my back hurts. (suspension advice)
 

So i drove my miata almost 6 hours today and my back is killing me. My suspension is the original ancient shocks that came on my '91. The car crashes over irregularities in the road and then bounces wildly from side to side afterward as if the alignment is way off.

screw that.

I want to replace that crap with something that will allow the car to be actually usable and COMFORTABLE. I was looking at just replacing the stock blown shocks with some KYB AGX's and calling it a day. Do I REALLY need fancy expensive ass bump stops and top mounts? Also, what about springs?

To answer the impending questions:
1.) Car is not a daily driver. It's my weekend toy. Slightly harsh ride is okay, but I also don't want to be swearing at it every time i get out.
2.) I don't currently autox, but that's one of the main reasons i'm building this car: TO HAVE FUN WITH IT. So I don't want to just put ebay crap in it as a bandage, because it may see track use.
3.) Budget is about $500-600.
4.) I'm looking at some K1's, so a slightly lower ride height would look nice, but form is going to follow at a hell of a distance to function on this one.

Any recommendations for a decent shock/spring/bumpstop/mount/etc combination that will not suck, using my parameters?

Thanks in advance.

Tein S springs,
Illumina Shocks
FCM Linear BS
and add some FM sways when $$ is available (It'll be the best $200 ever spent)

It's close to what I just put on my car, (I was only working with your budget)

I found some used tein flex coilovers for 800, get them it'll be awesome

I bought my Teins off evilbay, the guy was takin best offers +5 for shipping, I offered 145 and he accepted (150 total)
You should be able to get the Illuminas for $360-380 or so, and the stops are ~$70.00

From a person that has both Illuminas and Bilsteins, your back will thank you for adjustability (and the Illuminas are lifetime warranteed)

I suppose if I was going really cheap I could get the AGX's and evilbay coilovers, then change the springs out. with the stiffer springs you won't need the rear bar, but you'll need some better bumpstops.

I always see good deals after the fact... Nice score BTW

IIRC someone here posted about PU PSS9's for $200...

if you are on a budget, just get the kybs and call it a day. Then after spending some time driving touge, autox, track, etc, think of what you like the least about how it is handling and address the issue. For example, if you dont like how much it rolls in corners, get stiffer springs. I just think that if you get serious into autox, track, etc that you will find that some upgrades you might think are good to do now might be too mild for what you really want (i.e springrates).

agx are awful. cheap, but awful. you want cheap and awesome, get a factory complete 2001+ sport suspension with springs and mounts and just bolt the fucker in.

he has a point. The bilsteins are apparantly pretty nice to have, and can be revalved any way you want for not too much

Koni yellows are great.

KONI Yellows on stock springs work great. You can adjust them from softer than stock to much firmer.

My last car was a 'Boy Racer' (also on Koni's) slamed and got tired (sore) of the ride.

The Miata is far better.

If I did it again Id consider the bilsteins instead of agx's. Or get konis if you have a mazdaspeed membership, there real affordable

ugh, konis are a thorn in my side also. I ran them on my E30. rode like crap. I'm picky. stick with bilsteins or tein or possibly JIC if you have the cashish.

I have found that in the 3 MX-5s have owned over the past 9 years that while the suspension can be a cause of back pain I believe the main cause is the lack of lumbar support in the seats. I have used a rolled towel behind the centre part of the seat and also had sheep skin seat covers both of these made a big difference and much cheaper than suspension upgrades. Having said that it does sound like your suspension is shot. Over the years I have tried various combination of suspension components.

King Springs (Aussie made) and Koni Shocks. Quite firm, but adjustable
Mazda Speed Springs (Eibach) and Koni Shocks, better than the King springs and much lower.
However to date my favourite is the Tein Flex. Firm but not overly so. 16 clicks of firm/soft adjustment and very easy to adjust height (or corner weighting).
And finally you might want to think about replacing the bushes. I have super pro bushes and even if that is all you change it makes a BIG difference.

J

Well, I priced out Jefe's setup and it came to about $750 minus the sways. At this price, should i be considering a coilover system? Are the Tein basics any good?

I just swapped out my o.e. suspension for the Tokico non-adjustable shocks and springs. I wanted good handling and expected to lose every bit of comfort. I was pleasantly suprised when i took the first spin and realised that not only was the ride lower and stiffer but actually didn't lose all that much comfort. Nearly stock unless you hit a substantial bump. PLUS: under 375 bucks.

Tein springs 150 or buy the FM springs 260ish
Illumina's 365
FCM BS 62
FM sways 220

Prices include shipping

If you go Tein's don't forget to add the price of the NB mounts.

ah, i see. i was adding in the price of a set of FCM top mounts. I guess those aren't totally necessary?

no, with the basics you can stick to the oem NB mounts. I was told this by FCM

actually, i was talking about with the tokico/tein spring combo jefe spec'd out.

whats the best lowering springs out there spring rate wise. The only one I know of is flyin miata, any other ones with higher rates, like 300+ in front

Konis, $450
FCM NB upper mounts, $200
Performance alignment, $100

$750, and the car will ride far better and handle better as well. When you're ready to get more serious, add some GC sleeves with 375/250 rates. and when you're ready to get really serious about autocross, move the front springs to the rear, revalve the front shocks, and pick up a set of 550# front springs and a tubular front sway bar.

btw i'd get some skyjacker shocks or whatever ... jaykay ... i'm feeling stupid rigth now

okay, well i ordered some tokico illuminas (I had a set on my old mx6 and loved them, so i'm willing to try them on the miata), some tein s-techs, and the 46mm FCM bumpstops. I'll install them as soon as they come in and i'll be sure to give you guys a solid review afterwards. :)

Sounds like a nice setup. I've heard good things about the Tokicos.

:bigtu:

BTW what are you running for tires? I found with my Azenis 28 psi is great on the street, 32-33psi was way too much...

I tend to run 32 psi. I'll play with the tire pressures when i put everything together.

Suspension Review:

The ride is very good. Near the limit, the car is very controllable. With the shocks set on 1, the ride is a slight bit harsher than stock. With them set on 5, the ride is very harsh, but handling on smooth surfaces improves. My only complaint is the springs. I find them a bit soft, so the suspension feels a bit floaty.

I would offer more, but i didn't get to drive the car much with the new suspension before a Ford F-150 decided i didn't need a front bumper on my car. On that note, depending on costs to fix the dang thing, we may be seeing a partout thread in the near future. :(

if my miata were 5x100, I'd have a set of 15x7.5 and 15x9 futuras on it, in stead of my vw.

Try more rebound dampening if it feels floaty. If I turn my Races down to soft, the car bounces all over the place. When they are near stiff, the car is firm and very controllable.