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All my parts arrived and starting the assembly process. All star sleeves fit nice and snug especially with a wrap of 3m foil tape. Regarding sleeve orientation and how it fits on the bilstein circlip... I noticed one end has a squared off inner lip and the other end has a tapered inner lip, does it matter which way the Sleeve fits? FCM instructions on his coilovers say the tapered lip IIRC, but I could see arguments for both.
Has anyone ever used the ebay extended top hats for a civic/integra. While I'm doubtful the dimensions will all coincide, I couldn't find specs on the spacing for civic/integra. Haven't heard back from Maruha, I do like the idea of top hats with the inner lip so rules out ISC.
I cleaned the crap out of the isolators because they are covered in mold release. Then I used some silka polyurethane caulk from HDR. EZPZ.
Originally Posted by DNMakinson
This approach is what I was looking for. Do you mean Sikaflex?
Originally Posted by wackbards
Yeah, that's the stuff. The sikaflex formulation is way easier to apply than the loctite formulation. But basically, just polyurethane caulk. Bonds like a **** and more or less has all the same material properties as the isolator.
I see you guys discussing Sikaflex from the Home Despot, quick search shows they make a bunch of different formulations. https://www.homedepot.com/b/Sikaflex/N-5yc1vZ74m Do you remember which one you used specifically and how its held up?
Also interested in other options from anyone with DPE. Ideally they would be available from Orange Lowe's or Blue Home Depot as that's what I have in the area. Thanks goys
EEEEEnteresting. Wish I'd seen this about 20 minutes sooner What's another trip to Rona Depot between friends?
I've got a couple different 2 part epoxies floating around, but my last container of classic Gorilla Glue went hard on me so I don't have any at hand. Popping a 10oz tube of Sika seemed like a waste so I'm glad to see there is a "multi-purpose" alternative.
Is there any conclusion on which way to orient the Allstar sleeves (at least on the rear)? Maybe I missed where someone said it didn't matter. The deeper end is tapered where it will hit the circlip - using it this way allows a little lower ride height and I won't have to cut them yet until I really get the setup sorted out. Currently planning on using Maruha rear hats and stock NB fronts unless I can come across some 2.5" diameter tube to make extensions out of.
Flat step side goes on the circlip. This isn't a "choose your own adventure" scenario.
Thank you. Sorry I had to ask a retarded question, maybe I didn't search the thread with the right terms but I didn't see anything definitive. So I'll use the flat side and cut the excess threads off of the other end to get the sleeve below the top of the rear shock body. Thanks again.
I like many am on a budget and have cobbled together a few susp pieces and am wondering if I’m able to put together a decent set up.
I have a 97 Miata on 15x8s with hand me down tires. decent tread. will upgrade rubber when time comes
FM NA Springs
a set of NA top hats
a set of NB top hats (more info below)
FM bump stops
I’m thinking to get NB B8s to go with my springs bump stops and to buy some maruhas. My nb top hats are part of a full susp than im about to sell for 60$ and put towards maruhas.
My main questions
- should i sell my fm springs and get narrower diameter springs
- if i stick with fm springs what do i do about adjustable spring perch? lathe in new grooves? just run on factory bilstein groove?
- do i keep the nb top hats or get extended top hats? if extended, which should i get - will they work with the wider diameter fm springs?
I'd ditch the springs. They aren't good rates and are the wrong size for a DIY Bilstein coilover conversion. Springs are very inexpensive at Summit and are available in any size and rate you desire.
I was ordering some extended top hats from Maruha and they offered me harder "mazda speed" bushings from the top and bottom top hat bushing, check it out. Never seen these before, not in this hole damn thread!
Thoughts?
<Mazda Speed hard rubber>
maz08071201 NCY0-28-775
Upper bush (hard)
@150yen each
maz08071200 NCY0-28-776
Lower bush (hard)
@150yen each
I bought them, for both front and rear. Not because JDM y0 or MAZDASPEED but because I wanted new bushings and they were the same price or cheaper than the standard parts from north american sellers.
Just my muddy thoughts on your spring rates. I'm running 550 lb up front on MSM Bilsteins. Its a harsh setup for the street. Not painful, but definitely on the far edge of what I am ok driving. I sometimes wish I had gone softer and NEVER wish I had gone stiffer. I used 6" springs and am happy with how much adjustment I have left with them (both up and down), although I went nearly racercar low.
"Your mileage may vary"
Same MSM's but 600/400 springs. Racing beat 1.25/ 5/8"
2000 SE full interior, Hardog.Weighed 6-14-20 @2400lbs
this setup feels awesome. Sounds like you would hate the way this car rides. So take your best guess and if you don't like it there are plenty of us with extra springs that have other options you can try. Cheers
Hi folks, I think this is my first post on this forum, not sure, I created the account about ten years ago, then only recently bought a mx-5.
I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread over the years. I've read it back to front about 10 times over. Based on all the information in here I decided that for what I wanted FM springs over NB bilsteins was what I was after. I added Maruha top hats on the rear and fresh Mazda bushings all round. I went with FM bump stops because I'm in Australia and summit wanted about $50 postage for $80 worth of bumpstops whereas FM could just chuck them in with the springs for no extra shipping cost.
Obviously this is not the typical height adjustable set up this thread is about, but without the info in here I wouldn't have ended up with this set up.
It's pretty much perfect, if not a little soft, for what the car is used for. The only change I might make in the future is adding the extended top hats to the front as well because it hits the bump stops a little easier than I'd like.
Yes, the FM springs are weak and will allow contact more easily. Extended tophats may get you the travel you need to not contact as often but they still might under aggressive cornering on uneven pavement.
08-05-2020, 01:31 PM
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What's another trip to Rona Depot between friends?
