Another coilover thread

[Tobra]

I am finally going get coilovers for the Mazdaspeed Miata.  Was in a car wreck 4 years ago, which failed to kill me or the car, going to mediation next week and will probably have a check before the end of the year.  If my impression of insurance companies is accurate, I will get a check on New Year's Eve, and I want to put a chunk of that dough toward suspension.

This is my daily driver, currently with stock suspension, right down to the boat anchor wheels.  It will continue to be driven in a spirited fashion on the street, autocrossed on street tires, worn on said boat anchors, probably 10 times a year.  Will not do any track time except for the odd parade lap, not putting a roll bar in it.  My buddy has an EG Civic that will be a B18 swapped track whore we can share for that sort of thing, down the road a bit.

I have been sort of agonizing over what to buy, Fat Cat, Xida or the Fox setup from FM that is coming soon.   These are all within about $500 or so of each other, so I consider them to be the same ball park.  In the past, I was thinking V Maxx or Tein, but what the heck, I am worth stepping up to the top shelf stuff.  With the extra weight from the turbo and associated gear, the car is a little heavier than the average NB, so will probably go with higher than average rate front springs, like 700/350 to 400-front/rear.  Bump stops will of course be replaced.  Will probably keep the stock sway bars for now, though I suspect I will change out the end links.  The balance should be pretty good with the stock bars and higher front spring rates, and this will be easy enough to change if it turns out I don't like it.

I am sort of leaning toward Fox, but of course am still on the fence.  How far out in left field am I on my thought process?

[thomsoad]

I got the Teins and I personally love them and adjust them all the time just to try different things out.
But I don't AutoX. So if you really do AutoX then I would opt for the FatCats.
Fox looks interesting but I don't know anyone who uses them so its a crapshoot.
For the price of Xida/Ohlins: I would have to do a lot of AutoX to justify the price.

[04TitaniumGrayPhilly]

BC/Megan/Tein/D2/Insert generic coilover name here IMO are all kind of the same league of decent coilovers that are not optimized for the chassis.

VMAXX is an example of a cheap coilover that has been re-worked to be more fitting for the Miata with valving and spring rates.

FCM/XIDA/AFCO (when they were made) are specially made for Miatas, sometimes even for a specific single Miata, and will give you generally better performance than the above mentioned units.

I'm kind of in the same boat with my suspension which is OK but definitely has room to grow.

I am interested in seeing what the FOX setup does but until it's out and thoroughly tested I'm not spending my money to be a tester. FOX makes great off-road shocks and bike forks I know that. As much as I love FM, I won't buy into everything they have by default.

XIDA seems to be the ultimate in Miata handling. You can get the FOX with custom springs and valving but cost wise, might be up to XIDA territory.

[hox]

Motion Control Systems has an excellent system for miatas as well.

Not sure if you have seen this head to head comparison with Gen2 Xidas:

http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/22-suspension/209985-motion-control-suspension-discussion-thread.html

[JoeTR6]

I'm in the same boat.  My car is near 100k miles and the Bilsteins feel a bit tired.  The bushings are definitely getting noisy and loose.  I'm thinking of getting Xidas, but this may be overkill for an occasional autocross and primary daily driver.  Any opinions on the softer 550/350 spring rates versus the standard 700/400?  I rode in a friends NA converted to NB suspension with 700/400 Xidas set firm, and it felt slightly firm but livable for street driving.

[Chrisbee]

I'm one of the ones that pre-ordered the Fox setup from FM. Being that Fox actually sent their people to FM's location to help develop a suspension specifically for the Miata, I don't think it will disappoint! The problem is, FM had to push back the ship date until the end of this month (last I checked), and they're only getting like 20 sets for this first shipment. So depending on how many people are already on the waiting list, it may be a while before you get a set. According to FM, I'm number 5 on the list! But being this late in the year, and the weather is starting to turn, I'm not sure how long it's going to be before I get it all installed, let alone on the road for an actual testing.

[annjones13]

I just got a call from Flying Miata - my Fox coil overs are ready to ship!!
And I'm just a bit excited.... I see dollars flying away this month - but I'm worth it.
Mabe I should have bought 25 pairs of shoes... Nah

Ann

[Tobra]

I ended up with Canyonfive's used FCM setup.  Just what I wanted to buy, saved a ton of dough and did not have to wait for it.  Putting it on tomorrow

[Tobra]

tomorrow turned into a few months later, it is a long story you don't want to hear

I am a bit shocked that 600 lb/in front and 375 lb/in rear springs and an inch and a half lower actually rides better than the stock setup.  I guess it should not surprise me a custom suspension setup for a car just like mine would be better, but I did not realize the stock setup was so bad.