I bought my Miata for track days and upgraded the suspension last year but I've really been craving the Xida CS setup from all the hype I keep hearing. I've held off because I wasn't sure if I wanted to turbo the Miata and keep going or get a S2000 for NASA TTC. I love the way the Miata handles but I've really been wondering how big of a step in performance is it going from Koni Yellow Sports (with race valving) and Ground Control coils (550/350) to 949Racing Xida Club Sports (700/400). Is it just a difference in feel or do they really cut down on lap times? I figured it would be an upgrade of just over $1k after selling the Koni/GC setup.

 

Konis suck. Getting rid of mine was the best thing I did to the car this year. It's far more stable at speed, even on the street.

 

Theseus went from -----scary to Sunday driver when I swapped the 700/400 Koni RACEs to 800/550 XIDA CS w/ helpers.

 

TTC S2K will be competitive. No Miata will ever be competitive in TT outside from TTE. Nasa makes it very clear in classing that they want Evos winning A; E46, S197, and S2Ks winning in B and C.

 

Going from good shocks to world-class shocks cuts down lap times, plain and simple. When I switched to my non-Xida, inferior shocks I immediately cut down 1-2 seconds at Hallett. Its a mix of performance and confidence inspiration. The rougher the track, the bigger the advantage with good shocks.

 

I went from 60k mile stock shocks to Moton Club Sports on my S2000 and noticed a world of a difference. I just wasn't sure what differences I would see going from Koni to AST.

I probably won't be competing in NASA TT nationally for a while since I'm working on SCCA Solo II stuff nationally. I was hoping I could build a car to chase you in TTB or spoolin in TTA. I just need to find out if it's more fun to drive a turbo Miata than a track prepped s2k. If it's the Miata then it's time to upgrade the shocks.

 

considering konis suck...

 

All I read was the title, the answer is Yes!

Ok read the thread now, definitely worth the upgrade. You won't regret it. Also, do you run STR with your s2k?

 

lol, do you have experience driving on the Xidas compared to other shocks?

Yep! I'm in STR with the blue s2k in my sig. I'll be at Nationals this year hoping to be mid-pack or better this time.

 

I just did something very similar. I had the Koni Race setup just like you and Sav. Expect the car to skip less over the bumpy stuff. This will allow you to put down more power in places you could not before. The Konis feel somewhat dead compared to the Xidas.

 

The car just feels more stable on XIDAs. You can still feel the bumps, but they don't upset the car.

 

Wow, really need to get my funds together for some Xida's. Damn motor, always blowing up and costly money.

 

Yes, I run the Clubsports myself on my 94. Came from the stock shocks. As everyone has said they are amazing. The car is so composed and easy to drive. I can put the car where I want it, when I want it to. It also closed the gap between me and my hot-shoe co-driver. I use to be .750-1.25 seconds off his pace on a 45-60 second auto-x course. The past two events with Xidas I was 0.3 and 0.1 off his pace.

I run my car in STR as well, stock 94 R, RB 'race', 15x9s, with 225 RS3s. My co-driver and I managed to be 0.1-0.2 a second off of a nationally competitive STS NA last event. He actually won the Evo shootout.....twice. He also usually bests the STR raw times too lol, it's a nice measurement bar to have locally.

I also DD with them as well, they ride silky smooth on the softest setting. Best ride quality in a miata I've ever experienced, especially considering it's 700/400 spring-rates.

 

Awesome, glad to hear, especially in a '94R. The last ProSolo event I was at I was off my game but still within 7 tenths of the 1st place STS guy. Our 1st place STR guy beat the STS on the right course but lost on the left course; both Nationally competitive. I recently installed a new rear swaybar and took 1st at a local event against the guy who took 1st in STR at the ProSolo. We'll see how the next major event turns out.

I love DD my S2000 even with the 850/700 spring rate combo. The swells on the highway are the only gut-checks I experience with the suspension. Other than that it's firm but fairly smooth at competition settings.

 

I want your s2k :(

I'm going for the lighter is better route. I'm definitely down on power, I figure my 195k mile engine makes maybe 100rwhp. No engines mods yet.

 

I am broke and cant afford XIDA's. If you decide to sell your current setup let me know. It would be a massive upgrade for me.

 

You can go for a ride at Hallett and decide there. Everyone who rides on the track seems to think "its so smooth" and that it sucks-up curbs insanely well. I can't really explain the track experience other than to say it makes driving the car boring and more about precision than keeping the car reeled in. You will significantly increase the precision required to go fast.

 

That may be too long for me to wait. ;D

The question is, can it handle T11 at H2R? Here's how my current Koni/GC handles the bump...

 

lol, at Texas tracks. The Cali guys have no idea.

 

Why do they put speed bumps on the tracks in Texas?