silver92b

iTrader: (1)

I searched but came up with nothing. I want to lower my car a little bit and I wonder if NB springs will fit/work with my '92 Miata. I don't particularly want high performance because I don't intend to track or race, but I do want some reliability for DD.

If the NB springs can work with a NA car, please tell me if there are any modifications or additions and what those are.

Thanks in advance

RedCarmel

iTrader: (7)

Yes. Do you already have the shocks and springs? If so, you'll need these parts.

http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept...umber=13-57600

This little package makes it convenient to purchase the parts, but if you have access to the mazdaspeed parts program you can pick them up a little cheaper there.

If you're starting from scratch, you can pick up a popular suspension package like I did from Flyin' Miata that converts the suspension to NB with one kit. The Illumina and FM springs should work well for your purpose. http://flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept=77

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

It should be noted that those mounts are intended to allow you to install an NB-style shock/spring combo into an NA.

If I interpreted the OP correctly, he is asking if you can install NB-style springs onto an NA-style shock, and the answer to that is no. The lower spring perch, which is integral to the shock in most designs, is different between the NA and NB.


Manuel, I would ask why you are asking? Unless someone has offered you a set of NB-style FM springs for cheap, I can't imagine what led you down this path.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

Thanks Joe, actually in another forum I had asked for advise on lowering my NA. The suggestion was to get springs for my NA. I want to use my almost new KYB shocks (non-adjustable). The guys posted several links to ppl selling NB lowering springs.... I was wondering if I was missing something because I did not believe these would be interchangeable. They were not FM, but they were very reasonably priced.

BTW, I had the new shocks, mounts and boots installed already just prior to driving it from Tacoma to Atlanta....

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Ah. Well, pretty much any "lowering spring" that's available for an NB should also be available for an NA. They're differently shaped, but otherwise similar.

For what it's worth, the Miata doesn't have a ton of useful suspension travel to begin with (and the '90-'97 cars are the worst of the lot in this regard) so lowering the car with stock-like shocks and the traditionally soft springrates found in "lowering springs" is going to negatively impact both ride comfort and handling. You will, in effect, be riding on the bumpstops pretty much all the time.

Miatas react well to what you might think would be "unusually high" springrates. Unless the company you are buying from gives you a specification (in lbs/inch or kg/cm), walk away.

By "non-adjustable KYB", I assume you mean the GR-2 shocks (the silver ones)? If so, and I mean this in all honesty, now might be a good time to reflect back on $250 poorly spent, and consider it an object lesson as you pony up for a set of shocks that will allow you to run both the ride height you desire and a springrate that won't ruin the car.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

They are KYB GR2 (black). I guess you are right and it wont be a good idea to run with lowering springs. Maybe my best option is to run the car as it is until such a time as I find a reasonably priced alternative. After all, the suspension is actually quite good just as it is. I just wanted to lower it for cosmetic purposes anyway.

Thanks,
Manuel

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

If you are looking to lower it a little without compromising ride quality you can simply switch to NB tophats and mounting hardware and it will lower your car ~1/2 to 3/4 inch with no other modifications. You might find it advantageous to purchase slightly shorter or softer bumpstops from fatcatmotorsports.com as well. They sell all of the NB tophat hardware as a kit if you want to just get everything in one place.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for the advise! I looked into it a bit. I don't understand exactly if the shocks I have will actually fit the mounts for a '99 model. Another thing is that Fatcatmotors sells a kit for $279. I wonder if it would fit the NA shocks. Some people seem to think not.

Looking into RockAuto I see shock mounting kits (less bumpstops & other stuff) for anywhere from $11.17 to $20.79....

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

A note of clarity to expound on what Steve said-

In stock form, NB tophats are not compatible with NA shocks or vise-versa. The tophats which FatCat sells are modified NB mounts, which have had the center section (the rubber-n-nuts portion) modified in order to accept the shaft of an NA-style shock damper.

Among systems using stock or stock-like shocks and mounting hardware (including Bilstein, AGX, Koni, Tokico, etc), the most optimum configuration insofar as suspension travel would use either all NB parts, or NA shocks and springs along with modified NB-style tophats, along with shorter-than-stock bumpstops, such as those also sold by FatCat. And yes, those bumpstops work with NA shocks. They're on my car right now.


Now, a disclaimer: I like FatCat. I know the owner personally, and I run his stuff on my car. That said, his stuff is on the higher end of the cost scale among suspension packages based on "non-exotic" hardware (eg: Bilstein shocks, stock-geometry springs, and stock-like upper mounts.) You could save more than a few drachmae by considering one of the "budget exotic" packages, such as the Tein "Street" packages offered by 949 Racing. (Note that these shocks are designed to be used with stock NB tophats.)

rleete

iTrader: (21)

ISC makes an NB style tophat for the NA. Very reasonable. I have them, and cut down factory bumpstops on the back of my '94.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm it's said that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It looks like a lot of knowledge (of many different options) is a confusing thing. From reading the FCM stuff in their website, I would just run out there and order those coil-overs and be done with it. Of course, I have got to put the brakes on and stop to consider what I want and what to get. Looks like:

a. Get something like the FCM custom coilovers and be pretty sure I have the best
b. Get something like the Tein "Street" package and save about $900 but not get the best
c. Get some lowering springs from ebay and save $1500 but have the worst option
d. Get some combination of mounts, stops, springs & shocks and spend ??$ and have nothing but doubts...

Geez.. This is a tough dilemma. The greatest temptation is to go with a compromise, middle of the road option, but those generally comeback to bite me. The top notch options cost more than I want to spend and almost as much as the whole car is worth!

I've already spent about $1400 in parts for the new clutch, Torsen LSD, 1.8 brake upgrade parts and other assorted bits. Another $600 for labor. There goes 1/2 the car's market worth... I was going to have it painted & refresh the seat padding, needs a new top... Maybe I better ride on my suspension as is for a time and see if the lowering of the car seems important enough to do later.

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Yeah, an attractively lowered suspension won't keep your top from leaking. First things first.

And the ISC Racing tophats are pretty sharp. And if I could justify the expense I'd be sporting Xida suspension from 949Racing, myself.

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

haha, wouldn't we all? Everytime I look at a set of Xidas, It makes me feel like I have a ghetto rigged suspension.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

True dat, but I do have a garage and even half full of crap it still has room for the Miata . I am waiting for a good used top to become available. The suspension lowering project is still swirling in my mind... I think now that another good option exists, to wit, the Koni sport shocks with the lower perch setting and the stock springs might work well. Also, another guy already has the fancy coilovers waiting to be installed. I might buy his Eibach springs with KYB shock combo....

Out of curiosity I looked.... With options that setup wopuld cost more than all the repairs/mods I've done lately plus a complete paint job *and* a set of low offset wheels.......

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

not even a comparison. I will take the xidas. and burn the low offset wheels.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

Hmmm... Maybe you have good reasons for that choice. For me it would be more desirable to have the car painted, get a set of Koni sports and get some nice wheels....

sixshooter

iTrader: (12)

Low offset wheels will mean your car will never corner well at all. 9 or 10 inch wide higher offset wheels are better. And paint jobs don't make cars faster either, lol.

Seefo

iTrader: (5)

don't need no stinkin' paint job.

silver92b

iTrader: (1)

I don't strive for the fastest speeds, but I don't think the low offset wheels per se would cause inferior cornering. After all, some of the fastest cornering cars have low or 0" offset wheels. Also, if you are looking for ultimate speeds and getting the nth degree of advantage, I think a slick paint job might actually make the car a little slipperier through the air..

Anyway, I definitely see your point of view. However, I don't strive for race car performance. I am not a fast driver and that's probably the most important part for racing. I want decent performance and comfort for touring, decent reliability, and distinctive styling.