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top hat spacer? bad idea

Old 08-31-2011, 06:31 PM
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Default top hat spacer? bad idea

I need to lift the front of my car about half an inch for my next event.

Through some rcomps on my panasports and they ride lower than my Azenis. My front bumper has hardly any clearance at all.

Is it a bad idea for me to take 1/4'' steel and make a top hat spacer? I'm hoping even this will be enough.

I think I know the answer already = [
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:32 PM
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This is with the Azenis, it's even worse now.



Attached Thumbnails top hat spacer? bad idea-6094244873_26300db2d4_b.jpg   top hat spacer? bad idea-6094767398_9691732519_b.jpg  
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:41 PM
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I have no idea why the front of my car is so low.

It's on KYB springs and Tein S springs

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Old 08-31-2011, 06:41 PM
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(Posting from my phone.)

That's one way. Fm sells some
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:41 PM
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Really? Okay, glad to hear that this isn't some stupid idea. Thanks Scott.
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:52 PM
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Make sure you don't have the springs swapped front to rear.
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Old 08-31-2011, 06:56 PM
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Or build a spacer out of 1/2'' plywood and slip them under the springs.
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Old 08-31-2011, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by crashnscar
Make sure you don't have the springs swapped front to rear.
This.

I've run the S-Techs on AGX and the rear is usually as low (if not a smidge lower) than the front. FCM make plastic spacer rings just for that spring combo that raise the rear 1/2" because of this.

Horrible pic, only one I could find...this is with rear spacer:

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Old 08-31-2011, 08:10 PM
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Oh, wow. I never thought that was a possibility. I bought the springs and struts assembled. You guys are amazing!

I'll check it out tomorrow after work.
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Old 08-31-2011, 08:10 PM
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but check before swapping...
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Old 08-31-2011, 08:14 PM
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Originally Posted by Braineack
but check before swapping...
yessir.
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Old 08-31-2011, 11:16 PM
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I'm going to guess you thought the longer spring/SHOCK assembly went on the front.....when it really goes on back. The shorter setup goes on the front. LoL. You're not the first...and won't be the last....and it's still funny to the rest of us.


Front compression what?



It doesn't scrape..I don't think you would either. Be more worried about smacking cones.
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Old 09-01-2011, 08:11 AM
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I actually didn't install the springs. From another Miata owner, I swapped my stocks for his KYB/TEIN set up.

Probably would have installed them backwards anyway, though
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Old 09-01-2011, 09:26 AM
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Woke up early to find out that the springs are actually installed correctly, which means of course that I need to fabricate a spacer.. sigh

What type of plastic would be best to form the top hat spacer (between the top hat and the mounting point on the chassis)?

Would plywood above between the top hat and spring be effective and safe?


Would plywood work as a temporary top hat spacer? Just for this weekend's autocross?
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Old 09-01-2011, 09:38 AM
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Cutting board.
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Old 09-01-2011, 09:45 AM
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I love you.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:21 PM
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Remember, there is a ratio you must use. To raise the car 1/2", the spacer has to be something like .66 of that. Also, the front and rear ratios are different.

Search on M.net for the info (that's where I found it), and make the spacer accordingly. Plastic cutting boards, while not cheap, are usually polyethelyene, which will work well. Don't use polyproplyene, as it is too soft and will deform under load.
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Old 09-01-2011, 12:55 PM
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Wow, I wouldn't run any companies spring that leaves a car with that corner balanced nightmare.
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Old 09-01-2011, 02:15 PM
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I have to do it, because I used old FM springs. They sag, and I knew that up front. As it sits now, it's slightly too low for me - I bottom out on speed bumps. If I had gotten coilovers, that problem would not exist, but I was on a strict budget, and chose AGX shocks instead. The spacers are a cheap fix.
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Old 09-01-2011, 02:16 PM
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if more bump travle is needed, make sure the spacers make their way under the spring, not just between frame and top hat.
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