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The car has been sounding more like a threshing machine lately. Time to set valve clearances I thought. Turns out I couldn't even measure the gap on 10 of them, with so little preload on the springs that I could push the buckets down with my little finger. One of them couldn't even extend fully and the gap was at least 34 thou. The valve closing pressure must be so low that I can't understand how the car was running at all. Not happy - these springs have only done 20k and about 20 meetings.

This is an NA8. Standard base circle diameters. Mazdaspeed shim-under buckets. I run it up to 7500 on almost every shift but it's pretty unlikely I'll ever use this head to spin past 8000rpm.

Can anyone tell me what springs might do the job and where I can buy them?

wozzah for one.

Dann

I bought my Supertech springs from 949Racing.

Are we even now?

Not yet, StillIC, they're probably over spec for me and definitely over my price point.

Thanks Dann, will try wozzah tomorrow.

Hi.
You could look at Eibach valve springs.

considering that you wanna hit 8000rpm. the supertech ones will not be over spec or over priced.

Stock is fine for 7200rpm all day long with some baby cams. So what makes you think you need huge spec for another 800 on stock cams?

Dann

well if stock is fine, then why the need for the thread? wouldn't someone just go buy some more stock ones or pull some good used ones from a low km engine? or am i thinking just too simple?

No, I know that stock won't do it. A stock NA8 is redlined at 7200rpm. NA8 springs are different from NA6 ones and they barely make it to 7200 new. Stock spring spec is min length of 39.5mm with a load of 50-56lbf. My original set was just out of spec (average around 39mm at 50lbf at 160,000kms) and started falling off from 6600rpm. I replaced them with mid spec used stock springs which started to fall off at 7000. The springs that I have in the car now were originally about 25% stiffer than stock and were logging virtually linear acceleration to 7500+. It's very disappointing that they've fatigued so fast. They were not ebay dodgies.

So that's all I need - about 25% stiffer but with better metallurgy. Looks like the Eibach spec is good enough, just need to know about quality. Seems like I might have to wait until wozzah's back first though.

Hi.
Eibach will do the job. Quality is very good.

Hmmmmmmmmmm! Interesting your having problems with stock and near stock . Might also have to talk to woz when he is back.

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OK, bit of an update ... I have at least 4 and probably 10 of these.

I 'm very proud to point out that I set a club lap record of 1:13.16 at Wakie with it like this. I thought it was feeling pretty flat.

It all goes to show you don't need power to go quick in an MX5.

And the brand was?

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Mazda

Op said they were 25% stiffer then stock? I assumed not Mazda then?

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