Help! "Stock Suspension w/ Summer tires" v. "Lowered Suspension w/ All-Seasons"

[Flaps720]

I only have the $600 to go one route, so i would like to know what you guys think will be best performance-wise.

I have about $600 to play with and I was planning on having s-techs installed and the car aligned. BUT I just realized my current summer tires are on their way out quick (Azenis rt-615), and it will be about $600 alone for a new set of performance summer tires.

I do have a brand new set of the ContiExtreme DWS, which are great tires, but all-seasons nonetheless.

So, since I will be tracking the car at Watkins Glen in July, I want to know if I am better off dropping her w the springs and mounting the fresh all seasons, or holding off on the springs and making sure I run a dedicated summer tire...

Also, I intend to beef up the sway bars regardless...

[420sx]

If it were me, id probably run the all seasons.

Dont have any real reasoning behind it.. thats just what I'd do. lol

[bmatyeah]

if it were me i would just get the tires, i would invest in proper coil overs because you actually track your car. Stechs are cool, but i don't think a properly done car who sees real track time will be to happy.

But if thats just a one time thing i would get all seasons and drop it

[SvicksTc]

Tires and save for coils with our car especially if you plan on tracking it our stock suspension if you have the gt which I'm assuming you do will do just fine at the track get the tires

[sean3]

Tires are the single most important factor. Stock RX8 suspension is extremely good. I'd look into spending money for something better than Tein junk when you do mod it.

[fitftw]

Tein Flex is not junk. I love Tein-haters.

[Scapegoat]

tires

[jpalamar]

How about DWS(awsome tires by the way) for DDing and a second set of wheels w/ track tires or summer tires on it. From what I've heard, the RX-8 as decent suspension on it so upgrading it before having the proper tires/wheels is pointless.

[Flaps720]

yeah i've had collective input from multiple forums, and decided against the springs. I am fully aware of the rx-8's stock suspension capabilities, but was less informed on how all-seasons would do on the track. And since this will be the first time i track a car, I wasnt sure what setup would be the better performer. Im gonna buy a nice set of summer tires, and put the DWS (yes AWESOME tires jpalamar) for winter/off-season.

Thanks for the input everyone...now onto finding the right set of tires...

[SvicksTc]

good call

[rodder]

Originally Posted by fitftw

Tein Flex is not junk. I love Tein-haters.

Yes it is. I love tein fanboys.

[turboman808]

Tires are the most important upgrade you can make to a car. I want to bang my head against a wall when I see guys doing thousands in mods, throwing in LSD, droping the car, putting in big brakes and they are running ****ty tires. Like playing basketball in dress shoes.

Nothing works properly without good tires.


Of course if you tracked the car on the all season tires you would have to replace them anyways. They wouldn't last one 15 minute track session.

Lowering the car really doesn't do much for performance. On bumpy surfaces a lowered car loses contact with the ground. Car cannot do anything without the tire firmly on the ground.

[Flaps720]

Originally Posted by rodder

Yes it is. I love tein fanboys.

Haha, theres always haters of something everywhere! i was originally going with tein bc for the rx8 application, they offered closest to what i was looking for in terms of drop and spring rate for a rational price. Haha, there would be no Tein stickers or such on my car for sure.

All i wanted to get out of this was to determine which setup would be more beneficial in terms of handling, and I def. got my answer. Thanks everyone