top hat spacer? bad idea
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 349
Total Cats: 1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I need to lift the front of my car about half an inch for my next event.
Through some rcomps on my panasports and they ride lower than my Azenis. My front bumper has hardly any clearance at all.
Is it a bad idea for me to take 1/4'' steel and make a top hat spacer? I'm hoping even this will be enough.
I think I know the answer already = [
Through some rcomps on my panasports and they ride lower than my Azenis. My front bumper has hardly any clearance at all.
Is it a bad idea for me to take 1/4'' steel and make a top hat spacer? I'm hoping even this will be enough.
I think I know the answer already = [
#12
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I'm going to guess you thought the longer spring/SHOCK assembly went on the front.....when it really goes on back. The shorter setup goes on the front. LoL. You're not the first...and won't be the last....and it's still funny to the rest of us.
Front compression what?
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/24069-top-hat-spacer-bad-idea-32246200080_large.jpg?dateline=1314846991)
It doesn't scrape..I don't think you would either. Be more worried about smacking cones.
Front compression what?
![](https://www.miataturbo.net/attachments/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/24069-top-hat-spacer-bad-idea-32246200080_large.jpg?dateline=1314846991)
It doesn't scrape..I don't think you would either. Be more worried about smacking cones.
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 349
Total Cats: 1
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Woke up early to find out that the springs are actually installed correctly, which means of course that I need to fabricate a spacer.. sigh
What type of plastic would be best to form the top hat spacer (between the top hat and the mounting point on the chassis)?
Would plywood above between the top hat and spring be effective and safe?
Would plywood work as a temporary top hat spacer? Just for this weekend's autocross?
What type of plastic would be best to form the top hat spacer (between the top hat and the mounting point on the chassis)?
Would plywood above between the top hat and spring be effective and safe?
Would plywood work as a temporary top hat spacer? Just for this weekend's autocross?
#17
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,623
Total Cats: 1,277
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Remember, there is a ratio you must use. To raise the car 1/2", the spacer has to be something like .66 of that. Also, the front and rear ratios are different.
Search on M.net for the info (that's where I found it), and make the spacer accordingly. Plastic cutting boards, while not cheap, are usually polyethelyene, which will work well. Don't use polyproplyene, as it is too soft and will deform under load.
Search on M.net for the info (that's where I found it), and make the spacer accordingly. Plastic cutting boards, while not cheap, are usually polyethelyene, which will work well. Don't use polyproplyene, as it is too soft and will deform under load.
#19
Elite Member
iTrader: (21)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 6,623
Total Cats: 1,277
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have to do it, because I used old FM springs. They sag, and I knew that up front. As it sits now, it's slightly too low for me - I bottom out on speed bumps. If I had gotten coilovers, that problem would not exist, but I was on a strict budget, and chose AGX shocks instead. The spacers are a cheap fix.