Got Tein Super Streets/Whiteline sways on my NC

[eastla]

Just thought I would like to let you all know that I have now got the Super Streets and Whiteline sways installed on my NC LE.

So far I am very happy!

The car seems to handle very well, and unlike stock; I can now instantly find the limit of the car and keep it there.

One thing I would like to mention is that the adjustable Whiteline sways I have on the car may not be ideal.

To get my car handling correctly Centreline ended up setting the rear to full stiff and the front to full soft.
The guys suspect that the bars are too stiff compared to stock.
Strangely they commented that the rear was alright but mainly the front was the issue.

The car does handle very well with a stock NC wheel alignment.
I will be trying out a more aggressive wheel alighnment in the new year; we will see how that goes?

The ride is definitely firmer than my stock Bilsteins but not at all jarring.
The ride height has been dropped be approx 4.5 cm.
In my opinion this may be a bit too much; I have already scrapped a few speed humps in between the front and rear wheels. I cannot see any damage or scratches underneath though. Trying to figure out where it hits.
I feel that if you go over at 1 or 2 kph it may be alright; but you need to be very slow and careful.
I can always raise it up a little if it becomes too much of a problem I suppose.

Also, when they set up the car they told me that there were some issues with understeer as they put throttle on mid corner.
They said that this was due to the car pitching with the throttle.
To remove this unwanted characteristic they lowered the front slightly more than the rear. I cannot visually tell though.

Anyhow, if anyone else is considering coil overs get in touch with me and I can give you any advise I can.
Also, if you drop my name at Centreline they will look after you.

[JBT]

The car seems to handle very well, and unlike stock; I can now instantly find the limit of the car and keep it there.

How is this different to stock suspension

....they told me that there were some issues with understeer as they put throttle on mid corner.
They said that this was due to the car pitching with the throttle.
To remove this unwanted characteristic they lowered the front slightly more than the rear.

Hmmmmm.........not sure about that. The extension of that theory is that you would lower the rear to reduce lift off oversteer. It's load transfer that's the problem not pitching. Sounds like they have been unable to get the anti-roll bar settings correctly set up.

[Charlie Brown]

One thing I would like to mention is that the adjustable Whiteline sways I have on the car may not be ideal.

To get my car handling correctly Centreline ended up setting the rear to full stiff and the front to full soft.
The guys suspect that the bars are too stiff compared to stock.
Strangely they commented that the rear was alright but mainly the front was the issue.

The Whitelines may be too stiff for the coilovers. The US boys have been using the standard bars with coil overs.

I'm running "soft" on the front and middle on the rear to balance the understeer with the standard shocks but if you go into any corner too hot and then try and power out, a MX5 will understeer no matter what bar setting you have.

The car does handle very well with a stock NC wheel alignment.
I will be trying out a more aggressive wheel alighnment in the new year; we will see how that goes?

The ride is definitely firmer than my stock Bilsteins but not at all jarring.
The ride height has been dropped be approx 4.5 cm.
In my opinion this may be a bit too much; I have already scrapped a few speed humps in between the front and rear wheels.

With a 45mm drop you should be running about 2.5 degrees negative camber NOT the standard settings. Did Centreline recommend the standard settings or did you ask for them?

As for your height I'd recommend that you raise it so the drop is only 30mm. This will still look good but take out the annoying bottoming out. By the way, it is hitting on the crossmember that supports the gearbox. With my 40mm drop that where mine hits.

[eastla]

The car seems to handle very well, and unlike stock; I can now instantly find the limit of the car and keep it there.

How is this different to stock suspension

Much easier to find the limit.
Also, higher limit; just drove my mates stock hard top back to back with mine.
The limit is much higher on mine.
In fact the difference is very dramatic.

....they told me that there were some issues with understeer as they put throttle on mid corner.
They said that this was due to the car pitching with the throttle.
To remove this unwanted characteristic they lowered the front slightly more than the rear.

Hmmmmm.........not sure about that. The extension of that theory is that you would lower the rear to reduce lift off oversteer. It's load transfer that's the problem not pitching. Sounds like they have been unable to get the anti-roll bar settings correctly set up.

Not sure; but damn they set it up well in the end.
The car is absolutely awesome now!

[eastla]

One thing I would like to mention is that the adjustable Whiteline sways I have on the car may not be ideal.

To get my car handling correctly Centreline ended up setting the rear to full stiff and the front to full soft.
The guys suspect that the bars are too stiff compared to stock.
Strangely they commented that the rear was alright but mainly the front was the issue.

The Whitelines may be too stiff for the coilovers. The US boys have been using the standard bars with coil overs.

I'm running "soft" on the front and middle on the rear to balance the understeer with the standard shocks but if you go into any corner too hot and then try and power out, a MX5 will understeer no matter what bar setting you have.

The car does handle very well with a stock NC wheel alignment.
I will be trying out a more aggressive wheel alighnment in the new year; we will see how that goes?

The ride is definitely firmer than my stock Bilsteins but not at all jarring.
The ride height has been dropped be approx 4.5 cm.
In my opinion this may be a bit too much; I have already scrapped a few speed humps in between the front and rear wheels.

With a 45mm drop you should be running about 2.5 degrees negative camber NOT the standard settings. Did Centreline recommend the standard settings or did you ask for them?



As for your height I'd recommend that you raise it so the drop is only 30mm. This will still look good but take out the annoying bottoming out. By the way, it is hitting on the crossmember that supports the gearbox. With my 40mm drop that where mine hits.

I wanted something a little more aggressive but they originally persuaded me not too. Mainly to look after tires.
But, when I picked the car up they suggested that I go with some more camber.

So far I cant really get the rear to break traction.
Seriously, if the sways are too stiff; I would love to see what the car would be like with correct sway settings.
It is brilliant at the moment; went out today and gave the car some really good testing ;)

I think the car is hitting just behind the front wheels. Not 100% sure though?

At this point I think I can live with this ride height. And it looks perfect;)

[DavidM]

I must confirm Eastla's report. I have dríven his car when it was stock, and also with the coil-overs. Also drove it back to back with another stock NC and the improvement in handing / feel is staggering.

With the coilovers set up as they are ...

1. There is a lot less understeer compared to the stock car.

2. The car / chasis is much more comunicative and also adjustible. While in the stock car there is a bit of lag/delay between the driver inputs and the car response, with the coilovers the responnse is immediate. This makes it easier to drive it at the limit and also gives you much more time to make adjustments / corrctions (when needed).

3. Also because of the above, it is much easier to feel /find where the limits of the car are. That is even though you're carrying more speed through the corners.

4. The car gets less upset over mid-corner bumps. While before a mid-corner bump would throw it a few inches of line, not the car does not loose it's intended line / trajectory at all.

ps. IMHO, it'll feel even better with a bit more negative camber.