rigidbigelsworth

iTrader: (3)

OK so to avoid what I expect to be alot of ridicule, im going to start out this thread by saying I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT SUSPENSION but im VERY willing to listen to anyone trying to help me learn so thanks in advance.

My dilemna is I am trying to give my 1993 miata better handling because I am trying to get it fixed up for some autox while still maintaining comfort as it will be my DD. I understand the concept of how coilovers work but I cant see how to justify the high price. If I am ok with non adjustable ride height would some stiffer springs and new shocks with some FM sway bars give me a similar outcome? If so, what is a good match for springs and shocks if I want spring stiffness somewhere between stock and hard-as-rocks?

Thanks

turotufas

iTrader: (7)

If you're thinking about FM go with their budget coilover package. Its cheap than the rest.

Canker

You could also do a e-bay coil over setup. There is a huge thread about them over on m.net. Just finished mine .


I haven't driven on them yet other than around the block but so far so good. Set to ride height the spring sits about 2" of the perch. The OBX coil over kit that I used comes with 6" long 390lb front and 7" long 275lb rear springs. Springs are dirt cheap from summit and I may change out the front for a 450lb 7" spring at some point.

Myspeed123

Those e-bay cheapo's break way to easy. Well I should say that their internals don't last long. If your daily driving it maybe think about KYB AGX with some stiffer lowering springs, but in AutoX Then key is keeping your car flat. SWAY BARS!!!!!! Stiff or solid. But depending on your budget its up to you.

Canker

What internals? The shocks are koni sports.

Myspeed123

Koni sports are a different story. Great shocks. Iwas talking about K Sports or other cheap China knock off shocks

Canker

ahhh well I'm just talking about cheap Chinese ground control rip offs. I should have been clearer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-G...item2c546eb099
those things.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=289656
thread about them.

alik

iTrader: (3)

Great disclaimer. Work on the spelling.

Well, you've hit the nail on the head. The biggest thing to look for is the match between shocks and springs. FM Stage 1 has it down pat.
To improve handling, the biggest bang for the buck is sways, especially front sway.

People have said that Ricelands (Raceland US) are actually ok. Joe Perez swapped the rear spring for 7" 250lbs, and likes it.
In the end, it's the question of "how competitive you wanna be"?

Braineack

iTrader: (62)

DEAR IDIOTS,

"Coilover" is short for "coil spring over strut/shock"

Love,
Brain

alik

iTrader: (3)

rigidbigelsworth

iTrader: (3)

I have heard miatas supposedly already have "coilovers" but they are non adjustable correct? they are coilovers technically, but not adjustable like most people think of coilovers?

So I guess what I am hearing is if I'm not trying to make a super race car, just go with some springs/shocks and sways?

and im confused now.. I was under the impression this is how coilovers worked:
to preload the springs/provide a stiffer ride you turn the lower threaded washers? big flat bolts? whatever the parts the spring sit on to compress the spring while to lower/raise ride height, you rotate the entire sleeve around a threaded shock.

So forgive me for probably just being an idiot but how would those OBX ebay kits work? are you supposed to match them with a threaded shock? or are those only able to adjust spring stiffness and not ride height?

gospeed81

iTrader: (51)

Coilover a noun.

Adjustable is an adjective, much like nice, or stiff.

Miatas have coilovers from the factory, but there aren't many nice adjectives that can be used to describe them.

Good coilovers will be adjustable, in height, damping, and possibly preload. They will also have tophats that allow more travel (sorely lacking in a Miata at all but stock 4X4 ride heights), spring rates sufficiently stiff for the range of ride height adjustment allowed, and damping sufficient for those springs.

alik

iTrader: (3)

K, dude. Time to start reading.
You've done well so far, but, now, this is becoming "Suspension 101".

And, no, OBX are just a step above junk, and, coilbind is imminent.

webby459

iTrader: (8)

The ability to adjust ride height, and especially corner weight, is well worth going the extra dime/time for "coilovers." If you just get fixed height shocks as part of a kit, and if you really want to compete in autocross or whatever, you will be sorry sooner than later.

The ebay "coilover" coupled with a decent shock which has been documented well on here is worth doing. At least then you can work on getting better springs and/or playing with spring rates in the future without much extra money spent. Chuck in a quality front sway and use stock or no rear bar, and you are good to go.

Canker

Like I said I wouldn't mind having a 1" longer spring up front but it doesn't look like it will bind with the 6" the way I have it set up. The QA1 springs are $40 a pop from Summit so even if you do have coil bind issues it is cheap to buy longer springs and fix it.

rigidbigelsworth

iTrader: (3)

despite all the controversy, I think I am going to try the raceland coilovers. unfortunately they are out of the NA set, but I have heard I can either swap out my NA top hats for NB hats and be fine OR use the NA hats with just a washer as a spacer?

Can anyone confirm or deny? not my choice, just the compatibility haha

alik

iTrader: (3)

Go with NB version. Either get NB mounts, or, spend a little cash on FCM NB mounts

rigidbigelsworth

iTrader: (3)

OK Thanks!

rigidbigelsworth

iTrader: (3)

anyone know where I can order just some standard NB mounts? are there variations of the inner diameter of the hole on the mounts based on what shocks you plan on using with them? (due to different thicknesses of shock piston arms?) If so, what mounts should I get for the racelands?

and just to make sure im not missing anything, ALL I need is the raceland coilovers for a NB and some OEM NB top mounts right?
so going from the ground up ill put the coilovers, insert into the bottom of the NB mounts, insert both into the body of the car, tighten down the mounts, then just put the washer, bushing, washer, and bolt on top of the shock piston arm and im done? or is there some modifications I should plan on making? I want to know what I'm getting into before I order everything so I dont have to order parts midbuild that I didnt know I would need..

Thanks

02semiata

I would go with this http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...0%20%201990-93 for a nice all around DD and auto x package. Now you don't have to mess around with adjusting stuff just install and get a good alignment. Also you wouldn't happen to be auto xing at Nassau with a black Miata would you