sicminded

Hi all,

Did a couple of searches, couldn't find much. Probably because everyone who wants aftermarket suspension wants to lower the car too.

I on the other hand would like to stiffen up the suspension with a higher spring rate, but while keeping the stock ride height. The reason being is I like the ride height of my car now (stock). But I want to help minimize the chances of my wheel/tire setup from rubbing by keeping the stock height and stiffening it up a bit. And also, of course, to increase the handling performance of the car.

I'm looking at the Tein Flex's, and on their webpage it is really confusing when reading their table for the adjustable range. (http://www.tein.com/mazda.html) but if i'm reading it correctly, it seems that the type flex is capable of even raising the ride height? what's even more confusing, when you click on the 'photo' link, the values are listed different?

i'm also open to other options.

thanks for looking,
chris

SpeedKing

iTrader: (4)

Why don't you do some research and buy proper sized wheels and tires that fit? Think you've gotten a little paranoid w/ those 17x9 FN01R-Cs you ran up front and rubbed with. I've owned 3 sets of wheels (17" '99 J-spec, 17" Fikse FM/5s, 18" Enkei Aegis'), my car is lowered w/ Bilstein HD shocks and H&R Sport springs and I've never rubbed ever w/ any of these wheels.

sicminded

I did do research (alot) before buying my wheels/tires, and found that my setup does theoretically work and fit. I am not the only one running a 9" width wheel up front with a +43 offset and 255 width tire. I have searched plenty and have exchanged pm's with a few members who are running the same width and offset, and even the exact size and model/make. yes, a definate fix is to downgrade and go with a conservative 8" wheel up front. but in doing research, people have made this work, and am trying to do the same. I've read that running a smaller tire would help or a stiffer suspension setup. i'm trying the route of suspension, since if it helps/fixes my issues or not, either way, i will be getting suspension anyways. if it doesn't help, then yes ill try and get rid of them and buy some 17x8's up front.

chris

cmartinp28

high springrate will keep your car from rubbing...

if you really want.. you can get coilovers like apexi exv or buddy club that have enough height adjustment space to make your car look like an SUV

sicminded

cool, so i'm putting down the apexi exv and buddy club as possibilites. it sounds like they have enough height range adjustability not only to maintain stock ride height, but even increase the ride height.

any other coilovers with similar height range adjustability, mainly to keep stock ride height? anyone know if the flexes can keep the stock ride height?

thanks,
chris

cmartinp28

with the EXV... you dont have to worry about hight much... my wheels are about 1 inch from my fenders and no rubbing at all..... great dampenning too

sicminded

at my front fenders, the way it sits now, i can only put two fingers at the gap. with a measuring tape, i am eyeing about just under 2". if i do any dropping, i would only want to drop it about 0.5". the way the gap is right now at stock height looks fine/good to me. i wouldn't mind keeping the height where it is now and just stiffen up the suspension.

also why i don't want to lower the car that much is because my front wheels are almost perfectly flush with the fender. if i do any excessive lowering, it's not going to tuck in their at all.

chris

scratchjunkie

sounds to me like your suspension is already toast and sagging. i think you will be satisfied with any coil over set up at this point chris.

sicminded

hmm... daym didn't think my suspension was sagging that bad. i checked the rubber upper mounts, they have some disformation, but not even close to sagging totally over the springs.

yea, i would be happy with any coilover setup over the stock r1 suspension. but just wanted the ability to maintain stock ride height just in case my setup doesnt work out with any kind of lowering.

chris