Mazda Rotary Club

At the moment this is a road car and will be that until it's been modified beyond comfy road driving.

Ultimately the car will end up stripped out, caged, turbod, and for track days, sprinting hillclimbing, but not track racing as that's waaaay too expensive.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160524/3a2e69da4b7a9e91ac5fbdc52bda7041.jpg)

Car before i just had the wheels painted black which makes it look so much better!

Car has spacers front and rear to make it look better as the wheels stock don't fit right at all.

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160524/3f15fbd931c6be67f7d4abbbbe6749fc.jpg)

Looking so much better with black wheels.

The ride height is something that's always annoyed me, way to high so Iv got a set of Eibach lowering springs coming from Mazda rotary parts in about two weeks as they're on back order but I can wait.

Just waiting on some prices to come back for some falken tyres, recomended by Clive which are a great road tyre from what he says, I don't want semi slicks as like I said this is a road car.

Going for a 245/40/18, pretty much standard  for what rx8 guys do??

Mods I'm going to do;
Arbs (racing beat ones)

Service items;
Clutch
Gear box oil
Diff oil

Clutch sounds a bit noisy, I have done 9,000 miles since it was rebuilt and had a lot of 9500 rpm pulls in many gears, and I think it's been in from original purchase. Not getting an aftermarket one, going to put a standard friction plate in.


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I won't be doing any performance upgrades as I can't see the point in the expense to increase natural aspiration hp at the high cost for a poor Hp gain, that money will be set aside for a turbo systems as that will net better gains for the expense


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Any chance we could get you on track at Japday next year?

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At silverstone? Maybe if I get it sorted in advance. I want to do a track day in this car asap, really want to go to croft as its not too far from me.


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Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on May 24, 2016, 08:09:50 PM
Just waiting on some prices to come back for some falken tyres, recomended by Clive which are a great road tyre from what he says, I don't want semi slicks as like I said this is a road car.

Clive is on the money with recommending the Falkens excellent road tyre on the 8

Quote from: rote8 on May 24, 2016, 09:55:08 PM

Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on May 24, 2016, 08:09:50 PM
Just waiting on some prices to come back for some falken tyres, recomended by Clive which are a great road tyre from what he says, I don't want semi slicks as like I said this is a road car.

Clive is on the money with recommending the Falkens excellent road tyre on the 8

Yeh I know, he's a good un. He's told me all the tyres he's tried and tested himself and what he found about each type. There was another tyre he recomended were great in the dry and even better in the wet but for the life in me I can't remember, but he said they were really expensive. Think they were about £140 a tyre!!


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The ones I had on when you was in the car with me in the wet at Oulton Grant were Advan Sports.

They hadn't been out long at the time so may have dropped in price now, staggeringly good in the wet and almost like a full racing wet  8)   

That's the ones!! I was amazed how good they were in the wet around oulton park! Best fun Iv ever had as a passenger!


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Next on the to do list is these side strikes, look aweful and I think they should match the wheel colour?
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/f9cc32bd85079802cd71c9aa07b7975b.jpg)


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Just caught up with this topic after I'd been away for a few days - nice one Grant  :)

I'm glad to see you got a Titanium Grey one and agree that the colour suits black wheels. I sprayed my strakes and rear Mazda badges with black plastidip and have two sets of wheels: one black set and one a very dark metallic grey.

I've recently "completed" the grey/black look with a Seibon CF bonnet and even black Racing Brake front calipers (all supplied by MRP!)

These wheels are a satin black, when (rarely!) not covered in brake dust  ;D(http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p481/casey_kimi/Mazda%20RX-8/Spa%202015/IMG_20151016_181807823_zps1zmjun0f.jpg)

Hope to see you on track with the 8 sometime!

(http://i1152.photobucket.com/albums/p481/casey_kimi/Mazda%20RX-8/Spa%202015/DSC_2777a_zpsfef0xj6i.jpg)

Looks great
How did you fair against those little lotus's? Croft is a circuit I really want to go around in my car, I went watching some classic bike racing around there and it looks like a really great track for a first timer. Oulton park which is just as close(ish) as croft feels more like a more technical track with practically no straight and many elevation changes! Plus I did that track in the wet! Not fun at apl


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Any body got 5grand they want to give me for carbon car parts?


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Email yesterday, my Eibach springs will be here monday


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You fitting yourself? I just got a new coil spring compressor works of my battery ratchet gun.
Its the dogs b@#llocks! Dropped strut in compressed spring in 5secs..

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Yeh doing em myself, got some compressors and an air compressor and impact gun too make things nice and quick


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I'm just looking but do they do rx8 strut braces? Are they any good do they do anything?


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Well you got the standard front 1...id lube up night b4. I sheared a nut n stud off top of strut on an 8...minimal force.

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It has a front one??? Best check, can't see it for all the plastics in there lmao


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Lol...under the plastic engine trim....

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Might take that off, that thing holds lots of heat underneath it


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The plastic cover is designed (so I'm told) to aid airflow over the engine. However, I've got a Tein strut brace and the cover won't fit over it and so I don't use it. No difference in temps on track with/without that I can discern (and I've saved a few grammes  ;))

Quote from: Casey on June 04, 2016, 07:53:18 PM
The plastic cover is designed (so I'm told) to aid airflow over the engine. However, I've got a Tein strut brace and the cover won't fit over it and so I don't use it. No difference in temps on track with/without that I can discern (and I've saved a few grammes  ;))

Well if it aids airflow why the hell is it like opening an oven when I take it off after Iv driven it. Lol. All I can see engine covers being useful for is to cover up cool stuff like the inlet manifold and it's intricacy.

Just checked and mine has strut brace lol. Must have not noticed it with it being camouflaged black


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How do I get my headlight washers to work??


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Turn your headlights on first then try.

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Ah ok, was just wondering if they worked at all. Do all models of rx8 have them? Iv pulled them open and they have sprayers in there so must work


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Mot failure if they dont....only work when lights on....try em.

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Will do when I get back home, just set off to Scotland to work the night


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Car has brand new MOT so they must have passed haha


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Turn yer lights on and spray...should see vapour vectoring trial over bonnet.

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Had a dream the other night I owned an FD again. Was awesome


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Sleepless nights.

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Hahh yeh would be if I owned one


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More like sleepless nights lol.

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Tapatalk....

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Told my gf that if I had a decent amount of money I would still have an rx7 and she didn't believe me,,


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i feel prices will fall.....imports are coming in thick n fast. ;D

Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on June 05, 2016, 12:04:32 PM
How do I get my headlight washers to work??


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Grant, I can't remember for sure, but they only work on every 4th or 5th use of the washers when the lights are on, so if they don't work first time then keep trying  ;)

Quote from: Casey on June 06, 2016, 12:32:14 AM

Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on June 05, 2016, 12:04:32 PM
How do I get my headlight washers to work??


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Grant, I can't remember for sure, but they only work on every 4th or 5th use of the washers when the lights are on, so if they don't work first time then keep trying  ;)

Will do thanks


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And they won't work at all if the level in the washer tank is low, as it gives priority to the windscreen and not the headlamps. Something simple but often overlooked.

I will have a look after Iv had some sleep when I finally get home from work. My springs will be here today too


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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/dd3352f986486ae0804185c650b5ab3f.jpg)

Presents for me from me


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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/163ac7ef3c0b783756814bec82072b19.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/779155dac562e5c0f1201639ee7f0b0e.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/6656effbcd37c864f23a32f9bad3be1e.jpg)
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160606/6fef4409d5e434de6cba38f7824d6ae2.jpg)

Really appreciate the professional packaging these have come in, and I'm sure that follows through on the quality of the product. Can't wait to fit them.

Thanks to Clive and lisa for getting me these through Mazdarotaryparts


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Now Iv noticed something about my clutch with the "feel" of it.

When I get in the car and it is cold from being sat all night the clutch pedal will feel really soft when I depress it, basically has zero resistance for about 30% of the pedal travel and then I "feel" it to work, roughly where I would say the biting point is.

Once I have driven the car for 10mins and it is fully warm etc I have a pedal "feel" from the moment I push the clutch from its starting position all the way to fully depressed.

Is this something that all rx8s have or do I have an aftermarket clutch?

Opinions please and descriptions of how your clutches feel when cold and warm. 

I'm hoping it doesn't have a carbon fibre clutch in it as my description would point towards one of those as they have to warm up before they work fully.


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That is likely to be a hydraulic symptom...

Really easy to bleed so could try that first to see if it firms it up (a little air would do the same thing you describe).

Also lots of hydraulic fluids are hygroscopic (they absorb moisture over time) which can also reduce the feel in the same way, so you could also try to flush through with fresh fluid to see if that helps (also one more job off the list for servicing).

J

That was also a thought of mine. Probably needs a good flush through with some new fluid in the clutch and the brake lines


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Yep and has to be done before tracking anyhow...  if there is going to be a time that poor fluid becomes a problem it will be then!

Buy a good quality dot 5.1 (not dot 5), and flush through the whole system through with it.  AP do a really good one that I use to good effect.
https://www.apracing.com/products/race_car/brake_fluid/factory_r_dot_5.1_performance_fluid-cp4510.aspx
(https://www.apracing.com/products/race_car/brake_fluid/factory_r_dot_5.1_performance_fluid-cp4510.aspx)

You don't need top end for the clutch (it does not get as hot) so a standard new dot 4 will do that just fine (just make sure it is a new sealed bottle).

Sound. I might get the brakes done at same time as I do the springs.

Once I have the springs on I'm going to get it 4 wheel aligned as it will obviously change things once lowered 30mm all around


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Top tips.
Before bleeding empty resevoirs with syringe and fill means less bleeding.
Whilst doing springs lube all alignment bolts/threads and makes job easier for alignment man and lower labour bill. I actually feed them off myself on the fd prior to alignment.

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Yeh alignment guy won't do it unless everything is loose haha


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What sort of stuff is there available for replacement in the suspension components? Adjustable control arms?? Or is it better too do the bushings? They nice and cheap compared too an fd!!


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(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160607/b2174d255fd9c163bd41c60abc8c9468.jpg)
Headlight washers work


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Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on June 06, 2016, 10:12:00 PM
What sort of stuff is there available for replacement in the suspension components? Adjustable control arms?? Or is it better too do the bushings? They nice and cheap compared too an fd!!


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I'd always change bushes first for poly type. Made a huge difference to the FD, but realise 8 may not be too old, so your bushing may not be in bad shape.

Quote from: C J R on June 07, 2016, 12:18:24 PM

Quote from: Grant Monkhouse on June 06, 2016, 10:12:00 PM
What sort of stuff is there available for replacement in the suspension components? Adjustable control arms?? Or is it better too do the bushings? They nice and cheap compared too an fd!!


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I'd always change bushes first for poly type. Made a huge difference to the FD, but realise 8 may not be too old, so your bushing may not be in bad shape.

They're 80,000 miles old. There's a lot less bushings to do too I think


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Well how about this for a bit of good luck.

Last night the Forman didn't turn up on site because his car got blocked in at the hotel which was an hour away so he asked me to not tell anyway but look after the job and he would give me £200 cash for doing it. And then I played on the bandit in the services on our way back from Scotland and won another £100!!

So what should I spend that money on??

ARBs or bushings?

I'm thinking the arbs will have a greater noticeable effect but they're more expensive.

Bushings probably a harder and longer job but that upgrade should compliment the lowered springs going on greatly and it's a shit job done, I can get things cleaned an painted in the process too to further improve the car


Hmmm thoughts anyone? Any other suggestions?


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Bushings...  The more you upgrade the more they will need doing...

Do them first and then they are done...  Don't forget rear sub frame mounting bushes as well, they can be swapped out to solid for better location.

As a predominately road car at the mo id concentrate on the springs and arbs....bushing will make it noisy and crashy over our bumpy potholed roads....
I wouls say whilst up in air having springs done fit some braided lines at same time....will give you lovelly brake fill and when you do go on track confidence consistence brake pedal( match with decent pads).


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Ooh two different ipinions


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It will get noisy for sure... if you don't want that then don't do the bushes...  But if you are looking to explore improving the handling with other upgrades then not doing the bushings is a bad plan, as you start stiffening everything up the standard bushings are going to negate everything you are doing.

I would not bother with ARB 'upgrades' until you know you are un-happy with the standard ARB, if you don't know you want a change based on the handling then don't change the handling!  Get other things done first and then see how you like the handling before making adjustments for the sake of 'upgrades'.

The brake lines, now there is something we agree on ;)  You could well spend you money on those and leave all the rest for later!

Quote from: Smiffers on June 09, 2016, 12:34:33 PM
Bushings...  The more you upgrade the more they will need doing...

Do them first and then they are done...  Don't forget rear sub frame mounting bushes as well, they can be swapped out to solid for better location.

Is this said bushing a complete pain in the Arse to swap? I can imagine it being like the diff mounting bushing on an fd.

I can remember watching my dad make the bushings on a lathe that we put on my fd, that was loads of fun. Stopped all kinds of knocks and bangs from the scrap standard ones, which were knackered


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Normally a pain in the arse - a press is a pre-requisite unless you are a sadist with a vice and a lot of time on your hands.

Quote from: Smiffers on June 09, 2016, 01:27:00 PM
Normally a pain in the arse - a press is a pre-requisite unless you are a sadist with a vice and a lot of time on your hands.

Does being fairly strong and have anger issues help??? lol


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Had a quick look, rear subframe bushing looks like something too leave for when it's a none road car. I can only see solid mounts too OR replace them with a standard new item. No delrin available


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Look how expensive the bush kit is for an fd!!(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160609/0c8fe1e8d0c3205442a4a93a30af3bd1.jpg)

It's only £250 for an rx8, it just shows the different approach Mazda took in the suspension geometry and basically changed it to be simpler but betterer?


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Lol....i do think  bushes are great and defo for a track set up but all the 8 guys rave about the arbs as a great rx8 mod poss as standard are a bit soft.
Id wait for Clive and Casey to come along. I think youll be impressed just with the stiffer progressive eibach springs tbh. (And some decent rubber).
We need to get you on track.....convert you from cross dressing to real mans track work...lol.

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I think the fd is more race inspired....with pillow balls and aluminium tca's....its defo better quality...imo having spannered both.

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Cross dressing?? Lmao drag racing is the ultimate, but this car ain't seeing the drag strip, 15 second 1/4 miles is embarrassing. This is going on track, just going to sort these few things I want to do first, but a half decent skid lid then look at a track day. Croft is defo a track I want to drive on. And silverstone


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Quote from: boosted on June 09, 2016, 02:22:16 PM
I think the fd is more race inspired....with pillow balls and aluminium tca's....its defo better quality...imo having spannered both.

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Yeh Mazda basically made a road race car, so much adjustability in the geometry on an fd just by the sheer amount of parts you can adjust!

Plus there more parts to make look new too so there's the little details in the chassis that you can be proud of when someone looks underneath and goes, "wow you have done a quality job under there"


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I could really do with selling just my ecu to gain funds for the arbs then Iv done most of the suspension


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Just watched this, https://youtu.be/AMMvHObT0xg


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Nice vid.

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Prett good isn't it. Just came across it by chance


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Really good vid... "we hated rotarys, bloody noisy things"... :D

Quote from: re japi on June 10, 2016, 04:10:29 AM
Really good vid... "we hated rotarys, bloody noisy things"... :D

I like how he says the rx8 doesn't have the power to weight his rx3 and the other cars have. Which he loses out of the corners but he makes up with braking and through and into the corners


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Yeah, I noticed that too :) And really interesting to see how 8 corners compared to FB

Lähetetty minun E2303 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

So today I installed the front lowering springs.... And it doesn't look any lower haven't done any miles on them yet so hopefully they will settle a fair bit. Had an issue as to which Spring went on the fronts but left Clive a message and lose rang back almost immediately and confirmed that the ones ending part number with HA are the rear ones, so we put the ones part number ending VA on the front.

I can "feel" a difference in the front, slightly bit firmer and also the roll isn't as bad but I can't fully judge the roll until I go out on my own doing some round abouts

Complete pain when you haven't done this job in a while and working out the quickest way and least amount of screw removal. First one took 2hiurs of faffing, second one took less than an hour and that's with one drop link but taking about 10mins on its own.


Front Spring with part number
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160701/3c6268ff7747f354e9f8aff20f5c52a2.jpg)

Rear Spring with part number

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160701/f3c51406434995001ff2b110cbf25980.jpg)

If the rx8 rear is like the rx7 then from memory the rear is even easier to do but I'm going to expect the same time. Hopefully will get the rears on next weekend and see if it has actually lowered the car.

Think I'm going to buy some suspension components so I can swap new bushings into them and swap them quicker onto the car than having to remove clean, controls arms, remove bushes, install bushes reinstall everything to car as that will take forever!!   

Question is, what colour do I paint the control arms??!! I'm not polishing them, and black just won't stand out, I'm thinking maybe blue? Or yellow


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Ill think you notice the gains more when the rear is done. Nothing sheard off so good result.

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Yeh luckily nothing broke. Iv put copper slip back on al the screws so they're nice to come back off. Some of them were dry as hell by cam out with some muscle


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How about this for food of thought, just watched guys from hotrod magazine compare a ford and a mopar engine both produce 500ft/lbs and 450 hp. And guess how much they cost??? $5500 and how much does it cost to get that kind of power from an rx8? 6-7k for everything!!! If only the same was spent on R&D for rotors as has with Pistons everything would be much affordable and justify able!!


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I have seems some v8 swaps on internet lately. Makes you think about drivebility. I quess it would be fun fun drifting. RB26 Skyline lump on RX-8 would be fun too :D

Where are you Grant...you been mia for a while......?

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Working nights and sleeping the rest. Iv had the occasional look on here but not much. I went to put my rear springs on but realised I didn't have enough time to do it as needed to pick my son up so put rear back together after spending an hour involving everythig


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Car now has eibach lowering springs fitted on all corners had some time today so got around too fitting them.

Also changed the oil and filter and also fitted a new car sensor!! Which jon gave me for free and has cleared the engine management light


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I think my car may have had some lowering springs on but they were eons I that's for sure.

The eibachs look about 10mm shorter in height but are Definately thicker and stiffer(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170301/69df4900f362007ff4793e3be7a41b04.jpg)


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