MX-5 MazdaSpeed Suspention Suspention Install
For now I went to full Mazdaspeed suspention setup:
Mazdaspeed shocks (actually those are Tokico Blue)
Mazdaspeed springs
Mazdaspeed swaybars
I also added FatCat's bumpstops - still not sure that they're really needed since i don't feel suspention bottoms out.
Front:
Rear:
Installation was done my a mechanic that did at least 10 suspension installations on NC and NA Miatas.
It took 3 hours and his expirience really showed as he already new how to tackle possible problems and issues.
What about heigh change?
Those Mazdaspeed springs are LOWERING, remember?
And we all would love to get rid of this SUV / 4x4 looks of stock NC, wouldn't we?
Following picture desribes ride height drop.
I measured from the centel of the weel to the fender.
It took only about a hour to reach it's final height. So no need to weight days for this. YMMV of course.
So how does it feel?
First i have to clarify that my Miata had originally stock Bilstein shocks (i think it called "Sport package" in USA) and most of my driving is sporty/agressive (snake runs, drifting, occasional autocross, etc).
Stock setup was awfull for me.
YES - ride quality was excelent and my weak back really enjoed it.
BUT during enthusiastic driving car leaned and wobbled so much that it was quite frightening.
Quite fast i learned to drive close to the limits even with this setup - but i can't say that it was very enjoyable end it definitely wasn't "confidence enspiring".
So - to the new setup.
First of all - ride quality.
It's a bit harder then stock, but i would say that it's pretty close to it.
Which means it's quite soft and absorbing bumps very good - good news for my back.
Bad news are that suspension is still on a soft side.
Car still leans too much for my taste.
I't much better with weight transfer and quick line changes.
The chasis also feels sharper and with more feedback.
So - is it an improvement? Definitely!!!
Keeping very good ride quality will be a good bonus for some of us and might be a deal breaker for others.
Would i do it again? NO !!!
I would go for some stiffer setup (not too stiff though).
Tokico HTS dampers spring to my mind as a bare minimum.
Maybe even some coilovers.......
A second thought
Living few months with a new suspention and getting fresh set of Toyo T1R i have to say that i'm pleased with this setup.
It doesn't feels too soft or wobly anymore.
On the contrary - on the bad paved roads it feels like on the edge of bouncing and loosing tracktion.
So i reckon it's a very good combination of body control and compliance.
So - this suspention stays !!! :-)