Lets talk about Shocks vs Coilovers what do you use
 

Hey guys now that i have my miata up and running i was planing on upgrading the shocks and springs. The ones that my NA came with are worn/blown so its time. Here is what i was planing on doing. Buying KYB ajustable shocks from my local auto parts store and matching those with the megan racing/eibach spring combo.
I was thinking this might be a better combo then buying an ebay coilover kit that will make my car ass bounce more then a uncle luke video, plus it maybe a cash saver vs a high quality coilover kit. My plans with the car are daily driver with an autocross future. What do the you guys run and what the $ amount spent on it, was it worth the money for it and what mistakes/brands should ppl avoid.

https://www.miataturbo.net/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/suspension-hierarchy-41991/

No AST/Xida, no care.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1340315121

Fat Cat Motorsports 3040 complete coil-over assemblies.
800 front 500 rear lb/in spring rates.
Excellent response and grip for autocross, absolutely brilliant ride comfort and compliance for street driving.

Paid $1,647 for them.

I don't use shocks, just springs. It was free.

If you want steel shocks and chinese springs, great buy.

the thought of kybs and lowering springs in this day and age makes me want to ban you right now :)

pffft

They're cheaper than AST; and supposedly VERY comfy. :dunno: Based on mostly street, plus 8-10 autox events a year, I'm leaning towards selling my soul for an obese feline.

Actually I wanted a setup that would meet my ride height needs without the purchase of additional spacers and that would ride and handle better than the Xida CS setup on my buddy's 01 LS for street and autocross.

I got what I wanted in each department and paid less than I would have for the Xida CS system, so what do I care what the shocks bodies are made from and where the springs are from? :jerkit:

I use both shocks and coilovers on both my Miatas. I picked up a second set of SD Billies from the classifieds for $500-the coilovers were mucho expensive as they were attached to a miata when I bought them.

1600 for fat cats? must have been the non-adjustables. Shaik is a master at revalving stocks designed for a stock car to work almost as well as dedicated performance shocks. He's also great at taking months to fill and order and "losing shocks in the mail for a month". For the amount of money you pay for fat cats, you can buy a set of billies and revalve them yourself about 20 times until you get them setup the way you want them. I was going to buy fat cats, I drank the cool aid, then one of their sponsored drivers (no longer) called him on his cell phone and asked when he was going to get shock shafts in. He had just go a set (in march) but they were all accounted for. No thanks I wanted my shocks before July.

I don't understand you guys who will spend $1600 on FCMs that are super heavy, China sprung, slip-on bodies, rubber lower mounts, less overall travel, and questionable shipping times when you can have something light, with great dual springs, metal lower mount, more travel, and world-class reputation for $200 more.

Lets be honest, you're not going to pay less than 2200 to get a xida setup. 1800 doesnt come with NB mounts or helper springs. But they are worth every penny you pay to get a shock that is fairly well valved with very low hysteresis. Hysteresis is the secret to a good shock and a great shock, and its a design thing, not something shaik can fix with valving.

For the thread started, I believe the consensus on "budget shocks" is MSM shocks with ~400/300 springs.

It looks like they have gone up, I'd still buy them and never look back.

Bilsteins, being monotubes, exhibit low hysteresis in their full F-V plot. Dampers that have more bump damping, tend to show more hysteresis as a side effect. However, I wouldn't reduce bump damping on account of increased hysteresis. Having the right amount of bump damping is more important than going from low to lower hysteresis.

Yeah, but to add the dual spring it's another $260, and $100 if you need stock NB mounts. $1999.99 for xida; that's without the fancy dual springs.

I don't see how the FCMs are china sprung, as at least the hyperco springs are made in the USA. I don't disagree that the Xida are better. They are greater in every way, including price.


Complete Xida's are $2250. FCM were $1600 (now I think they're $1700). For me, that $500 means a LOT. My car is a DD, and an autox car. I;m not going to nationals anytime soon; FCM seems like a better option.

Sure for you guys with extra cars, desk jobs, this-that-and-the-other; Get your xida's and spin your meat while thundering down the track giving me the finger.

For those of us where 90% of the performance is good enough, FCM is a viable option.

[/PoorPersonRant]

Although I agree that 949's "allow 1 week for shipping" is very sexy compared to FCMs reputation for "uhhhhh next week".

I'm sure FCM stuff is good but there have been group buys where he's taken 6 months to a year to deliver shocks. Xida seems to be the best option for most people although Tein Monoflex are probably a decent choice if the Xida are unavailable.

Which, in your opinion would be faster, Monoflex or the FCM around an autox?

the better driver?

Bingo.