Notices
General Miata Chat A place to talk about anything Miata

coilovers worth the install

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 03:07 AM
  #1  
mike_671's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 786
Total Cats: 0
From: Guam (U.S Terr.)
Arrow coilovers worth the install

I got these coil overs from a friend for my miata. There not brand name.

They look like they would work but idk.

suggestions

Name:  DSC00780.jpg
Views: 97
Size:  62.6 KB

Name:  DSC00782.jpg
Views: 77
Size:  21.6 KB

Name:  DSC00783.jpg
Views: 84
Size:  48.6 KB
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 04:10 AM
  #2  
thesnowboarder's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,034
Total Cats: 5
From: Incline Village, NV
Default

They are the ****! I mean the *****.. It really depends on the rates, but for what its worth ive herd both good and bad e-bay stories about similar "coilover selves." I would stay away from them if i were to do it all over again i would have gone straight to my flex or did a koni/GC set-up.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 04:17 AM
  #3  
mike_671's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 786
Total Cats: 0
From: Guam (U.S Terr.)
Default

yea i figured they were from ebay. O well ill just put them on anyway and see how they feel. I just want to drop the ride height of my car since its sits so high in the back
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 04:50 AM
  #4  
Oscar's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,022
Total Cats: 120
From: Bolton, UK
Default

spring rates?
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 06:30 AM
  #5  
mike_671's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 786
Total Cats: 0
From: Guam (U.S Terr.)
Default

^ idk
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 07:39 AM
  #6  
Pitlab77's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,914
Total Cats: 5
From: Houston
Default

if you dont know any info on them no.

Sell them and get some fatcat bump stops, some flebay AGX, and have fun.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 07:52 AM
  #7  
deliverator's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 731
Total Cats: 2
From: Buffalo, NY
Default

From the accounts I've heard the thing to do with ebay coilovers is buy them for their sleeves and throw out the springs.

Do some research, figure out some good spring rates, and do it right.

Installing random springs on your car... Odds are against them being an improvement.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 08:35 AM
  #8  
socal pat's Avatar
I'm Miserable!
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 94
Total Cats: 0
From: Sun City, Ca
Default

I tried them a while back for grins. Part of your success (or failure) will be detrermined by what kind of shocks you have. With KYB AGX the sleeve sits in a really funky position. I ended up with loose springs at anything near full droop. This was on an NB so they might be better on an NA.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 08:48 AM
  #9  
hustler's Avatar
Tour de Franzia
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 29,085
Total Cats: 375
From: Republic of Dallas
Default

go to the gym with a ruler and stack weights on them.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 08:57 AM
  #10  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

or get a caliper and freaking do the math.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 09:08 AM
  #11  
mike_671's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 786
Total Cats: 0
From: Guam (U.S Terr.)
Default

Whats the equation on finding out the spring rates.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 09:54 AM
  #12  
ZX-Tex's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,847
Total Cats: 27
From: San Antonio, Texas
Default

F = K * X
solve for K
K = F/X
Where:
F = force (or the total weight you stack on the spring)
K = spring constant
X = spring deflection

So, for example, measure the free length of the spring. Say it is 10". Then you stand it on end and pile on 200 lbs. of weight on the top of the spring and measure its length again. Say the spring has compressed to 9". That means the spring has deflected 1". Therefore, using the equation above, your spring rate is K = 200 lb/in

You can also figure out K by measuring the spring, like the coil diameter, and counting the number of coils. But you need to know the springs material properties. Good luck finding that.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 10:27 AM
  #13  
miatanutz's Avatar
Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 766
Total Cats: 0
Default

F X k * 1 million
F= fucked
K= Krap

These ebay coil overs are fucked up crap x 1 million.
I wouldnt waste time with them.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 10:46 AM
  #14  
Braineack's Avatar
Boost Czar
iTrader: (62)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 80,552
Total Cats: 4,368
From: Chantilly, VA
Default

I know many locals that went/won in SCCA nationals with $40 ebay coilovers. Some are 500/350 lbs. something like that.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 11:26 AM
  #15  
Zabac's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,850
Total Cats: 8
From: High Point NC
Default

throw them bitches on there for ***** and giggles, and in the mean time, source some real springs with known spring rates (eibach 2.5" for example) and buy them and swap once you get them
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 11:53 AM
  #16  
cjernigan's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 8,091
Total Cats: 7
From: Atlanta, GA
Default

You can get QA1 springs for... $38 a piece i think from Summit racing.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 11:53 AM
  #17  
mike_671's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 786
Total Cats: 0
From: Guam (U.S Terr.)
Default

^ Thats what i was gonna do. I only have blown stock shocks anyways so how much more can i **** it up by putting on these. Ill just put them on and bitch about them tom.
Im trying to save up to buy me a suspension set up, But the paint job is coming first so we will see what happens.
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 11:58 AM
  #18  
Zabac's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,850
Total Cats: 8
From: High Point NC
Default

suspension>paint
get your priorities straight homie
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #19  
tpod's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 55
Total Cats: 0
From: Chitown Illinois
Default

i would never put those on my car, maybe if i was south of the border and simply cared about the way the car looked at ride height. but the bottom line is you get what you pay for, those end up seezing or with broken sleeves, spend little money get something safe and worthy of your time...
Old Apr 17, 2008 | 12:40 PM
  #20  
elesjuan's Avatar
Elite Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5,360
Total Cats: 43
From: Overland Park, Kansas
Default

Even if they have a good rate, I'd be worried about the quality of steel used for the springs. Though I know very little about springs, I'd wager they'll likely wear out very quickly and start to sag..

You could always send them to me and I'll let you know how they work.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:46 PM.