sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Does it come with tophats and mounting hardware/bushings? You could add those if you wanted, or reuse the NA style if not.

A bigger swaybar from Racing Beat or Flyin' Miata might be good too, if you are looking for something else to spend money on. But do the MSM parts first and see what that does for you before changing anything else.

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

The post says nothing about tophats or mounting hardware/bushings. He messaged me back and said they are still available.

So, if I get the shocks/springs/and bumpstops it all should just swap over?

18psi

iTrader: (76)

yes

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Perfect. Thanks for all the help.

Now, you guys mentioned even getting some eBay springs to lower the car a little. Any suggestions?

And some guys have different suggestions for spring rate for dual duty cars. Something like 7kg/6kg?

vitamin j

iTrader: (5)

Just cut the springs on the MSM to get the ride height you want. I swapped MSM suspension to my NA and even with the NB tophats it still was about 1" - 2" taller than stock so I cut a coil or two.

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Are these the coilover adjusters you speak of? How do I know what the spring rate is? 1990 1997 Mazda Miata MX 5 MX5 Scale coilover Springs lowering Silver 91 92 93 | eBay

I have a guy that's going to sell me his MSM shocks/springs/bumpstops but everywhere I read it says it will raise my car. So, if I can get these coilover adjusters I can lower the car to desired height....

**Update-- and just found NB tophats here to go with the installation http://treasurecoastmiata.com/i-1169...p-stops.html**

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Yes, those ebay coilover adjusters are fine. And they come with some springs. You will be able to do some measurements and determine the actual spring rates when they arrive. You might end up keeping all four springs that come with the kit, or end up replacing one or the other pair with other rates. Or just keep the MSM springs on it.

The MSM hardware will not raise your car if you use the MSM (or any NB) tophats. That is why I asked if you were getting that hardware. It would only make about 1/2 to 3/4 inch difference if you had to reuse the NA ones though. You could take a 1/4 length of spring coil off to make that up if necessary. There is more than one way to get you where you are trying to go.

The ebay springs are likely to be a little higher spring rates than the MSM ones, but if you end up with both sets you can try them all and determine what you like.

qax

iTrader: (1)

I know it says 99-05 but hat's an NA top from the pic, so OP you might wanna confirm with TCM.

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

@qax

Thanks for noticing that!! I would have never known. I haven't ordered yet b/c they want $16 to ship which seems little extreme. Trying to buy a set off a member now...

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Sooo, picked up the MSM suspension last week. Met up with a member of miata.net. Super friendly guy.

But, I got my eBay springs in that I was going to use to have adjustable ride height, and they dont fit. These are the ones I ordered, and posted this earlier asking if they would work Mazda Miata 90 97 coilover Adjustabl lowering Spring Kit Red with Scale | eBay.

I guess I should have ordered springs for NB since that's the suspension im using? Like these Fit 99 05 Mazda Miata MX5 Red Coil Overs Coilovers Springs | eBay

So, should I return the NA springs, and buy the NB ones?

Thanks for all the help guys. This should be all cleared up soon and Ill post pics of the build and before and after.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

what doesnt fit specifically?

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Well, I mainly picked up the eBay springs for the adjustable sleeves to use with the MSM springs, but they're too small for the shocks. Shocks just swallow the sleeves and dont rest on them.

I guess what other members are saying is I can use the eBay springs with the eBay sleeves, but if I want to use MSM springs, I would have to cut 1/4 coil off and not use the sleeves....

18psi

iTrader: (76)

you dont use stock MSM springs with the sleeves lol
of course it wont work

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Doh!


Yea, I finally figured that out after I sent the reply.

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Can you elaborate on how to find actual spring rates?

I contacted seller on eBay and he has no idea what the spring rates are. I was able to google what the MSM rates are, so I would like to know what these eBay ones are to make my decision a little easier.

18psi

iTrader: (76)

weigh bricks (or other stuff) and stack em on the springs and see how much it takes to compress em

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

ok, so, got on the rear suspension from the MSM suspension I picked up from another user. I just used those shocks and springs (didn't use eBay springs b/c they sent without wrench adjusters and was missing 2 of the 4 plastic perches) and my ride height in rear increased to 15 3/4"!!!

I measured 14" stock for the rear. This is not what I wanted and now I have no idea how to lower the vehicle. I know the springs should "settle" but I know they're not going to settle as low as I want.

Since the rear ride height grew so much we didn't even put on the front shocks/springs.

We're now trying to figure out what to do. I would like to get some higher spring rate springs that have adjustable ride height, or that will lower my car to a decent ride height. Someone mentioned ordering from Summit Racing?

What do you guys think my next step should be?

It is very possible we put the wrong shocks/springs in the rear. We had no instructions, and had to build the coilovers ourselves as they came as individual parts from a private seller from another forum. And, yes, we used NB top hats I purchased from another user on this forum.

Anyone have any real experience with swapping MSM suspension to an NA? Maybe the springs haven't settled enough since they haven't been on a car in over 3 years...

Before ride height



Installing MSM shocks/springs



After: Monster truck status



We used the smaller shocks for rear, with the smaller diameter, and smaller gauge springs thinking those would be the lower spring rate intended for rear. Two of the shocks have a orange paint blob on a coil of the springs we assumed meant for the higher spring rate front springs.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

So you can understand the progression of my understanding the coilover conversion, read these. Your questions are not new ones. I had them too.

Read this from a couple of years ago:
https://www.miataturbo.net/suspensio...-hijinx-44740/

And this:
https://www.miataturbo.net/race-prep...s-no56k-61052/

Then this:
soon-to-be Suspension, suggestions? - Miata Forumz - Mazda Miata Chat Forums

And then this:
Sixshooter's Slow Torture™ Build, A Study in Automotive Masochism - Page 2 - Miata Forumz - Mazda Miata Chat Forums

Dustin

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Sixshooter! All of the links were a tremendous help.

**Edit - Ok, got the perches off. There was a slim epoxy coating on top of the perch. Lubed it up with some WD-40 and began hammering. Viola.

Now, I need to grind of the piece on the shock that prevented the perch from moving sideways.

Any suggestions on springs? From what I've learned I need 7" length, and 2.5" ID. Im thinking 400/300 (or 450/300). Want firm, but not jarring since the wife and I will be taking trips in it.

What do you guys suggest? DD that will see some autocross/track time.

vitamin j

iTrader: (5)

Lol told you bro. You gotta cut the springs.