Suspension advice needed for NC

[franjae]

Hi all,

I have spent hours reading through threads and still none the wiser.... I have an NC and have installed Whiteline sways front and rear. I'm happy that the roll is now tamed, however the car still feels unstable on approach to corners, pitching and diving.

The stock springs will have to go, but I have not seen any replacements that will drop the car only a slight amount, say 20-25mm. I really don't want to have to worry about the car scrapping anything and I don't care for that slammed look. Can you buy spacers to limit the drop and are they safe?

If the springs option is not possible, then I believe coil-overs will be the answer, although this will be expensive. I've read about Tein, but can't work out which would be the appropriate model, SS or Flex and pillowball mount?? This car is my daily driver and will not do any track work.

My ultimate aim is suspension that is compliant and will give the car great balance. Can any one suggest what I should do? Exchange rate is very good, so buying from the States will probably be cheapest. I have the stock Bilstein shocks currently.

Thanks!

[Craig]

Sounds more like the shocks need rebuilding to me, not lower springs!

[franjae]

Unlikely Craig, the car has only done 9674kms in two and a bit years. You hear the same stories from NC owners when they compare the handling characteristics to an NA and NB. My issue is really not wanting that big drop that one will get fitting aftermarket springs.

[JBT]

I don't think replacement springs are going to fix this.

Ours is running standard suspension (non-Bilstein) and it handles as well as our NA did (with adjustable Konis and Kings) but has, IMO, better levels of grip. Now this is after getting a proper wheel alignment....it wasn't too flash prior to that.

What are your wheel alignment settings and who did it? Maybe the toe settings are wrong and causing directional instability which you're reading as pitching. I really fail to see how the car can be pitching on entry to a corner unless its unbalanced or the road surface is uneven.

[franjae]

Hmmm...maybe i should get the alignment done again. I had it checked by Pedders, and they did not have the settings for the NC, so I think they may have based it on the NB.

That was before I had the new sways fitted. Can anyone tell me where to look up the correct setting and where to go for proper alignment in Perth ?

It'll be great to be able to drive someone's properly sorted car to see what it should be like

[AJ]

there's a start.........new sways = new alignment, anytime you play with suspension components, get a WA straight away

at the risk of getting belted by Casey again, i have no pitching or diving in our LE running stock billy suspension & an out of the factory wheel alignment...i may have done early in the piece before i learnt how the car likes to be dríven, but not now

[Okibi]

franjae join the MX-5 club of W.A. we have a club member who has an NC with Teins and an EDFC.

If you're lucky he might take you for a spin so you have a comparison.

[MxJadeMonkey]

Wilkinson's suspension is the place to try out.


i'm in Sydney but have dealt with the guys they a lot in the past.



also super streets with original rubber top mounts will solve your suspension issues. kings will drop the car too much for what you want i feel.

forget about the flex for the NC.

[Okibi]

OR Wheels World who would have worked on a lot more MX-5s including most of the MX-5s that compete in local motorsport.

Unky John gives a discount to MX-5 club of W.A. members.

OR Kerry Wade who also has a wealth of suspension knowledge and has set up a few MX-5s recently.

[franjae]

Thanks guys!

Yes Okibi, I do intend to join the club but there's always something else, and the weather has been horrific for me as I can't be in the sun too much!!! You will see one of these days!

Yes, John at Wheels World is where the sways were from. Perhaps I should head over there one day.