coilovers vs stiffer springs,new shocks and swaybars?
#1
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OK so to avoid what I expect to be alot of ridicule, im going to start out this thread by saying I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT SUSPENSION but im VERY willing to listen to anyone trying to help me learn so thanks in advance.
My dilemna is I am trying to give my 1993 miata better handling because I am trying to get it fixed up for some autox while still maintaining comfort as it will be my DD. I understand the concept of how coilovers work but I cant see how to justify the high price. If I am ok with non adjustable ride height would some stiffer springs and new shocks with some FM sway bars give me a similar outcome? If so, what is a good match for springs and shocks if I want spring stiffness somewhere between stock and hard-as-rocks?
Thanks
My dilemna is I am trying to give my 1993 miata better handling because I am trying to get it fixed up for some autox while still maintaining comfort as it will be my DD. I understand the concept of how coilovers work but I cant see how to justify the high price. If I am ok with non adjustable ride height would some stiffer springs and new shocks with some FM sway bars give me a similar outcome? If so, what is a good match for springs and shocks if I want spring stiffness somewhere between stock and hard-as-rocks?
Thanks
#3
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You could also do a e-bay coil over setup. There is a huge thread about them over on m.net. Just finished mine
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![](http://users.marshall.edu/~kessler8/miata2/100_0512.JPG)
I haven't driven on them yet other than around the block but so far so good. Set to ride height the spring sits about 2" of the perch. The OBX coil over kit that I used comes with 6" long 390lb front and 7" long 275lb rear springs. Springs are dirt cheap from summit and I may change out the front for a 450lb 7" spring at some point.
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I haven't driven on them yet other than around the block but so far so good. Set to ride height the spring sits about 2" of the perch. The OBX coil over kit that I used comes with 6" long 390lb front and 7" long 275lb rear springs. Springs are dirt cheap from summit and I may change out the front for a 450lb 7" spring at some point.
#4
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Those e-bay cheapo's break way to easy. Well I should say that their internals don't last long. If your daily driving it maybe think about KYB AGX with some stiffer lowering springs, but in AutoX Then key is keeping your car flat. SWAY BARS!!!!!! Stiff or solid. But depending on your budget its up to you.
#7
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ahhh well I'm just talking about cheap Chinese ground control rip offs. I should have been clearer.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-G...item2c546eb099
those things.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=289656
thread about them.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-G...item2c546eb099
those things.
http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=289656
thread about them.
#8
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My dilemna is I am trying to give my 1993 miata better handling because I am trying to get it fixed up for some autox while still maintaining comfort as it will be my DD.
...
If so, what is a good match for springs and shocks if I want spring stiffness somewhere between stock and hard-as-rocks?
Thanks
...
If so, what is a good match for springs and shocks if I want spring stiffness somewhere between stock and hard-as-rocks?
Thanks
To improve handling, the biggest bang for the buck is sways, especially front sway.
People have said that Ricelands (Raceland US) are actually ok. Joe Perez swapped the rear spring for 7" 250lbs, and likes it.
In the end, it's the question of "how competitive you wanna be"?
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I have heard miatas supposedly already have "coilovers" but they are non adjustable correct? they are coilovers technically, but not adjustable like most people think of coilovers?
So I guess what I am hearing is if I'm not trying to make a super race car, just go with some springs/shocks and sways?
and im confused now.. I was under the impression this is how coilovers worked:
to preload the springs/provide a stiffer ride you turn the lower threaded washers? big flat bolts? whatever the parts the spring sit on to compress the spring while to lower/raise ride height, you rotate the entire sleeve around a threaded shock.
So forgive me for probably just being an idiot but how would those OBX ebay kits work? are you supposed to match them with a threaded shock? or are those only able to adjust spring stiffness and not ride height?
So I guess what I am hearing is if I'm not trying to make a super race car, just go with some springs/shocks and sways?
and im confused now.. I was under the impression this is how coilovers worked:
to preload the springs/provide a stiffer ride you turn the lower threaded washers? big flat bolts? whatever the parts the spring sit on to compress the spring while to lower/raise ride height, you rotate the entire sleeve around a threaded shock.
So forgive me for probably just being an idiot but how would those OBX ebay kits work? are you supposed to match them with a threaded shock? or are those only able to adjust spring stiffness and not ride height?
Last edited by rigidbigelsworth; 05-10-2010 at 10:32 AM.
#12
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Coilover a noun.
Adjustable is an adjective, much like nice, or stiff.
Miatas have coilovers from the factory, but there aren't many nice adjectives that can be used to describe them.
Good coilovers will be adjustable, in height, damping, and possibly preload. They will also have tophats that allow more travel (sorely lacking in a Miata at all but stock 4X4 ride heights), spring rates sufficiently stiff for the range of ride height adjustment allowed, and damping sufficient for those springs.
Adjustable is an adjective, much like nice, or stiff.
Miatas have coilovers from the factory, but there aren't many nice adjectives that can be used to describe them.
Good coilovers will be adjustable, in height, damping, and possibly preload. They will also have tophats that allow more travel (sorely lacking in a Miata at all but stock 4X4 ride heights), spring rates sufficiently stiff for the range of ride height adjustment allowed, and damping sufficient for those springs.
#13
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I have heard miatas supposedly already have "coilovers" but they are non adjustable correct? they are coilovers technically, but not adjustable like most people think of coilovers?
So forgive me for probably just being an idiot but how would those OBX ebay kits work? are you supposed to match them with a threaded shock? or are those only able to adjust spring stiffness and not ride height?
So forgive me for probably just being an idiot but how would those OBX ebay kits work? are you supposed to match them with a threaded shock? or are those only able to adjust spring stiffness and not ride height?
You've done well so far, but, now, this is becoming "Suspension 101".
And, no, OBX are just a step above junk, and, coilbind is imminent.
#14
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The ability to adjust ride height, and especially corner weight, is well worth going the extra dime/time for "coilovers." If you just get fixed height shocks as part of a kit, and if you really want to compete in autocross or whatever, you will be sorry sooner than later.
The ebay "coilover" coupled with a decent shock which has been documented well on here is worth doing. At least then you can work on getting better springs and/or playing with spring rates in the future without much extra money spent. Chuck in a quality front sway and use stock or no rear bar, and you are good to go.
The ebay "coilover" coupled with a decent shock which has been documented well on here is worth doing. At least then you can work on getting better springs and/or playing with spring rates in the future without much extra money spent. Chuck in a quality front sway and use stock or no rear bar, and you are good to go.
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despite all the controversy, I think I am going to try the raceland coilovers. unfortunately they are out of the NA set, but I have heard I can either swap out my NA top hats for NB hats and be fine OR use the NA hats with just a washer as a spacer?
Can anyone confirm or deny? not my choice, just the compatibility haha
Can anyone confirm or deny? not my choice, just the compatibility haha
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anyone know where I can order just some standard NB mounts? are there variations of the inner diameter of the hole on the mounts based on what shocks you plan on using with them? (due to different thicknesses of shock piston arms?) If so, what mounts should I get for the racelands?
and just to make sure im not missing anything, ALL I need is the raceland coilovers for a NB and some OEM NB top mounts right?
so going from the ground up ill put the coilovers, insert into the bottom of the NB mounts, insert both into the body of the car, tighten down the mounts, then just put the washer, bushing, washer, and bolt on top of the shock piston arm and im done? or is there some modifications I should plan on making? I want to know what I'm getting into before I order everything so I dont have to order parts midbuild that I didnt know I would need..
Thanks
and just to make sure im not missing anything, ALL I need is the raceland coilovers for a NB and some OEM NB top mounts right?
so going from the ground up ill put the coilovers, insert into the bottom of the NB mounts, insert both into the body of the car, tighten down the mounts, then just put the washer, bushing, washer, and bolt on top of the shock piston arm and im done? or is there some modifications I should plan on making? I want to know what I'm getting into before I order everything so I dont have to order parts midbuild that I didnt know I would need..
Thanks
Last edited by rigidbigelsworth; 05-21-2010 at 11:26 PM.
#20
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I would go with this http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...0%20%201990-93 for a nice all around DD and auto x package. Now you don't have to mess around with adjusting stuff just install and get a good alignment. Also you wouldn't happen to be auto xing at Nassau with a black Miata would you