Lowering rear of NB SE

WASP · Postby **WASP** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:08 am

Hi
The rear of my SE sits up in the air and I want to lower it by about 20mm. I don't want to alter the spring rate which will happen if I buy aftermarket springs. Do I simply have the std ones reset or is there a clevvvvvver way to do it.
Cheers
Steven

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 11:57 am

I've heard hit and miss things about springs being re-set.

Things like the springs sagging rather quickly in the few years afterwards (apparently due to the heating needed to re-set them changing the metal's tempering or something)

Not sure on how accurate that info is, since it came from the internet, but I'd still not bother.

The other option, while not ideal either, is to cut the springs a little.

The best option is to replace the spring all together with lowering springs, but the hard part is finding the right rate etc.
I found the Mazdaspeed springs in my car to be very close to stock feeling, as they're only mildly higher rate. But being progressive they start off soft and slowly stiffen as the travel incerases.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Sun Mar 16, 2014 12:32 pm

I assume you want the same spring rate to keep ride quality. Consider the following

Let's say you have 40 mm travel and a motion ratio of one to keep things simple. you drop the car 20 mm in the rear.

The spring and damper (shock) now have to absorb bumps in half the distance. If the spring is the same, that means any bumps under 50% travel are ok. But anything over is going to crash into bump stops making a harsh ride.

You can have new Springs made in any spring rate you want by a number of places is Australia, but consider what your asking them to do.

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slimx · Postby **slimx** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 7:08 am

sailaholic, is completely right.

In terms of re-setting springs, If you really want, it's cheap to do (like $80 or so..) - It looks good, perfectly adjustable (more comfortable than any cheap coilover setup). But it ain't the best, still feels bumpy.

I have done this on my MX-5 prior to purchasing coilovers. It's not bad, FOR the price it's worth it. But if you have the cash $150 or so you'll pickup a decent set of King Springs.

Edit:
King Springs i believe lower it 3 cm, they have very limited options for the MX-5. Don't buy from eBay, there are fakes! Try to find a wholesaler in your area.

sailaholic · Postby **sailaholic** » Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:50 pm

King springs are one of the manufacturers that make to order. I believe lovells do the same.

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22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 5:08 am

I found some Mazdaspeed springs and they very slightly lowered the car, and the ride feels really nice, no bottoming out hard.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:42 am

22Silver wrote:I found some Mazdaspeed springs and they very slightly lowered the car, and the ride feels really nice, no bottoming out hard.

I think there's a couple of kinds.

There's the Mazdaspeed aftermarket ones, which are a gunmetal colour, and have "Mazdaspeed Eibach" printed on them in white.
They lower the car by ~25mm

And there's also the ones from the MX5 SE (which was called the Mazdaspeed in the USA)
I'm not sure if these have any markings re: branding, but I seem to remember them being painted red. They lower the car by ~5mm if I recall.

I think custom size Kings are the best option here though, since it's such a specific size.
(Adjustable coilovers would be best, allowing full height control independant of springs, but the OP mentioned not altering spring rate, and coilovers are usually substantially stiffer than factory)

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:17 pm

hks_kansei wrote:
I think there's a couple of kinds.

There's the Mazdaspeed aftermarket ones, which are a gunmetal colour, and have "Mazdaspeed Eibach" printed on them in white.
They lower the car by ~25mm

And there's also the ones from the MX5 SE (which was called the Mazdaspeed in the USA)
I'm not sure if these have any markings re: branding, but I seem to remember them being painted red. They lower the car by ~5mm if I recall.

I think custom size Kings are the best option here though, since it's such a specific size.
(Adjustable coilovers would be best, allowing full height control independant of springs, but the OP mentioned not altering spring rate, and coilovers are usually substantially stiffer than factory)

I have "Mazdaspeed Eibach" ones I believe, but it only lowered the car by around 15mm.

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 2:03 pm

odd, all the spec sheets I've seen say it should be 25mm.
And on my car, with the same springs, that was pretty much spot on.

I haven't seen any listing to suggest there were others made (but that doesn't mean they didn't)

22Silver · Postby **22Silver** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 3:54 pm

Might have taken more than a day to fully settle in or something.

ralt · Postby **ralt** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 12:40 am

Hi.
Buy 2 bags of cement and put them in the boot. Should settle your springs over time.

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:47 pm

22Silver wrote:
hks_kansei wrote:
I think there's a couple of kinds.

There's the Mazdaspeed aftermarket ones, which are a gunmetal colour, and have "Mazdaspeed Eibach" printed on them in white.
They lower the car by ~25mm

And there's also the ones from the MX5 SE (which was called the Mazdaspeed in the USA)
I'm not sure if these have any markings re: branding, but I seem to remember them being painted red. They lower the car by ~5mm if I recall.

I think custom size Kings are the best option here though, since it's such a specific size.
(Adjustable coilovers would be best, allowing full height control independant of springs, but the OP mentioned not altering spring rate, and coilovers are usually substantially stiffer than factory)

I have "Mazdaspeed Eibach" ones I believe, but it only lowered the car by around 15mm.

so you car had already sagged 10mm prior to the mazdaspeed going in.