Advice: suspension upgrade

I'm trying to get a plan together for suspension upgrades. My '91 is completely stock right now. I've never done any Auto-X or Track Days but I hope to do some in the future. I'm thinking I might be able to do 1-2 Auto-x and/or 1-2 track days a year (after I get a roll bar of course). In other words most of the time will be spent just driving around town for fun etc.

I'm thinking spending big $$ (Tein flex etc.) on suspension for a car that won't make it to the track very often is not the best plan (and I'm on a small budget). What does everyone recommend for a car that will be on the street for 98% of the time?

I'm considering keeping the stock springs (the car sits prettly low now IMHO, ~13" front ~13.5" rear) and upgrading the shocks and sways. New rims and tires to follow (Maybe konig feathers). Would stock springs, KYB-AGX, with FM sways be an affordable setup for the street?

You might want to spend the money on Koni Sports (yellow) instead of KYBs. Everyone that has tried both comes back stating that the Konis are worth the extra dough. I really liked the FM front sway on my NA. I am now using the RB hollow, but the FM was quite good. It is rare that you will need a rear sway beyond the stock bar, so save your money.

"Would stock springs, KYB-AGX, with FM sways be an affordable setup for the street?"

Yes. I had essentially the exact same setup on my 92, and it worked well for autox.

Stock springs will roll more than stiffer aftermarkets, but they are pretty decent on a Miata. Plus, the set-up you describe allows you to stay in "Stock" class if you don't do the rear Sway bar. Also, you are supposed to stick with factory wheel size, but you'd be fine at the occasional local autoX if you just let the other competitors know what you're running. Its a courtesy thing, since you won't have a significant performance advantage. You'd even be ok doing the same thing with the rear sway, but many Miata drivers claim the rear sway bar isn't terribly helpful to upgrade unless you're making significant cahnges to the car.

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Originally Posted by jrj512

You might want to spend the money on Koni Sports (yellow) instead of KYBs. Everyone that has tried both comes back stating that the Konis are worth the extra dough. I really liked the FM front sway on my NA. I am now using the RB hollow, but the FM was quite good. It is rare that you will need a rear sway beyond the stock bar, so save your money.

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Listen to him. He knows of what he speaks.:burnrubr:

I guess I'll save for the konis and a front bar.

I should get the front bar only from FM (which is thicker than the front bar that they package with the rear correct?

Also, what after market spring goes well with the konis?

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

I should get the front bar only from FM (which is thicker than the front bar that they package with the rear correct?

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That is correct.

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

Also, what after market spring goes well with the konis?

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I will let someone else chine in here on the best springs for the Konis, but I have heard good things about the FM springs. However, keep in mind that using non-stock springs will take you out of SCCA stock class. Since you only plan to attend a few events per year, I doubt that really matters you you. It also would not have any effect in your classing for NTAXS and BMW autocross events. For the most part, unless SCCA class-competitiveness is important to you, then modify the car how you want without any regard to SCCA classing.

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

Also, what after market spring goes well with the konis?

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You can NOT touch those springs if you want to stay in stock class! However, if you want to take it out to the track, you may want stiffer springs. For now, you can do OK w the Koni yellow and FM front sway.

Goodwin Racing says:

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Miata shocks come in many flavors but these are our favorite Miata shocks. The most popular Miata shock for the last decade with Miata street users, autocrossers and track drivers alike. These Koni Miata shocks always seem to work just a little better than the KYBs. Unlike the KYB's you don't get that "squish-squish" noise from the valving with these. As a bonus these Miata shocks include a three position spring perch that can be used to lower your Miata almost an inch even with stock springs.

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I've had both and I like the Koni's more better!

YMMV

Link - http://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda...on/Shocks.html

Class competiveness is not important for now. My goal is to improve handling and enjoy the car. I'll try the Koni/stock spring combo first and see how it goes...

Thanks

I have the following setup:
Koni Yellows (highest perch settings)
Stock Springs
FCM (don't remember which bumpstops off hand)
FM grey sways
RB rear brace
FM butterfly/ladder brace

The front dropped quite a bit even with the stock springs, though the front lip doesn't scrape too badly.

I think it's a great compromise for track/street driving. It's not the smoothest ride but it's not mind jarring like some of the dropped Miata's I've been in.

Pics on the track:
http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g1...SC_3414-vi.jpg

Chris

Sorry, off subject a little. Is that right that the Koni yellow for NA has 3 different spring perches and only 1 for NB. I don't remember mine (99) has more than 1.

I think mine have 5.

Chris

Very, very cool pic Miatamaniac92!


I don't know NA suspensions that well but I do know your car is as only as good as the four contact patches. Like a stereo is as good as it's speakers, a car is as good as it's tires. If it were me, I would decide rims and tires first before changing the rest. That's what I did with my NC.

Would you have changed rims and tires on your NC first if your shocks were completely dead?

Maybe rims and tires should be first because the tires that came on the car are almost five years old and the valve stems are surrounded by little cracks....

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

I've never done any Auto-X or Track Days but I hope to do some in the future.

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If the shocks are blown, replace 'em. If the tires are shot, replace 'em. Otherwise, learn to drive the hell out of it in stock form first. Then you'll actually be able to FEEL the difference that mods make -- and isn't THAT the best return on that investment?

JMO, etc.

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

Would you have changed rims and tires on your NC first if your shocks were completely dead?

Maybe rims and tires should be first because the tires that came on the car are almost five years old and the valve stems are surrounded by little cracks....

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If the budget is tight, I would put an emphasis on tires. What wheels and tires are on there now?

Also, if you watch eBay and the Classifieds it's possible to find TCB deals on a set of Koni Yellows and other suspension components.

Chris

The stock 14's are are on there now with some non-sport tires... I forget what is on there but they are not very grippy on the street (which can be fun).

I've run 4 set-ups now between two cars and the tein flex win hands down in terms of drivability on the track and comfort on the street. There are other options out there, but the Koni yellows are the only one that's cheaper.

I feel like I am going to get hung for posting this but have you heard of Raceland coilovers? Let me add that I have Tokico blues with HKS springs on them and it rides pretty good but as soon as I get those coilovers they're gone.

Ok I'm kind of currious about those...

For $240, would they be worse than the 18 year old blown shocks that are on my '91? Maybe the ride will break my teeth... but I'm thinking they would be a good place holder so that I don't have to ride around on blown shocks until I've got ~$1k to do the suspension the right way...