Coilover Discussion.

[PapaSmurf]

Im looking to get some coils for the miata I just picked up, not for a month or two though. Seeing if anyone has anything to say about what TO or TO NOT buy, there are always cheap alternative (I'm not looking for hardcore coils, dampening is not that big of a necessity) but im basically looking for something I can use for a monthly autocross addiction, its not a competition its just a friendly event a local church puts on once a month in the warmer months.

Im looking to pick up some coils and then some 15x8's, I dont want to go crazy since I wont be tracking this thing, I just want to be able to be semi functional when i want to autocross or do a crest run.

Wheels ill most likely stick with XXR's or Rota's since they are cheap and Im not needing the hardcore weight reduction with 6ULRS or Enkei's etc.

The car is a 99' NB.

[Neverlift]

*damping

I recommend Bilstein HD/Rpackage/Koni with either springs or ground controls. The adjustable collars will get you to a height that will be perfect for a decent alignment. However I run R package with Eibach pro kit... the stock r package can run 8/6k. 4/2k would be sufficient for DD which is what I am currently running.

You want to look into sway bars as well. Nothing too stiff, maybe just a FSB for your parking lot shenanigans. Without an LSD you will not have corner exit power.

Do NOT buy rota/xxr. Look @ Konigs... heavy wheels will murder the feel and power of the car. With stock power I would not exceed 13lbs per corner.

For tires I recommend Yokohama S Drives in 205/45 or 50 over anything available.

Tires are the most important part of handling and braking in the Miata. Next is going to be alignment and then suspension components. In stock trim the car will be able to out perform anything you will doing with it. Which is why I have kept mine stock w/ 11lbs Konigs for over 6 months.

I will be competing later this year in the Miata Challenge series on just springs and RS3's.

[PapaSmurf]

Originally Posted by Touge Sensei *damping I recommend Bilstein HD/Rpackage/Koni with either springs or ground controls. The adjustable collars will get you to a height that will be perfect for a decent alignment. However I run R package with Eibach pro kit... the stock r package can run 8/6k. 4/2k would be sufficient for DD which is what I am currently running. You want to look into sway bars as well. Nothing too stiff, maybe just a FSB for your parking lot shenanigans. Without an LSD you will not have corner exit power. Do NOT buy rota/xxr. Look @ Konigs... heavy wheels will murder the feel and power of the car. With stock power I would not exceed 13lbs per corner. For tires I recommend Yokohama S Drives in 205/45 or 50 over anything available. Tires are the most important part of handling and braking in the Miata. Next is going to be alignment and then suspension components. In stock trim the car will be able to out perform anything you will doing with it. Which is why I have kept mine stock w/ 11lbs Konigs for over 6 months. I will be competing later this year in the Miata Challenge series on just springs and RS3's.

on a side note how much does say a stock used LSD go for? or just a LSD in general? Im guessing around $1k?

[Neverlift]

OEM Torsen's can be found for $400 for just the diff/housing. With axles I wouldnt pay more than $600

[minger]

I'll be honest: I have Racelands on my NB, along with a RB FSB (02 Base) and I like it. Not very damp, but a lot stiffer than stock and worked out pretty well for me the few times I autocrossed it.

[Neverlift]

Don't come in here recommending Ricelands. Worst thing you can do to your Miata.

If you must have a cheap/decent set of coilovers go with Megan EZ streets. They are monotube and work very well for the price. I don't think you need them though. Wait a couple months... unless your suspension is already blown. I would look into replacing the suspension bushings as well as the diff bushings.

@cpolly69

[PapaSmurf]

Originally Posted by Touge Sensei Don't come in here recommending Ricelands. Worst thing you can do to your Miata. If you must have a cheap/decent set of coilovers go with Megan EZ streets. They are monotube and work very well for the price. I don't think you need them though. Wait a couple months... unless your suspension is already blown. I would look into replacing the suspension bushings as well as the diff bushings. @cpolly69

The suspension seems fine, I am more into just lowering it to get rid of the horrible wheel gap and get a little better handling to boot.

What are some good websites to troll classified sections?

[Neverlift]

ClubRoadster.net Main
Mazda Roadster Forums - Home (new, section sucks for now)
www.miataturbo.net

[rfinkle2]

/out before papasmurf falls in love with miata and stops building ms3.

[PapaSmurf]

if any of you guys can keep a look out on some NB suspension shit, let me know if you find a good deal.

thanks

[bigx5murf]

here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...COuP2bQC#gid=0

[InFeXIoN]

If moneys not problem go with the afcos, hands down the best coilovers for the miata. In fact they were designed specifically for them in every aspect. Had them for the msm.

http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...00%20%20CUSTOM

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[PapaSmurf]

Originally Posted by bigx5murf here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/...COuP2bQC#gid=0

link no worky

Originally Posted by InFeXIoN If moneys not problem go with the afcos, hands down the best coilovers for the miata. In fact they were designed specifically for them in every aspect. Had them for the msm. Flyin' Miata : Chassis : Suspension components : Flyin` Miata AFCO suspension Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I wish money wasent a problem or i would be driving a GTR. lol

Im thinking about going with Megan EZ-Street coils, seem to be affordable and pretty decent from what I've read.

[InFeXIoN]

Lol it works now on your post

[PapaSmurf]

must be the stupid government computer im on.

[InFeXIoN]

Yea guess coilovers are against policy.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[Neverlift]

I would contradict the AFCO coilover recommendation. They are twin tube. That is 30+ year old technology. The air behind the piston causes cavitation. Which is going to cause a much slower reaction over rough surfaces. They are cheap to make and fade much more quickly than a monotube will. I think they should only be used in large commuter cars with soft spring rates.

Monotube are usually aluminum bodied and better in every way despite FM's claim.

I have been in a car with the FM AFCO and they did not perform nearly as well as my Ohlins did. The dual flow valving on the Ohlins was leagues ahead of the AFCO. Length of stroke on the Ohlins is always a topic of discussion but I never bottomed them out, in any condition, ever. Off road included.

I would recommend Fatcat Motorsports custom coilovers long before I would recommend any twin tube to anyone. It should be mentioned even stock Bilsteins are monotube and are known to last beyond 100k.

I would say Xida CS would be the best you can get for under 2500 atm but that is not within the scope of the OP's post.

[InFeXIoN]

I never had a problem with them... But fatcat motorsports was going to be my next recc.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[minger]

Originally Posted by Touge Sensei Don't come in here recommending Ricelands. Worst thing you can do to your Miata. If you must have a cheap/decent set of coilovers go with Megan EZ streets. They are monotube and work very well for the price. I don't think you need them though. Wait a couple months... unless your suspension is already blown. I would look into replacing the suspension bushings as well as the diff bushings. @cpolly69

I have to ask: Have you tried a car with them installed? All I'm saying is that I like mine, and while they may lack a little dampening I am very happy with them.

Beats out the stock suspension on my MS3, but that doesn't say too much.

[cpolly69]

I've intended to buy the Megan EZs almost since the moment I got my car....
I was ready to get them over the holidays but I got distracted by megasquirt first....
I'm still confident that I'll have them installed and on a decent n/a tune by this summer..

[superskaterxes]

rob let me know if your interested in these:

Sonic Tuning Coilovers

they make them for the miata too


P.S. your going to have to beat the super sweet yellow SRT4 and that bad ass honda fit if u wanna win at church cross!

[PapaSmurf]

I'm taking that srt4 down! Haha

Like i said it will be a couple months before coils so I can get the genpu straightened out but those look promising.

Whats the price of the miata coils? $899?


Tapafucku!

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by minger I have to ask: Have you tried a car with them installed? All I'm saying is that I like mine, and while they may lack a little dampening I am very happy with them. Beats out the stock suspension on my MS3, but that doesn't say too much.

*damping

Yes I have driven a Miata w/ ricelands & rokkors, they are a fucking joke. Picking the right shock for a Miata, or any car for that matter is very important. You can skimp on anything else but the shock.

You may be happy, but someone the intention of using their Miata for what it excels in, and not a parking lot needs a half way decent set up.

I don't know why I am explaining this. You clearly don't know any better.

Also, before looking at Sonic Motors coilovers, find out where they are built, what kind of warranty they come with, where the warranty claim & rebuild will take place, what spring rates they offer, and the cost of revalving. I would also like to know what spring manufacture they use.

I am not impressed with the lack of information on the valving & piston size. With the plethora of Miata coilover offerings, I would look elsewhere.

[PapaSmurf]

damping/dampening same shit, stop auto correcting people, shits annoying lol, we airnt in English class, we all know what it means... sorry its a pet peeve of mine.

Im still a couple months from a purchase and will do research before buying anything, but as of right now im leaning towards the megans.

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf damping/dampening same shit, stop auto correcting people, shits annoying lol, we airnt in English class, we all know what it means... sorry its a pet peeve of mine. Im still a couple months from a purchase and will do research before buying anything, but as of right now im leaning towards the megans.

Did you watch Bob's video?... it makes me want a miata too.

[PapaSmurf]

nah...

link please?

[rfinkle2]

http://www.mazdaspeedforum.org/forum/foru...lation-100836/

[PapaSmurf]

Ill have to check it out when im not at work, since work computer = deathly slow.

[rfinkle2]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf Ill have to check it out when im not at work, since work computer = deathly slow.

I have never seen a go pro video in a car that stays that flat.

Try to watch it, and you will be even more stoked about your miata.

[Neverlift]

Originally Posted by PapaSmurf damping/dampening

Since it is a suspension topic it is a pet peeve of mine people not knowing they are not using the right terminology. Dampening is pissing in a diaper. A damper is shock absorber, not a diaper in this context

Like when someone says "I could careless." How much could you careless?

Borderline retarded behavior.

Thanks for the props Fink... please watch it with your own soundtrack. Youtube would only let me use one of their preapproved tracks since I edited it on their site.

Sorry to put a damper on your thread

@aaronc7

[PapaSmurf]

just bought my first mod... haha

JBR 5peed shift knob... For some reason the old fucker I bought the car off of had a cheap ass autozone fake carbon fiber shift knob that rattles like a mutha fucker and annoys the shit out of me.

[minger]

Originally Posted by Touge Sensei *damping Yes I have driven a Miata w/ ricelands & rokkors, they are a fucking joke. Picking the right shock for a Miata, or any car for that matter is very important. You can skimp on anything else but the shock. You may be happy, but someone the intention of using their Miata for what it excels in, and not a parking lot needs a half way decent set up. I don't know why I am explaining this. You clearly don't know any better. Also, before looking at Sonic Motors coilovers, find out where they are built, what kind of warranty they come with, where the warranty claim & rebuild will take place, what spring rates they offer, and the cost of revalving. I would also like to know what spring manufacture they use. I am not impressed with the lack of information on the valving & piston size. With the plethora of Miata coilover offerings, I would look elsewhere.

Was just asking. At least you have good reason to hate them then; there was a lot of hate for them when they first came out based on pricepoint alone.

[bigx5murf]

Originally Posted by minger Was just asking. At least you have good reason to hate them then; there was a lot of hate for them when they first came out based on pricepoint alone.

I don't understand people willing to drop a few k to increase whp 20-50%. Yet think <$400 coilovers are gonna put that power down

Anyone miata with sports package has better shocks than the ricelands. They are basically some vato zone monroe shocks w/ adjustable perches, and ebay springs.

As for AFCO vs xidas... I was considering both of these. In the end I decided on xidas for a few reasons. Keith admitted the AFCOs that you can buy are not the same thing the "top drivers" they claim use them. He admitted those guys were using AFCOs with redesigned geometry, something most of us will not be able to copy. If was even brought up, and few of these guys were running the AFCOs inverted.

AST claims what they sell you is exactly what they sell the WC teams, and that the only difference is spring rates and valving.

Regarding the twin vs mono tube argument, FM claims "the implementation is more important than the underlying technology". But, if you do the research, just about every modern motorsport league seems to only use monotubes. This includes F1, wrc, wc, and even NASCAR.

I won't lie, I've thought sometimes I should've went AFCO, since they can ride higher, and were developed on the targa newfoundland, so they MIGHT handle shitty nyc roads better. But keep in mind, the targa car had skid bars and skid plates all over the underbody. So it might not be all the AFCOs.

Most important thing with coilovers imo, is don't try to "set it and forget it". Mess with the heights, mess with the damping, the alignment, get adjustable endlinks and mess with those too. Fiddle with it until it's to your liking. Gotta be really observant with what happenes when you change one thing at a time.

[Neverlift]

What springs rates? Did you get the dual spring system?

[bigx5murf]

550f and 350r, yea I got the helper springs, and I'm on stock top hats.

On one of the main highways here, there are these mini speed bumps on it, and going over them at 80, you'll catch a little air, it's not as bad with a passenger. But after these coils, I can feel the wheels hug the bumps all the way through.

I have some pics on another thread here

I think you really need the 949 endlinks to get the most out of them. Without them, the suspension will have a slight solid axle effect if that makes sense.

[littlered]

i have stance coilovers on my miata and love them. they have been on my car for about 2.5 years and still feel great...

[inglouriousbasterd]

Originally Posted by Tony says: *damping I recommend Bilstein HD/Rpackage/Koni with either springs or ground controls. The adjustable collars will get you to a height that will be perfect for a decent alignment. However I run R package with Eibach pro kit... the stock r package can run 8/6k. 4/2k would be sufficient for DD which is what I am currently running. You want to look into sway bars as well. Nothing too stiff, maybe just a FSB for your parking lot shenanigans. Without an LSD you will not have corner exit power. Do NOT buy rota/xxr. Look @ Konigs... heavy wheels will murder the feel and power of the car. With stock power I would not exceed 13lbs per corner. For tires I recommend Yokohama S Drives in 205/45 or 50 over anything available. Tires are the most important part of handling and braking in the Miata. Next is going to be alignment and then suspension components. In stock trim the car will be able to out perform anything you will doing with it. Which is why I have kept mine stock w/ 11lbs Konigs for over 6 months. I will be competing later this year in the Miata Challenge series on just springs and RS3's.

I hate my koni and ground control combo on my '99 nb , every time i take a long trip i wanna pull out my glock and eat a .40 cal. However i drove my friends '99 and I was loving his tein basics , much nicer ride. Any body try the fm v- maxx ?

[Neverlift]

Vmaxx are pretty shitty too...

The reason you like the basics is because they are ridiculously soft. I doubt OP cares about DD ability.

Monotube or bust. Why anyone would put twin tube shocks on I have no idea.

[pandita]

Megan EZ streets.
Get them.
Love them.

Absolutely no complaints.

[Vader]

2 year old thread...