Need suspension help, feel free to rip me a new one.
 

So I know this question is asked a million times but trust me, I've done a decent amount of research and talked to shop owners as well as e-mailed koni directly. I'm very stuck on what I should go with as far as suspension goes. Right now, I currently have flyin' miata vmaxx extremes and while they're great on the street, they're just not cutting it for me on the track. I'm seriously debating going with Koni Yellows with the sport valving as well as the ground control coilover conversion kit. After talking to the owners of a local shop (they specialize in miatas/rotarys) I've been seriously debating going with coilovers since they say it's always nice to be able to adjust the suspension to your liking. After doing research, I've seen people preaching that Koni Yellow/GC Coilover kit is a fantastic combo. I'm leaning towards the Koni Yellow/GC coilover kit option but I'm open to suggestions. Yes this is my daily driver for now but I'd rather have the suspension setup leaning towards track oriented. I spoke to 2 different people at Koni and they said the shocks should be able to handle 500/325 spring rates no problem but people online say I should go with the race valving if i'm going that high. I've been looking at a few coilovers but can't really seem to decide on which one to consider since I'm only looking to spend 1200-1500. As much as I'd love to buy a set of Ohlins, I just can't spend that much at the moment. I guess what I'm here to ask is, what do you guys think?

1) Should I go with coilovers or the Koni/GC option?

2) Is it really worth going with coilovers for the extra adjustments?

3) If I go with Koni/GC option, what spring rates would be ideal?

4) If I go with coilovers, what would you guys recommend?

Feel free to rip me a new one since I know this question is asked frequently, but i'm not just some asshole looking to be fed information because i'm too lazy. I'm an asshole looking to be fed information because the more research I do, the more indecisive I get :dunno:

If you're serious about track performance then continue saving for a little longer so you can get some Xidas. You will be much happier in the long run. They have suggested spring rates on the page but you'll be leaning towards 700/400 from what it sounds like. Assuming you are running ~200tw tires. The rates may sound high for daily driver duty but their behavior on the street is excellent as well. It's a bonus of getting high quality dampers.

Yeah I've looked into the Xidas a bit but I've seen a ton of people (as well as the guys at my local shop) highly recommend Ohlins. What's your reasoning for going with Xidas over Ohlins? And yeah right now I'm running Dunlop Direzza DII Star Specs which are TW200 but i'm looking at either the Toyo Proxe R888s or the Nitto NT01s. Not too sure yet what i'll be going with but we'll see once I do more research. Right now, I just don't see myself spending 2K+ on suspension. I know most people are going to say save up the extra money and do it but that's just not really a viable option for me right now. If 1500 was your absolute max, what would you recommend? Sorry to be "that guy" asking stupid suspension questions but I'm just trying to soak up as much information as I can before I pull the trigger on this purchase.

Xidas were developed specifically for the Miata platform. They are proven and well thought out, not to mention they are cheaper than the race valved Ohlins and you get to pick spring rates for your application. The race valved Ohlins are almost $2800 on Good-Win and Xidas are a tad over $2000. The Ohlins also have separate height adjustment and don't use helper springs so droop travel will be almost nothing.

If the suspension that is on your car right now isn't broken, then I'd still say the way to go is to wait a bit longer and save the extra $500 you need for Xidas. I used to have the FM Vmaxx Track Pack coilovers and if I had known then what I know now after switching to Xidas, I wouldn't have hesitated one bit to drop the cash for them.

In the $1500 range nothing really interests me anymore. Maybe someone else can comment.

Damn, okay well that's another new opinion I've soaked in that makes me even more indecisive. Thank you for your input.

Quick thought, is it stupid to buy used Xidas or is it best to just buy them new? I remember my friend saying he saw some used ones a little bit ago.

They usually hold their value pretty well so my first thought is to buy new so that you have the warranty and can ask 949 Racing about any setup questions you may have. Plus it will be the better Gen 2 version for sure. People still have good results with buying used ones though so if you're on a budget and a set pops up that is in good shape it could be an option.

Oh also, don't buy R888, get either NT01's or Maxxis RC1's, both of those are much better on track.

Damn it, now you have me seriously considering the Xidas. Are there any competitors to the Xidas or are those hands down the best in the $2k range? Also, would 750/450 be solid or should I just stick with the recommended 700/400?

P.S. Thanks for the heads up on tires.

I don't think there are any competitors in the sub $3000 range that really compete with the amount of time, effort and research put into them specifically for Miatas.

750/450 would be good as well. You could also email them, list out your modifications and intended use. If you're moving up to 100TW r compound tires I would go with 800/500 like the guide suggests. The difference on the street for daily driving between those two different spring rates are probably almost nothing. I have 1000/400 in order to run stock sway bars for classing purposes, and have driven the car to the local tracks a couple times. They still feel a lot more composed than cheaper dampers on half the spring rate. Wouldn't hesitate to use them if I were to get a daily driver Miata.

Right on man, i'll definitely get in contact with them and see what they recommend. I really wanna try TW100 tires but not sure if i'll be sticking with them. I've read they last roughly 30k miles but I doubt that with how hard people typically drive them. Although at less than 150 per tire it's really not that bad. I'm not 100% how common TW100 is for daily use but i'll do some research on that. Thanks for the advice man, it's much appreciated. You've basically sold me on those Xidas although i'm willing to hear what others have to say.

The proper way to do it is two sets of wheels, one for street and one for track, and a small harbor freight trailer and tiny hitch. That way you can bring some tools along too.

Any 100TW track oriented tire you will find is not going to do so hot in the rain or if it gets even remotely cold out.

Yeah that's what my pops and all his buddies do. I'm a somewhat broke college student so I'm on more of a budget than most people are although I still love my seat time. I'll look more into it and figure something out. Thanks again for the advice.

For what it's worth, if you take the passenger seat out and put your wheels in garbage bags, you can fit all four in the passenger seat area and jack/tools/supplies in the trunk.

That's what I did before I had a trailer and tow rig etc.

Seconded on the xidas in that price range. The ohlins you mention have too little suspension travel in the rear for the NA/NB in a lowered application.

Koni/GC

I had to check if this post was from 1996...

I am currently running Koni/ebay sleeves/summit springs. 450/350 rates (I don't run a rear bar). Thw ride is ok on the road and ok for autocross. Duno about track yet (May 3rd, so soon).

Unless you can get the Konis super cheap and used... I wouldn't bother. Even the cheap Tien coil overs I have ridden on were about the same.

I am currently saving up for Xidas.

Yeah that's probably what i'll do for a while, or try to convince my dad to let me put my wheels in his car if he has room.
Ahhh no shit? What makes the Ohlins so expensive then?
Lol, they aren't bad from what I've heard and they're still a popular option for a lot of people on a budget.
Damn, I'll probably be saving up for Xidas then as well. So if you run a sway bar in the rear, would you want to have stiffer or softer spring rates?

Two options. Xida's for $$$, or revalved Bilsteins with sleeves, springs, and extended hats for less $. Find the Bilstein thread. Do you have track experience? If you're a broke college student, you'd most likely be better off with a ~$600 Bilstein setup and more track time. Just get 200TW street tires. Hankook RS3's for example.

if you still access miata.net, sure...


if youre talking about Koni Races, ill give it to you. Koni sports, no, yuk.

I have koni/gc. don't do it. I bought the konis before researching, wish I would've at least bought FM stuff to begin with. after seeing what Xidas can do, I have two words for you.

Save up.

The thought has crossed my mind to at least upgrade to the koni race, but the nut behind the wheel doesnt want to accept that. at the very least, the bilsteins would be ok for you