Cutting stock springs...bad idea or not?
#1
Slowest Progress Ever
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (26)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I recently put a set of Racing beat springs on my car with Koni Str-T shocks. I still have to get my alignment corrected as all 4 of my wheels lean in. I feel that the racing beat springs are bouncier than my stock springs. I even noticed when I laid a stock spring next to the racing beat one on my garage floor; I pressed down on both of them and the stock spring seemed a lot stiffer than my racing beat spring.
The racing beat springs are as follows:
1999-05 Front Rate: 195 lb/in
and
1999-00 rear Rate: 145 lb/in.
Does anybody know the rates on the stock springs?
And now to my idea...
If I ditch my racing beat springs and cut down my stock springs to achieve my desired ride height; would this be a stupid thing to do?
Please explain to me the Pro's / Con's of doing this.
The racing beat springs are as follows:
1999-05 Front Rate: 195 lb/in
and
1999-00 rear Rate: 145 lb/in.
Does anybody know the rates on the stock springs?
And now to my idea...
If I ditch my racing beat springs and cut down my stock springs to achieve my desired ride height; would this be a stupid thing to do?
Please explain to me the Pro's / Con's of doing this.
#2
Cpt. Slow
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Oregon City, OR
Posts: 14,360
Total Cats: 1,184
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Fm is somewhere around 3x stock rates at 318f, 233r. Sounds like rb springs are only about 100lbs higher than stock. I do not believe cutting stock springs is worth it. By the time you get to desirable rates, you're too low.
Doesn't Fcm have some hard data on stock springs?
Doesn't Fcm have some hard data on stock springs?
#5
Slowest Progress Ever
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (26)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Perhaps I should just get off my cheap *** and order some V-Maxx's from FM. They're on backorder anyway, so it'll be a wait. I'll then have adjustability, support, and quality. I was all about not having to adjust anything, but I guess if you want a setup to be happy with, you need to tailor the ride to your liking. I read all the time about you guys and using your cars for the track. I don't track my car, so I wanted a street setup where I put it on and forget about it.
Should I go with v-maxx's? Or should I get better shocks and springs? I don't think I could match the value of FM's V-maxx kit.
Should I go with v-maxx's? Or should I get better shocks and springs? I don't think I could match the value of FM's V-maxx kit.
#8
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,688
Total Cats: 4,113
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
at that price Megan EZ street would be a consideration, but I'm sure the V-maxx would provide the best ride quality and are more set and forget.
Otherwise I'd be inclined to suggest the illumina/FM spring combo
Otherwise I'd be inclined to suggest the illumina/FM spring combo
#12
Moderator
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,884
Total Cats: 3,075
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Racing Beat springs are lowering springs, no? Now you have no springs and are effectively only on the bumpstops because within 1/2in of travel or less you are likely hitting the bumpstops.
For what it's worth my used 450/275 combo rides better than stock because it avoids the bumpstops.
Says here you are on 162/118 stock springs on your car.
http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FRC...MSDS_1_8NB.htm
learn how to manipulate that calculator here:
http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FRC...S_TUTORIAL.htm
For what it's worth my used 450/275 combo rides better than stock because it avoids the bumpstops.
Says here you are on 162/118 stock springs on your car.
http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FRC...MSDS_1_8NB.htm
learn how to manipulate that calculator here:
http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FRC...S_TUTORIAL.htm
#13
Boost Czar
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/admin.png)
iTrader: (62)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Chantilly, VA
Posts: 79,688
Total Cats: 4,113
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
RB: 195/145
Keep in mind that the FM springs lower the car less, and are 318/233 rates.
You need an actual increase in rate if you are lowering the car in order to keep it off the bumpstops. Right now, you only need an extra 30 lb/in of force to move the spring the same amount...do you think that makes up for the loss of 2" of travel?
And one of the last things I'd ever want to do is ride konis near the end of the shaft travel
Keep in mind that the FM springs lower the car less, and are 318/233 rates.
You need an actual increase in rate if you are lowering the car in order to keep it off the bumpstops. Right now, you only need an extra 30 lb/in of force to move the spring the same amount...do you think that makes up for the loss of 2" of travel?
And one of the last things I'd ever want to do is ride konis near the end of the shaft travel
#14
Boost Pope
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/smod.png)
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Chicago. (The less-murder part.)
Posts: 33,339
Total Cats: 6,793
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If I ditch my racing beat springs and cut down my stock springs to achieve my desired ride height; would this be a stupid thing to do?
Please explain to me the Pro's / Con's of doing this.
Please explain to me the Pro's / Con's of doing this.
Con: loss of useful suspension travel, harsh ride, unpredictable handling.
#15
Slowest Progress Ever
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (26)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
RB: 195/145
Keep in mind that the FM springs lower the car less, and are 318/233 rates.
You need an actual increase in rate if you are lowering the car in order to keep it off the bumpstops. Right now, you only need an extra 30 lb/in of force to move the spring the same amount...do you think that makes up for the loss of 2" of travel?
And one of the last things I'd ever want to do is ride konis near the end of the shaft travel
Keep in mind that the FM springs lower the car less, and are 318/233 rates.
You need an actual increase in rate if you are lowering the car in order to keep it off the bumpstops. Right now, you only need an extra 30 lb/in of force to move the spring the same amount...do you think that makes up for the loss of 2" of travel?
And one of the last things I'd ever want to do is ride konis near the end of the shaft travel
#18
Slowest Progress Ever
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
Thread Starter
iTrader: (26)
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: The coal ridden hills of Pennsylvania
Posts: 6,028
Total Cats: 304
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Here's what FM said when I emailed them...
"Our springs would work fine with your Konis, way better than what you
have. Might want to consider adding our bumpstops, too, though you will
certainly spend less time on the stops with more realistic spring rates."
Looks like I'll be buyin me some FM springs.
"Our springs would work fine with your Konis, way better than what you
have. Might want to consider adding our bumpstops, too, though you will
certainly spend less time on the stops with more realistic spring rates."
Looks like I'll be buyin me some FM springs.
#19
Moderator
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (12)
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Tampa, Florida
Posts: 20,884
Total Cats: 3,075
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Here's what FM said when I emailed them...
"Our springs would work fine with your Konis, way better than what you
have. Might want to consider adding our bumpstops, too, though you will
certainly spend less time on the stops with more realistic spring rates."
Looks like I'll be buyin me some FM springs.
"Our springs would work fine with your Konis, way better than what you
have. Might want to consider adding our bumpstops, too, though you will
certainly spend less time on the stops with more realistic spring rates."
Looks like I'll be buyin me some FM springs.
56 pages of all you want to know and more:
forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=289656