mx5cartalk.com

Hey guys,

I've been looking around at what I can do to my mx5 and decided the other day that I should look at changing the suspension.
It's a NA 91 model and it's done 179k km's. I'm pretty sure the suspension is stock and hasn't been touched so it's about time for an upgrade =P

Usage: I don't intend to take the mx5 on the track... it's old and it might just fall apart. I would like it lowered (for the looks) and don't mind it being a bit firmer but I don't want it too firm to make it uncomfortable. It's my weekend car, during the week I ride a motorcycle (r6 08).

For springs I'm looking at getting Eibach Pro ($440 delivered)
For shocks I'm looking at getting STR Koni shocks ($370 delivered)

Now the part I'm totally confused about is these bump stops. I believe I need them so after looking at the forums I think the FCM ones are the way to go?
What configuration should I get... 36 front, 46 rear or 36 all round? I'm assuming I need boots. For the spacers cause I'm getting STRs it says I need 3mm (front) and 3mm + 9mm rear. Does this sound right? All up that's $180 delieverd at the current exchange rate.

That's pretty much $1k. Am I missing anything out? Do you guys know of where I can get these items cheaper or is there a better combo for the price? Shipping from the states is a killer!

Next item on the list would be bracing for the car as right now it has none.

Oops... forgot to add that I was getting Eibach Pro springs... I've updated it now =P

I dont get bumpstops either. I got the FCM ones for my kyb-agx, also on advice from the forum, but havent got around to install anything yet. Very expensive for what they are, although i did buy when the dollar was low, hope the 'FCM' ones were necessary. From memory they have an application guide on the website, i got the 46mm one front and rear for mine.

I asked the guys at FCM what their thoughts were and this is their response...

Hi Daniel,

The

The Eibachs are notorious for sagging. You are far better off buying our
FCM MCU shock mount kit (which is about $260 for all four corners and
includes bump stops). Normally I'd suggest 46/46 for someone wanting only
comfort. Since you want a bit lower, a bit firmer and better performance,
but not too firm, I suggest using the 36mm front and 46mm rear.

Please do yourself a favor and avoid the Koni 'Strt' shocks, they have
very poor damping curves, softer than stock which means less body control
and worse ride quality. I was NOT impressed when I dynod them. The KYB GR2
is a better choice from all report. I have some GR2s in house and will
dyno them tomorrow.

Our mounts and bump stops will add grip, improve ride quality and sharpen
handling, which spring will only sharpen handling but worsen ride quality.
The testimonials of our shock mount kits are proof enough that they work,
very well.

BTW, if you go with GR2, you will not need any spacers.

The link for ordering is here:
http://fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_KYB_pr ... .htm#mount

Regards,
Shaikh

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com

change ur bushes.
you'll be suprised at how much of a difference the car will handle.
stiffer bushes will mean more power through & out of the corners.

Thanks for that... I'm looking into bushings now.
They seem expensive. Man there's so many things you need to do to old cars to get them back up and running like new. Almost not worth it. But I wanna do it to learn and get experience.

Is there a particularly good guide/howto to replace the bushings as I'm going to go this myself along with the suspension. I have a feeling it's going to take me a few days.

Changing the bushes can be a big job......with the right tools...reasonably easy. Someone here changed them with a chisel & screwdriver. It took him the whole weekend to do 1 half of the car. From what I recall he was pretty frustrated, but doing it that way makes it extremely hard work.

I had a dodgy day...with lots of help with people who knew what they were doing.....Although I was abolutley shagged at the end of it, it only took 1 day. MX5 Mania will charge you around $350 for the labour to do it for you( but check on that pricing). They'll have it done in a matter of hrs.

I bought a bench press for about $85 or so. It was worth its weight in Gold. Someone else lent me a plumbers torch. I had a variety old chisels big hollow sockets as well as G clamps and pure muscle. We also had to employ a scissors jack

Matt King who is on this forum has a guide .......he also has some fancy tool. I used a guide from the Auto Salon Magazine. An article by Mark Pakula. Or at least, it was his car. A very hands on type of article.

StanTheMan wrote:Matt King who is on this forum has a guide .......he also has some fancy tool.

I don't have it, it's owned by the Vic Club. It's a balljoint press, basically a very heavy duty c-clamp, and a receiver ring set that the bushing gets pushed in to.

Off topic but great choice in bike. I have an 06 R6

Any idea where I can buy a ball joint press in Sydney? I just tried super cheap auto but I'm not sure if the guy knew what I was asking about.

Try a really good tool shop. They're not cheap by the way (~$200)

A shop press will be easier for everything except the rear upper bushes (which are part of the upright, not the control arm).

Me and Irwin just made the equivalent of a ball joint press when we did his car. Just need a long thread, big flat plate with a nut for a leverage point. Then find a washer than's slightly smaller than the barrel where the bush goes in with a nut behind it. Then you basically just squeeze the bush in on the side with the washer and it'll pop out the other side with the plate.