Dampers for Cobb Springs

[FCNutCase]

Hello,

I've purchased the Cobb springs and sway bar combo, and I'm running them with stock struts. I've got Dunlop 225/45 StarSpec tires on the car, and I autocross frequently. It is also my daily driver.

After living with this combo for about 9 months, I'm in love with the sway bars and tires, and I think the springs are a good match for the car, but I think the stock struts are **WAY** underdampened for the springs. The springs seem to overpower the dampeners regularly... a small bump compresses the springs, and then on rebound the car seems to almost take flight, the dampeners are just overwhelmed. The ride is so compromised my wife has told me to get it fixed or she'll stop riding with me.

So, has anyone switched to a different dampener setup with the Cobb Springs? I'm looking at the Konis, but I'm not sure about their compatability with the Cobb springs. Any input?

Also, anyone traded from Cobb Springs to the MazdaSpeed Coil Overs, or other Coil Overs? I'd love to go coilover, but I'm worried the ride will be even worse. Anyone able to comment?

Thanks!

[SallySpeed3]

I know Koni advertises that their struts will work with the Eibach springs only, but I think they just say that because they obviously have some sort of deal with Eibach. I've read on here a few people with the Cobb Springs have later purchased Koni struts and they've worked fine.

[08cosmic3]

The koni FSD are for stock height springs and the Koni Sports are for lowering springs.

[PaPaSpeed]

I have Eibach springs on my MS3 and was checking into some new dampers just in case I needed them. I sent an e-mail on the Koni web site, and this is a partial response:

"Since you already have the Eibach Pro kit you would be able to go with either the KONI Sport yellow shocks or the 2100 FSD kit. Either will work well with those springs.

They went on to say the FSD's would be more comfy for a daily driver.

If I were you, I would e-mail them (Koni) and get a recommendation to go with the Cobb springs. They should be similar.

Happy trails.

[Mid_Life_Crisis]

If I were you, I would e-mail them (Koni) and get a recommendation to go with the Cobb springs. They should be similar.


I did this a few weeks ago. The guy who responded said the yellows were recommended for the Cobb springs.

I find it interesting that their website states that on the MS3 the FSDs are only for stock springs yet they sell them with the Eibachs as a kit.

[PaPaSpeed]

I did this a few weeks ago. The guy who responded said the yellows were recommended for the Cobb springs.

I find it interesting that their website states that on the MS3 the FSDs are only for stock springs yet they sell them with the Eibachs as a kit.

Yeah MId, I think that's because because the drop on the Eibach's is only .7" and .8". By my best effort to measure the drop it was about .625" and .625", so you can probably get away with it as a kit.
I'll just run mine with the stockers til they give out.

[Saskatchewan17]

So how much, exactly, is a set of these dampeners? Either the Sports or the FSDs.

[leadf00t]

So how much, exactly, is a set of these dampeners? Either the Sports or the FSDs.

http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/Susptabl.jsp?autoMake=Mazda&autoModel=MazdaSpeed3&autoYear=2008&autoModClar=&brand=all

[Saskatchewan17]

Holy fuck. $715?

[08cosmic3]

I'm going to buy the Koni FSD's. PG has them for $650 shipped and Another place has them for $637 shipped.

[PaPaSpeed]

I'm going to buy the Koni FSD's. PG has them for $650 shipped and Another place has them for $637 shipped.

Are you going to go with the Cobb springs to go with them?

[BLAZEONE]

Why not just buy coilovers? Is it because you already bought springs?

[CnoTataymo]

If he likes a firmer ride, springs and shocks are the best. If you go money, H&R coilovers are barely stiffer than springs/shocks. But if he goes with other coilovers, they're more stiffer.

[08cosmic3]

I'm staying with stock springs.

[BLAZEONE]

If he likes a firmer ride, springs and shocks are the best. If you go money, H&R coilovers are barely stiffer than springs/shocks. But if he goes with other coilovers, they're more stiffer.

That's good to know, thx Cno

[FCNutCase]

If he likes a firmer ride, springs and shocks are the best. If you go money, H&R coilovers are barely stiffer than springs/shocks. But if he goes with other coilovers, they're more stiffer.

I originally thought that the Cobb springs would be a good match for the stock struts, but after living with them for 6 months, it seems to me the stock dampers are overwhelmed by the springs. The car gets a bounce going and the dampers have a hard time slowing it down, and any impact seems to have the car almost get air!

I have an 89 RX-7 with Eibach springs and KYB AGX adjustable struts. Even near the firmest setting, the RX-7 has better motion control than the Speed 3. Some of that's to be expected, but not all of it.

As for coil overs, are you saying that the H&R are the softest sprung, and then others are stiffer?

Does anyone know who makes the MazdaSpeed coil over kits?

Thanks,
Collin

[Silver Ecstasy]

When I was in stock gear (stock dampers and stock springs), i'd notice the highway float and would not like the feeling of lifting so much over uneven dips at highway speeds or faster. I purchased a set of MS lowering springs and immediately noticed an improvement in city driving, but the highway impacts were worse. It almost seems like, while the lowering springs keep the car's center of gravity lower, it also keeps the dampers compressed more, only setting it up to float even more often. I did NOT like the combo.

I uninstalled the springs and went back to stock and was very surprised just how much better the stock springs were matched with the shitty stock dampers. For the cost of a suspension upgrade, coilovers seem like the way to go. However, it seems like in the long run, they'd be a bigger hassle (with a shit ton of adjustments..etc. etc.)

[CnoTataymo]

As for coil overs, are you saying that the H&R are the softest sprung, and then others are stiffer?

Does anyone know who makes the MazdaSpeed coil over kits?

Supposedly, the H&R coilovers are 40% stiffer than stock suspension. So that means they are the softest riding coilovers for the MS3.

Mazdaspeed coilovers are basically KW Variant 3's I believe.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I rode in a buddy's MS6 with H&R's and I couldn't believe how comfortable yet responsive his car was. And it was slammed!! On H&R lowering springs only.

[CnoTataymo]

H&R springs for the MS3/MS6 are nowhere near slammed. The closest to being slammed are from H&R coilovers for the MS3, unsure about the MS6 though.

[fasteract]

I have Koni FSD's with the Cobb springs...really no change in ride height and much improved DD performance. BTW, my alignment specs didn't need adjusting..rear the same and front still had slight neg toe-in.

[Silver Ecstasy]

H&R springs for the MS3/MS6 are nowhere near slammed. The closest to being slammed are from H&R coilovers for the MS3, unsure about the MS6 though.

LOL nowhere near?? It scraped everywhere. For a DD, it's slammed.

[mr_mazda329]

The koni FSD are for stock height springs and the Koni Sports are for lowering springs.

Thanks you. How did you find this out? Anyone have experience with the Koni sports and Cobb springs?

[fasteract]

I based my decision on Cobb telling me their springs were OK to go on stock dampers which I translated into them being suitable for thew Koni FSD's

[mr_mazda329]

I based my decision on Cobb telling me their springs were OK to go on stock dampers which I translated into them being suitable for thew Koni FSD's

LoL.. Well look what happens to the stock ones. Which set of konis raised the car up. I think it was the FSD's

[GoFast]

The FSDs do seem to raise the front a small bit

[mr_mazda329]

The FSDs do seem to raise the front a small bit

Thanks. Can anyone chime in on the Koni Sports?

[08cosmic3]

There is a group buy trying to take shape on M 3 Forum for the Koni FSD's. They need ten sets and the price is going to be around $500 which is $150 less than you can get them anywhere. I'm in as I don't plan on lowering my car and will keep the stock springs. I have read good things about the FSD's except they are not suited for lowering springs. They improve the handling and ride quality vs stock dampers where as the sports may be to stiff for my taste.

[boosted1]

Despite being a bit pricey, Bilstein Sport Struts/Shocks deserve a look. I have Vogtland springs and I'm going with the Bilstein Sports,after the holidays.

[mr_mazda329]

There is a group buy trying to take shape on M 3 Forum for the Koni FSD's. They need ten sets and the price is going to be around $500 which is $150 less than you can get them anywhere. I'm in as I don't plan on lowering my car and will keep the stock springs. I have read good things about the FSD's except they are not suited for lowering springs. They improve the handling and ride quality vs stock dampers where as the sports may be to stiff for my taste.

Thanks. Although for daily use, the FSD's sound awesome. But i can live with the rear-ward rake that they bring. I want the ride to be level. If the FSD's could be used with different springs and not life the front, I would be all over them.

[Silver Ecstasy]

For the record, neither Koni Yellow or FSDs are rated for use on lowering springs.

[mr_mazda329]

For the record, neither Koni Yellow or FSDs are rated for use on lowering springs.

Koni has said that the Sports can be used with lowering springs.

[08cosmic3]

^ What he said.

[Silver Ecstasy]

I stand corrected. Thanks guys!

Then again, the Koni Yellows are only designed for the MZ3, not MS3.