Tein Mono Flex or Bilstein with perches and springs?
 

Yes, another WWHD "What would Hustler do" thread. :giggle: The first parts I'm doing is brakes and suspension, so this one needs to be figured out soon. I currently run 130k mile R package Bilsteins, FCM NB mounts and bumps, FM springs and FM sways front and rear. I feel they just are NOT cutting it even with daily driving now, and will for sure not cut it in the future for track duty. So my options are the FCM 2.5'' isolators ($100), some springs (maybe in the range of 500f/350r) and some ebay adjustable perches, which may also require a rebuild and revalve ($$$), OR just get a set of Tein Flex with 9 or 10 front and 6 or 7 rear for ~$1800 and be done with it.

So..... what in the hell do I do. I could sell the current setup and make a good bit back on my Flex purchase, or sink much more into it, and still maybe not have something ideal. At the same time I could make a 1 time large purchase error, which would probably be more easily resold. I don't see why I wouldn't like the Flex though, I have heard good things.

Or is there a better option for < $2000 in the coilover market? I haven't seen anything in a little research.

I wasn't baller enough to run Flex, but after owning the SS, which was nice, I'd say spring for a revalve. I always wanted to try it.

I've taken Dynamics and Vibrations (twice I liked it so much), and there is a LOT to be said for spring rate specific damping. Get the springs you want, on cheap collars, and let someone valve the shocks.

Ball hard.

Loved my flex's. I have no experience with bilsteins

But that costs so much and isn't ballin' ass green!

Hmm. I could also just order a ready to go Bilstein coilover kit from FCM, with the NB mounts, revalve and springs of your choice for $1700. Then I could turn around and surely get at least $500 for my current setup. Which would end up costing less than sending mine in for a revalve, finding the collars, springs and all of that junk.

Still like those Flex, ballin' son.

First off, take rharris's account before mine, he's actually been on the Flex, and tracked it a lot, and I've never seen anything he put together on that car that wasn't done RIGHT.

On revalves and building your own setup though, I only mentioned it as a possibly better option because:

1. It will cost equivalent to used Flex prices
2. Will have equally awesome damping for the spring rates, but for the rates you choose, not Tein, and the 2.5" springs are cheaper, in more rates, and more abundant than Tien's goofy size, although you can fit 2.5IDs on the Tein collars if you run without or machine the top isolator.

That said, buying some green assemblies is much easier if you don't like legwork.

I'm not a big fan of legwork. Aren't flex only bound adjustable, not rebound, or is it one of those deals where it does both at the same time. I read up on them months ago but I forget details easily. I don't see needing to buy springs often, so I don't see that being an issue. I can choose from a decent array of rates from 949 on the Flex. Either way I go, once I sell my current parts, I will come out to around $1000-$1200, so not bad at all.

On the flex, they adjust at the same time. 10/7 is a great combo and you will love it. I have 12/8 on my Monoflex and I think it is still streetable when I put them on the softest setting all around.

Aww shit. What is the difference between the Flex and Mono Flex? Just internal structure? I was speaking about the Mono Flex all this time and didn't realize there was a regular Flex for the 90-05.

Honestly, just go flex unless you like to tinker and experiment. If your going to spend 1k plus on brakes, 10k on a v8, 1.5k wheels/tires, etc...

http://949racing.com/xida-scoiloversmiata.aspx

Well, V8 not so much now. Decided I'm nearly too lazy for a turbo build, I KNOW I'm currently too lazy for a V8 swap. Maybe down the road.

No thanks. That's just a bit too much for me.

Honestly, unless you are tracking the car a lot, you don't need the mono-flex. Hell even if you do track the car, the flex is still more than capable. I would only get the Mono-flex if you were hardcore into racing.

Well the thing is, for $200 to me it seems worth it for the "what if" factor. I'm not much into racing now (only by being broke and not having time, not by choice) but maybe down the road I will be, which I'm sure I will be. So why not spend the extra $200 now and not regret taking the slightly lesser route later. At least that is how I see it. I will decide when the time comes I guess. I like the mono flex route though I think. Whats $200 more when you are already spending over $1500.

Actually, as far as 949 offers, it may be universal for all Flex, but their standard says 7/6 for rates. To get the 10/7 I want it would be an extra $200 anyway. So it would still be within $50 of the Mono.

Sounds logical to me.

I had Bilsteins/GC and they are such a horrible beating OMFG its too much. The Bilsteins actually made me sick when riding shotgun. I have twin tube flex and like them. I can't keep up with the AFCO or AST guys, but the Monoflex guys can. Get the flex or get the skinny on 949's "club sport) Xida rumor.

PM Johnwag. He works at TDR and may have something on the shelf that interests you.

Spill the gossip on the club sports

I dunno, its in Emilio's sig on miata.net

What spring rates did you run with the Bilsteins? Just mine with FM springs is terrible. Bilsteins are way too aggressively valved for that soft of a spring. The shock ends up doing work the spring is supposed to handle, making for some very harsh bound when hitting a bump. I could imagine maybe running something in the 400-500 ballpark would be better with them, but I still just never have liked them. I like them more than the Illuminas I ran, simply because they were equally crap with ride, and the handling was actually a downgrade (duh).

So yeah, that fact really makes me not want to do the Bilstein route. I only asked because maybe that setup would get high praise, but it seems not so much. And he said unto them, Mono Flex it will be, 10/7 and the people in my trunk rejoiced.

450/375 and it was shitty.

Only in regards to the roughness, or just shitty all around?

Can't wait to dump these off for a little extra $