jmuse8482

I was wondering if anyone has done away with the helper springs for the rear shocks? FM has them for the front which im going to get. But are there options for the rears? (NOTE: I have everything but the springs for all 4 corners. And FM doesn't show a listing for the helper springs, only the large springs. So i get the 200mm fronts and im good. Just need ideas on rears.)

18psi

iTrader: (76)

call them

jmuse8482

I did..... They don't show a listing for purchasing the helper springs front or rear, only the full length fronts and the shorter fronts along with the rear. They told me to check back monday and talk to Kieth since he is out of town for the rest of this week. They said he may know if there was a longer spring that could be used. But until then, I just thought I'd as and see if anyone new.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

that's weird, usually they stock all the replacement parts for their products, even if not listed on site.

so you picked up a used set and didn't come with the springs?

jmuse8482

I Picked up a new set that didn't have any springs. Literally everything is there (Bump stops,Adjusters/Spacers,Perches) but the springs. Supposedly Overstock Replacements Classic shocks minus springs from a V-Maxx Dealer .I was looking for Bilsteins but came across these for under 200 for all 4.

Tekel

iTrader: (2)

Yes there are helpers for the rear. If you have a lighter NA you may have to remove them anyways because they rub the axels unless you monster truck it.

Also there is some difference between the FM vmaxx and standard vmaxx. I'm thinking bushings and maybe even damping.

jmuse8482

I have a NB.... These are the part numbers on the units.... 60 MA 02F and 60 MA 02R. I gave those to FM today and they didn't question them so I dunno. Just a thought. . . . if i had the Loose Length of the rear primaries plus helpers i could probably match of the correct length/rate of a single. I think the helpers are 2.5in/63.5mm . .

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Errrr, arent the FM VMAXX supposed to be valved differently from the normal VMAXX.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

I don't know if the Classics are valve differently, but FM did have different spring rates on theirs.

jmuse8482

I just need to know what length of spring to use for there rear...... I'll just have to talk to kieth......

Failure

You need tender springs if you need negative preload in order to reach your target ride height without binding the main spring. This is caused by either the main springs being too short or much too stiff. The first issue depends a lot of the design of the particular spring in question (more coils with thicker wire will bind earlier than the same stiffness sorting with fewer could and thinner wire), but 6 inches will almost certainly be fine in the rear for any spring. The second issue is only going to be relevant if your car is significantly under 2000 pounds or your rear spring is significantly over 400 lbs/in.

mrdos

So a 6" spring on the rear w/o helper springs would work fine on a NA?

Also grabbed these coilovers, have 6" springs for the front already, trying to figure out if I NEED the helper springs or can just turn the sleeves higher up the body?

Failure

Probably, but it depends on the design of the spring and how much preload you have on it. 7" springs may be necessary. My napkin math says you'll want about 4" stroke at zero preload. Multiply the width of the wire by the number of coils and subtract that from the length.

Actually, now that I think about it, 7" is probably a better starting point. Anyway, you should do the math for your own car. Measure the stroke of your shock, and then get springs with that much stroke plus maybe 1/4-1/2" of wiggle room.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

This where you get them?
V Maxx Miata MK1 Threaded coilover Shocks Front and Rear | eBay

$180 shipped, sans springs and better bumpstops. If you can find a deal on tender springs, not a bad buy. All I can find are Eibach tenders at $97/ea retail. Eibach main springs are like $66/ea. Wonder what FM would sell their bumpstops for.

concealer404

iTrader: (3)

I'm half-tempted to buy a set of those and have some ears welded on them for use on another car.


As for bumpstops, i'd treat these like a set of Bilsteins. Integra Speedthane bumpstops, screw the helper springs (though they're available for way less than $97 each on Summit), start with 7" long springs and see what happens.

Bet you end up with something at least halfway decent for under $400 total.

TheScaryOne

iTrader: (3)

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...rder=Ascending

Their helper springs are like, $46 each, but helpers aren't what FM is using. FM is using tenders at 112 lb/in.

RustBoxBrad

I'm in the same boat as you right now. I just bought a set of these for my NB. FM lists a 8" extended front spring that eliminates the need for the tender springs: FM Extended V-Maxx Front Spring
I'm thinking of ordering some 8", 2.5" ID QA1 springs or similar for mine.

triple88a

iTrader: (2)

They are glued in place. I will go for some v8 springs as soon as they are available.

Keith@FM

iTrader: (1)

FYI, we do have the secondary springs. They're $20 each, part 13-16920 100-20. Not listed separately on the website as there's never been a demand for them until that guy started selling off old inventory from a bankrupt distributor. We have part numbers for all the springs as well as the sliders, bump stops and the rest.

I do NOT recommend 2.5" springs on these. There's very little spring actually on the perch. eBay guy says they're okay, but of course he would. You can use a 2.25" although you might have a very tight fit on the perch.

We used to use a 170mm long main spring in the rear. We got lots of complaints from people who couldn't get a high enough ride height. So we changed it to 185mm. Now we get complaints from people who can't get a low enough ride height. Sheesh.

RustBoxBrad

I got my V-Maxx setup in today and went ahead and placed an order for springs. I went with H&R 60mm ID race springs. 200mm, 400lb fronts and 250mm, 285lb rears. Guess I'll see how well it works when the springs get here.