NC - Leaking rear shock - time to upgrade, HELP!

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Wed Apr 27, 2011 5:18 pm

Basic run down of the cars current set up, what I use it for and what I want to acheive. I understand that everyone will have varying opinions on what is "too stiff" for a daily driver etc, but I would like to hear as many opinions as youve got time for guys and girls. I am also willing to be a bit of a guinea pig for set up's not yet trialed (happy to pay, i'm not chasing a hand out). So with that said.

My car is a 2006 NC PRHT.
Suspension mods are - Tein S-Tech springs, and whiteline adjustable sways.
Tyres are 215/45/17 Federal Superstreets.

I am not 100% happy with the stance of the Tein springs, the car seems to sit noticibly lower in the rear, and i suspect that this is probably down to the fact that the springs are not PRHT specific.
In terms of PRHT specific springs, the only ones i can seem to find are Eibach's, available only through Brian Goodwin. I am happy to order through Brian, although my past enquiries with him have gone repeatedly unanswered, all other reports from here and other forums are that he is easy to deal with, so I suspect I may be the have been the weak link? Anyway, below is a side profile picture of the stance I am keen to acheive, not "slammed" just even. And I have asked DeCline what his/her suspension set up is (big forum) but as yet have not heard back.

Great Stance3.JPG

The problem I have recently discovered is that my right rear shock is leaking, quite badly, and this has forced me into making a decision on what to do with the suspension.

I use the car daily, between Panania and Ingleburn on the M5 freeway, this would be 90% of my driving, and the other 10% would be spirited corner carving, so a stiff/ish set up is fine. I have never done a track day, and cannot see them in my future so any "track" specific set ups are probably overkill. I like the stiffer ride of the tein springs, but feel they are poorly dampened in the rear.
I am very partial to the notion of being able to adjust my ride height to "just right", so coilovers are tempting in this regard.

So the options i've dreamt up from lots of reading etc are as follows.

Option 1 : retain the current Tein S-tech springs, and replace all 4 factory shocks with aftermarket shocks eg Tokico HTS, Koni? other suggestions welcome. If i'm replacing the shocks I will not be relacing them with OEM shocks.

Option 2 : Replace Tein with Eibach PRHT specific springs from Goodwin, and replace shocks with aftermarket, (again suggestions welcome)

Option 3 : COILOVERS - H & R, BC Racing, Tein super street (flex would be too stiff no?), others?

A call out to Charlie Brown, from memroy you've gone with a custom king spring set up? Coffeeboss, you went Tein super street coilovers, but do regular track meets,and Sailor, you've got the Bilstein pss9 for your regular track weapon? Sorry if any of that is incorrect, just going by my foggy memory.

So in conclusion, Daily drive (mainly freeway), like to be able to custom set ride height, don't mind a stiff ride, not a big fan of the Tein S-tech rear spring/factory shock combo, happy to consider guinea pigging something not done before.

I hope I haven't dulled anyones afternoon, but for me this is a salivating prospect to get something new and exciting and finally get the look and feel i'm wanting. My wife and I have a 3 week old first baby in the house and we've got a Mazda 3 as the family hack for now, so i'm keen to set the NC up right for me for the next 12-24 months before possibly having to move her on for a bigger car : (

Fill me with Ideas folks, all help, comment, put downs welcome.

Cheers.

Regie · Postby **Regie** » Thu Apr 28, 2011 3:46 am

There has been several occurances with the rear shocks blowing out.
My uncles 06 model did the exact same, "minipete" on the forums

From memory he is going to replace the stickers with boage? Branded shocks from wholesale suspension in penrith.

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 12:47 pm

Bump!

sorry to be persistent, but as the rear shock is dying a rather speedy death I need to get replacement parts ordered fairly quickly.
Hoping for some input?
Thanks again.

Sailor · Postby **Sailor** » Fri Apr 29, 2011 4:26 pm

You know, If you're happy with the ride, you could have a set of spring seats installed on the back to lift it the small amount you need to get rid of the squat.
I understand that you won't have the car all that long so maybe just fit a set of non adjustables or the Tokico adjustables so you can dial in the ride you want.
You could just get the rear done and see where you go

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Mon May 02, 2011 12:10 pm

Ok so i'm down to 2 options.

Option 1 : Replace the rear shocks with OEM $147.00 each from Mcgrath mazda (ex stock melbourne), and stick with the Tein S-techs (maybe upgrade to Eibach Prokit PRHT specific springs).

this option is the cheapest, and as of this morning, even the slightest ridge/bump/undulation is causing the right hand rear to slam into the bump stop, obviously the shock is dead dead, and this option would allow this to be fixed this week.

Option 2 : I have been quoted $995.00 for a set of Yellowspeed coilovers, 7kg front 6kg rear, 33 level dampening adjustment. I am aware of the "get what you pay for" rule, but for (just) under $1k, i'd be willing to give these a shot and then if down the track they are rubbish/break/are not suitable, I wouldn't feel completely ripped off.

I'm guessing no-one else has tried Yellowspeed in their NC, so no point in me asking for a 'report', however, I would like to know anyones opinion on those spring rates for a daily driver.

Bizi · Postby **Bizi** » Tue May 03, 2011 12:28 am

Someone here is selling the Bilstein shocks from a NC LE (maybe a 2007 LE); does this help you, even as a stop-gap solution?

Sailor has them. viewtopic.php?f=44&t=40670

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:50 am

bb71 wrote:Hi reflex.
my first post so here goes.
I recently picked up my 09 nc 2 prht. fantastic.... but. really didn't like the "feel" or the handling of the stock set up,not to mention it just visually rides to high.What to do? Spend countless hours doing my head in reading forums to what end? confussion!Emailed a few queries to Goodwins,but the replies were pretty short and sweet and not really that helpfull.
Yellowspeed came up a few times on forums.I rang mx5mania and spoke to Ajay.He gave them a big rap so at $995 figured it was worth the risk.Well they arrived last week, they looked well made[a bit lairy though] Had them fitted up by my mechanic.no problems. a four wheel alighnment.The result? super impressed! Its like a different car.much firmer but very compliant.I think it rides better than stock except on really choppy roads. The handling is chalk and cheese.just so much more confidence inspiring. I haven't had time to play with the adjustments yet so i'm sure theres still improvements yet.
Well theres my 2 cents worth.hope it helps?

Howdy, and welcome! And i'm glad to hear the positive feedback on the Yellowspeeds, I ordered a set last week and I can't wait till I can get my hands on them and installed! It'll be interesting to see where you and I end up with the height and damper settings for our preferences. keep posting your thoughts and i'll do the same. Cheers!

Zohxoco · Postby **Zohxoco** » Tue May 10, 2011 11:10 pm

Glad you went the coilover route. I went for the BCs and love them. Not sure how long they will last but as the saying goes, they "transformed the car" (from stock). The suspension really hugs the road and the ride, while firm, is not harsh. I think the spring rates are about the same your yellowspeeds (7/6 from memory). I hope you enjoy your yellowspeeds and let us know what they're like.

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Wed May 11, 2011 12:03 pm

Zohxoco wrote:Glad you went the coilover route. I went for the BCs and love them. Not sure how long they will last but as the saying goes, they "transformed the car" (from stock). The suspension really hugs the road and the ride, while firm, is not harsh. I think the spring rates are about the same your yellowspeeds (7/6 from memory). I hope you enjoy your yellowspeeds and let us know what they're like.

Your right on the spring rates - 7 fr 6 rr.

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Fri May 13, 2011 3:18 pm

Sorry Reflex, I've been away overseas for the last 5 weeks and didn't look on this sight that often.

Glad to see you have made up your mind and gone coilovers, allows you to get whatever height you want.

One tip for you, for the road, to get the look you are after, set your height to between 343mm & 345mm front and rear. That's measured from the centre of the hub to the top of the wheel arch. Any lower and you'll have problems with shopping centre speed humps. Mines currently at 335mm and scrapes often.

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Mon May 16, 2011 1:15 pm

Charlie Brown wrote:Sorry Reflex, I've been away overseas for the last 5 weeks and didn't look on this sight that often.

Glad to see you have made up your mind and gone coilovers, allows you to get whatever height you want.

One tip for you, for the road, to get the look you are after, set your height to between 343mm & 345mm front and rear. That's measured from the centre of the hub to the top of the wheel arch. Any lower and you'll have problems with shopping centre speed humps. Mines currently at 335mm and scrapes often.

No worries CB. Thanks for the height recommendations, I should measure what height i'm sitting at now (on the Tein S-techs) as i'm happy with the height of the rear and see where that sits.
Cheers

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Thu May 19, 2011 12:11 pm

Just a tip for you when you set the height of the front and rear shocks.

When setting the rake of the car make sure that the bottom seam on the door sill is parallel to the ground or slightly lower at the front. In other words, don’t have the car drooping at the rear.

Don’t allow the rake towards the front to be any lower than 3mm when compared to the rear measurement.

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Thu May 19, 2011 2:26 pm

Charlie Brown wrote:Just a tip for you when you set the height of the front and rear shocks.

When setting the rake of the car make sure that the bottom seam on the door sill is parallel to the ground or slightly lower at the front. In other words, don’t have the car drooping at the rear.

Don’t allow the rake towards the front to be any lower than 3mm when compared to the rear measurement.

I put the Yellowspeed's in yesterday. The rears are as low as they'll go, measuring 350mm hub centre to guard. The fronts are currently measuring 340mm HC2G.
The door sill seam is 10mm lower at the front than the rear.

I'll let everytihg settle in and then make adjustments to the front if necessary. Besides the visual issue, is there a performance impact if the rake is more than 3mm out as you mentioned?

Safe to say though, so far, absolutely love the feel of the car!

Charlie Brown · Postby **Charlie Brown** » Thu May 19, 2011 5:25 pm

I picked up this information a few years ago off Goodwin Racing and wrote it down but I can't seem to find the link to it now.

What your trying to do is to get the same roll centres front and back, so if the front is lower, the rear end with its higher roll centre will tend to break away quicker than the front. I think the 3mm was within an acceptable allowance given that the NC is slightly heavier in the front. I'm running mine level and it performs extremely well on the track.

I'm surprised that you can only get the rear to 350mm as that's only around a 20mm drop, where the fronts you have around a 30mm drop. Give it a week or two and see how it settles.

reflex · Postby **reflex** » Fri May 20, 2011 11:15 am

Yeah I was surprised and i must say a little disappointed that the rear has only come down to 350mm, but as you say i'll leave it a few weeks and see. I'll definately bring the fronts up to match or go close to the rears, cause even though its only a 10mm difference it looks like a top fueler at the moment.