Trent

iTrader: (11)

Well, I'm in a pickle. I had to sell my truck to help pay for some medical expenses for my wife and now the ol' autox prepped Miata is on DD duty for a bit until the finances recover.
My current setup is Tein Flex coilovers with 9kg/6kg springs, hyperflex bushings all around, FM solid front sway bar and adjustable endlinks. Riding on bald RS2's around 15x8 6ULs.
Front ride height is just under 12". Rear is just under 13" so I'm lowered, but not really slammed.

Corners like a dream. But rides like a dump truck. There doesn't feel to be any rear suspension travel (common with the Tein's), and my setup just kind of bounces over bumps instead of absorbing them. My back can't take this day in and day out. Like literally can't. Can't EVEN, even. Have you ever driven in South Louisiana? The orange construction barrel is our state animal.... Anyway, I digress.

If you found yourself in my situation, what would you do? Respring the Tein's? Ditch the coilovers and go with some static shocks (Like the FM 1.5 Tokico or Koni option)? I would love to get some rubber back in my suspension bushings, but I destroyed the bushings removing them and I haven't had much luck finding replacement stock rubber bushings without having to replace the entire set of control arms, which is prohibitively expensive at the moment. All these stupid poly bushings do is squeak and hurt my back. Worst. Mod. Ever.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

is this temporary or for a long time?

if temporary, pick up a stock suspension for cheap and voila.

if long term, pick up a set of fm/tokicos

Trent

iTrader: (11)

Thinking permanent. I was never 100% satisfied with my Tein setup anyway.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Tokikos/fm springs are what you want. I just sent you a pm about a used set I have that I am not currently using.

yossi126

iTrader: (6)

I'm on the same boat as you, but in a different way.
Stock setup that needs replacing, but I wouldn't sacrifice height and comfort.
I want to be able to pass speed bumps at a regular speed.
Since the Tokico Illumians for nb's are gone for good I don't really have a choice in the entry level budget.
The MeisterR that m.net raves about nowadays seems promising, but I'm unsure how civilized it is.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

I was planning on putting NA Tokico's on my NB. Not sure what the actual differences are.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

if you cant sacrifice comfort, you should not consider coilovers

the difference is nothing Lars, if they are assembled units, they will work.

only diff is spring perches and tophats

deezums

iTrader: (3)

Lift it off the rear stops, bet it's worlds better.

pdexta

iTrader: (17)

Have you looked over the better bilstein coilover thread? I just assembled a set for my car and I've been really happy with them. I know it's not saying a whole lot, but they're 1000x more comfortable than my BC coilovers were.

Trent

iTrader: (11)

Amen. Comfort wasn't a concern on a racecar, because, well...racecar. I wouldn't have put coil overs on my ride if there had been any thought to this car ever becoming a daily driver.

Followup up question on the FM setup: Are the rear upper mounts worth it? They are back ordered for an indeterminate amount of time anyway.

TalkingPie

Illumina/FM is a pretty good place to be for a reasonably affordable, comfortable daily that'll still perform a bit.

yossi126

iTrader: (6)

Let me know how this works out.

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

top hats.

shuiend

iTrader: (24)

Well I am going to most likely be selling the setup to Trent as it was way down on my todo list. On eBay there are a few sets of NB Tokico's sets for sale.

huesmann

iTrader: (1)

This'd give you some bump travel back in your rear (that sounds kinda dirty).

As far as bushings, it'd prolly cost you what some stock control arms would, but you could go delrin and at least get rid of the squeaks!

Alternately, a big 2" thick piece of foam, and some earplugs would ameliorate your issues.

3rdCarMX5

iTrader: (1)

I can recommend NB top hats, aftermarket bumpstops (FatCat comes to mind and they really help when you bottom out to the travel), stock springs, NA tokico illuminas. Grippy, comfortable, ride height looks right, and plenty of travel. I can't recommend them enough for a DD. Oh, and cheap.

x_25

Raise the car up. Getting more bump travel should make it way better. I drive around on Koni Yellow with what is basically an 8k/6k set up (450/350lbs/in) and it is fine. Then again, I am a spry 26 year old...

18psi

iTrader: (76)

travel is only important if youre riding the bump stops currently
the other two: damper valving and spring rates, are just as important

for me, the harsh ride on most suspensions is not from bottoming out. its the constant nvh and harshness from stiff springs, and constant jerking up/down from stiff valving. if you hit a dip big enough to hit the bump stops, it's usually absorbed decently assuming you're not bro stanced low

18psi

iTrader: (76)

I never even thought twice about comfort until I was 30.
all the coilovers were super comfortable for me when I was younger
trust me, you can't even comprehend it for now

Chilicharger665

iTrader: (2)

Instead of the FM rear top mounts, look at the Goodwin Racing ones. They are cheaper and might be in stock.

I, too, have a NB Illumina/FM Spring combo that I am not using.