Stock-Like Suspension Options?

[DatsunZ]

What are people doing for replacing old worn out OEM suspension parts on the Speed6 without paying OEM prices? What parts are in the aftermarket for us who want stock strut valving and stock ride height?

Rock Auto obviously has many parts listed as OEM-like but I know for a fact many of those are regular Mazda6 parts and valving/spring rates that are only on there because they fit, not because they work for our car.

I mainly want to avoid paying $1000 for Bilstein struts and lowering springs as they all have more drop than I’d like since I’m switching to RX8 rims with 225/45R18 tires, and at that price I’m almost 2/3 of the way to decent coilovers. I don’t feel like the car needs much of a drop or much more spring for my intended use which would be 95% street driven, especially since we have some of the worst streets in the country in STL and using get 1-2 big snows a year that exceed 1ft.

 

[SyntheticAtmosphere]

If your springs are still working as required I wouldnt replace them. I would consider Bilstein B6 struts as they are designed for OEM ride height. They may have somewhat differnt valving to OEM, but I dont think it will kill you. If you require springs, look for a spring shop to roll you a new set. Many can make custom coil setups for not much money. This route will last longer than any cheap coilover setup.

 

[Easter Bunny]

Agree with Bilstein shocks and stock springs

 

[SyntheticAtmosphere]

The other point I forgot to mention is Bilstein Struts for the Speed6 are monotube. Monotube is the only strut you should look for. Twin tube dont have as long of a service life.

 

[DatsunZ]

I wouldn’t say my springs are bad/sagging, but I’m a firm believer in replacing as much of the 150k mile components on this car while I’m working in that area already, and I definitely have a blown rear passenger strut which explains the bad wheel bearing and toasted brake pad in that corner.

I had considered getting some custom springs wound for the car, and would be open to the idea if anybody here has specs I can pass to a shop for the purpose of a quote.

It just hurts me a bit in the financial emotional core spending $600 on the Bilstein B6, but if it’s pretty much the only option these days then I guess it’s all I can do. It sucks the RPM springs are impossible to find because they had versions that dropped the car 0.5” and 1” which is exactly what I want. I guess I could always grab the Corksport or HR springs and add spacers and new studs to the top hats.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

[Easter Bunny]

$600 for four good shocks is not bad at all.

@phate may be able to help you on spring rates

 

[SyntheticAtmosphere]

Have you looked at purchasing OEM springs? The OEM spring rates are pretty decent, especially for street driving. If you are looking for some drop, the coils can be clipped. I took 1 round out of a set of new OEM rear coils to get the level I was looking for. I am also considering eventually swapping my front Eibachs to OEMs and clipping them too. Check out the height change in my build thread <<here>>.
1 loop cut is about 3/4" drop IIRC

 

[DatsunZ]

$600 for four good shocks is not bad at all.

@phate may be able to help you on spring rates

True it’s not that bad of a price, but for now alls I really need is 1 rear strut to get me through for now, and in the past I’ve thrown $30 dollar OE equivalent struts on friends cars that have lasted 80k miles and 6+ years.

Plus, it seems the rear Bilsteins are on a nationwide back order. Edge Autosports only has 1 currently.

Have you looked at purchasing OEM springs? The OEM spring rates are pretty decent, especially for street driving. If you are looking for some drop, the coils can be clipped. I took 1 round out of a set of new OEM rear coils to get the level I was looking for. I am also considering eventually swapping my front Eibachs to OEMs and clipping them too. Check out the height change in my build thread <<here>>.
1 loop cut is about 3/4" drop IIRC

Thanks for the link, I’ve tried to look for people cutting springs and never came across that thread. I didn’t use the word “clip” in my search which is probably why. I’ve been in some cars where cut springs felt no different than stock, and cars that you swore had solid rods instead of struts after installing cut springs. Good to get some information that mildly cut springs are pretty inoffensive in this car.