[warlord]

Yes, 09 model 3. Our suspension is 100% compatible. Although the fittment of an 09 front swaybar is still unknown. H&R springs is supposed to release 2010 specific springs next month.

 

[dunston]

Did you notice much of a difference with the Koni yellows in the rear?

 

[warlord]

Didn't get them yet. UPS deivery is tomorrow. :clap:

 

[dunston]

OK, i'll be here waiting for your review. :clap:

 

[XERO]

Dumb question: I'm new to doing suspension mods especially on newer cars, but are the Koni's needed? Can the pro kit be used without changing the shocks and struts and what's the difference? I know tunability with the Koni's, but will the oem shocks and struts run fine with the pro kits? Thanks and great pics and write-up!

 

[myt_tuf1]

Dumb question: I'm new to doing suspension mods especially on newer cars, but are the Koni's needed? Can the pro kit be used without changing the shocks and struts and what's the difference? I know tunability with the Koni's, but will the oem shocks and struts run fine with the pro kits? Thanks and great pics and write-up!

I'm almost certain you don't need to replace the stock shocks to put lowering springs on your car; however, not doing so will cause them to wear out a lot sooner...

 

[Scooby]

I'm almost certain you don't need to replace the stock shocks to put lowering springs on your car; however, not doing so will cause them to wear out a lot sooner...

^This

 

[warlord]

Dumb question: I'm new to doing suspension mods especially on newer cars, but are the Koni's needed? Can the pro kit be used without changing the shocks and struts and what's the difference? I know tunability with the Koni's, but will the oem shocks and struts run fine with the pro kits? Thanks and great pics and write-up!

They'll run fine as long as you don't hit big potholes. the stock struts have like 4" of travel. When you lower on prokits you lose 1.5". Now you only have 2.5" of travel left. If you don't watch the road conditions you can bottom out. Keep doing it and the oem struts won't last. The koni have 1.5" more travel than oem. So your back to 4" of full travel. Also the oem struts are tuned to work with the mild oem spring rates. The prokits have higher spring rates. They uncompress harder and faster than oem springs. The oem struts let the prokits uncompress too fast. That's why people complain that they are a little bouncy. This fast bouncing action is what prematurely wears out the valving on the oem struts. The higher you set the valving adjustment on the koni's the slower they let the springs uncompress. This makes for a smoother better handling car.
A more settled car is easier and more comfortable to drive.

 

[krimson viper]

Yes, 09 model 3. Our suspension is 100% compatible. Although the fittment of an 09 front swaybar is still unknown. H&R springs is supposed to release 2010 specific springs next month.

hsnap 1:
Thank you.

 

[Scooby]

Yes, 09 model 3. Our suspension is 100% compatible. Although the fittment of an 09 front swaybar is still unknown. H&R springs is supposed to release 2010 specific springs next month.

the more I am reading the responses from vendors and tuning shops, I am finding that the suspension might fit, but I don't believe it is nearly proper to use the previous generation stuff. The 2010 body is 40% more rigid right out of the box, and while the suspension geometry might be the same, the wheel base is different and so is the weight and many other factors that should be taken into account. While I am in no means an expert, I would think if it was as easy as carrying over the previous generations components the companies would save themselves alot of RnD time and just green light the previous generations components for the 2010+ generation.

 

[warlord]

This quote from Racing Beat sums it all up. Read the last sentence. If their new swaybar will work with older gen mazdas then why wouldn't first gen stuff work with ours.


Quote:
Mazda has made significant changes to the rear bar on the later M3 models, I have a new design for the 2009+ currently underdevelopment. The shape of this bar is fairly simple, our tube bending shop should be able to have samples within the next two weeks. We’re trying two different diameters, once we decide on the final size we should have bars soon thereafter. We’re hopeful that this new bar might be backward compatible with ALL earlier applications as well.

Best Regards,

Jim Langer
Racing Beat, Inc.
714-779-8679
Racing Beat - Mazda Performance Specialists

 

[Scooby]

This quote from Racing Beat sums it all up. Read the last sentence. If their new swaybar will work with older gen mazdas then why wouldn't first gen stuff work with ours.


Quote:
Mazda has made significant changes to the rear bar on the later M3 models, I have a new design for the 2009+ currently underdevelopment. The shape of this bar is fairly simple, our tube bending shop should be able to have samples within the next two weeks. We’re trying two different diameters, once we decide on the final size we should have bars soon thereafter. We’re hopeful that this new bar might be backward compatible with ALL earlier applications as well.

Best Regards,

Jim Langer
Racing Beat, Inc.
714-779-8679
Racing Beat - Mazda Performance Specialists

Where as I would think his first sentence pretty much sums it up :blush 1:

 

[warlord]

If they are so significantly different then how could it possibly work with the first gen? Huh. :mellow 1: You know what, if it works better than the one I have, fuck it. I'll buy it.

 

[Scooby]

If they are so significantly different then how could it possibly work with the first gen? Huh. :mellow 1: You know what, if it works better than the one I have, fuck it. I'll buy it.

hahahaha well said. I am merely stating that if somebody hasn't yet bought first gen stuff, they might as well wait for the 2010 stock as most places seem to be very close to releasing these items.

 

[warlord]

True. We just need to wait and see if the new stuff is better than the old stuff.

 

[Argon]

I hope they release soon or TriPoint does another group buy because $240 is too much for a sway bar. I'm partial to the red on the RB RSB too.

 

[dunston]

I hope they release soon or TriPoint does another group buy because $240 is too much for a sway bar. I'm partial to the red on the RB RSB too.

I talked to tri-point and Race Roots and neither are going to do another group buy. Race Roots is looking good to me because of not having to pay tax and get free shipping.

 

[warlord]

The race roots (Hotchkis) bar is equal to the Tripoint on it's stiffest setting. I'm sure you know that though.

 

[dunston]

Yea, I still want the tri-point, but an sure the race roots (hotchkis) will make me happy. I like the color of the raceroots since its not so flashy.

 

[Exup]

... Also the oem struts are tuned to work with the mild oem spring rates. The prokits have higher spring rates. They uncompress harder and faster than oem springs. The oem struts let the prokits uncompress too fast. That's why people complain that they are a little bouncy. ....

Hi (from Portugal).

On your text, it's summarize 100% the "problem" I have :yes:

I have a 2.2Diesel engine Mazda 3 with the Eibach Pro-kit...and at high speed the car is bouncy because of the rebound speed...(even worst with the 2.2Diesel engine which is heavier).

I ordered the Koni sport (yellow at US)...I hope it would solve the problem (I bet will solve it).

One question:

- Did you installed already the rear shocks?
- To unmount and mount the new ones, is it necessary to access the shock absorber from the inside of the trunk? I'm asking this, because I have a dog cage (specially made for Mazda3) inside the trunk, and it's hard to take it out. Could you please help me with this information?

Thanks in advance. (sorry about my English, but I'm Portuguese)

Regards,

Hugo.