NOOB Suspension Help-KYB and S Techs?
 

First thing's first: suspension.

The car may see some autocross, but let's get real, it's mainly going to be my DD and serve for topless weekend trips with my wife (the car's topless, not her. Well, we'll see...;))

I promise I have searched for hours on this forum and others, but wanted to ask you guys. My budget is around $500 for suspension because I also need wheels/tires (post a thread there shortly).

I'm thinking KYB agx shocks (KYB AGX 8 Way Adjustable Miata Shock Absorber Front 741015 for Miata 1990-1997) and Tein S Tech springs (Tein S Tech Lowering Springs - SKM64-AUB00 - 90-98 MAZDA MIATA NA6C). I like the dampening option and have heard decent things about the KYBs.

People who have actually used this setup and have reviews holla at me!

I also have read about all the Koni yellow die-hards, which is what has led to my confusion.

So, budget is ~ $500. What's my best bet for a street DD that will see minimal track time, but plenty of spirited driving?

I autocrossed on KYB AGX with stock springs and FCM bumpstops and mounts and they suck. I've blown all 4 shocks and have to run them in full stiff settings. This was on my 90 not on my 99. Best bang for the buck is to look for MSM shocks with MSM springs.

Or buy this, https://www.miataturbo.net/miata-par...lsteins-70326/

They suck...If you "searched" you failed miserably

Ok, so it seems the Tein S Tech springs aren't the problem, but the shock.

How about the S Techs and Koni yellows?

I'm sorry, just kind of weary about buying used suspension, especially with eBay springs. But, if you guys think that is a good buy, I'll look into it.

Thanks

YES!!! It is always the shock.

NOOOO!!! The Konis are not a good shock. Too much rebound dampening which will keep the springs from pushing the shock back out (meaning you will stay on the rubber bumpstops too much) and too much high-speed dampening (which will give you a tooth chattering, annoying ride). MSM Bilsteins or "Hard S" valved Bilsteins will be wonderful, even if you can only afford to keep your stock springs for now. Much more control, much more contact with the ground, and much less floatiness on the roadway. You can get the Hard S '99-00 shocks new for around $125 each. Springs can be purchased from Summit Racing in any stiffness you desire for $35 apiece. Coilover adjusters can be bought on Ebay for $60 for all four (with useable springs in most cases). My "Hard S" shocks were used and purchased for ~$250 and made the single greatest difference of any modification to my car in terms of enjoyment, even when I had stock springs.

Understandable skepticism. Fear not.
Consider also buying a sway bar with the money you save. They do some nice things for the handling stability at speed.

:regurgitate sixshooter's post:

If you're weary, you really should take a nap.

I like my Flyin' Miata Stage 2 kit. For spirited DD and moderate budget I think they hit the mark nicely. The FM springs are known to be one of few "street springs" that offer enough stiffness for the amount of drop they provide, and they pair well with the Tokico Illuminas, whose adjustments are usable enough that I run different settings for street and track (3 front, 2 rear for grippy goodness, 2-1 for cushiness when I'm stuntin' and flossin'). I'm not 100% sold on the sway bars - at recommended settings the car seems borderline oversteery - but it's a very fun setup to drive, and I haven't played with the sway settings since I installed them. Ride comfort, despite doubling my spring rates from stock, is better than stock 65k mile springs and shocks were.

Sixshooter:

Do you have links to where I can find these MSM shocks or Hard S shocks? You mentioned you can buy them new, but every time I search this, I just get forums talking about them.

949 sells them new.
amazon sells them new
ebay sells them new
summit racing sells them new

go to google, type in "bilstein miata shocks" and pick the "shopping" tab and get a ton of hits there too. browse the classifieds here, and even now I think there are some used ones for sale.

Seriously, they're everywhere.

As for the tein/kyb: they are not good for anything besides reducing the gap between your fenders and tires. that's about it.

Ok, cool. I'll try that out.

Tein Flex for $850 with 30k miles. Good deal?

https://www.miataturbo.net/miata-par...ex-sale-70296/

This of course would probably be my first choice. Pm'd the guy. Just kinda worried ab the mileage.

Thanks for all the help guys. When you hear so many different things from so many different ppl, it begins to get a bit confusing.

18psi:

are these the Bilsteins you guys are talking about? if so, my stock springs will work with these? and when ready to upgrade springs, what should I look into?

Bilstein shocks

Thanks for all the help you guys, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!

the Sport, not the HD. IIRC? right?

yep, and you can select whichever ones you want on there.

Yea, it gives me the option of

90-97 HD
99-05 HD
99-05 Sport

So, I should go with the 99-05 Sports?

And btw, what does "IIRC" mean? Been seeing that everywhere.

What springs would you recommend to lower the car a bit. Good for DD and some weekend autocross?

99+ wont work with your stock springs.
iirc - if I remember correctly.
There is only one "spring" worth using: FM2. Otherwise you need to go coilover (or spring+adj perch).

If you read on fm's site (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...0%20%201990-97), it says if you want to use the MSM bilstein shocks, ride height will increase. That's not what Im wanting.

But, if i use the 99-05 sport shocks with those springs, it will lower it?

Sawzall make lowering springs.

its not the shocks that lower it, its the tophats. nb tophats are thinner/etc
the msm shocks are a tiny bit longer, but its very insignificant and likely won't even be noticeable in the grand scheme of things.

we have a thread regarding this topic. it even has a chart/measurements of each shock you're wondering about. seriously, search

Get the 99+ sports. They will work with your springs. The difference is one has a spring end that has been beveled flat and the other doesn't. I used my NB shocks with NA springs for a bit initially without incident. If it bothers you cut the last 1/4 turn of the bottom of the spring off to make it uneven. No big deal.

Ok, guys. Found this

2004 MSM Suspension - MX-5 Miata Forum

2005 MSM bilsteins with springs and bumpstops. What else would you recommend with this to put on my 1990?

Thanks for all the help again.