Jack Kun Aguero

I've been looking around for a while and can't get that straight of an answer. I have some Bilstein b6's that I'm going to put on my very stock 99 Miata. I plan on revalving them as well to be able to handle the higher spring rates as soon as I figure out what springs to run. But I have been leaning towards a 400F and 275R spring rates with a bigger front bar.

The car is going to be about 60% street 40% track. I've seen people just run the basic FM springs or Teins or something but I don't really want just a street replacement. I also am planning on running the FCM 36mm front and rear bump stops, just saying.

I have been mostly looking at the ground control coil over/spring combo for the Bilsteins and swift springs. I really like swift spring, having used them in the past. They are a really nice quality and was basically wondering what size springs to run length and width wise. Also is there a sleeve I can put on the car with the swift springs to make it height adjustable or is there a way to make like a spring and helper spring combo.

Barton

Have you read through this thread?

​https://www.miataturbo.net/suspensio...-thread-78451/

Yankee

Definitely recommend: https://www.miataturbo.net/suspensio...-thread-78451/

I run Bilstein HD's on my 96 and like them very much, better than the Koni yellows I was running. I have a Racing Beat Solid front bar, springs are 7" QA1's from Summit 450F/300R. I use Allstar sleeves from Amazon. Not too harsh for the street and stiff enough for AutoX/Track day stuff, which means it does both street & performance duties well but neither perfect... BTW, I went with ISG mounts front and back and I am debating going to a 550F/350R rate soon...

Jack Kun Aguero

That sort of sounds like the set up I want to run on my car honestly. I went through that forum post before, it has a lot of information for sure but I was just looking for more like personal experiences like yours. I's guessing what sleeves you use isn't too big of a deal. But what's the big difference between the solid and hollow Racing Beat bars exactly?

Yankee

In short, the Hollow Bar is lighter and has a stiffer rate. Don't have the specific info in front of me but i know there are posts out there that give some actual data to the differences if you need it.

Jack Kun Aguero

I kind of looked through it but, the part I'm more worried about it the fact that i read through the Budget Bilstein thread... and had no idea what was going on for 50% of the time. I'm not the most mechanically inclined...But so what I want to do is just get my b6s revalved,put the GC sleeve and spring combo on it with the 36mm bump stops on the car with my stock nb top hats. So what I'm asking really is what else do I need to do? Are there any mounting things i need to do or any other bushings i should replace while im doing this?

90civichhb

iTrader: (5)

I have an almost identical setup with 6" springs on GC sleeve kit and FCM bumpstops. I am on NB tophats and I honestly think the setup is kind of crappy. I just picked up some extended top hats and I really hop the extra bump travel helps because I am not impressed at all with this suspension. A decent Koni setup is much more compliant while being able to run higher rates. I think the 450/300 setup on the Bilstein's is about the max you are going to be able to go before you need a revalve.

Yankee

Hey Jack…
I agree with 90civivhhb but I’m going to word it another way… unless you are planning to go with a higher spring rate, I don’t think you need to consider a revalve yet, just my $.02 but from what you said above you’re not looking for the pointy end of the performance side of things so I don’t see where spending that kind of money is necessary with the spring rates you’re interested in.

You may also consider something already matched up like flying miata's V-maxx classic, very affordable with mid-range spring rates, kinda takes the guess work out. Don't know much about them but probably worth looking into before biting any bullets...

I went with NB hats initially and I wasn’t at all impressed at first either, they lasted one trip around the block before I ordered the ISG (1”F/1.5”R). Once I got the new hats on and things sorted I’ve grown to love the setup. I would like to try a 550F/350R setup but I know that may be the very limit of the HD’s, we’ll see.

What they look like:

90civichhb

iTrader: (5)

I think you mean ISC top hats. I would be interested to hear your results from 550/350 setup. I am impressed that your spring stays in the perch at full droop. Does your coilover sleeve fit inside the the tophat? I had to cut my sleeves down or I would hit the spring isolator with the sleeve with any substantial bump travel. I am at 4" and 4.25" pitch weld height though.

Yankee

Yes, my bad, ISC. Hard to see in the pic but the shock just barely peeks out above the sleeve, I did not have to cut my sleeves. I'm pretty sure the sleeve fits inside the hat, no signs of it ever hitting, you can see the FCM bump stop peeking out of there too. I'm a little backwards from the pack on ride height, I'm at 4.5"F and at about 4"R at the pinch. Car was pretty loose when it sat higher in the back, I was playing around with ride heights and it settled right in where I have it so I left it. I didn't think the subtle change would make much of a difference but have left it regardless since it feels very planted now.