I installed a new set of Tein Basic springs/coilovers on my '99. Wow... the more I drive it the more I really, really like it. Granted I was switching over from stock springs and struts that based on the condition of the bump stops and boots had been on the car for awhile. But man is it better.

It is hard to describe the ride quality in meaningful words but I'll try anway. Due to the drastic increase in spring rates from stock I was expecting a harsh ride. Not so... In normal just driving around city, hwy, and twisty country roads (all driven daily) it feels great and is definitely not on the too firm side for me. Sharp bumps definitely do transmit through more but not annoyingly so. There was an as-expected increase in oversteer, but so far it is mild, and very controllable. We will see how it is on wet streets, and when my FI goes in. But right now I am enjoying it. Give it a little gas pulling out of a parking lot and the rear steps out a bit (more than before), steer into it, and all is ok, no need to use two lanes for the maneuver. Smooth controllable oversteer, nice. The rear feels better planted under straight-line acceleration as well, subtle but I think it is there.

My old 86 Mustang GT (5-speed) was almost undrivable in the rain because the rear end was so loose, even when trying to be really careful. Hopefully it will not be anything like that. We will see, that is if it ever decides to rain down here again. Damn droughts...

I have then set lower than stock, but higher than what Tein recommended. I am going to try it out for awhile. I might raise the front 1/4". Not trying to lower it for bling, just want the handling.

The whole job took less than 8 hours, start to finish, including adjusting the ride height. The back shocks were not too tough, especially with the upper spindle mount bolt (a-arm) removed. The fronts were a bit tougher so they took longer. I basically followed the suggestions on miata.net garage with a few touches of my own. The Teins springs are a lot shorter so you can basically assemble them by hand (no spring compressor) and install them into the car much easier with the preload adjuster open.

Setup:
Tein Basic shocks front and rear with adjustable preload
392 springs front / 336 springs back
Front ride height 12"
Rear ride height 12.75"
Rear sway bar removed
Stock mounts
Tein bump stops
195/60/14 Bridgestone Potenza RE960AS Pole Position (yeah yeah spare me the your all-season 60-series tires are crap speech beaotches).

So if you are thinking about the Teins, here is a vote in their favor.

 

Very nice.. glad you are enjoying them

 

 

 

beat ya to it lol

 

+1 for pics, nice review.

 

Ha I knew that was coming Sorry I did not snap pictures of them but I'll get some next time I have the wheels off. I am replacing the rear brake pads soon, replaced the front rotors/pads last night (easy) so I'll do it then. Otherwise, it just looks like another green Miata, very slightly lowered.

 

ive been thinking of getting the basics but can't decide on them or a fat cat kit

how much did you pay?
where you get them from

 

i've been speculating from teh way the flex ride in my car that the basics are a seriously good alternative for way less cash. especially considering how much i dont adjust mine.

 

They might be, that is what I was hoping for anyway compared to the flex. No adjustability of course, but if they are good enough as-is for me, then no need for it.

Of course one never knows until you seriously thrash the car, that being my experience with motorcycle suspensions anyway. The good and the bad are easily separated when you get them on the track and push hard. I did take a run (carefully, maybe 70% pace) down a very windy road near my house and it felt great. But I still do not push nearly as hard on the street as I do on the track, two wheels or four wheels. For example I've never drug my knee in a corner on the street. On the track I do it all day long.

 

miatas have shocks. If you ever plan on tracking the car, corner weighting is worth every cent.

 

Just wondering is this basic kit just the s tech springs paired with an aftermarket shock or is the whole thing made by tein?

 

It is the Tein Basic model coilover.
http://949racing.com/index.asp?PageA...PROD&ProdID=43

 

whole thing. it uses standard size, fixed rate springs mated with a tein-designed damper and is sold in one box. I believe with upper mounts.

 

Correct, except the Basic uses the stock upper mounts. The Flex (next level up) comes with the uppers. Otherwise the Basic comes with springs, shocks (yep I know they are not struts, and know the difference, sorry), bump stops, dust boots, spring perches top and bottom, and the adjustable collars. The only thing you keep from the stock units are the upper mount plates, the top bushing cap, and the two upper mount bushings. Same deal front and rear.

I forgot to mention before. Those who have replaced shocks in the Miata know the stock fronts are a real PIA to get out without disassembling some of the suspension. I had read some of the suggested removal methods at m.n and here. Instead what I did was I used the spring compressors while the shock was still installed. There was just enough room to get them in there (the Auto Zone loaner claw-type). Once I had the spring compressed (carefully), I just disassembled the upper mount in place, then pushed the damping rod down, pulled off the spring, pushed down on the lower a-arm, and the rest came right out.

The stock springs are LONG. You have to compress them a lot before they relieve pressure on the upper mount.

 

I have the Basics and love them. I installed them with the NB-type mounts onto my 95, so I didn't have to disassemble the old shocks/springs.

 

OK here are some pics of the shocks installed on the car
Front then rear....

 

Sexy.

Lets see a pic of the car! Thats what i was interested in..

 

careful keep an eye out for leaking fluid

 

i dont see anything leaking...