Suspension setup questions...

[bmcreider]

Ok,

So, I am kind of excited, kind of fearful, of the results of my latest purchase - which would be a set of H&R Street Performance coilovers.

Ya, for $1,200, they suck. I got them for $700, and when compared to the only other thing under $700, they seemed ok. (Flyin Miata Stage 1). Or V-Maxx coilovers, but they don't count.

The only trouble is they are ~250#/in springs on all 4 corners...kind of a dumb way to do things. As you all know, the rear springs should be a tad over 2/3 or so the #/in of the front for neutral handling.

The good news is, I have a ginormous RB 1.25" hollow front sway already.

So my question is, will that ginormous RB sway in the front help tame the quite possible oversteer that awaits with these coilovers?

[Titus]

You would probably be better off with a set of Tokico springs. At least then you would be neutral.

[bmcreider]

What a dick move.

[blackzx3_13]

If you still have oversteer issues, pull your rear sway. If you can get the deminsions from the springs (hight, diameter) you can probably order some custom springs from somwhere.

[POS Racing]

Drove jrj512's AST prepared car this weekend and if I recall he has 700# front & 450# rear springs on it and it was awesome.

I'm thinking your 250# springs are going to be a bit weak.

YMMV

[bmcreider]

I was thinking 250# may be a bit weak also, but it's not a full auto x car...

But still, you may be right, it might be a bit weak even for street driving...

We shall see.

I just hope, at worst, I have to pull the rear sway, and it remains neutral.

[blackzx3_13]

I was thinking 250# may be a bit weak also, but it's not a full auto x car...

But still, you may be right, it might be a bit weak even for street driving...

We shall see.

I just hope, at worst, I have to pull the rear sway, and it remains neutral.

Pulling the rear sway is no biggie, many tuned miata's have no rear sway

[Miatamaniac92]

Is this for AutoX mainly?

Chris

[altiain]

The problem is that a sway bar does not work quite the same as a spring. While sway bars work under lateral load, they do nothing for the spring rate under changes in acceleration.

What size ID springs do the H&R coilovers use? What free length? Chances are you can change the springs on them without too much trouble, although who knows how much range the damping has.

[bmcreider]

This will be mainly for street, occasional auto x whenever I get the time.

I have no idea on the measurments of the springs, I'll have to wait till they come in - but I suppose I could change them if need be.

[POS Racing]

The only trouble is they are ~250#/in springs on all 4 corners...kind of a dumb way to do things.

Is that the standard way they do it or did the previous owner order it special??

[Miatamoto]

First thing I would do is drive the car as is. If the oversteer is a problem, pull the rear bar. I ran without one in my old CSP car and it worked great (except at Pennington). If it's still a problem, look at your alignment numbers, you might want to add some more rear camber. Finally, consider getting a 350-400lb spring for the front. It shouldn't be a big deal.

Spring rates aren't everything, because you have to evaluate the setup as a whole. Don't forget about tire pressures too.

[bmcreider]

The one and only person that I know to have put the same kit on from miata.net says his car handles neutral, even leaning towards understeer, with the Flyin Miata sways front and rear + the H&R coilovers.

I am thinking, then, that (like Thomas said), just put the kit on with my front bar and rear bar as is and see how it goes...

I suppose changing alignment would be more subtle than removing the rear swaybar as well, am I correct? Assuming a subtle change is all that is needed...

PS: It comes like that, I called H&R today to verify. Progressive rate springs, apparently starting out @ 255#/in on all 4 corners.

[bmcreider]

Those H&R Street Performance coilovers, in my professional opinion, matched with my RB Hollow front swaybar...

Are fuckin' unreal awesome. 250#/in isn't weak at all, that shock is stiff...real stiff. It rides good though, looks good, and handles even better. There is no understeer, there is very little oversteer, there is 98% of the time grip to levels you are uncomfortable experiencing.

I love it.

[maan1986]

Those H&R Street Performance coilovers, in my professional opinion, matched with my RB Hollow front swaybar...

Are fuckin' unreal awesome. 250#/in isn't weak at all, that shock is stiff...real stiff. It rides good though, looks good, and handles even better. There is no understeer, there is very little oversteer, there is 98% of the time grip to levels you are uncomfortable experiencing.

I love it.

Agreed.... holy fucking shit and much laughter is what I'd rate that setup at... now to see how mine will do.