Need new suspension suggestions

I need to update the suspension on my NA miata. It has 166k miles and is rolling on the completely worn out stock suspension. After reading forums for ideas, I have been able to find some great street and track setups but they are all way beyond my budget right now. The car is strictly for my work commute and sees very little aggresive driving. I need to replace the shocks\struts, dust covers, bumper stops and springs while coming in under the meager $300 budget (I will be doing the labor myself). Is it even possible? Thanks.

Easily possible. Your original springs are probably just fine; they seem to outlast the cars. An inexpensive set of dampers (the "shock" portion) will acheive your goals. People often sell the Biltstien (yellow) dampers for under $300, you just put your springs on them. There are a number of inexpensive, non-adjustable damper sets out there. Probably around $200. You will also want to inspect your bushings and other wear-item parts (tie rod ends), as they can be a big part of the problem.

With your own labor and maybe a cheap set of basic/used-but-servicable dampers and a few other suspension items, your budget should suffice.

I see the KYB GR-2 (basic, good damper) on Rockauto.com for $51/each.

I got GR-2/Excel-G's, w/ Fat Cat 46mm bump stops & dust covers, for my '94. Much better that the worn-out shocks and fine for the street. I found KYB Outlet had them for just a little less than Tire Rack. You can use the ABS version on a non-ABS car, it's just an additional bracket to mount the ABS sensor.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice. Not sure why I just assumed the springs were worn out and needed to be replaced at the same time. Although at some point it would be nice to have a set of the adjustable coilover springs I see listed all over ebay, so it could be lowered just a tad. At $85 for four, I'm not so sure of the quality though.

You know the quality, else you wouldn't have said so. :D

Not a fan of the KYB personally. I'd look into the Koni Sports (Yellow body adjustable) or Koni Streets (orange body non-adjustable) Don't waste your money on the KYB AGX.

Did you notice the $300 budget?

He can get the Koni Streets for $300.

I would be happy with just getting "as good as stock" at this point. It is that bad. Wish I had more to put towards a better setup. I am also getting some new tires put on it tomorrow.

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Originally Posted by jdawg

I would be happy with just getting "as good as stock" at this point. It is that bad. Wish I had more to put towards a better setup. I am also getting some new tires put on it tomorrow.

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Get the affordable KYB shocks and new dust boots. Keep the stock springs. Buying lowering springs will make you want to buy different rear shock mounts to recover some of the lost rear travel on your NA.

Learn from my mistake. Avoid Ebay coil overs.

If it is "that bad", check all the pivot points like suspension bushings, ball joints, and steering linkage. They may be fine, but inspecting only costs you time.

Get the car aligned after replacing any suspension parts.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

Not a fan of the KYB personally. I'd look into the Koni Sports (Yellow body adjustable) or Koni Streets (orange body non-adjustable) Don't waste your money on the KYB AGX.

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I had KYB AGX on my '99 Sport for a couple of seasons, and trophied at several National Tours with them. IMHO, they're just as good as a Koni Sport. Maybe even better - I never had any mechanical issues with KYBs like I did with Konis.

The only plus for Koni is that they have a great warranty policy... which they need. I've had Koni Yellows on four previous vehicles (including my Miata) and I had at least one shock develop a leak on three of the four sets. Hell, on my RX-8 one of the replacement shocks developed a leak.

^ +1 I've had AGX/FM springs for around 6 daily driven years now, no leaks, still handles great, and I don't baby them either. Never placed well in an autocross, but that's not the shocks fault. ;)

I scored a great deal on used FM springs at the time for just over $100(again 6 years ago), and I've seen gently used AGX sets sold on clubroadster for around $200.

BR, what's your problem with AGX? I'm admittedly not very experienced with any other shocks on a miata, so i'm mainly curious. In my experience they've been great for sporty, budget shocks when paired with appropriate springrates.

I put AGX's on my first NA Miata, and I thought they were fine.

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Originally Posted by OZMDD

I put AGX's on my first NA Miata, and I thought they were fine.

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+1

I don't like a few things.

They are not rebuild-able and have a useless warranty.
Adjusting them is a PITA especially on a rainy track day.
On stock springs they may be fine but forget any semblance of ride quality on lowering springs unless you go to the expense of something like FM shock mounts in the rear.

I will say I drove for years on KYB AGX with Ground Control coil-overs and FM top hats and it was a fine set up but by the time you add it up, you are a few hundred dollars from Tein Flex coil-overs which is the best bang for the buck in quality coil-overs IMHO.

Cost no object, AST coil-overs.

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Originally Posted by black roadster

Adjusting them is a PITA especially on a rainy track day.

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Huh? The ones on my car (not stock height) are as simple as sticking an arm under the car. No opening the hood, trunk, grabbing a screwdriver, whatever else other shocks need. I can adjust all 4 in literally under a minute. The only way I could see a shock being easier to adjust is with the TEIN in-cabin electronic unit.

And I agree, they aren't the best at all. But they aren't nearly as terrible as you make them seem. I have GCs with the FM rear hats. It was between what I have and the TEINs - back in 2003, mind you. The AGX with GCs won out since I didn't have to pay a penny for the AGXs :D In hindsight I wish I sprung for the TEINs instead of the FM2 crap, but such is life.

I was perfectly happy with my AGX/FM Spring combo when I first got them. As the springs started to sag after a few years, I started contacting the bump-stops way to much which lead me to complain about them. I then switched to the FCM bump-stops and liked the combo again. I will eventually swap them out for a coilover, but that is because I would like the ability to adjust height. After driving the 93LE for the last year, I am looking forward to getting back to the smoother street ride of the FM/AGX/FCM combo.

The KYB AGX are what they are--entry-level adjustable shocks. If that's all you want or have money for, there are a decent choice. If you plan to use your car for more than just commuting, or wish to upgrade later on, I'd plan differently.
My AGXs lasted a few years, but I never did like their "squishy" feel...and sound. And when I blew two of them in the same weekend, I was done...