NC Flyin Miata Suspension Packs

[duggan_nugget]

Has anyone bought one? Namely the stage 2?
It includes FM Springs, Tokico HTS shocks, and FM anti-roll bars.

I priced it up and getting it to Aus (not sure on import costs / GST yet) and it was $1380aus for the kit and they quoted $430aus for shipping.

I really like the look of these springs, 2.2x stiffer than stock and tuned and tested with the Tokico HTS's so they should be a good pair. The only thing worrying me is the price. For nearly $2000 all up it seems very expensive.

Would going with a set of coilovers for roughly the same cost be a better option? Or would a cheap set of coilovers not be as good as a (I'm guessing) good spring / shock combo?

[Charlie Brown]

First and foremost what are you trying to achieve?

Do you want to lower it for looks, for the odd track day, for ride or for improved handling?

I’m assuming that you don’t have a Limited Edition fitted with Bilstein’s for the next set of comments.

If it’s just for looks with the bonus of improved handling without suffering any degradation in ride quality then you just need to spend $300 on a set of King Springs which are 1.8 times firmer than stock and the same rate as Eibach & Mazdaspeed.

If you’re happy with the height and just want to improve the handling, get a set of adjustable Whiteline sway bars at around $500.

If you want ride, looks and handling and not spend too much then just use the King’s & Whitelines. $800 all up and fit them yourself in an afternoon.

Now if you do have a Limited Edition, the Bilstein’s are softer than the stock Tokico shock then your next step is the Tokico HTS which by themselves from Goodwin will set you back $960AUD delivered. Shox.com may be slightly cheaper.

Combine all three of the above and you’re up for around $1,760 which is around $200 cheaper than your FM Stage 2 kit with GST applied to the kit.

The next step is coilovers. The main reason to go for coilovers is to set your desired height for road and track. I feel that if you just want to use them on the road, its overkill. BEFORE you make your mind, you really need to ride in an NC fitted with them to determine if the associated firm ride is what you want.

Some manufacturer’s have models that come with adjustable rebound, which helps to soften the ride some. Remember that coilover springs for the NC are 3.5 to 5 times stiffer than your stock springs. You also don’t need to add the adjustable sways if you go coilovers as the higher spring rate has 1.5x more stiffness than the King/Whiteline set up.

So what are you up for with coilovers in AUD including GST if you import them yourself?

Fatcat Bilsteins around $2,720
Bilstein PSS10 around $3,105
Tein Flex around $2,350
Tein Superstreets $2,000

Hope that helps some.

PS I have a set of Eibach coilover shocks without springs for sale cheap if you want them.

[duggan_nugget]

Thanks for all the info!

I guess I'm looking for better performance mainly, but I can't see myself racing anytime soon (no tracks near central Queensland as far as I know). The lower height is a bonus (it sits way too high, but I'm not that into purely aesthetic mods) and I won't be too fussed if the ride quality suffers.

If coilovers are overkill for the road then I guess going springs, shocks and sways is the better option. Could I fit them all myself? (I have a few mechanic friends who would be willing to help)

I guess the real question is whether getting the FM springs is a better option than the Kings. I've heard nothing but praise from the 'big' forum for the FM stuff, while I've heard of some people being unhappy with the Kings / Eibachs.

Is there anyone in SE / Central Queensland with Kings or Eibachs who would take me for a spin?

Oh, and I don't have a Limited Edition. Thanks again Charlie Brown!

[Charlie Brown]

I guess the real question is whether getting the FM springs is a better option than the Kings. I've heard nothing but praise from the 'big' forum for the FM stuff, while I've heard of some people being unhappy with the Kings / Eibachs.

The unhappy people with Kings you speak about are those with NAs who don't either put in proper bump stops or cut down their existing bump stops and end up with very little suspension movement.

The NC has a completely different suspension setup with a lot more vertical movement compare to the NAs & NBs. I was more than happy with mine.

If you are going to get lowering springs you need to determine what height you want the car. Remember that legally the car needs to have a minimum ground clearance of 100mm. That means the maximum you can lower the car is 19mm.

There really is only one legal spring to fit. Racing Beat (25% firmer than stock) drops the car 12mm and then if you use Koni shocks you get another 12mm drop.

Then there’s the non legal that everyone else falls into:
Eibach drops 38mm front and 33mm rear,
Kings about 35/30 (though mine, which were the first off the production line, dropped the car 42/32)
Followed by H&R and a whole bunch of others that drop the car 45+.
I have no idea what Flying Miata springs drop the car. Their site doesn't say so you should check.

From personal experience a 32mm rear drop, 28% firmer with stock shocks will hit the bump stops on the odd occasion with two onboard and a full boot of luggage. The firmer shocks with the Flying Miata kit should stop this happening.

If I had the choice I'd find a set of springs that drops the car 30mm in the front and 25mm in the rear.

And remember, the biggest improvement to the NC’s suspension (bar coilovers) is adjustable sway bars.

Could I fit them all myself?

Yes you can “easily” fit springs, shocks and sways yourself. There are plenty of "how to do it" instructions on many sites including this one in the Technical Section. You will need a set of spring compressors (borrow or buy one from Supercheap or similar), a 12mm & a 17mm socket and drive, a 17mm ring spanner, a set of jack stands and about 4 hours to spare.

The sway bars will take you another hour and a bit to fit.

[Charlie Brown]

As a follow up I have just found this post on Miata.net. Definitely worth a read.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=372891

Seems like the drop is 343mm front - down about 40mm and 350 rear - down 20mm.

Big increase in spring rates over stock.

[duggan_nugget]

Seeing as no one has replied saying they do have them, I think I'll go the FM Kit (maybe just stage 1 and get sways locally?).

It's always nice to be different!

Thanks again for all the help CB, I'll let you know how they go when I get / fit them.