ne0tas

So normally, I am a function over form type of guy. But I've stuck with my oem r3 shocks and springs for the past 60k (93k miles total chassis miles now) miles I've owned thr car for and I feel like its time to get some new shocks and springs. But I can't decide between going with oem blistens and swift springs for a bit better handling or going with bc racing coilovers so I can have more low (simply for aesthetic purposes)
now the best thing to do would go for ohlins since they are the best entry level "good" coilovers but I can't justify the cost right now.
I ultimately don't want to give up handling quality (compression, rebound, etc) just to go low, but is the quality of the handling between the bc racing and blisteins similar enough to where its justified? I do track days and spirited driving events in my free time.
I think I could also consider bc racing coilovers with swift springs as well? Im really not sure..

TLDR: r3 blistens vs bc racing shocks for handling which is better quality

Loki

iTrader: (1)

How low are you looking to go? It becomes detrimental after about 2" of drop, which is achievable with springs. I haven't used BC personally but would generally avoid entry level coilovers. They might be an upgrade on a Civic, but in many ways a downgrade on the 8. You haven't mentioned if you care about comfort but that's usually where entry-level coilovers come up short.

Not sure how the prices compare but in your shoes I would go Bilstein PSS. It's well regarded by folks here with mixed track/autoX/daily duties. It might be a bit more expensive than BC or than 4 new shocks and springs, but not by much. It doesn't give you ride height adjustment, but you do get a well tuned setup out of the box.

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

BLUF: Get new R3 Bilsteins (not the aftermarket version) and keep the stock springs.

Swift springs on OE dampers might be a crossgrade at best. BC coilovers will be a downgrade.

The R3 is still one of the best handling cars ever made. It's that way because Mazda's best chassis engineers sunk years of development into it. Not easy to improve on that – least of all by slapping in springs designed mainly for lowering, much less coilovers cobbled together by a volume-driven third party.

For this car, if you want an improvement in handling over stock, Öhlins R&T money is the bare minimum you should expect to spend. If you can't justify that... first and foremost, I can't blame you, as that's kind of why I bought my R3: I wanted stock handling that was as hard as possible to improve on. Either way, in this case, your best bet is to grab a set of new R3 Bilsteins, keep the stock springs, and drown your ride height sorrows in the kind of world-class handling you bought this car for in the first place.

speed7

To make my R3 handle better I put on swift springs.. but paired those with Motion Control Suspension with 2 way adjustable coilovers and remote reservoirs. I greatly sacrificed ride quality. And in my mind the only way to really make an Rx8 handle better than stock plus have comfort is a 3 way adjustable setup. That way you can stiffen the body roll yet keep the high speed compression soft-ish to absorb the bumpy roads. I second keeping it stock and just using OEM shocks. Oh and I only went down maybe 1" or less than stock and pretty much scrape at any driveway.

IamFodi

iTrader: (1)

When you say "Swift springs" you mean coilover springs, not the lowering springs meant for stock-style suspension, right?

speed7

Yep 100%.. I was being a bit cheeky in my response.

speed7

Track setup vs OEM. Both R3’s.. it’s not much difference in ride height.

TeamRX8

iTrader: (25)

instead of buying OE shocks why not Koni Orange STR.T (non-adjustable)?

the R3 suspension was ok, but still OE level and often overhyped because it’s easily equalled or exceeded with just a few basic aftermarket changes. Nobody came along and suddenly whipped up on S1 RX8s with an S2 R3 in the Stock racing classes. It just didn’t happen like some people mistakenly thought and found out otherwise.
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ne0tas

I have decided to go with bilstein PSS setup, theyre about the same as bc but seem have real good reviews vs bc. I dont really care for street ride quality as this isnt my daily driver anymore (only put 3k miles on since 2019)