ChobbyChipmunk

I'm debating between Megan or Tein, keep in mind not autocrossing or tracking, simply daily driving from point a and point b nothing crazy. With the ability to occasionally lower and raising my car, i could care less about damping or whatever just as long as it's not too stiff of a ride.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

STOP posting

START reading

Seriously. There is so much info on miata suspension that if you just shut up for a bit and actually take the time to read and digest it, you will know so well what you want and need that you wouldn't ask mind numbingly idiotic questions like "what is a bump stop".

Please. Do yourself a favor. Don't even look at suspension setups for your car until you know what it is, what it does, and what the differences are between the various ones, and how those differences might be more suitable or less suitable for your particular setup.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

For $450 you can buy a set of brand new '99 "Hard S" Bilsteins that will work fine with your stock springs and be upgradeable to higher rate springs in the future. They will be compliant over rough roads and still control your car in a comforting fashion. You will likely not receive better advice than this.

BenR

iTrader: (2)

Meh, buy ****.

davzway

As a Noobie to the site,, I DID READ, spending an easy 3 hours initially before asking a question which included one to a member who installed the hated Raceland's, on "what was his opinion after two years" or another who had the Greddy turbo for "what gas and mileage he was experiencing". Questions I believe were appropriate and not to waste time.

Then the responses come in: getting total Abuse for asking a question on a two year old thread,,, or for even DARING to ask about the Racelands when it was supposedly 'KNOWN' if you bothered to read on how bad they were (when there are many posts saying they do just fine). The profanity and ugly responses are a good way to ensure that only the original members continue to use this site.

For my part I grew up in a family of seven and moved every year, beginning work in my fathers construction business by age 13, and developed a thick skin early in life. As a Certified Roofing Contractor and General Contractor since the mid-70's, you cannot use language I haven't heard, and remember some who if you weren't swearing at them- would not take you seriously. My Point in bringing this up?

A polite: This question has been asked and answered a hundred times in the past three years. Members will be glad to help after you've done some research and post an appropriate question. May offend some; however, it's unlikely they wanted to learn anything and may enjoy getting a reaction.

Personally, I did get enough decent responses to remain, learning enough to avoid the 'Ricelands' and purchasing FM VMaxx XXtreme coilovers to replace MY $2k Racing Shocks since I need a better street ride vs Racing for my particular situation.
J.A.H.O.W.M.N. because everyone has one. davzway

davzway

If you haven't already decided, I would definitely look at Flyin Miata's FM VMaxx coilovers a close look. I went with the VMaxx XXtreme which is the exact same shock only it has adjustable dampening (the standard VMaxx are currently being held in customs and likely out before end of the month. Since FM is selling these as fast as they come in; if interested I would get my order placed).

In my case I had Koni Racing shocks with springs that had lowered the car more than 3" from OEM and were way too HARD for daily driving. The FM VMaxx raised the Miata back to near OEM height, with a ride quality that is fantastic- comfortable ride with great handling (did not given up anything of consequence in the handling department, going from the Koni Racing for the FM VMaxx coilovers. Just another opinion. davzway

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Yeah, Koni race shocks have a bad reputation for harshness and the VMaxx are quite popular.

paulgt2164

They don't get much love - but I have a set of KSports and have really liked them the last year or so.

They ride better than the Tein Basics I had last, and have not changed the handling characteristics of the car. You can pick them up fairly cheap.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Holy hell man... If you just even read THIS WHOLE THREAD, you'll have your answer. You don't even have to read other threads (but it would be a good idea) but just friggin' read this entire thread and you would have at least two recommendations that fit your needs.

Look, I know some gave you crap about gravedigging. But you don't need to mention it repeatedly. People give crap about gravedigging. You now know not to gravedig. If it's an old post by a current, active member, then gravedigging is not a problem. Before posting in an old thread, check the member's profile who you're looking for feedback from. If it's been more than a few months since they last logged in, you're wasting your time and will receive fire.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

I hvae the original..aka street vmaxx and on bumps it rides a tiny harsher than my stock "sport" package. On turns though or at more compression its definitely harder though. One thing i do not like about it is that its a bit soft in the front so it tends to oversteer too much at the initial turn in.

davzway

I only have a 150miles or so on the VMaxx XXtreme coilovers with the 'street' or 'sport' springs (you can order with the 'Track' springs for the same money at time of ordering); however, the ride height returned to near OEM and the handling is almost as good as the Koni Racing coilovers. There are some twisting, curving roads here near the Ocala National forest and I had no signs of oversteer whatsoever- very close to the Koni's in the way they handled. The Koni's had springs that were so low, there was less than 2" below the shock bottom mount to the ground. No travel in the shocks left a really HARD ride. The FM VMaxx coilovers corrected all of that and I couldn't be more pleased with both the shocks and their company's service. JMHO davzway

Miater

I have a set of regular Vmaxx on my 95. I don't like them .

I have had them on the car for maybe 10,000 miles. I have the car sitting at 4.74" & 5.25 to the pinch welds. Thats not slammed or even low for that matter. I have been fighting coil bind issues in the front since about 300 miles in. I've talked with Keith and he sent me a new spring for shipping cost once. After that he has kinda ignored my questions and emails. At one point he told me that the car was too low and they were notdesigned to used like that. Ive asked what I should swap the china coils for, no responce . They are not, "in my opinion", worth the money for the regular series.

davzway

I measured the height from the center of the wheel to the bottom edge of the rim/lip for the wheel well. 12-1/2" Front and 13-1/2" Rear, having only the rear outside where FM recommended the Miata's height should be with their VMaxx XXtreme coilovers (per Keith the ONLY difference between these coilovers and the standard VMaxx is the ability to adjust the dampening; something I am unlikely to do but despite the difference in cost I went with the XXtreme's as the others were waiting for US Customs to clear FM's shipment. Could have gone at least 3" lower as the height adjustment does not affect the main springs (have 'Street' instead of 'Racing' springs for my intended use, and cost is the same when ordering). I do have the 'B' conversion kit with new top hats/rubber grommets which we assembled to the coilovers in a vise prior to installation.

Have had NO coil binding issues. Do your FM VMaxx have the smaller springs (112# spring which is only part that compresses when adjusting the height which we also did in the vise prior to installing, i .e. when moving the two locking rings. Unless lower than design parameters, I cannot see where the springs would bind.

Not being flip, but I do have a set of Koni Racing coilovers which were/can be adjusted as low as you'd ever want a Miata lowered,,, great for track and carefully driving on street (ride is HARD). Can make a real deal. Send PM for the facts/product numbers etc on the Koni's which have 26-28k mileage on them per original owner. davzway

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

For street use the either Vmaxx would be fine but the Koni race at a moderate ride height would be a better choice for a track car.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

Coil bind eh? You sure its not the bump stops or the helper springs clanking when compressing on bumps? I've had that issue too so ordered 4 pieces of 3/4" tall 1/4" wall pipe (dont remember the diameter) that i have there instead of the helpers.. clunking is gone.

davzway

I cannot see from the picture,, do you have the 112# 'lighter springs above the blue locking collar? I used the 'B' conversion parts two rubber bushings and new top hat, etc. over the 112# spring. My setup works as I've described. dave

davzway

Agree on both the VMaxx and the Koni.. the Koni Race coilovers I removed were stone cold fantastic in handling.. and PO could have had ride height a little higher,, but the car was setup for the Track,,, not street use. davzway