The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread
#2103
After copious reading on both this thread and others I'm about ready to firm up my buy list. My use is a '95 base model doing 100% street driving with canyon carving when the opportunity presents itself - my unique call out is I have a bad back.
So I need it firm, fun, compliant and safe but NOT bone jarring. Here's my list, stuff I already have on the shelves I italicized:
Anything on the above make anyone say:
So I need it firm, fun, compliant and safe but NOT bone jarring. Here's my list, stuff I already have on the shelves I italicized:
- NB Top Hats (because I had them and they need to be used)
- Allstar Sleeves & Rings
- QA1 Torrington Bearings
- Energy Susp 9.6103 Isolators
- FCM 36/46 bumpstops
- FM Adjustable end links
- IL Bushings all around & MazdaComp Eng/Diff Bushings
- Mazda RSpec Tie Rod ends
- FM 1" front SB (keeping the OE rear)
- Bilstein NB B8's
- QA1 400/300 7" springs
Anything on the above make anyone say:
#2104
I am tempted to get another set of used shocks to set up stiffer for track days and just swap them in and out as I need them.
Interestingly, there is a post on the Australian mx5cartalk forum from someone who claims to be a former employee of Mazda. In the post he claims that after Mazda and Bilstein had developed the suspension together, Mazda changed the spring rate without consulting Bilstein and that is why Miata Bilsteins are over damped. In the post he claims that the original spring rate agreed on by Mazda and Bilstein was pretty close to FM spring rates. What is also interesting is I'm pretty sure this post is from before FM released their springs. Unfortunately, the post is so old I can't find it anymore.
Now, I have no idea if the post is true. But it is interesting that you and FM seem to have come to the conclusion that this is the spring rate these shocks are valved for. Could it be that the story is true and people such as yourself also found out somehow? Or is it just folks who know suspension knowing how to work these things out?
Was this question for me?
#2105
To be fair the Bilsteins are not perfectly valved for that spring rate. A bit too much low speed compression damping for street use and not enough high speed rebound damping for track use. The Bilstein uses the same basic valving front and rear but a Miata needs different valving front and rear.
So while not precisely ideal, the spring rates of the FM and Tein springs are closer than OEM or what's used in Spec Miata. After all is said and done though, they still have better damping than most <$1,000 aftermarket coilovers, which is why this thread exists
So while not precisely ideal, the spring rates of the FM and Tein springs are closer than OEM or what's used in Spec Miata. After all is said and done though, they still have better damping than most <$1,000 aftermarket coilovers, which is why this thread exists
__________________
Last edited by emilio700; 04-01-2021 at 01:01 PM.
#2107
I'm in the middle of moving house now, but I'll get some pics as soon as I can.
Also, noob here, what is free length?
*edit*
You mean free length of the spring? I didn't measure them, but on the front without extended top hats, I didn't have to use a spring compressor. The spring was just slightly compressed by hand to get the top hat on so the spring is captive, but only just.
On the back, they needed spring compressors to get them on with the extended top hats. Once on the car, the compression is taken up by the lower rate at the top of the spring though.
Also, noob here, what is free length?
*edit*
You mean free length of the spring? I didn't measure them, but on the front without extended top hats, I didn't have to use a spring compressor. The spring was just slightly compressed by hand to get the top hat on so the spring is captive, but only just.
On the back, they needed spring compressors to get them on with the extended top hats. Once on the car, the compression is taken up by the lower rate at the top of the spring though.
#2109
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#2113
But also, they say "ONLY FITS Ground Control coil-over kits.". I have no clue why that would be true, but $250 is a lot to find out.
I can't find them in stock anywhere, but the Maruha top hats are what I originally tried to find.
#2115
Retired Mech Design Engr
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How to Order Maruha Top Hats
You send an email like this:
TO: info@maruhamotors.co.jpPlea
Please kindly quote price of (4) of your 20mm Extended Top Hats (upper shock mounts) P/N NC 10-28-340_C
¥Ï¥¤¥¹¥È¥í¡¼¥¯ÍÑ¥¢¥Ã¥Ñ¡¼¥Þ¥¦¥ó¥È¡Ã¥Þ¥ë¥Ï¥â¡¼¥¿¡¼¥¹ Maruha Motors
My PayPal is:
PAYPAL INFORMATION
My shipping address is:
SHIPPING ADDRESS
Kind Regards,
YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
This will get you a quote.
On an aside, I like the FCM spring isolators from 5XRacing over the EnergySuspension ones.
EDIT: Yes, that Japanese link works.
TO: info@maruhamotors.co.jpPlea
Please kindly quote price of (4) of your 20mm Extended Top Hats (upper shock mounts) P/N NC 10-28-340_C
¥Ï¥¤¥¹¥È¥í¡¼¥¯ÍÑ¥¢¥Ã¥Ñ¡¼¥Þ¥¦¥ó¥È¡Ã¥Þ¥ë¥Ï¥â¡¼¥¿¡¼¥¹ Maruha Motors
My PayPal is:
PAYPAL INFORMATION
My shipping address is:
SHIPPING ADDRESS
Kind Regards,
YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
This will get you a quote.
On an aside, I like the FCM spring isolators from 5XRacing over the EnergySuspension ones.
EDIT: Yes, that Japanese link works.
Last edited by DNMakinson; 02-26-2021 at 12:43 PM. Reason: Formatting
#2116
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Location: Jacksonville, FL
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Know anybody with a lathe and a MIG? It would be a pretty easy DIY job.
#2117
https://groundcontrolstore.com/colle...pension-system they now have their own full kit, so I assume it is for these overly red things
#2118
You send an email like this:
TO: info@maruhamotors.co.jpPlea
Please kindly quote price of (4) of your 20mm Extended Top Hats (upper shock mounts) P/N NC 10-28-340_C
¥Ï¥¤¥¹¥È¥í¡¼¥¯ÍÑ¥¢¥Ã¥Ñ¡¼¥Þ¥¦¥ó¥È¡Ã¥Þ¥ë¥Ï¥â¡¼¥¿¡¼¥¹ Maruha Motors
My PayPal is:
PAYPAL INFORMATION
My shipping address is:
SHIPPING ADDRESS
Kind Regards,
YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
This will get you a quote.
On an aside, I like the FCM spring isolators from 5XRacing over the EnergySuspension ones.
EDIT: Yes, that Japanese link works.
TO: info@maruhamotors.co.jpPlea
Please kindly quote price of (4) of your 20mm Extended Top Hats (upper shock mounts) P/N NC 10-28-340_C
¥Ï¥¤¥¹¥È¥í¡¼¥¯ÍÑ¥¢¥Ã¥Ñ¡¼¥Þ¥¦¥ó¥È¡Ã¥Þ¥ë¥Ï¥â¡¼¥¿¡¼¥¹ Maruha Motors
My PayPal is:
PAYPAL INFORMATION
My shipping address is:
SHIPPING ADDRESS
Kind Regards,
YOUR NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS
This will get you a quote.
On an aside, I like the FCM spring isolators from 5XRacing over the EnergySuspension ones.
EDIT: Yes, that Japanese link works.
#2120
Got my coilovers assembled and installed. The start of the track day season was a great motivator. Prior to buying the ISC extended tophats, I was looking at my total and thinking "I probably should have just bought Xidas" and then once I added the tophats, I was thinking "wow I really should have just bought Xidas". But, you live and you learn. These did great at my first track day last weekend, but it was also hard to get a feel for their performance since it was pouring rain the whole weekend. Hopefully I can run them with Hoosiers at the next one and give a real report on their performance.
Brofab E30 hubs installed at the same time, these should be able to handle the Hoosiers!
I am getting some rubbing that is a little concerning. Both coilovers on the passenger side (it is a CCW track) had this rubbing on the coilover sleeve. Should I be worried?
Brofab E30 hubs installed at the same time, these should be able to handle the Hoosiers!
I am getting some rubbing that is a little concerning. Both coilovers on the passenger side (it is a CCW track) had this rubbing on the coilover sleeve. Should I be worried?