I also have the FM springs / KYB AGX combo, but in addition to that I have the FM pillow mounts in the rear and FM front/rear sways.

This setup has served me well since I put it all in back in '05-'06. Still feels good enough to DD and handles like its on rails when I'm in a hurry on the back roads.

 

I had FM Ver.1s on Konis on my last daily, and they sucked. Lowering springs as a rule are a terrible compromise. Buy the V-MAXX's if you're budget limited. Don't do yourself a disservice by cheaping out on this one.

 

I have FM V-Maxxes on my '99 and love them. I think they're a great dual-purpose, entry level setup; they soak up bumps well, and the car isn't anything less than composed, predictable, and behaved when I hustle through the twisties or a-x. For the price (I got their full kit with sways), no complaints.

I've heard the Tokico HP's like to blow out quickly, but YMMV.

 

The main difference between going with a kit or making your own is its your own *** to match your shocks to your springs (and vice versa) for the best ride/performance. As said V-maxx is a great inexpensive kit. Cheap ebay springs will sag quickly and continuously and many are not the advertized force.

 

I don't know about ebay springs sagging, but I do know that you almost never know what spring rates you will get. Very few sellers will tell you what the spring rates are and in my case the rates they told me were completely off and instead of 350/450lb/in springs front and rear I got 550lb/in all the way around.

 

Ouch!!

Loving my FCM group buy.

 

My racing beat lowering springs came yesterday, so now I need to order shocks.
I was looking at the Tokico HP's:
http://www.gomiata.com/tohpshab99.html
but I also found these Koni street shocks on ebay brand new set of 4:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/KONI-STR-T-S...item45f6605ec6

What would you guys go with?

 

I'd do Koni SRT.Ts before the Tokicos. The Tokicos are a stock replacement shock, and they mean 'stock' when they say it. The Konis likely aren't any better, but they're at least marketed as a 'performance' shock.

 

but Koni SRT.Ts are marketed as a stock replacment shock...

 

They both looked the same to me, similar pricing too. The description for the koni's said something like "great stock replacement, but works well with aftermarket springs". I have a feeling they're pretty much similar shocks, just a different color, and 1 says Koni while the other says Tokico. I just can't decide which one to choose.

 

get used shocks. at least you won't take as big of a hit when 2 years later you sell them.

 

i have a pair of ksports on my other car and love them. The best part about them is they are a true coil-over meaning you dont have to mess with spring preload to get the ride height adjusted for corner and cross balancing. Also the valves are fully adjustable and in most cars you can control camber and caster right from the shock tower. Also you can custom order spring rates.

The biggest issue i have with spring/shock combos is unless you get the valving redone, they are adjusted for OEM ride height. Who the hell is at OEM ride height any more. lol

just another option but i never really hear anyone in the miata community talking about them

EDIT: the price for some ksports is around $700 which i consider an amazing deal!!!

 

I went with the koni str-t shocks. I'm going to use them with my racing beat springs. I'm set on doing this swap on Saturday. Am I gonna regret this? Is it gonna ride / handle like ****?

 

I went to an autocross today and saw an NA with Megan EZ streets and it performed really well given the course had plenty of dust. I would say it's a good budget coilover. $600, monotube, and adjustable. It wouldn't be bad to start with

 

I just compared some spring rates as my newly installed racing beat springs are "ok" but they seem less tense as my stock springs did.
FM has the v-maxx's and the rates are as follows: "The primary rates are 391 lb/in in the front and 258 lb/in in the rear"
My cheap-o racing beat springs that I just put on my car are, 1999-05 Front
Rate: 195 lb/in, and 1999-00 rear Rate: 145 lb/in.
I do like the way my car sits though, and I went ******* fast over the speed bumps and work and didn't bottom out at all.
How do I like the racing beats? Stance and look? Yes. Ride? Not really, seems too bouncy. Handling? My alignment is all f'd up, so I can't really make a solid answer.
Will I keep em? Most likely not, but at least for now, they'll work.