Well tomorrow I start the install of the XIDA coilovers 700/400 single adjustable. My car is stock weight with a hard top running 15x8 ET32 with 205/50r15 Dunlop Star Specs. I did a bit of prep work in terms of removing trunk liner pieces and soaking all of the bolts for the long bolt method with PB blaster to make everything a bit easier for the install.

Xida owners, what are you running for pinch weld height as well as how many clicks for comp/rebound are you running? I will fine tune it as I go along, but want to get into the ball park for settings. Also what are your guys and gals thoughts on the chances of me needing to roll my fenders with the 15x8 ET32 FFD wheels with the 205s? From what I have read it will be close but I should be ok with the correct alignment. I don't have any ambition of slamming the car.

 

Miata Race alignment

4.25" front 4.5" rear here.

 

Thanks asmasm, I had read that tech article, I plan on using the dual duty alignment settings. Do you drive your miata on the street much? Do those pinch weld settings make it difficult to get around on common streets?

 

I take driveway entrances at an angle but that is just so the front lip doesn't scrape. I have about -3* of camber up front and no tire wear issues with regular auto-x.

 

Not running Xidas (yet), but I am running the Supermiata Dual-Use alignment. At 4" F, 4.25" R pinch weld height.

Denver Roads suck, but I haven't ran into an issue yet. I just avoid speed bumps like the plague.

 

I've never owned a car where I needed to worry about speed bumps so it will be something I will just have to adjust to and start planning my routes accordingly. Denver roads do suck, I look like a drunk driver dodging potholes this year.

 

You could just run your car slightly higher and not worry about speed bumps. I drive over speed bumps in my car constantly and Durham NC roads are ****.

 

I plan to raise it to ~ 4.5/4.75" soon. Normal residential speed bumps are fine, no worries. It's the parking-lot speed-mountains of doom (you know the 12" wide, but 6" tall stupidity mounds). Those I avoid like the plague.

 

No I am pretty sure they are 12" wide and 12" tall also, especially here locally in wheat ridge. Every grocery parking it is like trail riding.

 

I was always curious what damper settings everyone runs. I've played with it some but am not a consistent and skilled enough drive to get a fill for how the adjustments affect the balance of the car.

 

For a street driven car, I'd suggest adding the extra bushing for a higher ride height. 4 inch pinch welds are pretty low for real streets.

 

This may be a dumb question but are you susposed to run those extra bushings on the rear shocks? Since I only received two I would assume they would go on the end with the less travel and height of the two.

 

In the budget bilstein thread whoever wrote up the OP (I think Jacob300zx) used Summit Racing universal bumpstop material to make some top bushings.

 

Each kit should have come with 12 bushings. 10 of them should have been pre installed. 2 should be loose in the box.

The rears must have 3 bushings.

The stack should be:
Large washer
Large bushing with the "nipple" cut off
Large bushing with the nipple facing the top hat (up)
Small bushing with the nipple facing the top hat (down)
Large washer
Nut
Jam nut

If you tried to put 4 bushings on a shock you would never be able to get the nuts on.

The fronts typically only get 1 large and 1 small bushing. The extra large bushings are for the person who wants to run overly tall tires and needs extra clearance in the front to prevent rubbing.

 

Cue up 949 installation video...



Might come in handy if you haven't seen it yet...

 

OP, when I had mine, I just started with Front and Rear settings right in the middle of the adjustment range and tuned from there.

 

Any second thoughts on the spring rates for daily driving duties? I am contemplating the same rates for a DD.

 

From the Xida ordering page:
"For a mostly daily driver that only sees occasional autocross or track use, 550/350 if using ultra high performance 205/50 street tires. If ride quality is priority number one, 450/300 rates. 450/300 will not be enough spring to run low ride heights with high grip tires. Either run above 5" front pinch weld or 300+ treadwear 205's for 450/300. LSx V8 conversions use the same guildelines. Small block Ford conversion, add 100# front and 50# rear to each recommendation. If you are still not sure, give us a call. We'll get the system matched exactly to your needs."

 

I am running 225/45-15 RS3s, 949 "Big Grip" package with 800/500 springs with helpers. If I were to do it over again I would probably stick with 700/400 max. The car actually feels fine at 800/500 as a daily but I am on full soft. I know maybe I'm not looking at it right but i'd prefer to be able to soften it up a click or three for a little extra cushiness.

Don't fear the spring rate in XIDAs (within reason)

 

I think people also want too much from the tires we are using. Ultra high performance or max performance summer tires are not a comfortable ride. I haven't tried it with my heavily sprung (compared to stock) car but I'd be willing to bet that switching to some all season radials would do more for comfort than 200 lbs of spring rate with a high quality damper.