NOOB wanting to start with Suspension
 

Hello every one, NOOB here asking his first question and I really appreciate the help in advance. I recently got a 1.8L 2001 Miata LS 6 spd. The previous owner did some of the basics (racing beat headers and exhaust, after market chip even though I don't know anything about it, and a forced air intake). I have put wheels and tires on it. I am trying to get a track ready, street usable suspension that will also lower my Miata a little (at most 2.5").

Being as I am only 20 and ballin on a budget does anyone have any sugestions? I have looking at flyin Miata suspension pack 2 but wasn't sure if there was anything better and/or cheaper. Any suggestions or opinion?

Thank again!
-HC 2001 Miata LS 1.8L 6 spd.

Yes, I have a suggestion. I suggest you stop posting and start reading.

Do you really think you are the first person here looking for a decent 'track ready street usable' suspension on a budget?

The only thing you need to know about a "chip" for a miata: get rid of it. Seriously. If you actually have one on the car then find it and get rid of it. If the PO was just BSing you then that's fine.

thenuge26 is right though. This site is full to the brim with useful information and you will find far more searching than you ever will posting. That said, I've been running tockico illuminas and FM springs for about a year and half now on my DD/autox car. Fantastic ride quality and just enough to have fun at an event. It won't serve as a good track only setup cause the springs are too soft but that's what makes it good on the street.

Couple that shock/spring combo with FM bars and you have a fun little light race duty setup that won't kill you on the street.

Yeah thats my bad. I was in a little hurry to post something lol. The second after I posted this I knew I should have read a little more.

again my apologies

Good Lookin out im going to go find that "chip"

Don't sweat it too much, I did the same thing. I wanted to make sure you weren't gonna be like this guy.

Spec Miata Bilsteins or here: Miata Suspension and springs from Summit here: http://www.summitracing.com/search/department/chassis-suspension/part-type/coil-over-springs/brand/summit-racing/length-in/7-000-in
For spring rates, try 450/300

do I need to look into the the control arm bushings or do I pretty much need to just worry about the shock, springs and coils?
thank you by the way that was some good stuff

Well they are 12 year old bushings, but if they aren't making noise now then why bother?

Flying Miata Suspension !

^Thats real helpful!

Flyin' Miata : Chassis : Stiffening : FM butterfly brace


Miata Hard Core Hardtop Bar
Miata Bolt-in Door Bar (with rear backing plates to tie it to the rollbar)







I've seen in countless threads that people were saying, a Rollbar can stiffen your suspension up more than actual braces right off the bat. I could of misinterpreted that though

I wouln't worry about the bushings if they aren't worn out. You can always do them later if you decide you want to.

i retract my previous statement seeing as he owns a 2001. :giggle:
But I don't think he owns the FM2 package, he said he was looking at it.

VMaxx + FM sways for "ballin' on a budget" setup.

It's what I'm running on my '90 for now with 205/50 R888. End of the season they will be gone for the Big Grip Kit from 949.

How do you like the V-maxx, z31maniac?

I'm planning on doing the same exact thing : track on V-maxx for 2-3 years then go 949 Big Grip Kit.

Do you think it's worth it?

If you want to get on track NOW, yeah, it's worth it. I would definitely step up to the "Track Pack" with stiffer springs.

If you aren't going to be out there until next season? I'd save up and do the XIDA's from the start. Assuming my motor holds together, I'll be doing XIDA's over the winter.

But if you have no prior experience on track (I used to do track days on sport bikes), I don't think you can beat it for the price.

Thanks a lot! Given a limited budget, I'll then do the following if life doesn't get in the way :

Track stock suspension with 185/60R14 Dunlop ZII this year.
Track Xida Big Grip Kit with 185/60R14 Dunlop ZII next year.
Track Xida Big Grip Kit with 225/45R15 RS-3 on 6UL in 2 years.

Sounds good.

You're going to have to explain to me how a rollbar stiffens up your suspension, please.

Dead serious, raceland coilovers are a very economical and streetable option. I ran them for a couple years and for the money I felt like they were a fantastic option.

Not for the track they're not.

Mild street driving, sure.

Track, they'll die with the quickness.

Stiffens the chassis

myes...myes... much butter....

So again, i ask you to explain to me how a rollbar stiffens your suspension.


Unless by "stiffens the chassis" you really meant "I made a herp and i derped and said that a rollbar has an effect on my suspension when clearly it stiffens the chassis instead."

It was a silly type-o. In my understanding, the rollbar will effect the way your suspension is setup (spring rates) because it significantly will stiffen your chassis.
From following track threads and other build threads I've seen countless times the suspension (spring rates) needing to be changed because a different rollbar (or mild cage) was added.
I'm new to this but my approach was going to get a rollbar and work on other suspension components first, (stiffining the chassis) before getting coilovers or whatever so i can get the proper spring rates/setup for what i got instead of buying twice.

Please someone with more knowledge correct me if I'm wrong.

Why not just get the proper spring rates the first time?

Because... because...

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370020074

LOL..
Aright, I'm no expert, this is just how I see it.
In this picture you can see how little there is between the front and rear axles.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370044893
I know.. NC.

To me, this is where Miatas and all other convertible have most of their chassis flex.

So, attaching a roll bar like the harddog, etc. does nothing to stiffen the actual problem. It's mounts are completely behind the door openings.

A car with a full cage..
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1370044893
Fills in the open gap, front to back, across the interior, boxing it in..
This will stiffen the chassis, not a roll bar.
:vash2:


Just my 2 cents..


Mike

Your only flaw in your reasoning is the assumption the center section of a Miata is the only part that needs help. The front and back are floppy too.

Of course. It's a floppy car.


But a roll bar doesn't add to stiffening the chassis a noticeable amount.

Its noticeable. Very noticeable.
Drive 2 cars one with one without back to back you'll be very surprised.
But obviously not nearly as serious as a cage is what I think you meant to say.

My front is kinda floppy but my back end is tight.

:bowrofl:

I'm running Megan EZ Streets and I love them. I daily my car a lot so I wanted them to be somewhat comfortable. I also autocross and they work out really well. At full soft the ladies are happy and at full stiff I'm happy.

Heh Heh Heh

Should I have said at full soft no one's happy? :naughty:

I have raceland coilovers on my 91. They were on the car when I bought it. They go low and are very comfortable for daily driving and are a decent coilover for $350. However, they are only a good option when you just want to lower your daily I would not recommend them for any track use and I plan to upgrade before I start tracking. I have hit the canyons quite a bit in them and they feel quite sloppy in comparison to other coilovers I have had experience with.

Is that what he told ya?

:vash2:

save up and buy decent coilovers. I ending up with the flyin' miata vmaxx coilovers and love them. they are great for what i paid.

I've megan EZ streets as well and I like them a lot. I can only compare them to stock but as botbullet said they're very comfortable on the soft and medium settings which is good for street driving. I was running mine on the hardest setting, but now the highway I take to work is under construction and it's just ridiculous. I wouldn't say they're "track ready" though, there's a few posts around on miata.net and clubroaster of people taking EZ streets on the track and they basically become mush compared to a real coilover set up.

The Flyin' Miata Vmaxx XXtreme (I feel stupid even typing that) package with the sway bars and adjustable dampers would probably be an excellent starting point.

I'd only go with front fm sway bar or a rb front and fm rear.