SE bilsteins and mazdaspeed springs, how are they?

silvermiata · Postby **silvermiata** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 12:36 pm

I have a NB8a and just purchased the se bilsteins and red mazdaspeed springs (stock SE setup).. could anyone tell me is there any difference between normal bilsteins and se bilsteins?

also currently i have king springs with the stock shocks, and i am very happy with the height of the car, does anyone know how hight SE's stock setup? aslo any comment on the ride quality/handling on stock SE setup?

thanks...

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:26 pm

The SE's were a few (10) lower than a normal NB IIRC

They will probably be a bit higher than the kings, depends on how low the kings are.

They will take about 2-3 hours to put in, it is a very easy job. You need two jacks, 10, 12, 14, 17, 23 sockets a 23mm ring spanner and a 6mm hex key.

You will smile to yourself and ask why it took you so long to change them.

Don't forget to get a good alignment when done.

SPy

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 2:52 pm

SPy vs. SPy wrote:The SE's were a few (10) lower than a normal NB IIRC

They will probably be a bit higher than the kings, depends on how low the kings are.

They will take about 2-3 hours to put in, it is a very easy job. You need two jacks, 10, 12, 14, 17, 23 sockets a 23mm ring spanner and a 6mm hex key.

You will smile to yourself and ask why it took you so long to change them.

Don't forget to get a good alignment when done.

SPy

What's the 23 for :?:

I don't recall needing one for the suspension last time I did mine...

silvermiata · Postby **silvermiata** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:07 pm

They will take about 2-3 hours to put in, it is a very easy job. You need two jacks

ehehe last time i have done my kings, it took me a good 5 hour... but this time i will try the long bolt method (from miata.net forum) appearently it is the easiest one....

i will see how it goes this saturday....

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:31 pm

Caffeine wrote:What's the 23 for I don't recall needing one for the suspension last time I did mine...

IIRC that's the size of the ones on the long bolt. Could be a 21 or 22 though.

Also required are a few extensions.

I'd also get some new 14mm nuts for the top of the shocks where they do up to the body, they can get a touch manky.

Caffeine · Postby **Caffeine** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 3:52 pm

SPy vs. SPy wrote:I'd also get some new 14mm nuts for the top of the shocks where they do up to the body, they can get a touch manky.

And I'd suggest buying a deep 14mm socket ($10 or so from repco) to get those nuts on and off, as a standard socket may only just grip the top of the nut, potentially rounding off the nut (which i almost did) or splitting the socket (which I did)

silvermiata · Postby **silvermiata** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:13 pm

thanks for the tips guys, i have a lot of sockets and extensions etc... so tools are not a problem... just a pita to take the wheels off and jack the car up... i wish i had some power tools...oh well

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:31 pm

silvermiata wrote:thanks for the tips guys, i have a lot of sockets and extensions etc... so tools are not a problem... just a pita to take the wheels off and jack the car up... i wish i had some power tools...oh well

Like This

Makes track days so much less painful

mmm · Postby **mmm** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:42 am

Please help..........

I have recently bought a '99 NB and purchased some used Bilsteins and Mazda red springs from a '04 SE turbo.

I fitted the suspension to my NB (fitted SE springs and SE shocks but used original strut tops, bushes and bumpstops) and noticed that the ride height is now a little higher than before?!?!?!?!

Could it be that I made a mistake fitting the kit? The front SE spring was short and the rear was longer. Front spring was stiffer (11mm in spring diameter) and rear soft (10mm). Perhaps I made a mistake? Did I put them "back to front"? Does the SE use different A-arms? My NB was stock and the suspenion was not sagging.

The SE shocks and springs were off the donor car for some time. Perhaps they need settling in?

Why is my car taller than stock? Its actually raised by about 10-15mm! My previous suspenion was stock.

Any advice would be appreciated.

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Sat Aug 30, 2008 2:09 pm

mmm wrote:Please help..........

I have recently bought a '99 NB and purchased some used Bilsteins and Mazda red springs from a '04 SE turbo.

I fitted the suspension to my NB (fitted SE springs and SE shocks but used original strut tops, bushes and bumpstops) and noticed that the ride height is now a little higher than before?!?!?!?!

Could it be that I made a mistake fitting the kit? The front SE spring was short and the rear was longer. Front spring was stiffer (11mm in spring diameter) and rear soft (10mm). Perhaps I made a mistake? Did I put them "back to front"? Does the SE use different A-arms? My NB was stock and the suspenion was not sagging.

The SE shocks and springs were off the donor car for some time. Perhaps they need settling in?

Why is my car taller than stock? Its actually raised by about 10-15mm! My previous suspenion was stock.

Any advice would be appreciated.

have a look in your other post.

SPy

mmm · Postby **mmm** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:41 am

silvermiata wrote:
They will take about 2-3 hours to put in, it is a very easy job. You need two jacks

ehehe last time i have done my kings, it took me a good 5 hour... but this time i will try the long bolt method (from miata.net forum) appearently it is the easiest one....

i will see how it goes this saturday....

Do u find your new set up a taller ride height?

silvermiata · Postby **silvermiata** » Sun Aug 31, 2008 1:51 am

hey mmm

i have not put mu suspension in, however, your front shocks should be longer that your rear ones.. if it wasnt the case i am afraid you have mixed front/rear.. also check the shocks, front ones have this attachmet on the side of the shock...(kind of like a nut welded to a lip)

also, yes they do need setting in, when i put my kings on, ride height was high. then driving for couple of hours ride height dropped down... hope it helps..

Moto · Postby **Moto** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:45 pm

I did the same thing to my NB, best mod ever!

I was lucky, got my mate to put them in one saturday arvo at his workshop, took under an hour and only cost me the price of lunch for 3 mechanics!

It would be a bit of a pain to do in your driveway, but still doable.

mmm · Postby **mmm** » Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:48 pm

Thanks guys for all your input!

Most appreciative.

I am a newbie to the MX5. My name is Mike. I am a licenced panel beater. If anyone needs any advice on the matter I will be pleased to help.