Coilovers? MSM 6 speed? Both? Tax return season!
 

Here is my quandary.

For one thing, I don't know shit about suspension setups that are available for the miata, so I don't know how much I am looking at spending for a "good" street setup. I am looking to stay around stock ride hight but be able to handle well, and perform under much higher than stock power production.

If you had about $2500 to spend and were going to be making around 250 HP at the wheels and were currently sitting on stock suspension and the stock 5 speed what would you suggest?

The 6 speed I am looking at would cost me $800, and then I need to think about weather or not I want to swap rear end gears... the 6 speed may be a bit short geared for the 4.3 Torsen that comes in my 99 5 speed. Non-MSM 6 speeds had the 3.9 rear end, but the MSM did come with the 4.1, so the 4.3 may not be horrible... not really sure.

So, should I skip the 6 speed and spend 2K+ on coilovers and other suspension upgrades, or $1700 on coilovers and get the 6 speed? Or (hardest of all) get the 6 speed now, and save up more money for the coilovers and other suspension stuff?

Any suggestions (other than to go fuck myself for asking to be spoon fed) are appreciated :)

Keith

6-speed and 4.3 rear is going to suck. I have a 6-speed/3.9 rear and still think that it's too short, and I'm still at stock power levels. I am on the list for the 3.3 rear end...

--Ferdi

spend 2500 on good suspension and tires

enjoy a car that's going to handle excellent

rather than hate life shifting the semi-truck geared 6sp with 4.3

I am leaning in this direction already since the 5 speed should hold up to daily driving and occasional drag strip use at the 250 WHP level.

I am looking at threads here seeing good things about the XIDA club sports... they would take up most of my budget all by themselves though... perhaps get them now and do the wheels and tires later.

Keith

I have a 6 speed with a 4.3 rear end, and I don't think it's unreasonably short. Then again, I'm making maybe 80 HP at the wheels on a good day so it's not exactly a direct comparison. Still, I'm going to recommend that you shop around for a better deal on a six speed so you can fit both into your budget.

It really depends on what your goals for the car are going to be. If you plan to turn it into a track car then I would go with the Big Grip kit from 949 and never look back. If this is going to be a daily driver type car that just sees spirited driving then I would probably do a Bilstein budget setup with some springs and sleeves (450/300 maybe) with the some new sways and then get a set of wheels and tires.

when 1st gear is not long enough to load up a ball bearing 2860rs on a short tubular manifold and make any more tahn 5psi, you know your gears are too short lol. it was annoying. I never even used 1st