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The Better Bilstein Ebay Coilover Thread

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Old 10-24-2018, 10:43 AM
  #1641  
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Dead simple way to assemble/disassemble shocks with a press:

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Old 10-28-2018, 11:14 PM
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Your basic recipe:

MSM bilies
Maruha hats
450/300 7" summit springs
5" Allstar sleeves, rears cut down to 4"
Prothane Integra med bumps
Energy isolators
HDR washers

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Old 11-05-2018, 02:29 PM
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I got everything swapped in last night. After ~4 years on VMAXX, it's about damn time to run VMINNN. The vmaxx is limited to pretty low ride heights, so I've always ran in the ~4.5" pinch weld range. With this new setup, I'm at 5.5"F/5.75"R, but I have about an inch of sleeve travel available to lower it if desired. At this ride height with these springs, I've got about .5"F/.25"R of unsprung droop that I'm giving up. With 20mm extended top hats, I have a lot of room for long bump stops. I cut the fronts at ~50mm, and the rears at ~55mm. These lengths lifted the car off jacks with no springs and left at least an inch of clearance everywhere. No more melting fender liners. No more scooping up rocks with my butterfly brace. Now I just need to see how much negative camber I can get in the front at this height. With ELBJ's & adjustable RUCA's, I'm pretty confident I should be at least able to hit the 949 street settings at ~-1.4*.

**Edit**
Hit the dual duty numbers with ease.

Last edited by wackbards; 11-06-2018 at 01:33 AM.
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:04 PM
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Hi guys,

I am putting together a Bilstein setup for my 1990 NA Miata. I picked up a set of Bilsteins and after doing some research on them they appear to be NA HD shocks. I've already ordered some parts for the build and was wondering if you guys could give me a little guidance. I'm going to go with 450/300 springs for a street oriented setup.

Shocks:
F4-B46-1489-H0 New part number 24-014892
F4-B46-1488-H1 New part number 24-014885

From what I understand these shocks are a little shorter than other shocks. Look at post 8 here for length comparison https://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=411554

I picked up allstar springs and sleeves

Picked up 4X extended top hats from TSM with isolators(maybe only need two?) TSM Aluminum Shock Mounts

Plan on getting the integra bumpstops and cutting the top off to use above the top hat. Integra Shocks and Springs 310 3019-50 - Integra Speedthane Shock Bumpers

Plan on getting 4 delrin spring washers. RideTech 70010828 - RideTech Delrin Spring Washers



My question is:
  • What do I use between the shock rod and underside of top hat?
  • What length springs should I order? I was planning on 7" for front and rear. I realize now that my shocks are somewhat shorter than what most use and I wonder how that will affect performance. Should I continue building these HD's or opt for a longer set?
  • Should I plan on using the TSM top hats in the front and rear?
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:11 PM
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You need shoulder nuts to use NA HDs with NB hats. Seen here.

I have the same shocks and don't use extended hats, still have plenty of travel.

7" springs is fine.

I would also recommend getting them revalved (TSM is who I used), I've heard not-so-great things about stock NA HD valving but never experienced it myself.
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:28 PM
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Originally Posted by zellers88
You need shoulder nuts to use NA HDs with NB hats. Seen here.

I have the same shocks and don't use extended hats, still have plenty of travel.

7" springs is fine.

I would also recommend getting them revalved (TSM is who I used), I've heard not-so-great things about stock NA HD valving but never experienced it myself.
This might sound stupid, but how do you specify revalving? ie, what information do you need to provide?
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:41 PM
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"Yo Deuce Six, gimme dat good good special sauce you hooked my bois Zellers, Concealer, and Vteckiller up with."
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by zellers88
You need shoulder nuts to use NA HDs with NB hats. Seen here.

I have the same shocks and don't use extended hats, still have plenty of travel.

7" springs is fine.

I would also recommend getting them revalved (TSM is who I used), I've heard not-so-great things about stock NA HD valving but never experienced it myself.
I am planning on using the TSM top hats, not NB hats. Does that still apply? I would sandwich the top hat between the upper and lower shock mount bushings. Does the use of the shoulder nut effectively increase the length?
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Old 11-27-2018, 02:44 PM
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Still applies.
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Old 11-27-2018, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by concealer404
"Yo Deuce Six, gimme dat good good special sauce you hooked my bois Zellers, Concealer, and Vteckiller up with."
Hizzot sizzauce?
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Old 11-27-2018, 03:08 PM
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Originally Posted by sixshooter
Hizzot sizzauce?
Hoziggity shizigittysizzlesauce. The freshy fresh.
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Old 11-27-2018, 03:48 PM
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So I should get rid of the acura bump stops from summit and go with the FCM kit shown below for the whole shebang. What are the Bilstein spacers for? If running TSM top hats would they be required?

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Old 11-27-2018, 03:52 PM
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Summit doesn't sell Acura bump stops.

Are those bumpstops the correct length to be used with the hats that you're planning on using? If so, then go ahead and buy them. Easy button. If not, then don't.
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Old 11-27-2018, 03:54 PM
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Yes, use the shock spacer. Should already come with the shocks.
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Old 11-27-2018, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by concealer404
Summit doesn't sell Acura bump stops.

Are those bumpstops the correct length to be used with the hats that you're planning on using? If so, then go ahead and buy them. Easy button. If not, then don't.
You know, Accura Integra.... got a little confused there as i've read about both stops. I meant Integra bump stops.

I was under the impression the bump stop length and durometer determines how far in the stroke the bump stop begins and how quickly it stops you. The only thing I need to account for is to ensure the shock bottoms out on the bump stop before bottoming internally, correct?
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Old 11-27-2018, 04:19 PM
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Originally Posted by nicholaschase29
You know, Accura Integra.... got a little confused there as i've read about both stops. I meant Integra bump stops.

I was under the impression the bump stop length and durometer determines how far in the stroke the bump stop begins and how quickly it stops you. The only thing I need to account for is to ensure the shock bottoms out on the bump stop before bottoming internally, correct?
On a miata, what you need to account for is what sort of things hit other things when the shock is cycled, and then use an appropriate length bumpstop to keep the things you don't want hitting each other from doing so.
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Old 11-28-2018, 03:52 AM
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Hi all from snowy Russia!
I've got MX-5 NBFL. Going to build coilovers from Hard-S bilstein. Could you check my list - dunno I miss something? Did I got everything right? I prefer to pick everything from one place. This list is from Summit.

Allstar Performance ALL64162 - Allstar Performance Coilover Sleeves - AAF-ALL64162 - 4 pcs
Allstar Performance ALL64180 - Allstar Performance Coilover Kit Replacement Parts - AAF-ALL64180 - 4 pcs
7 in springs 500/350 lbs/in
Energy Suspension 9.6103G - Energy Suspension Coil Spring Isolators - ENS-9-6103G - 2 pairs
Integra Shocks and Springs 310 3019-50 - Integra Speedthane Shock Bumpers - ISS-310-3019-50- 4 pcs

Any advice/critics?
Thanks, Juri.
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Old 11-28-2018, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by sHOT1980
Hi all from snowy Russia!
I've got MX-5 NBFL. Going to build coilovers from Hard-S bilstein. Could you check my list - dunno I miss something? Did I got everything right? I prefer to pick everything from one place. This list is from Summit.

Allstar Performance ALL64162 - Allstar Performance Coilover Sleeves - AAF-ALL64162 - 4 pcs
Allstar Performance ALL64180 - Allstar Performance Coilover Kit Replacement Parts - AAF-ALL64180 - 4 pcs
7 in springs 500/350 lbs/in
Energy Suspension 9.6103G - Energy Suspension Coil Spring Isolators - ENS-9-6103G - 2 pairs
Integra Shocks and Springs 310 3019-50 - Integra Speedthane Shock Bumpers - ISS-310-3019-50- 4 pcs

Any advice/critics?
Thanks, Juri.
Depending on ride height, you may want to add extended tophats.
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Old 11-28-2018, 09:06 AM
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Originally Posted by Your Drunkle
Depending on ride height, you may want to add extended tophats.
Thanks for fast reply. Everything except for the extended tophats looks good? Should I go for 450/300 lb springs, or 550/350 is OK for summer weekend rides?
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Old 11-30-2018, 08:34 AM
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Originally Posted by sHOT1980
Thanks for fast reply. Everything except for the extended tophats looks good? Should I go for 450/300 lb springs, or 550/350 is OK for summer weekend rides?
I’m still working on putting mine together. I don’t have experience with the different spring rates. I’ll be using 400/550 6” springs, but again, that’s just a shot in the dark.
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