OK? But bigger sways don't kill the ride like rebound damping.

 

No disagreement there. But with a big enough bars you give up the independence between wheels that makes a Miata handle better than a Mustang on rough roads. The Tahoe I drive for work has massive sway bars, corners flat, rides great, and squeals like a pig at the sight of a tight corner.

I guess the goal is to have the fewest compromises between ride, handling, grip, and cost; pick any three or prepare to pony up.

 

Your Tahoe does that because its a Tahoe, not because of the size of the bars. Every fast Miata I can think of has big front and rear bars.

 

I think I'm just going to pick up Illuminas as a replacement. For my needs they should suffice. I like their dampening curve over the konis, I'm tired of a harsh ride on relatively soft springs. I haven't autoxed in a year and tracked in 3 years, so I think the compromise makes sense, otherwise I'd go straight to stewart revalves, but $450 shipped < ~$700, so the jew in me approves.

 

Big is relative, and we might be agreeing and not realizing it, but there's no question that at some point the bigger the bar the less the grip.

 

I thought you said you wanted something monotube and not shitty. Besides, by the time Bernie gets around to building your shocks you'll have the $350 extra. Five years from now you'll still be happy with them instead of back here saying you want something monotube and not shitty.

 

don't hate. I'm also cheap as hell and don't like spending any more money on my car. I realize the illumina is twin-tube, but it's also very unrated. I've rode on a miata with illuminas and GC 375/250 springs and again, I preferred the ride over my shitty konis. I think konis are overrated IMHO. I guess I could just get Bilstein HDs for about the same price, then I could choose to valve them at a later date if so need be.

 

Don't waste money on something....wait a bit and I'll find you something on CL.

 

ha. well it wont be until this spring. car is getting parked for winter soon and I'm going to buy a new camera first. I'm happy with my spring rates, I'm just unhappy with my ride quality every time I drive in another miata without konis. When I drive in another miata with Konis and GC springs I at least think mine is better since I'm on NB perches and have more bump travel, still harsh as ****.

 

I recently bought a set of low mile NB Bilstein sport (hard S?) shocks with springs and perches for $150 off Craigslist. Add $320 for Bernie to revalve them and it's a high quality cheap set up. Keep looking Brain! Use Searchtempest for a set of used Bilsteins cheap. You'll be much happier in the long run.

 

I'd only run racelands, stewarts, monoflex, xida. In that order of price. What's the price point of those new xida club sports 949 is coming out with? Those might be the new hot ticket.

 

Not hating; just watching out for your ***.

I hear Illuminas do ride nice; particularly when put together with FM springs and sways. I agree Koni's are over rated; they're certainly nothing to rave about.

You could do that, and it's not a bad idea except for the duplicate remove/install. But you know the ride's going to suck; probably worse than your Konis.

But you're right; Illuminas are a well regarded shock in some circles, they're adjustable, they ride nice, and they're a bargain. You can always change them in a few years if you decide you need a change, and you're not really out that much as far as $$$ is concerned, but in the meantime you'll enjoy the nice ride you've been missing all this time.

 

Brain,

Have you spotted the illumunas in the for sale section yet? Have FM springs on them for $350.

 

No i had not. he has been PM'd.

Yeah this is my thought. The car is pretty much a dedicated summertime DD. I barely autox anymore, let alone track it. So I don't need anything extravagant. I spend a lot of time fooling with spring rates and ended up simply just hating my konis.