Ideas for comfortable daily springs/shocks, please

[Martin]

I noticed my car's ride quality isn't as good as it once was. Since my car is old and has 170k miles I decided to inspect my top hats.

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/A323DF1B-8660-4E3C-8384-5A2A13F3A2D9_zpsb4lk5gwa.jpg (http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/MartVerd/media/Italia/A323DF1B-8660-4E3C-8384-5A2A13F3A2D9_zpsb4lk5gwa.jpg.html)

Well that's not good! All 4 have collapsed.

These next pics are embarrassing!

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/1132700B-103C-4B6E-AE44-1C8289E53B4E_zpsoqzbmrud.jpg (http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/MartVerd/media/Italia/1132700B-103C-4B6E-AE44-1C8289E53B4E_zpsoqzbmrud.jpg.html)

http://i1249.photobucket.com/albums/hh514/MartVerd/Italia/A42131F8-EF40-4F85-8A70-23645DC9F7E7_zpszf1uzrdt.jpg (http://s1249.photobucket.com/user/MartVerd/media/Italia/A42131F8-EF40-4F85-8A70-23645DC9F7E7_zpszf1uzrdt.jpg.html)

Yuck! Seriously, who tries to paint Koni shocks black?

I want this car to be a comfy cruiser. I never autocross and I have no interest in track days, bro.

I'm looking for suggestions for springs & shocks or coilovers.

< $1000 would be best because my CFO is tight with our cash.

[kung fu jesus]

Martin, you may want to ditch the sleeves and coilovers, maybe just go to regular coils. If you can measure the ride height, it would give me a better idea of what to recommend.

I have concerns about the condition of your shocks. The 'mud' may be oil leaking from them, dirt sticking to that.

For a tight budget, consider take offs from an NB, including top hats and coils. Try Bryan on TP. I know he is going to remove NB stock Billies with H&R springs.

If you go new, Billies with Tein springs and new top hats would be pretty cush but capable. Bring it up on TP for more info. :)

[HarryB]

NB top mounts are supposedly heaps better than NA ones in terms of NVH. In addition I support KFJ in using bilsteins; however I would look at FM springs instead of HR or Teins, and the reason is spring rate. After quite some searching, it appears that the valving on the billies is better suited to higher spring rates (they are quite overdampened for OEM rates); therefore stiffer springs will feel comfier, plus they will not be that prone to hitting the bumpstops with the lower ride height. BTW, I would also suggest shorter bump stops or extended top mounts.

[DarylSibcy]

NB top mounts are indeed better in terms of NVH, and comfort. I can vouch for this. FM Stage 1 or 1.5 Suspension would be the ballpark you need to look at. From what I've heard, the Koni's are worth the extra $50.

Getting new shock mounts would throw the cost up to near your budget limit, but it's worth it, NB shock mounts are better.

[Rogue]

I run NA Billies and FM springs with Fatcat bumps,…..they ride great and last damn near forever.
That was the set up on the "Black Beater" at Hallett, with 250k+ miles on them.

[Slampen]

Meisterr's? (https://www.meisterr.com/product/zetacrd/) ?

[DarylSibcy]

MesiterR's are good, I owned a set of their Zeta S Coilovers; until Flyin' Miata brought us the FOX Suspension. The MeisterR's are very popular amongst UK owners, they cope with the disgustingly uneven roads we have over here :lol:

[Martin]

I run NA Billies and FM springs with Fatcat bumps,…..they ride great and last damn near forever.
That was the set up on the "Black Beater" at Hallett, with 250k+ miles on them.

And I would have first-hand experience with them if you offered me a ride. Jackass.

:teehee:

[73Bacon]

Martin where is that 1st picture taken? It isn't even registering with me.

[Martin]

Oh, KFJ asked about ride height. Right now I'm at 5 1/4 at the bottom edge of the pinch weld. I don't want to give wheel center to fender because I don't have the stock fenders :)

[Martin]

Martin where is that 1st picture taken? It isn't even registering with me.

That's the front passenger side top hat. I had the phone near the intake manifold pointed out toward the fender. And tilted because I'm a poor photographer.

[TNRooster3]

73Bacon- your PM box is full and will not take any more messages.

[Martin]

Are my eyes bad or do I have no bump stops????

[DarylSibcy]

Are my eyes bad or do I have no bump stops????

Possibly, can't see them either, with that kind of mileage they've probably been reduced to dust, somewhere...

Definitely opt for a Shock and Spring set over coilovers, they're rebuildable then

[Martin]

I've no idea how many miles are on the shocks. I've put 50,000 miles on them and they looked terrible when I bought the car.

Good news is I've convinced my CFO that I need to order some new parts :)

[Slampen]

Definitely opt for a Shock and Spring set over coilovers, they're rebuildable then

MeisterR seems to go for replacement before rebuilding.

https://www.meisterr.co.uk/products/meisterr-replacement-damper-each/

[DarylSibcy]

MeisterR seems to go for replacement before rebuilding.

https://www.meisterr.co.uk/products/meisterr-replacement-damper-each/

Well that changes things :lol: I didn't know that MeisterR sold replacement components, that's definitely a step in their favour :D they're a very good plug and play option.

By rebuildable I was moreso meaning being able to take everything apart and replace each individual piece yourself if need be in the future. Back when I had my Zeta-S coilovers MeisterR only offered a repair service (from the best of my knowledge) where you'd send them your knackered coilover and you'd get either a refurbished one or a new one, obviously at a fee.

I would still personally opt for a setup where I can rely on a solid shock, whether it be Koni, Bilstein or Tociko and use FM springs, hats, bump stops etc, there's nothing wrong with the MeisterRs, I just like to wrench. A shock and spring combo from Flyin Miata will do everything you need it to, if you're not happy with their spring rates you simply put a custom request for different rates in, buy extra springs to do some testing yourself and find what works for you. I realise this is a personal preference and simply my 0.02c.

I'm always switching between 550/375 and 375/300. I can never choose... :lol:

[Martin]

MeisterR ZetaCRD is very tempting but I'm concerned with the spring rates. I really don't want a rough ride.

[kung fu jesus]

Listen fellas, Martin is DDing this car, enjoying it with his family. I know the intentions are good, but he needs suggestions for sporty comfort, not sport performance. :)

[HarryB]

Stick with the initial suggestions then; would not go higher than 350/250 (that's where I am going with my DD setup myself)

[73Bacon]

Martin, I don't know why you wouldn't like a set of Koni Yellows with FM springs and FM bump stops. I also have the FM front swaybar. I've been on that for 17 years now. Nice handling and ride doesn't seem much more than sporty to me.

[Martin]

Thanks for all the info!

KFJ told me about a mutual friend that is upgrading his suspension. I've agreed to buy his old stuff - NB top hats, MSM Billies, and H&R springs. He says it has been a good street set up for him. Couldn't pass up a bargain.

[HarryB]

Sounds OK for your intended use. BTW would you be willing to sell your adjustable sleeves off your old setup? Were they Konis or Bilsteins?

[Martin]

Those are Koni sports but I think they are shot. The the sleeves / springs are mostly ok. The locking screws on two are not original and I think one is stripped :( But, I'm willing to sell & ship them.

[kung fu jesus]

I've driven that setup you are buying on his car. He has grey NB2 SE seats in that car. It rode very well. It reminded me how pleasant a relatively stock Miata can be for DD.

[HarryB]

Ah they will not fit then, Koni bodies are narrower. Nevertheless I guess you can sell the setup locally and recoup some of your cost.

[Martin]

I've driven that setup you are buying on his car. He has grey NB2 SE seats in that car. It rode very well. It reminded me how pleasant a relatively stock Miata can be for DD.

Please go steal these from nozzey. Thank you.

[kung fu jesus]

We set a time to do his suspension swap. Ask him on the TP page.

[Martin]

We set a time to do his suspension swap. Ask him on the TP page.

Ahem.

[kung fu jesus]

He asked about doing at the beginning of DEC, but the schedule didn't work.

Now that our season is over, I think it's safe to say we should have them out of his car well before March.

[kung fu jesus]

I’ve got Billie Sports and Tein S Techs from my NB I’ll be pulling off if you prefer.

[Martin]

This is the ride-height with that setup?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171119/c76943bdc4af9a43f36ee819ad1b2fcf.jpg

[kung fu jesus]

No.

[Martin]

Yellow shocks, green springs, red calipers. Sweet!

Seriously, I'm interested. I'll contact you.

[kung fu jesus]

I saw Bryan last night. You should contact him. I know he will be away after this week, but I believe the plan is to swap my suspension over, then his later. I would bet he wants to dial in the suspension on his car before the start of next season (March). He's got arms and coilovers to install, and now a new seat. He's often on FB messenger during work hours.

The suspension on my NB sits funky because I believe the PO mixed up the F&R springs. The Billies are off his previous 10ae, the Tein springs are loose (not installed).

[Martin]

Ah, thanks.