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The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread

Old 02-20-2018, 05:43 PM
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Stock front tophats and rear extended...that definitely cuts down on the cost factor. I’ll measure and see if I can get away with it. Thank you. I read all 67 pages yesterday. It was great info but everything is so scattered it gets overwhelming.
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Old 02-20-2018, 05:49 PM
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Rear top hats are also really easy to modify (fronts are easy too, but require widening the chassis hole). I used a 2.5" (I think) hole saw and made a little guide that fits in the top hat hole and has a hole the diameter of the drill bit. Cuts the top hat in two pieces, then weld some 2.5" tube in between. This 2.5" tube is too large to fit in the front chassis hole, but fits in the rear no problem.
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Old 02-20-2018, 05:58 PM
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Yah I saw your posts with that. Unfortunately my flux core welder isn’t up to the task, nor are my welding skills. On a different note will the 7” front spring allow me to get to the 12.5” ride height with the msm bilsteins? I know the 7” rear will...but would an 8” rear?

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Old 02-20-2018, 08:57 PM
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JoetheZoe. I'm glad to hear you're developing a spreadsheet to facilitate suspension design. The first thing you'll want to do is make sure you're applying the correct load on the springs. In this case, and I could be completely wrong, but it appears you've missed the correct weight by the motion ratio. In other words, while the measured load on the tire may be 600 lbs, the load on the front spring is the tire load times the motion ratio, or 600 x 1.52 = 912 lbs. I think you'll find this changes the results a bit.

Also, having no shocks to measure, and therefore having nothing to attach my 5Xracing sleeves to, I've assumed numbers (wild *** guessed them) for the purposes of checking to see if my spreadsheet works. Now you have parts, and I have what I believe to be a working spreadsheet, so if you're interested PM me your email address and I'll send you my Excel spreadsheet to checkout. Then you can plug in what you know works and you can tell me whether the model is viable or if it's ****. Fun for everyone!
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Old 02-21-2018, 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Thucydides
The first thing you'll want to do is make sure you're applying the correct load on the springs. In this case, and I could be completely wrong, but it appears you've missed the correct weight by the motion ratio.
DOH! As an engineer, I should be ashamed of myself...ΣM = 0

I'll do exactly that and mess with the spreadsheet. Thanks for catching that!
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:03 PM
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Have y’all seen or used these? They use both stock rubber bushings. Looks like a good product. Not sure if this would be advantageous over the FEAL unit with built in rubber bushing. DifTech Extended tophats And here is the FEAL unit. FEAL extended tophats Both look to be a better alternative, albeit, more expensive, than the ISC, Two Six or Garage Star Offerings.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:26 PM
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Functionality there is no difference between any of them, just pretty. And it'll be hidden for the most part.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:41 PM
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I was under the impression that the two I linked would assure proper centering of the spring. I read many accounts where the isc had problems with the springs shifting. I wonder why no one offers a 1/2” nb front extension. Seems off data here tat would be perfect for msm bilsteins.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:45 PM
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Any of them with a protruding ring on the bottom is good.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by mrmonk7663
I wonder why no one offers a 1/2” nb front extension. Seems off data here tat would be perfect for msm bilsteins.
Probably because it would be just as easy to buy 1” extensions and just stick 1/2” packers/spacers above the bumpstops.
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Old 02-21-2018, 02:47 PM
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I run 1" in front with MSM bilsteins.
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Old 02-21-2018, 03:06 PM
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Thanks guys.
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Old 02-21-2018, 04:01 PM
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Best ones I've seen so far are the ones I have coming on the post; Maruha. Same design as OEM NB2 ones (stamped steel), albeit 20mm extended.
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Old 02-21-2018, 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by mrmonk7663
Have y’all seen or used these? They use both stock rubber bushings. Looks like a good product. Not sure if this would be advantageous over the FEAL unit with built in rubber bushing. DifTech Extended tophats And here is the FEAL unit. FEAL extended tophats Both look to be a better alternative, albeit, more expensive, than the ISC, Two Six or Garage Star Offerings.
I am running a very similar set to the diftech, made by a local miata enthusiast who was unhappy with the quality of the ISC tophats. Sold me all 4 for $225. 1.5"R/1"F



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Old 02-21-2018, 07:09 PM
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Very nice looking piece and great price. I just got off the phone with 26Motorsports and their design includes the extended tube for the spring and comes with isolators, and also is able to use readily available energy suspension bushings. $230 shipped for all 4. I pulled the trigger. For what it’s worth the company was super responsive today and generated tracking with fedex literally within 10 minutes of paying. I will use these in the rear and check my front. If fronts are ok stock then I’ll use these in the rear of the other Miata. Thanks for the help everyone.
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Old 02-21-2018, 07:22 PM
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Originally Posted by mrmonk7663
Very nice looking piece and great price. I just got off the phone with 26Motorsports and their design includes the extended tube for the spring and comes with isolators, and also is able to use readily available energy suspension bushings. $230 shipped for all 4. I pulled the trigger. For what it’s worth the company was super responsive today and generated tracking with fedex literally within 10 minutes of paying. I will use these in the rear and check my front. If fronts are ok stock then I’ll use these in the rear of the other Miata. Thanks for the help everyone.
Wow, very cool. Is there a website with info on them? Everytime I look around, I find a new solution to a miata Problem. I love it!
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Old 02-21-2018, 08:31 PM
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Type in two-six motorsports on Facebook. They have a website but it’s down at the moment and is being fixed they said. I simply messaged them via Facebook and they replied back very fast.
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Old 02-22-2018, 02:43 PM
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Speaking of ISC, this is the install photo that's on their website:



Am I taking crazy pills? I've always installed the top hats with bushings + washer on both top and bottom. Are they literally saying just drop the top hat onto the spring?
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Old 02-22-2018, 03:15 PM
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You need one top and bottom. I'm sure it's just an oversight when they were shooting the pictures.
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Old 02-22-2018, 03:31 PM
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Originally Posted by calteg
Speaking of ISC, this is the install photo that's on their website:

Am I taking crazy pills? I've always installed the top hats with bushings + washer on both top and bottom. Are they literally saying just drop the top hat onto the spring?
Yep, the isc top hats don't come with much, just one rubber bushing and one washer...

Mine didn't even come with 4 of the same bushing...


Last edited by Marioshi; 02-22-2018 at 04:08 PM.
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