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So my car is too low...

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:16 pm
by Speedyblue
Some measuring shows that my car is a little low.
It's an NA8 rolling on 195/50/15's
Lowered king springs and koni's

I figured it would be an easy case of lifting the perches up a level to sort it out, but it seems the rear is already on the 3rd perch. The front is on the second perch. In theory, this should have the car sitting above the magical 100mm mark, but no go. Unless the rears have 4 perch levels? (hard to see if there are any more above the spring platform)

So now I'm confused and annoyed as I need to get a RWC on the car soon. Not really a fan of changing the springs just for the RWC and changing back afterwards. I'd rather get it sorted properly and all legal.

Upping to a new set of 205's may get it close to where it needs to be. Any other options out there?

So my car is too low...

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:42 pm
by philz
What height is it at now?

And what size wheels 15x7?

So my car is too low...

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:45 pm
by rossint
Find someone to put more grooves on the shocks at the desired height.

So my car is too low...

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:37 pm
by Speedyblue
not 100% sure on the wheels, but probably 15x6.5
The chassis rails are about 95mm off the ground. More in the middle...

I'm wondering if someone has cut the kings lows to give some additional drop. The serial number on the spring shows it's the correct springs for the car, so that _should_ be legal height at the middle setting.

If the koni's were to suit an NB, what would that do to the car? make it sit higher or lower?

So my car is too low...

Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:46 pm
by philz
usually a shock and spring combo, like king and koni, give about a 2inch drop, or something that is still legal height.

Your tyre combo is correct, but I reckon it's the springs, they are either cut, custom, or the real super low ones.

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:33 am
by StanTheMan
on another note. My kings have sagged a fair amount too over the years.

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:32 am
by Speedyblue
I'll see what the mechanic says today. I'm supposed to be getting some tyres this morning. Once it's on the hoist it might be easier to spot a problem.

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:58 am
by rascal
I'd also go with the springs having sagged..

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:02 pm
by Garry
usually a shock and spring combo, like king and koni, give about a 2inch drop, or something that is still legal height.


There's no way you can take 2" out of the MX5 ride height and still be legal. Without looking at the specs I think you'd be lucky to get a 1" drop and still be legal. Remember the 100mm ground clearance is fully laden, in NSW at least.

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:20 am
by Craig
StanTheMan wrote:on another note. My kings have sagged a fair amount too over the years.


Too many Big Macs more like it! :P

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:06 pm
by Speedyblue
Someone pointed out to me earlier that the camber settings will affect the height as well.
Having just checked, visually there is a fair bit if camber on the wheels. I couldn't find a spirit level, but we're talking 10mm difference from top to bottom... That's possible enough to make a decent difference. Also explains why it's so fun to drive :)

So my car is too low...

Posted: Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:15 pm
by StanTheMan
yes it makes a difference but not really a huge difference in height unless you are really putting in massive camber .It would be an absolute pig to drive.