The wrenching is over, for now

"Aremmes" (aremmes) 03/24/2019 at 19:15 • Filed to: weekend wrenching, Suspensionolopnik, Miata, done with this

2

12

The Miata has its tires back on the ground. All four shocks, springs, and end links have been replaced, as well as the upper ball joint boots. Didn’t replace the lower ball joints due to the stupid cotter pins, and I’d rather let the local shop deal with them when I bring the car in for an alignment after it settles.

The write-up will come soon, for now I’m out with my son on a test drive and having dinner. Preliminary impression is that it rides much more smoothly, but dann, it gained over an inch in ride height.

Future Heap Owner > Aremmes 03/24/2019 at 19:20

1

Nicely done! Sounds like a very productive weekend.

I’m looking forward to the writeup

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Aremmes 03/24/2019 at 19:22

1

Ahh I see you went with keeping the monster truck suspension. I can’t stand how the stock s prings  handle in the NB, it's complete dogshit lol. While body roll can be entertaining, I like accuracy. I love the FM Coils I put on mine, although I'm pretty sure my shocks need revalving if I want to keep those. There was a time I couldn't fit my hand flat in between the wheel and the arch but I've since changed to a height that fits one fist at least. Either way, seeing a Miata post makes me miss my Miata. It's still broken until I get started on the engine pulling. 

Aremmes > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/24/2019 at 19:36

2

Hah! Yeah, I went with the stock look since I’m reusing the Sport Package springs I had stored in my basement. It’s not the best look, but it’ll do well on the dogshit roads in my daily commute. The springs I pulled had sagged a lot, which made for a nice lowered look but gave a lousy ride and destroyed bump stops.

Cash Rewards > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/24/2019 at 20:24

0

Which fm kit? I think that's next year's plan for my NB

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Cash Rewards 03/24/2019 at 20:53

1

I've got the FM Vmaxx classic. I'd definitely recommend just doing the higher level one, the xtremes with the track Springs. And make sure to get the sway bar as well, that is important. I think it's about the best value you can get for around $1k. I'm looking to upgrade just because of the amount of track time that I got in last year but I'm not looking to drop $2k on the damn car when what I have "works". 

Cash Rewards > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/24/2019 at 21:00

1

Thanks for the info? I got the sway bars already, and was looking at the classic kit, the upgraded one (damping adjust, but not track springs) or the koni yellow/fm springs kit. One is height adjust+fixed damping, one is damping adjust+fixed height, and one  is adjustable height and damping. I’m looking for autocross and around town, but no commuting. Sometimes I wonder if I save the money on adjustable damping, then the cost difference is the frame rails. But my NB has the sport suspension with the extra bracing already.

Cash Rewards > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/24/2019 at 21:39

1

Previous comment had a erroneous question  mark, rather than an exclamation mark. Sincerely, thanks for the info!

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Cash Rewards 03/24/2019 at 21:40

0

I’d say you are right to not get the track Springs, you could always upgrade later but you have to start with the ones that are damping and height adjustable. I’d stick between that setup and the Koni setup. Price it out and go with what works for you. The adjustability is really just to set it once and forget it. I had thought I was scheming to play with that stuff all day but any height adjustment requires an alignment. So that gets expensive playing with that!

I enjoy having near telepathic inputs to turning the car. It's something I miss everyday driving the STi. Sure that car handles well but it's not the same ragged edge handling fun at low speed as the Miata. 

Cash Rewards > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) 03/24/2019 at 22:06

0

Huh. I h ad read the instructions regarding the install, and saw a line about letting the springs settle to final ride height before getting an alignment and that thought crossed my mind. “Will I need an alignment every time? But air suspension guys go up and down! Right?” Yeah, I guess not. I had kinda thought same thing. Autocross wheels go on, and drop the suspension an inch and stiffen up te damping while  I’m at it. Guess not. Really glad you mentioned that!

Khalbali > Aremmes 03/24/2019 at 23:38

1

Love that color, wish more new cars came in colors like that. I don't want grayscale but I also don't want candy red/bright blue, I like darker more subdued colors. Dark blues are ok but a maroon/Merlot or black cherry are my fav, just so hard to find these days.

Aremmes > Khalbali 03/24/2019 at 23:45

0

Yeah, Mahogany Mica is a very interesting color, neither red nor maroon nor brown but somewhere in between. I still prefer Twilight Blue Mica, but the Special Edition didn’t come in that color.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > Cash Rewards 03/25/2019 at 08:35

1

Yeah I definitely screwed up my alignment just doing minor tweaks to the ride height. That's how I killed a set of tires.