NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

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roshmx5
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NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby roshmx5 » Fri Apr 14, 2017 9:48 pm

Hi members
Have purchased a set of a Tein Flex Z coilovers to replace my SE suspension that is in my
NB SP.
Just after some advice on ride height and wheel alignment specs.
Car is used on road and spirit runs through some twisty roads.
Have done a few searches but would like some advice.
Thanks in advance.
Mazda MX5 SP

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MX593
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Re: NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby MX593 » Sat Apr 15, 2017 7:56 am

I put in MCA XRs in my NB. MCA recommends 322mm from the wheel center to the lip of the guard front and rear.
After a bit of adjusting the factory length at the rear, that's where I have it now; 322-325mm both ends.
The car sits low and level. I got the aligners to put in all the negative camber in as they could, but I don't recall the settings.
The ride comfort is OK on rough roads and good on smooth ones.
Very good handling on the track.

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roshmx5
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Re: NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby roshmx5 » Sat Apr 15, 2017 10:23 am

Thank you so much MX593
I notice with mine with the SE suspension set up sits real high at the back. Your ride height seems to level it out which I want to do.
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Vat
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Re: NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby Vat » Sun Apr 16, 2017 7:10 pm

Running Tein Flex Z's on my NB8A. The key on ride height is to get the control arms sitting level to the ground. I did a rough 'by eye' set and it's around 110mm at the front rails and 114 at the rear. Don't have the alignments with me (up the coast for Easter) but if you're stock you've got this battle to get as much negative camber on and retain decent caster. IIRC the fronts are nearly 2 degrees with the rears about half a degree less, and caster in the high 4's.

If you do that you should look into some adjustable sway bar mounts as they should be at right angles and dropping the ride height will change that.

Mine's dailied and track and it has a nice, 'light on its feet' kind of feel, and it's pretty viceless on the track.
'98 Evo Gold NB8A
QR-Clubman 66.5109|Sprint 63.3635|Sportsman 67.4673|National 92.3481|Lakeside 65.7478|MP K 1:35.382|MP E 1:16.422|NM 1:08.017

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roshmx5
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Posts: 157
Joined: Tue Sep 20, 2016 10:17 pm
Vehicle: NB SP

Re: NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby roshmx5 » Sun Apr 16, 2017 8:21 pm

Thanks Vat. I have the SE swaybars installed, thanks for your info and measurements.
Mazda MX5 SP

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Vat
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Re: NB Coilovers set up and wheel alignment settings

Postby Vat » Mon Apr 17, 2017 4:29 pm

No worries - the SEs were about 7mm lower than stock, IIRC. For reference I just run them at full hardness on the track and somewhere around 10-12 for daily use. Quick tip - set them back to their road settings immediately on finishing your last set of laps in a track session, rather than getting 100 metres down the road and having to empty the boot to set them back. :lol:
'98 Evo Gold NB8A
QR-Clubman 66.5109|Sprint 63.3635|Sportsman 67.4673|National 92.3481|Lakeside 65.7478|MP K 1:35.382|MP E 1:16.422|NM 1:08.017


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