Tried and true suspension options for $1-1.5k?

I've been researching suspension for a while now and I want to make sure I've considered everything in my price range ($1000-1500) before I make up my mind. My car is a '91 that is driven on the street quite a bit and will go to the track a few times a year. My goal is good track performance and decent street ride.

Flyin Miata 2.5 ($1100)
Flyin Miata 2.5 with ground control 425/300 instead of FM springs ($1250)
Koni sports with GC 375/250 ($1000)
FCM revalve with GC rates that Shaikh tells me I should get, probably need mounts too ($1600)
Tein Flex with 7/5 instead of 7/6 ($1550)

The Flex and FCM revalve really push my budget and leaves me still needing sways, but either of these options will probably provide the best performance.

Any other setups in this price range that I should be considering?

I have an old version of the FM 2.0 that I have had for about 7 years. I like it, but regularly consider upgrading to Tein Flex. I will likely breakdown and get the Flex next Spring.

I'm running my Flex with stock sways and it feels fine at the track.

I think the FM 2.5 is all I *need* right now, but the Teins are what I *want*. I should probably just save up the extra $ for them so I don't end up buying them later...

My 99 have the yellow Koni and GC. My son's 99 has the Bilstein PSS9 (CO package). I have to say the PSS9 rides much better. We have yet taken them out to track yet. However, I have no doubt they should do well in the track. The build quality of the Bilstein is several notches above the Koni! Shaikh and many experts all say that Bilstein has the most consistent QC and every set are matched set. Brian Goodwin sells the PSS9 for $1.45K, but you can find it on the web for around $1K. Also, with Bilstein, it comes with bump stops and covers. It is a plug and play thing. Brain has this on his car. If I have the choose again, I will choose the PSS9. Since you are also in the market for sway bar, you can pick up a beefer bar to work with the PSS9 spring rate (front and back are the same).

The PSS9 runs the same spring front and rear? Wouldn't that result in a very tail happy ride?

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

The PSS9 runs the same spring front and rear? Wouldn't that result in a very tail happy ride?

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That is way you want a bigger bar. My son has the RB hollow and using the inside holes. It is not tail happy at all. Before we bought the PSS(, we had the same question too. Also, you can Google Brian's Goodwin write on this too. He even has ride height recommendations too.

I'll read up on the PSS9, thanks for the recommendation.

I am running:

Bilstein HD shocks, NB top hats front, ISC top hats rear, ebay coilover sleeves with race springs(450/350), NB front bar and 949racing end links. Total around $750.

Will probably up the spring rates to 700/450 and have the bilsteins revalved in the future.

Have you considered the FM V-Maxx Stage 2.5 suspension kit at $989? You get height-adjustable coil-overs, increased travel upper mounts for the rear, and adjustable sways for under $1000. True, the shocks themselves aren't adjustable, but most people that have adjustable shocks fiddle with them to find the "right" setting and then just leave them there anyway.

p.s. V-Maxx coil-overs / shocks plus sway (without the upper mounts) is only $750.

I have considered them and read through the posts on miata.net. My concern with the V-Maxx is that it is too much of an unknown and it's not rebuildable. On paper they sound tempting though...

Don't I want/need the rear mounts though for the additional travel when lowered? I'm not going to slam my car, but I imagine it will come down .5-1"

What about the Spec Miata package from Mazdaspeed? It may be too hard for the street.

I hear that it is too hard for the street and that no spec builder would use it if it wasn't mandated (i.e., it's not a good suspension it's just what you have to use).

Go ride in a couple of cars with Teins. I think you'll be impressed. More expensive up front, but you won't be doing the "I shoulda..." 6 months from now.

This is very true. I waffled for a long time before I finally got a ride in a couple of Tein cars. The Kool-Aid tastes good and goes down easy... ;)

I don't fiddle with my shock settings for the street, but I do play with it at the track.

If you're out at Keller's tonight, come find me and you can take a spin in my car.

I wish I could come by for a ride and to look at your seat mounts but I've got a family dinner to go to and it's my wedding anniversery, so I won't be able to make it out. Maybe next week. I still don't know what to do about mounting my seat. The Speed 2 doesn't have side mounts and it looked like I need them to mount my seat the way you did. I don't think I'll be able to get my seat put in before MSR this weekend...

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Originally Posted by MoonieGT

I hear that it is too hard for the street and that no spec builder would use it if it wasn't mandated (i.e., it's not a good suspension it's just what you have to use).

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The springs aren't matched to the shocks. Some people modify the Bilsteins, but that is cheating. I would say go with a GC and Koni setup. You can match the infinite adjustment of the Koni's to the spring rate you choose. I am running 700FR / 400RR and everyone is amazed how well it rides on the street. Remember, the conversion rate is .7:1 for converting the springs rate to better compare how they will feel vs a MacPherson strut car. That means that the spring will only compress .7" to every 1" of actual wheel travel. I'm also running 245/35/17 tires, so there is no sidewall to smooth out the ride, so I would considered it more than streetable for someone running 15s.

I'm running Bilstein HD, GC 375/250 springs and FCM spec miata NB mounts with NB sport front sway bar. About $1100 total and I like it very much. I get a low stance and retain a lot of suspension travel with a good ride.