the big ? around suspension

[AJ]

I can't figure what's the best road to take with the suspension on the Miata. Do I go with an adjustable shock & spring combo or go with a coil over set?

For a coil over set I've been looking at the lower level offerings on the FM site. for a S & S combo I don't really have anything in mind, though eBay seems to have some good pricing.

It seems to go back to what I want to do and here is the keys:

cost containment - I don't want to spend a ton, would like to keep it under a grand installed and hopefully alligned and ready to go.

set it and forget it - I'm not versed in suspension by any means, so I want to do it once and leave it alone.

auto x - I want something that will serve the car well.

wheel gap - want it gone obviously.

ride quality - while I will probably only put 3-5k miles on the Miata this year, I don't want to need a back adjustment after a 2-3 hours cruise.

Input is obviously very welcomed.

If I pulled the trigger today, I'd be ordering this : http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?deptid=5635&parentid=0&stocknumber=13-16210 1990-97

...and going to DB in Rogers for the install.

 

[1Kris06]

i feel that coilovers are a waste unless you are going to/have a need to change up your ride height. on the other hand, coilovers give you the option of finding the right settings VS hoping the springs/shocks you choose will give you what your looking for.

 

[Picklz]

Speaking of good coilovers - they are generally a matched spring and damper which is huge, especially in lowered applications, with separate springs/shocks you're kind of shooting in the dark unless you do a fair bit of research to match em. They also offer a greater range of ride heights, beyond being able to change them it lets you dial in exactly how much of a drop you want, in my case I have found .5" and 1.5-2" lowering springs, for my MS6, if I wanted to go 1", or 2.5" it's custom springs or coilovers.

Depending on what you get the dampers may be 1,2 or 0 way adjustable, that goes for both coilovers and separate dampers/spring combos so that's something to consider. I'd say see what you can find for reviews of the Coilovers in your price range, see how people like them for various uses (track, street comfort, etc) and how they are supposed to hold up.

Install of the coilovers vs springs/struts/shocks themselves shouldn't be much difference, but to get the most out of coilovers you might be looking at corner balancing which is going to be more expensive. I have NO idea what miata prices are but a grand with install AND alignment seems pretty low, especially for coilovers.

 

[AJ]

Install prices have been right around $400, with a quote of $700 for full install w/ alignment and the works.

The more I think about value the more I think about just doing the basic, and get seat time. Then in 2012, if i go that extra step I think about changing to a good coil over setup.

 

[JohnnyT]

Do it right the first time. Wait until you can get what you want.
You and your wallet be a lot happier in the long run.

I gotta imagine with the suspension geeks we have here that this isn't some terribly difficult install. There shouldn't be any cutting or welding needed - just bolt up and go. Plus, the Alignment Guy is cheap and has worked on his share of Miata's. I say get the nice set of coils you want, let's throw it on in BAG on a Saturday and Alignment Guy will take care of the rest.

 

[amoosenamedhank]

I have wasted plenty of time and money going the cheap way just to get into something. You need to first decide what you ultimately need this setup to do for you. From there, pick the parts that best match your needs. Lastly, save the money to get the correct parts the first time.

For your goals, it could be the cheapest option, the most expensive or some where in the middle. Think big picture.... or you're just going to have a bunch of mis-matching parts and a lot of frustrations.

 

[niterydr]

I would highly suggest to get some seat time. Your Miata is low mileage and in great shape. Get some time with some good tires in the stock classes in Auto-x, go to the novice school, and enjoy the car. After a season, then decide what suspension to work with.
Just modifying the suspension without looking at classing can get you in a very "not fun" class in a hurry. If you are doing it just for fun, I've heard good things about the FM products.

 

[AJ]

I have wasted plenty of time and money going the cheap way just to get into something. You need to first decide what you ultimately need this setup to do for you. From there, pick the parts that best match your needs. Lastly, save the money to get the correct parts the first time.

For your goals, it could be the cheapest option, the most expensive or some where in the middle. Think big picture.... or you're just going to have a bunch of mis-matching parts and a lot of frustrations.

after having a handful of DSMs in the past, I'm well aware of the do it right the first time. And I don't have a problem upgrading down the road, I'm just overall torn on which setup to start with.

I would highly suggest to get some seat time. Your Miata is low mileage and in great shape. Get some time with some good tires in the stock classes in Auto-x, go to the novice school, and enjoy the car. After a season, then decide what suspension to work with.
Just modifying the suspension without looking at classing can get you in a very "not fun" class in a hurry. If you are doing it just for fun, I've heard good things about the FM products.

Pure fun, I'll never care about winning a class.

I got some info back from Jeff the Alignment Guy as well, sounds like no matter what setup i go with, proper install and alignment is going to cost. So we will see, but I think for a CO setup, all said and done, it's gonna be $1500-$1800 said and done.

 

[Picklz]

That seems high if the CO's your looking at are only $600ish unless you're talking full corner balancing and everything. If it's just for fun have whatever installed and get a regular alignment - I don't know how different the Miata is from the MS6, I've been quoted $250-350 for the install on my car from a couple different shops (haven't checked DB), alignment I would guess $120-200 if you aren't dealing with corner balancing and other advanced stuffs.

 

[niterydr]

I've heard that Jeff is the man when it comes to alignments, he seems to do a lot of work with Minnesota Auto-x.

You could save some money on the coil over install by DIY.

 

[JohnnyT]

^ Word - it's bolt and go man, let's hack it up.

 

[AJ]

One example quote:
1. package deal at $775 which includes install and a corner weight with driver weight compensation alignment.
2.$580 with the standard alignment.
3. Just installation, no alignment $400

All others are fairly close to this.

And I'm not interested in doing my own install. I'm not comfortable doing suspension work, and if a shop does it I have someone to hold liable for the quality of the work.

 

[Adam777]

That install and alignment price seems pretty high. Jeff does the best work around and will let you sit in the car while he aligns so it is set for your weight. Even when I had him adjust my set my ride height, it still only cost me $75.

Installing the suspension is SOOOOOO easy, even for a newb. I've never done anything that big before on my car, and it was cake. Two bolts up top, two below(thee up front) and out. If you are dead set on not DIYing it, I would be willing to do it for much less than your quoted price (unless it is super rusty underneath.) if you can wait til it is a bit warmer.

 

[niterydr]

One example quote:
1. package deal at $775 which includes install and a corner weight with driver weight compensation alignment.
2.$580 with the standard alignment.
3. Just installation, no alignment $400

All others are fairly close to this.

And I'm not interested in doing my own install. I'm not comfortable doing suspension work, and if a shop does it I have someone to hold liable for the quality of the work.

If you want to save some coin, I know a few DIY alignment tricks and have done plenty of suspension work. We can knock this out in BAG easy.

 

[AJ]

Well Map uses Steller for the alignment, so I could just go that route, have it all done close to home/work, and go from there in terms of getting it all done in one spot.

I've got a few weeks I think before I need to order it up and get it installed so I'm ready to go for the first Auto X events.

Between putting more into the t-shirt biz, tires for the TB, and a new computer, I'm already rethinking doing anything right now, but I need to drop that bitch like yesterday.

 

[JohnnyT]

ORRR you could have these guys help your ass out and save you a ton of money.

 

[AJ]

I'm game for an install day to get others in one spot and have people able to help others out, but if I can't (or don't want to) do it myself, I don't expect anyone else to do it either.

 

[AJ]

I'm fairly sure I'm going to put the $ together for the following and be done with the car for the year unless funds get free'd up for a Hard Dog roll bar:

I've got many years to enjoy this car without having to worry about fixing it it anything goes wrong (not my daily).

FM butterfly brace - $399

FM V-Maxx coil overs - $595

 

[YSOSLO]

I've never been much of a DIY guy until I got my 3, but after putting the lower springs on my car a couple of winters ago, I can honestly say there's no way I'd ever pay somebody $400 do to the work. That works out to roughly $100 an hour to avoid getting your hands a little dirty (and you can wear gloves to avoid even that!). If there was any grinding or welding necessary, then I'd definitely want a shop doing the work, but mine was all just loosening bolts, swapping parts and bolting it back up again. Seriously no big deal at all. I'm not sure what sort of liability you're concerned about a shop being on the hook for. Other than failing to tighten up bolts, there really isn't much that go wrong, is there?

 

[dmention7]

Yeah, especially on a car where suspension mods are as prolific as the miata... expect it all to be very plug and play. And heck, the reason so many people volunteer for install days is that we honestly enjoy turning wrenches. With a couple of moderately experienced folks on hand, the work will be smooth as butter.