mx5cartalk.com

Hi all

I'm using my stock 1998 MX5 increasingly for track days and hill climbs, and I have an eye on suspension upgrades. My goal is to retain useability on the road while increasing performance at events (everyday use trumps track performance). I'm aiming to matain something like the 1.5/1.6 spring rate ratio from the factory. I don't foresee an LSD in my future. I'm not really concerned about price, but I do have an eye on value (I don't want to pay twice as much for a tiny increase in performance).

At the top of my list is Fatcat Motorsport custom coilovers.

Shock force is non-adjustable, tuned to your vehicle usage, weight and springs. We customize the internal valving based on our extensive experience with street-driven and competition vehicles. Our high-quality, custom-valved monotube shocks are capable of handling +/- 100 lb/in change in front spring rate, +/- 50 lb/in rear spring rate

I know that lots of people here are running the FCM bump-stops, but I haven't seen m/any threads about the FCM coilovers. I find that slightly odd given people often cite the FCM website as a source of truth when discussing setups (if FCM knows stuff, maybe their product is good?).

So my question is, has anyone used the full FCM custom coilover systems? Any reason why or why not (I see that they don't seem to be adjustable for rebound etc like most coilovers, is that a problem)?

I also have half an eye on the Gaz Gold coilovers from the UK: http://www.mx5parts.co.uk/gold-professi ... -1927.html

Any advice about the FCM system appreciated.

Thanks
Greg

Initial cost and shipping are probably the main reason you don't see many locally. Probably some see the lack of adjustment as a drawback, but if it is set up right to start with you don't really need any. By all accounts they are a good thing, with (from a number of years ago) good feedback from US customers.

I used to hang out on miataforum way back when Shaikh was learning about and discussing shocks and first set up his business, he has certainly developed and shared an extensive knowledge base.

I emailed them once...

Never got a reply.

Have a look at the fm afco coil overs

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plohl wrote:I emailed them once...

Never got a reply.

Heya Shane,
On the whole its always a better prospect to call Shaikh rather than email, as his operation is not a large one (mostly himself) and he does not sit in front of the computer much. He always answers his phone though.

Slug dub, which rock you been hiding under lately!

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Dont really have time to call the states.

Besides, after all the costs they are still not adjustable. Not that that is bad, but i would prefer to save the coin and look at the high end stuff.... like mca's

plohl wrote:I emailed them once...

Never got a reply.

I emailed Shaikh, a few times, before buying the FCM Shock Mount and Bumpstop kit.
Reply was reasonably quick if you consider timezone stuff.

But in terms of whether his product is good, well all the reviews seem to say yes.
Also, I believe he sends them fully assembled, so would be a quick swapover if you install it yourself.

Let us know how you go if you do end up getting the FCM kit.

The question of "are they any good" has been answered I think, fairly comprehensively over on miata.net. They are clearly good coilovers.

The difference with FCM coilovers is that they are purpose built. You choose the spring rate and the shock is valved to match.
Shaikh has done a lot of R&D on track setups for miata's, so I'd trust him far more than anyone else to valve a shock for a miata.
The Bilstein monotubes are good and reliable. FCM bumpstops are very widely regarded as the best money can buy. The ground control kit is very high quality.

As long as you're clear on what you want, and you don't expect those wants to change, and you don't mind paying a small premium for purpose built coilovers, I'd say do it.
I almost did, but I don't see the track enough for it to be worthwhile. So I went with the poor-man purpose built setup; FM stage 1.
If you're seriously considering it, speak to Shaikh.

As for those gaz gold pro coilovers. I see some people have bought/used them, but frankly they don't look that great for 600GBP. I'd much sooner buy BC BR's or HSD's, if only because I know they will sell if I didn't like the ride.

plohl wrote:Dont really have time to call the states.

You just have to call before 11:00am AEST, which is 5:00pm (yesterday) over there.

Shaikh was very helpful when I talked to him about his bump stops and I ended up getting it from him.

In hindsight, I would have bought their coilovers instead of my PSS9s if I'd known that the PSS9s use existing bump stops and top hats.

On top of that, like others have mentioned already, they are custom built and I could have gotten something more compliant in ride for exactly what I want.

Don't get me wrong, the PSS9s are great but I'll always wonder whether a custom built set would be 'even better'.

The other option of course... is to go all out and get Ohlins ;)

Oh better yet go all out and get mca or DMS, about the same price, custom built in Australia.

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dms and mca are both about 1k+ more then ohlins. They're also 2 way adjustable minimum.

I looked into the fcm coilovers ages ago. They are a quality kit - but you really need to know what you want. When i first got my car I thought the biggest tyre i would be running was 205/50R15, however in less than a year it has become quite easy to get 225/45R15's from the states or even locally. This would have made quite a difference, even more of a difference if i was running r-spec tyres.

If i was going to look down the the FCM path again, i would have to wait until the end of the year and really figure out what I want out of my car.

Summary: They are a good, quality kit. Just make sure if you get them, you know what you want.

After looking at them as well in the end I decided that I'd go PSS9s over FCM - same BIlstein reputation but more adjustability because I couldn't forecast what I'd end up with power and grip-wise. But if you want an install-and-drive suspension I'd think they'd be pretty good.

For your own fun, plug the standard PSS9 spring rates into FCM's spreadsheet.