Looking for advice on suspension upgrade.

[SilverMiataRacer]

I have the Bilstein HD's with the stock MSM springs and the ride feels pretty decent to me.

I've had 4 Miatas with different suspensions, stock and aftermarket on all of them.  Without a doubt the worst stock suspension was the MSM suspension.

[TheBigChill]

I have had the v-maxx on MSM for 3 years now and love them I would just suggest if you are going to do any winter driving protect the threads cover them in a grease or a some kind of CPC. mine corroded so bad after one year I had to use a 24" pipe wrench to adjust them.

+1  My Bilstein PSS9 threads seized up terribly due to winter driving.  I actualy had to buy a new coilover it was so stuck.  Definitely coat the threads.

[gladuboy]

I have had the v-maxx on MSM for 3 years now and love them I would just suggest if you are going to do any winter driving protect the threads cover them in a grease or a some kind of CPC. mine corroded so bad after one year I had to use a 24" pipe wrench to adjust them.

+1  My Bilstein PSS9 threads seized up terribly due to winter driving.  I actualy had to buy a new coilover it was so stuck.  Definitely coat the threads.

downside of being stationed in Germany they love their roadsalt.

[timely]

I have had the v-maxx on MSM for 3 years now and love them I would just suggest if you are going to do any winter driving protect the threads cover them in a grease or a some kind of CPC. mine corroded so bad after one year I had to use a 24" pipe wrench to adjust them.

Could they be painted or maybe clear coated or would that clog the threads to the point where they couldn't be adjusted?  I get they're affordable, just seems silly that they can't stand up to the elements, especially a part that's so exposed.

[SilverMiataRacer]

Don't judge the VMaxx as being inferior because the threads might corrode.  BigChill told you he had the same issue on his Bilstein PSS9 coilovers and I had issues with my GC coilovers and I live in the south with no snow.

Think about how unfriendly a location this is for this item and realize that this is not a rare issue.  Best idea might be to put some marine waterproof grease on the threads and then turn the ring over it to lube inside the adjusting rings.

[Jeff Goji]

I have the Bilstein HD's with the stock MSM springs and the ride feels pretty decent to me.

I've had 4 Miatas with different suspensions, stock and aftermarket on all of them.  Without a doubt the worst stock suspension was the MSM suspension.

Totally agreed on the stock suspension being the worst!
The stock MSM suspension is, well, let's be honest, really really bad. It is designed to "jack-down" onto the bumpstops very early on which leads to a sudden loss of grip, poor handling, and an overall terrible and sometimes terrifying experience behind the wheel depending upon your level of expertise and the condition of the roads you travel upon.

Now change the shocks out for the Bilstein HDs, and you're not dealing with a stock suspension anymore as you have much more progressive bump and rebound damping with a much better bump to rebound ratio.
The spring rate and anti-swaybar setup is pretty decent from the factory.
And in my experience, it is very good on a ride comfort and even bumpy-road handling than the stock MSM Bilsteins which could be downright scary.
Replace the OEM stupidly long bumpstops with something shorter and more progressive in their ramp-up and you have a winner!

Pretty easy math really. Replace the shocks that are valved for much more aggressive spring rates for shocks more suitable for the actual spring rates on the car and add softer/more progressive bumpstops and you have a better ride.

Here's a thought for everyone as I've done the math on it. I found that the MSM Bilsteins could handle at the absolute limit somewhere around 550 to 600 lb/in springs in the front and 500 lb/in springs in the rear (the shocks are valved almost exactly the same front and rear, the difference in what spring rate they can handle is because of the difference in the motion ratio front to rear.)
Michael Wootton came to similar numbers on his math, and he actually re-valved MSM shocks from day to day on his SSM MSM.

[msm270]

Thanks for all the great advise on making a MSM ride more civilized .  Am I correct in my understanding that I can purchase two  Bilstein HD # 24-065580 (front] and  two 24-065597 (rear) shocks for $102.00 each from Tire Rack together with Fat cat 46/46 bumpstops #5XRNB46/46 for $80.00 . Remove my existing factory shocks , reassemble using the new shocks, new bumpstocks reuse the factory springs and have a complete setup ? Estimating cost to be around $525.00 with shipping. Is this a better option than v-maxxx at $650.00. I'm not concerned with the cost difference but rather with ride quality . Can not justify the $2300.00 for a top tier suspension for the miles I drive.  Thanks from a new MSM owner on a learning curve.

[SilverMiataRacer]

JMHO

I think the stock MSM springs are to soft.  Yes they will be better with the shorter bump stops and the HD shocks but I think they are too soft.

[Jeff Goji]

Thanks for all the great advise on making a MSM ride more civilized .  Am I correct in my understanding that I can purchase two  Bilstein HD # 24-065580 (front] and  two 24-065597 (rear) shocks for $102.00 each from Tire Rack together with Fat cat 46/46 bumpstops #5XRNB46/46 for $80.00 . Remove my existing factory shocks , reassemble using the new shocks, new bumpstocks reuse the factory springs and have a complete setup ? Estimating cost to be around $525.00 with shipping. Is this a better option than v-maxxx at $650.00. I'm not concerned with the cost difference but rather with ride quality . Can not justify the $2300.00 for a top tier suspension for the miles I drive.  Thanks from a new MSM owner on a learning curve.

You are correct. Swap the shocks and bumpstops and reuse the factory springs and you are good to go.
Yes, it does ride better than V-Maxx in my experience thanks to the taller/softer OEM springs.

[JCALD]

That would retain ride quality for a daily driver.

[oldscienceteacher]

I am looking at a similar situation to msm270 (80k on daily driver wanting better ride characteristics on poor SC roads).  I am running 15 inch wheels.  What are suggestions for the alignment when the shocks are replaced with the Bilstein HDs?  Thanks for informational help.

[JCALD]

Alignment should not change since ride height remains the same.

[SilverMiataRacer]

Alignment should not change since ride height remains the same.

Don't think the rear ride height will be the same a OEM Bilsteins perches are higher than the HD perches.

From the FM website, they are talking about using their springs on the OEM shocks but if you use the OEM springs on the HD shocks I would think your going to lower the rear height

Warning: If you run these springs on the stock Bilstein shocks that come in the '04-'05 Mazdaspeed, the rear ride height will be high, around 13.5, due to the Bilstein lower perch being higher than most other shocks.

As for the answer to the alignment using the standard alignment is going to be fine for street use or any of the "mild" performance alignment numbers floating around if you want something a little more aggressive.  Remember if your not an aggressive driver the OEM alignment numbers are picked for the best performance handling with the best tire life.

[2002tiitomx5]

The FM Fox coil over offering is probably a much more optimal suspension and comparable to the Xidas for somewhat less money for a street only vehicle.
It is what I am considering for my 04 VR.

[warty]

I have relatively low miles on the conversion, but so far have had good results by sleeving the MSM Bilsteins (Advanced Autosports: http://www.advanced-autosports.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14&products_id=666) and increasing the spring rates to 550# front and 325# rear.  Other than some bumpstop interference (easy to change) while on track, I seem have a much improved ride quality and performance over the stock setup, and I'm at less than $500 total including ISC rear top hats.