I've been waiting for a revalve thread, now if only we could get some shim stack data on Fat Cats or Stewert Development revalved Billies we'd be in business. Like has been said, redneck circle trackers do this stuff all the time, it's wonderfully cheap.

One of my front Billies got fuckled in an accident, I'll probably be getting two new ones to keep things consistent across the axle before moving the rest of the setup over to my new NB. That gives me one good shock leftover to experiment with.

Here are some links I've piled up on the subject - familiar names pop up.

Far North Racing - The Car - ShockTek to Bilstein Conversion

DIY Bilstein revalve project - Honda-Tech

DIY Bilstein revalve project, part 2 - Honda-Tech

DIY shock dyno - Honda-Tech

Bilsteins. Does anyone service/revalve their own?

 

Read through this thread along with the thread on clubroadster and decided to try my own.
Had a brand new set of NA HDs revalved by Two-Six Motorsports.
Got bumpstop kit and sleeves/perches from Advanced Autosports.
450/350 springs from Summit.
Height is 12.75"/13.00"
Combined this with the Racing Beat 99-00 front swaybar and SuperMiata endlinks.

Ride so far is firmer than stock but still very nice and very good in the corners.
Waiting on an alignment now for final results.

 

So I just got my shocks and sleeves from the kind UPS man. If anyone is looking for cheap new NB HD's, Tirerack is your friend. $408 shipped to the door.

Now the NB HD's have the little locator for the stock perches to center. Looks pretty flimsy and sleeves won't fit over it. Some early posts in this thread say to knock it off with a hammer and a cold chisel. Since this is the Budget coilover thread, does a screw driver and file work just as well?

 

The outer tube of the shock isn't terribly thick. I worry about distorting the precision roundness.

 

I'm guessing using the screwdriver like a chisel and filing down any extra bits should work? It's the same clip the OP used an angle grinder on.

 

I used an angle grinder...

 

I used a grinder so as not to bend the tube.

 

I've also heard of using a hacksaw to cut the tabs off as well. This seems to offer the benefits of using an angle grinder, without having me budget for one as well.

 

Budget?
Have you ever been to harbor freight?

 

Yea... Harbor Freight angle grinder is $11, or you can go full-on baller status and get the HD version for $22.

Cheap tools are better than no tools.

 

I've never used one before. Is it pretty straight forward?

 

You'll put your eye out.

 

Don't take the guard off, and don't google "angle grinder injuries".

 

youtube

and common sense

and eye protection

Those are actually my first steps for solving 99% of my problems...

 

I'm less afraid of injury to myself. More to the shock. #1 tip is not to cut too far?

 

It is more difficult to replace metal than to remove it.

 

Just stop right there, grab a flat head screw driver or better yet a chisel and a hammer. Wedge the screw driver between the shock body and the long side if the tab and give it a light to medium tap. Pops off every time. Its only lightly spot welded in to spots so it comes off easily.

 

Anybody have success with a certain Ebay vendor or auction? Looks like most of them don't even list a spring rate. I'd love to find a set of sleeves that I could reuse at least 2 of the springs.

 

I got these:
For 1990 2001 Acura Integra Red Suspension Scale Hi lowering coilover Springs | eBay
They're for Acura. Rear and front springs have clearly different rates. Measuring diameter and counting coils yields calculated rates of approx. 500/300
I'm not a big fan of the fit of the sleeves though. There's a lot of slop going on. I prefer the Allstar sleeves, even though they are a bit pricier.

 

I've read through this entire thread... may have skimmed some posts though.

I've got a 2002 NB and I want to replace my worn out FM Vmaxx coilovers. I'm looking at getting the Hard S NB shocks through Mazdaspeed motorsports as well as 7" 500lb/330lb springs with allstar collars. I see that's it's recommended to get the ISC tophat extensions for the rear, but would it be a good idea for the front as well?

I'm looking to get 12-12.5" ride height. Please let me know if this is feasible. I know sixshooter is riding on a similar setup but he has an NA Miata.

Everyone over on the other Miata forum recommends the NA HD shocks for higher spring rates and for the shorter shock body, but this doesn't seem to be feasible with NB top hats? EDIT: I finally found a way to modify the NB tophats for NA shocks. So, I assume going with the NA HD shocks would be the best bet for the most travel at the lowest ride height?