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Old 12-13-2009, 02:43 AM
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Agx/GC is somewhat common. Of course not the best but it is a setup.
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Old 12-14-2009, 04:02 PM
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0 - your stock blown ****
250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex
850 - tein basic
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3800 - xida

i moved the d2's because if anyone wants a set, i can get them to you for $1000 instead of $1150. so far they feel great, but i have yet to track them. will know more soon.

i put the kyb agx down the list from the tokico illumina because although they handle a higher rate spring, and every click makes a bigger difference than the kyb, they actually are not as adjustable. if you run the spring rates mentioned on the tokico's, you can only use the highest settings (4 and 5)
the kyb although they supposedly barely change on a dyno, i could feel and tune every click on them. also with 350/250 springs, i had a useable adj. range of 2-8 clicks for street to track, dry to wet track conditions. i know this because i have another car with 350-250 springs and 1-3 clicks on the tokico's range from 1 - blown or no shock installed feel, to 3 - cadillac eldorado valving. and 240-to-miata, i've beat many cars on double or triple the cost coilovers. it takes some reasearch, but with the right combination of hardware, agx's can work pretty well for dirt cheap.
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Old 12-14-2009, 04:06 PM
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250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex
850 - tein basic
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)
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Old 12-14-2009, 05:21 PM
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Stance should be on the list. I have no idea what they cost.
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Old 12-14-2009, 10:14 PM
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ok, this is a nice comparison. how about a quality/performance hierarchy? or is that too subjective?
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Old 12-14-2009, 10:39 PM
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Originally Posted by miata2fast
Stance should be on the list. I have no idea what they cost.
1129.99 from frsport.com, mine should be delivered sometime tommorow


250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex
850 - tein basic
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1129 - Stance GR+
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)
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Old 12-16-2009, 09:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Chris Swearingen
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)
2812s come valved to your specs. There is no off-the-shelf version. Every one is custom assembled, although some orders are assembly only, and some require minor machine work - like pin tops for Miatas. They do not come with springs, top mounts or bushing adapters like some of the other options listed.

I put together a set of non-adjustable Bilsteins using ATAD bodies and B46 shafts. They are monotube with threaded aluminum bodies and the B46 shafts have the correct pin-top. They can be revalved at home as long as you have a nitrogen bottle and recharging tool. Total cost for the shocks was $920. I added Elephant racing spring perches and mono-ball top mounts made from NA mounts and some circle-track parts.

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Old 12-16-2009, 09:58 AM
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Originally Posted by modernbeat
2812s come valved to your specs. There is no off-the-shelf version. Every one is custom assembled, although some orders are assembly only, and some require minor machine work - like pin tops for Miatas. They do not come with springs, top mounts or bushing adapters like some of the other options listed.
I bought mine secondhand and altered the valving. The only "commercial" source I know of for them likely had them valved for their spring selection. KON 2812 Koni 2812 MKII Series Shock Absorber from the EPMiata.Com Online Store!

Buying them direct from Koni or one of their resellers might net you the valving you are looking for without the revalve cost. Not sure what Koni's list price is.
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Old 12-16-2009, 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by hustler
I'm going to get rid of the Flex next year and get something with comp and decomp adjustability. I'm no pro by any means, but I see the short comings of the flex damping and would like more comp in the front, less comp in the rear, but more decomp in the rear. I also want more droop in the front, and I have the front's so stiff that apparently they're jacking, but i don't know what that feels like.

I imagine that by the time I get those set up, I'll wish I had low/high adjustability too.
Play with spring rates first... then when you get rid of them I'll take your springs.
***Edit - I feel pretty good now knowing I got the Flexes used for $600.
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Old 12-16-2009, 10:14 AM
  #30  
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How do you get the koni race for $1200 the shocks alone are $250 each with out springs or anything. should be $1400 for Koni race + GC
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Old 12-16-2009, 11:56 AM
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Maybe K-sport should be on the list? do not now the price though....
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Old 12-16-2009, 12:18 PM
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300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs
1650 - fatcat
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2700 - xida s
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida
3960 - Koni 2812

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Old 12-21-2009, 02:18 AM
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250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350
400 - used FM's stage 2.5 v1
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex
850 - tein basic
940 - FM's stage 1.5 v2
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1129 - Stance GR+
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2350 - Ohlins PCV
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)

added a few.
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Old 12-21-2009, 11:01 PM
  #34  
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I'm on Koni Sports Yellows for my '99 and Eibach bars.

Had RB springs. They sucked because the rears were bottoming constantly. Got weirdly non-linear at the limit and went sideways as soon as I got on the throttle past the apex.

Changed them out to OE MSM springs I picked up for $70, and it's much better. Ride height is within 1/4" of stock. No more bottoming, and really linear and predictable until it starts to slide. Haven't tracked it yet, but I'm expecting it to be as good as I need, even after the turbo gets done.

With both setups, 1/8 turn of the Konis makes the difference between all messed up and just right.

Not sure where the $750 comes from for Koni Sports, collars and QA1s, but use that shock price and add $70. I'm happy with it. The hard part is finding the springs.
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Old 12-22-2009, 08:37 AM
  #35  
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I ordered the Fat cat coil overs 450F 325R And I have to say the customer service alone is enough to make me buy them. But from what I hear they are pretty good on the track
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Old 12-22-2009, 09:36 AM
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Does anyone know anything about the koni sport springs you can get koni sport yellows matched to these springs in a package here?

Last edited by inferno94; 12-22-2009 at 11:36 PM.
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Old 12-23-2009, 12:22 AM
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Koni's web site has a ton of info if you take the time to dig through it all and find what you're looking for. Not sure spring rates would be on there, though.

My instinct is that "sport" springs like that won't have enough rate to keep it off the bump stops with the 35mm of lowering that's stated in your link.
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Old 12-23-2009, 03:40 AM
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250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350 - value
400 - used FM's stage 2.5 v1
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex - value
850 - tein basic
940 - FM's stage 1.5 v2
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1129 - Stance GR+
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs - value, better than flex IMO
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat - the best street setup money can buy
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2350 - Ohlins PCV
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida - the best money can buy
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)

There are a lot of options, but only a few popular/good ones.
-Bilstein/ebay/QA1 is a great beginning setup. Lets you revalve with FCM later and learn your car now.
-Used Tein Flex is the best track deal going. They have their limitations, but for most they are great.
-KONI RACE is, IMO, better than Flex. The rates will be higher, and while you have to deal with the super-short travel, if you run the car low with a good diff it's not a huge deal. Add a lot of power and you'll need an OS Giken to deal with it, but that's probably true with any suspension.
-Revalved FCM Bilsteins are the best riding suspension, hands down, end of story. Try a set, it will blow your mind. They are spendy, though.
-Xida-S should be great, although I've never driven a set they should be nearly as good as the Xidas, although a bit less versatile.
-Xida, the best money can buy. I don't even think a Koni 28 is worth it, because Emilio's done the revalve work for you. Disturbingly good.
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Old 12-23-2009, 04:32 AM
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i'll probably be dreaming of xida's in a few minutes!
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Old 12-23-2009, 05:25 AM
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250 - racelands
300 - used bilsteins, ebay coilover 450/350 - value
400 - used FM's stage 2.5 v1
450 - tokico illumina,ebay coilover 450/350
450 - kyb agx,ebay coils,qa1 350/250,nb tophats
500 - used bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
750 - koni sports, collars, qa1 springs
800 - revalved bilsteins, ebay collars, qa1 springs 700/400, nb top hats
800 - used tein flex - value
850 - tein basic
930 - P5 sportdrive
940 - FM's stage 1.5 v2
1000 - D2 custom valved and sprung
1100 - tein ss
1129 - Stance GR+
1200 - koni race, collars, qa1 springs - value, better than flex IMO
1400 - bilstein pss9
1500 - tein flex
1650 - fatcat - the best street setup money can buy
1900 - jic magic a2
1800 - tein mono flex
2000 - afco
2100 - v2 fatcats
2350 - Ohlins PCV
2700 - xida s
3000 - Ohlins DFV
3600 - Moton Club Sports
3800 - xida - the best money can buy
3960 - Koni 2812 ( likely more if you want them custom valved, but you never know)

P5 sportdrive added, too soft springrates for the most of you, but what im going to run soon. Been getting good results and reviews. Across the pond from most of you though. MX-5 performance parts, suspension, shocks, superchargers, turbochargers, exhausts, brakes and servicing - Performance 5
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