Anyone using FCM front shock mounts?
 

I'm getting ready to purchase some FCM bump stops. Shaike has recommended getting the front shock mounts. I would love to do this, but I spending the money is starting to hurt. If the performance is significant enough, then I will take the plunge, but otherwise I will just get the bumstops now and get the shock mounts later.

Any reviews or opinions?

They add usable suspension travel. 'Nuff said.

+1. Look at it this way: you want to rip it all out to install them later? Just buy them now, and have a few less cheesburgers for the next couple of months.

The cost difference between bumpstops and bumpstops plus mounts (and needed isolators) is $150.

Is there any way to tell if the front shock mounts are stock or aftermarket by looking under the hood or under the fender? I'm not really sure what the stock one is supposed to look like. I see what appears to be a big nut with a rubber cap on it. When I take the rubber cap off I see the shock nut.

sounds stock then.

Get the mounts, too. When you have the stocker an the new one in your hands you'll see why.

I spent a few hours last night searching for awe inspiring data that supports replacing the front mounts. I just didn't find it. Most evidence seems to support replacing the rear mounts. (which I have FM units) Replacing the bumpstops seems to be provide the most dramatic improvement. I think I'd rather save my $150 bucks for tires. Going from kumho AST to RS3 will probably provide more improvement. How much more front spring travel does one need on the street?

I'm tired of spending money trying to improve every aspect. FM springs, sways, FM rear shock towers, FCM front and rear bumpstops, new stewart development revalved bilsteins. I think this suspension will be adequate for my needs.

I'm buying the fcm bumpstops and calling it a day.

I still need tires, 3.6 r&p, and I should probably replace the suspension bushings

Don't forget the fancy swaybar end-links.

Oh, and these: http://www.thompson-automotive.com/calipercovers.html :D

Ha, your killing me. I hope I've made the right choice. I'm still kinda up in the air. How many inches of front travel is there on the NA miatas? The FCM front mounts add an extra inch.

I've heard some people say they but on FCM mounts and bumps and the car felt completely different. A lot has to do with all the squishy materials he's using.

why did suggest front mounts and not rear? what's your setup? I've always found I lack rear travel, not front.

Just order some NB tophats (I got all 4 brand new for about $75 shipped) and follow the instructions on Miata.net for fitting them to your NA. I'm going that route (with 46mm FCM bumpstops) when I get my Bilsteins back from Stewart Development.

The current setup is stock front mounts and FM rear mounts with KYB AGX shocks and FM springs. I agree, most people complain of rear travel. I said if I didn't want to get the mounts, to just get the bumpstop kit.
The front mounts then require a spacer because it drops the car .5". Bump stop kit is $100 shipped, the whole mount kit with bumpstops and risers is $250 shipped

I may do that and just buy the risers ($44) from FCM. Then I can probably get my NB tophats for the front put together for less than $100. I think that will be the way to go.

link to this how-to? I found one on m.net but all the picture links are dead.

i just used the bottom bushings only, as my konis are too short. i have NB mounts front and ISC racing rear.

What exactly are the $44 "risers" you are referring too? Can you reference "riser" to an item listed in the current FCM installation manual??

http://fatcatmotorsports.com/igaller...spacer_top.JPG

Since the NB mounts lower the car .5" the risers raise it back up a .5" so there is know change in ride height. If I had been slick and thought of this NB mount thing before I order my revalved bilsteins. I could have had the shocks setup for zero rake and just run the front a half inch lower. A bit more than the .3 in rake that I will have now, but livable I think.

Yeah, I just noticed the pics don't work anymore too. However, the description and the PNs in the write-up are still good. You can noodle this out without the M.net pics if you download Shaik's/FCM's installation instructions. You just need to substitute end link or shock mount poly bushings (cut down in thickness) and a few fender washers in lieu of the FCM top and bottom MCU bushings and washers that attach the top of the shock rod to the NB tophat. As long as the top of the shock rod is firmly attached to the NB hat (you don't want it "pulling through" on a hard knock) and you can't "bottom out the shock rod" you should be OK. I'll find out for sure how well this works when I'm I get my Bilsteins back from SD and start piecing everything together on the bench; I'll post up any obstacles that I run across.

Thanks, I got it. I've got GC coilovers so I can crank the car back up to stock if I don't want to lower it; still haven't decided if I want to drop the car a bit. I'm going to use the FCM 46mm bumpstops so the NB hats won't cost me any suspension travel if I "keep" the 1/2" drop.

I have the FCM shock mount kit on all four corners. This is with GR2's and stock springs and 46 mm bumps. My ride height is 12.75" front and 13" rear. With this set-up DD it's quite a blast to drive. Not seeing any autox use yet, but when I do, I might go with bilstein hd's and GC 375f/250r.

Why not sell off the FM rears and go with FCM mounts all around with risers in the front, along with your revalved bilsteins and FM springs? Which bumpstops did you get, 36mm?

One other benefit of the FCM mounts is to reduce NVH. And it has done that quite well for my experience.

I would not worry about it to much in terms of front travel

from shaikh

I agree, My research suggests that the increase in front travel will put you at more risk of putting the tire on the fender. I think the big advantage to the FCM front mounts is the reduced noise and vibration. This is appealing to me since one of my goals is to quiet down the car.

:giggle: Oh yeah, you've got a turbocharged performance motor, a performance suspension and high performance tires on a 20 yr old design roadster that is notorious for being loose as a goose and you're going to get some FCM shock mounts to quiet it down??? Trying to chase down rattles and thumps in a performance oriented NA Miata is an exercise in futility! If I want quiet and fast, I drive my Evo.

Did you get your shocks back from SD yet?? I'm still waiting on mine.

You are probably right ;). I got my shocks today. Each shock has a printout, and they are clearly labeled which corner they go on.

Wish I could make heads or tails of what the graph is telling me. The curves are very smooth when compared to the ones that brain posted int he SD group buy thread.

When did you send your shocks to Bernie?? I sent mine on 3/24, going to Gorilla Glue the Ground Control spring isolaters to the NB tophats this weekend.

I'm late to the party, but I like my FCM mounts, even though my car is now way too low. I did notice a reduction in road noise and little bumps, and the handling or steering input did become more direct and snappy. I'd say it was worth it. I just wish I had gotten the spacers, but I'm too lazy to fix it now. I will just have to continue dragging speed bumps and hitting curbs with my bumper.