Dead simple way to assemble/disassemble shocks with a press:

 

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

 

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.

 

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?
• 

 

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?

 

"Yo Deuce Six, gimme dat good good special sauce you hooked my bois Zellers, Concealer, and Vteckiller up with."

 

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?

 

Still applies.

 

Hizzot sizzauce?

 

Hoziggity shizigittysizzlesauce. The freshy fresh.

 

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?

 

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.

 

Yes, use the shock spacer. Should already come with the shocks.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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?