Suspension Decisions

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 08/24/2017 at 12:49 • Filed to: Suspension, Of Disbelief, Toyota MR2

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My plan for my MR2 is to do some kind of suspension upgrade. The original shocks no longer seem to damp oscillations. Hit a bump and it’s multiple up-and-down motions before the car settles again. My question today is, what’s the best upgrade to improve the car?

At one end of the suspensional spectrum is the choice simply to replace the shocks with new ones. A set of Koni yellows is what most resources seem to recommend.

On the far opposite end is a full coilover suspension, which offers a lot of adjustability but for a higher price. Most “good” setups I’ve researched seem to go for over $1100.

Between those two options, there’s also the middle ground of doing both shocks and springs. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! and includes Eibach springs as well as the Koni Yellows.

Now, my goals with an upgraded suspension are as follows:

-Better ride quality. I’m hoping to mount some bigger wheels on the car, but without fixing the shock situation, the ride might go from bad to intolerable if I mount them without fixing the suspension.

-Better wheel clearance. Again, bigger wheels will fit better and I won’t need as thick of spacers if I can find more clearance somehow. Coilovers will definitely provide clearance but the Eibach springs are also probably more compact than the stock springs on my car.

-Better driving fun. I like to attend autocross events to practice performance driving as well as have a good time, and I’m looking for a setup that makes the car controllable and fun.

With all that in mind, what’s the best way forward? The car is my daily, but my standards for “comfort” and “luxury” are pretty low, having tolerated very non-responsive shocks for the past couple of months. An aggressive suspension setup is okay by me.

sony1492 > way2blu does a rev update 08/24/2017 at 13:15

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I’d cross coilovers off the list, I’ve never experienced really nice ones but I have midgrade $800 ones and can say that ride is not a factor in there design. They are good for swift driving but they are not supple.

Maybe go for the eibach springs and koni yellow’s.

way2blu does a rev update > sony1492 08/24/2017 at 13:24

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I agree, been hesitant to even think about coilovers due to the expense and the harshness. The Eibach/Koni package includes a 1" drop in ride height too, which is about right for my needs.

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 08/24/2017 at 13:29

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I wouldn’t get coilovers. I have yet to see someone with coilovers not look slammed and have terrible ride and handling. I just got the FM springs and Koni Yellows on my Miata. The ride is already bad on the bridges of the highway, everywhere else is okay. Ride height lowered maybe a tad but looks completely stock while the cornering and body pitch and roll performance is just better. I’d go with stiffer springs + Koni if you don’t care about highway speed comfort.

way2blu does a rev update > Bytemite 08/24/2017 at 13:38

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Can you elaborate on how the ride changes at highway speeds? Like what differences have you noticed compared to the stock springs.

I’m definitely thinking I’ll steer clear of the coilovers.

CKeffer > way2blu does a rev update 08/24/2017 at 13:47

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If there is a set that uses Koni FSDs, I would highly suggest those. I had them for my Mini, and they ride excellent, but also do a great job at mitigating body roll. I’m honestly kind of sad that they don’t offer them for the Focus ST.

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 08/24/2017 at 14:04

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When going over the multiple concrete transitions of a bridge, the car doesn’t do much to absorb the impact. It is just harsh. When I had stock, the weaker springs did well to soak up the succession of bumps with no fuss at all. I’ll have to test out this new suspension with fast driving on mountain roads to see if this ride harshness translates to any shimmying or loss of grip in mid corner bumps.

ITA97, now with more Jag @ opposite-lock.com > Bytemite 08/24/2017 at 16:36

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The thing with coil overs is that the ride height is adjustable, and because you’re running universal springs, the options for spring rate are unlimited. They only ride harsh if you choose them to. They’re also the only way to corner weight that doesn’t involve shims.

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 08/26/2017 at 13:39

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Just went fast last night. It is just awesome lol. I think I might’ve gotten used to the stiffness because I just don’t feel like it is harsh anymore either. What I’m still getting used to is the insane amount of grip. I have not been able to push the car to where the tires squeal and now my seat bolstering is inadequate for the 1.0+ G cornering forces.

way2blu does a rev update > Bytemite 08/27/2017 at 13:19

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Any other upgrades to the suspension besides the springs & shocks? Wondering what else I’ll benefit from changing out. Glad to hear it’s fun!

The wheels I’m looking at mounting for daily/maybe autocross duty are rather heavy compared to the stock alloys, but also 1.5" wider. The gain in unsprung mass probably isn’t great, but maybe there are other suspension upgrades that’ll help counteract that?

Bytemite > way2blu does a rev update 08/27/2017 at 13:31

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I would never ever increase tire+wheel weight. Especially for street duty. I contemplated for a long time if I should replace my stock daisies with some bronze RPF1 which would give me 1.5 inch wider rubber. I decided against it even though the RPF1 would shave off 3 lbs per wheel and increase my wheel size to 15", tire weight would offset that. Wider gives you minimal grip increase, the stickiness of your tire and the way your suspension keeps dynamic camber is much more important. If you can find close to stock width and size wheels that are much lighter than stock? I’d say do it, but don’t increase 1.5" if you don’t have to. As for the Miata wheels being 5.5" wide...it makes the smallest aftermarket options 15x7. I’d rather not lose the nimbleness and quick sharp steering feel for a bit more high speed grip.

way2blu does a rev update > Bytemite 08/27/2017 at 15:02

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That’s a really good point. I’ve been forgetting to consider the “driver confidence” factor that comes from the easier handling. It’ll probably be cheaper just to put summer tires on the stock 14s (they’re not super heavy) rather than buy the spacers for wider wheels.

Thanks again for the advice. I’d rather the car be fun to drive for sure.