wouldn't know which shop to recommend.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

It's totally fine! I'll ask around in the regional section!

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Mod-party!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

if its anything like my mod-parties at my house....I'm the one partying while the others mod

stangg172004

Also, when compared to my Ksport shocks, the Blistein were significantly better feeling as far as quality goes. They felt really beefy and strong where as the ksports felt thin and almost tinny.

MarbleGT

A lot of Miata guys get the Konis with the stock springs. Since most MX5 dudes are older and not into really modding their cars, the Konis offer a wide range of adjustability and lower the car about .25".

I say go Koni for slightly sharper handling and the choice to adjust the dampening.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ Yeah. I think I'm gonna get Koni.

How much do shops usually charge for this type of installation? I just wanna have an idea of it, so I don't get ripped off.

mcflyguy24

Around here it's about $300, but your in socal. It also depends, do they have to remove the rear seat or are the mounting points in the trunk?

speedemon90

sounds like you are going with koni's which would have been my choice. This is just what I've heard.

And the GTI forum i visit occasionally, there seem to be some hardcore autox and track guys, I remember some guy was using koni's on stock springs.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Man.. this thread over at msf.org regarding bilstein makes me want to get a set of bilstein... seems like a lot of gen1 ms3 owners use bilstein shocks with stock springs. some members even went from mazdaspeed suspension (KW V3) to bilstein shocks with stock springs. its around $600 for bilsteins and $500 for konis

http://www.mazdaspeedforums.org/foru...2/index18.html

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

Don't pay more than $200 to a shop for a spring install. I know guys in other forums who have offered to do spring installs from $80-100. I believe TWS (the wheel supply) in Walnut, Ca. once quoted me at just over $100 for a spring install.

MarbleGT

Thats cheeeeeeeeeap. Theres getting it done and getting it done right. Take it somewhere reputible that will retorque everything when you bring it back in after a week of settling or so. I wouldn't skimp on the install.

cabanalane

Ok, that's because one can adjust the height of the perch. So how strong is the perch? Most shocks perch marks are welded on, and the spring (sort of) rest on that of that. If it's adjustable, then is it strong? How does the spring perch lock on the shock body? It sort of just a small metal ring (that base part that holds the springs.)

I have no experience in this so I'm asking the question.

mattg

My car is getting Koni's this spring.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ I've been in love with your LGT. Great car you got there.

Anyway, any particular reason why you are going with Koni but not Bilstein? You are lowered already right?

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

how about coilover's and putting them at stock height

or some springs that lower minimally but are stiffer



as far as shocks, they do help some with handleing, and keeping the rocking, and tilt motions under better control, ie: it will rock and tilt at a slower speed which can help the car from getting too unsettled too fast, BUT it will still lean and such the exact same amount if given enough time too, like do a on-ramp which loops around

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ My car is actually pretty stiff from the factory since it's mazdaspeed. I'm satisfied with the ride quality and the handling characteristics. So, I don't want to mess up with the suspension too much. Otherwise, I would love to get a set of H&R or KW coilovers..

A lot of members on msf have tried so many different suspension set up from Mazdaspeed Suspension (KW V3) to H&R springs with different shocks. And it was proven that this particular set up (stock springs + Koni or Bilstein shocks) have gotten extremely great results.

v6cord2k5

iTrader: (1)

There's really not much to it

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

saw it was a mazda, did not think about the speed part too much

as far as riding on stock springs, and stiffer shocks, i think it will ride/drive more like an AUDI, in that iirc they like to put more dampener then anybody else out there while running springs slightly on the softer side

and personally on the wife's 09 wrx, it also rides pretty stiff, but anyways lowered with EPIC engineering springs, and i would actually say it rides just as good with them and the stock dampeners, then it does on completely stock suspension, BUT when you do hit a bigger bump though do you notice it alot more though (such as how transitions between surfaces are not always the best/smoothest), but otherwise basically the same, even though it is like an inch lower then factory

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I did debadge my car, so not a lot of people can tell my car is mazdaspeed. so a lot of dumb GTI and Civic Si drivers always rev up at me on the stop lights before they go on the next stop.

If my car will drive more like AUDI, then it's a great thing. My gf drives 2010 A4 Avant with sport package, and I love how the car moves in the twisties.

I would love to lower my car if I wasn't living in downtown LA. The roads are just way too fcked up to lower my car even a little. I would hate the fact that I have to be extra careful when I drive around, so getting the springs is not an option for me.

speedemon90

(do they not notice the hoodscoop on your hood )

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

they're too busy losing.. they can't see the hood.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

:d

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

btw maybe you should ask how low jjashaa was with his old tl in LA (or orange county) and then report back about being at the height you currently are at

mattg

Thanks. I'm on JDM STi Pink springs.

For my application I would have to get Legacy Spec B tophats to make Bilsteins work, and they would actually raise up my car a bit. Koni's are also less expensive and are adjustable. With the Pinks they are supposed to be a great combo.

To install Koni's on the front of my car I actually have to cut and gut my OEM front dampers and install the Koni inserts. Supposed to be pretty easy with the right tools.

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

same on the WRX kinda butchering....


BUT with the ability of possibly of being able to gain a little more compression travel due to mounting the shock itself lower, not all that bad actually since compression travel is a little on the lacking side of the suspension design

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

I know jjashaa in person.

Orange County and Los Angeles are soooooo different in terms of road condition. I went to high school in OC, so I know how nice the roads are there....

I mean I could live with being lowered probably. But I would hate the fact that I have to constantly be worrying about damaging my car.

I see. Are you getting the FSD ones or Yellow ones? Which ones would you recommend me to get? And I think I have to cut the bumpstops or something to make it work, but I heard it's not that complicated so..

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

drove around LA paving roads in that TL.. lulz.

but i drive fine in LA with my current car at its current height.. you just gotta remember what roads to take and which lanes have what.. not that hard if you've been commuting around the area for awhile. but i don't think LA roads are all that bad... don't understand why people complain....

i actually brought my car to work today and have for a month or so.. even went to hollywood and all around that area.. hehe

friesm2000

iTrader: (4)

let alone being able to fix roads year round there

compared to here where we get only like 6 months worth of being able to repair/build roads, because it starts getting too cold (or the ground has not warmed up enough, coming out of winter)
basically when pot holes show up in the winter, they stuff some asphalt in the hole, pat it down with a shovel, then move on (and if you are lucky they might roll over it with their truck a couple of times)


but yes some of it is just learning the roads and where shit is

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

meh..... i've been living up here in downtown la for 6 years now. i know where all the shitholes are, but still i don't want to deal with them at all. plus, the city of LA has no money now. they won't fix anything. lol

it's like the same reason why i got my front license plate on. i just don't want to worry about it just a bit.

fsttyms1

Actually most Konis the adjustable perch is 20 or so mm or right around 1 inch.