Need Shocks for NC

[JBT]

No, not selling them 5isalive. However, they have done about 90,000 km and are as good as new. I still have the originals and might swap them back in now that I have the Teins on because it's probably a bit too stiff in roll now. Need more time with different shock settings to be sure. Easy to do the rear but the front can be a bit of a PITA.

How our car sits now:

[MikeVictor]

Have you thought about MCA if you're still considering coilovers? Blues start at $1500 I think. Great quality, locally made and designed. I am biased though, I run their X-C series.

[Luke]

Have you thought about MCA if you're still considering coilovers? Blues start at $1500 I think. Great quality, locally made and designed. I am biased though, I run their X-C series.

I saw a new set of MCA's that broke on the weekend at the track on a NC. 2nd use for them so maybe 3 months old.
The top separated and bent the adjustment rod on the front right.
Yes the bolts are done up on the top and the bottom of the shock, so the unit has physically failed. Probably a manufacturing fault as I haven't heard of that before. And it was not a blue, it was a more expensive unit that around $2500.

@5isalive
Now back on topic, I know what you mean by that nervousness.

If you drive the car by your self with no gear do you have the same feeling, or is just when you are both in it fully loaded up?

If you feel the issue in both scenarios, it may just be the roll that is bothering you, which can be fixed with just sway bars alone.

If it is the latter maybe you are running close to the rear bump stops. Once you are on them you really have little suspension control. The NC's standard springs are very soft so this is highly probable. The fix would be stiffer springs, which need stiffer shocks.
Its up to you whether you go for coilovers or a set of springs and shocks to stiffen up and flatten out the ride. I would recommend the the shocks and springs for a road car, but it will cost more than many cheaper coilovers.

Just a really out there idea as well.
Does your NC have stability control?
I would say the early NC1 stability control system is the worst of any car I have dríven. It cuts in with very little provocation which can make the car feel unstable;e to drive as it is doing opposite of what you are doing. It makes the suspension pitch and sway around whilst it is cutting in which gets very annoying.

[MikeVictor]

Have you thought about MCA if you're still considering coilovers? Blues start at $1500 I think. Great quality, locally made and designed. I am biased though, I run their X-C series.

I saw a new set of MCA's that broke on the weekend at the track on a NC. 2nd use for them so maybe 3 months old.
The top separated and bent the adjustment rod on the front right.
Yes the bolts are done up on the top and the bottom of the shock, so the unit has physically failed. Probably a manufacturing fault as I haven't heard of that before. And it was not a blue, it was a more expensive unit that around $2500.

@5isalive
Now back on topic, I know what you mean by that nervousness.

If you drive the car by your self with no gear do you have the same feeling, or is just when you are both in it fully loaded up?

If you feel the issue in both scenarios, it may just be the roll that is bothering you, which can be fixed with just sway bars alone.

If it is the latter maybe you are running close to the rear bump stops. Once you are on them you really have little suspension control. The NC's standard springs are very soft so this is highly probable. The fix would be stiffer springs, which need stiffer shocks.
Its up to you whether you go for coilovers or a set of springs and shocks to stiffen up and flatten out the ride. I would recommend the the shocks and springs for a road car, but it will cost more than many cheaper coilovers.

Just a really out there idea as well.
Does your NC have stability control?
I would say the early NC1 stability control system is the worst of any car I have dríven. It cuts in with very little provocation which can make the car feel unstable;e to drive as it is doing opposite of what you are doing. It makes the suspension pitch and sway around whilst it is cutting in which gets very annoying.

Ouch. Hardly a sample size indicative of the quality of the brand overall though.

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[5isalive]

Hi Luke,

So far the wife and I haven't loaded up the car with gear yet, this is a big part of the worry I'm having, because I feel that once we do, the problem will worsen.

As for the stability control, it's definitely off, I don't like traction control, from using it in other cars I've owned. I'd prefer to do the driving myself without computers "helping" out.

I'm pretty sure we'll go the sway bar route. I figure if they work, it will be the most cost effective solution for us until we have a bit more cash for shocks or coilovers.

I hope I'm making the right choice because even that wasn't a cost we'd anticipated when we bought the car, so fingers crossed.

I was thinking about going with a set of Whiteline's for $485.00 which include the front and rear sways. Have you heard anything about them at all?

This is what they say about them from their online store.

"Contains BMF54Z & BMR81Z"...

"Engineered to 'Activate More Grip', BMK004 is a packaged solution designed to improve performance and enhance the driving experience of your vehicle. Boasting a 24mm 2 point adjustable front sway bar and 16mm 3 point adjustable rear sway bar, the kit is completed with sway bar mounting accessories that ensure optimum performance and ease of installation. Achieve perfect balance and precise tuning with this Whiteline Sway Bar Kit.
AUD $ 485.00 inc tax"...

From what I've read so far, they seem to have a good reputation. I would have liked to try the Progress Technologies sways, but by the time I get them from the U.S., they'd be around $1,000.

I had the shocks checked as suggested. They are a stock set but are relatively new so I'll stick with them for a little while and see how they go with the new sway bars.

Would putting springs alone on them be worth the hassle or would this cost a lot of dosh for very little payoff?

[Luke]

Regarding NC replacement springs on standard shocks.
There is very little scope for improvement as the shocks do not have enough damping capability to deal with stiffer springs. The aftermarket springs for the standard shocks are generally about 20-30% stiffer than standard, so bugger all. They also lower the car by 10-30mm depending on the brand. So you will have less suspension travel.
It will make the car handle better but no where near as much as a replacement shock and spring combo that is twice as stiff as originals.


Also nothing wrong with whiteline products.

Where do you live?
There are other brands that can be bought locally from MX-5 parts specialists depending where you live.

[Sailor]

I ran Tokico HTS on std springs with fatcat bumpstops.
The shocks lowered the car about 15 - 20 mm and the ride remained compliant over rough country roads.
The bumpstops did a great job of stiffening the suspension in roll and absorbing the full compression bumps when they happened

[5isalive]

Thanks for the quick reply Luke.

I live in Kempsey, up on the Mid North Coast. Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are relatively nearby if we need to get anything in the near future, it's just the fact that I'm not very mechanically savy that worries me. That's why I need sites like this and the kind input from people like yourself to help me from making costly mistakes.

It looks like maybe the Tokico/Koni struts and Eibach springs might be the next purchase on the list, unless you have a better combo that you would suggest. It seems these two brands have a lot of users, so again, I live in hope.

I just purchased the sways online from "MRT Performance" for $412, which saved me around $70. I rang Whiteline who said they were out of stock and it would be around 60 days before I'd get them, which worked out pretty well in the end.

Anyhow, I'll keep you posted as to how things work out. Thanks once again for your suggestions and valuable help Luke. That goes to the other kind assistance from others like "Sailor", who have given their time in adding a voice to this conversation. I really do appreciate it.

To Sailor... What did the "Tokico HTS's" and "Fatcat" bump stops end up costing you if you don't mind me asking?

Wayne.

[5isalive]

G'day all,
Looking through the site today, I found the "Koni's and Flyin Miata springs" Luke was telling me about and ended up buying them.
The guy selling them was an absolute gem. He let me have them for $500 and is going to drop them off on his way up the coast.
So hopefully, the NC will be handling a lot better after the shocks and sway bars are fitted sometime next week.
I'll keep you all informed on how everything pans out.
Thanks again for your invaluable input.
Cheers, Wayne.

[Sailor]

Yep, Trev's OK!

[5isalive]

Yes, he seemed like a really nice bloke. I'll get to meet him next week so I'll find out first hand. I'm looking forward to seeing his supercharged NC, if he brings it up with him that is. It sounds like an absolute beast.

[JBT]

It is...trust me.

[Regie]

Yes, he seemed like a really nice bloke. I'll get to meet him next week so I'll find out first hand. I'm looking forward to seeing his supercharged NC, if he brings it up with him that is. It sounds like an absolute beast.

yep its a weapon, I've dríven it and its one of the quickest things ive been in.

and yep Trev is a top bloke

[AndyT]

Has anyone used or considered coilovers from Shockworks?