SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

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mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Sat Aug 30, 2008 11:29 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
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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

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

there's a sticky thread above ^^^^^^^^^ http://mx5cartalk.com/phpBB-3.0.2/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27611

Information is in there about the ride height and how to measure it.

Possibly your old suspension has sagged in the last 9 years.

Also was there any reason why you changed the hats and bumpstops etc? or didn't you get them with the SE gear?

The fitment of the springs is correct too, many have made the mistake of putting them on the wrong end.
Went for a drive and there were slow cars everywhere, why are NC's so common . . . must be NC = Normally Cardiganed.

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Sun Aug 31, 2008 12:10 am

SPy vs. SPy wrote:there's a sticky thread above ^^^^^^^^^ http://mx5cartalk.com/phpBB-3.0.2/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=27611

Information is in there about the ride height and how to measure it.

Possibly your old suspension has sagged in the last 9 years.

Also was there any reason why you changed the hats and bumpstops etc? or didn't you get them with the SE gear?

The fitment of the springs is correct too, many have made the mistake of putting them on the wrong end.


I didnt get the SE bumpstops and bushes so had to use the original.

The overall running diameter of the SE (Mazdaspeed) 17' wheel package is larger than my '99 15" wheels. The SE (Mazdaspeed) ride height is meant to be 7mm lower though.

So in theory, my 99 with stock 15"s wheels and SE suspension should be real low.

I just dont get it.........................This really sucks. I have raised up my car. :(

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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby Garry » Sun Aug 31, 2008 8:35 pm

What spy said re saggy original stuff. My springs have sagged heaps on my 2001 NB. I've got a new set of low km stock springs to fit when I can get motivated. Also how long since you did the swap? It took about 300km for my car to go back to normal height after I put my Koni's in.
Shiney black one with added red bits. Member of the fart club. Now with extra doof and Sunlong. - deceased and gone to heaven

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:29 pm

I have only had them fitted 20km's ago. Hopefully that's the problem.

I am new to this forum and already I feel most welcome. Thanks for all your input guys.

Previously I had a Silvia S15 and I was with Silvia assocaited forum. Let just say those p-platers aren't the friendliest. Each one of them had something to prove and some bullshit to say.

THANKS AGAIN FELLAS!

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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby Moto » Mon Sep 01, 2008 4:35 pm

mmm wrote:I have only had them fitted 20km's ago. Hopefully that's the problem.

I am new to this forum and already I feel most welcome. Thanks for all your input guys.

Previously I had a Silvia S15 and I was with Silvia assocaited forum. Let just say those p-platers aren't the friendliest. Each one of them had something to prove and some bullshit to say.

THANKS AGAIN FELLAS!


Funny you mention that, I took my little 5 along to a NS cruise yesterday...most of those guys are all talk and no skill!

/off topic

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:35 pm

Oh mate...dont get me started.

Drift drift drift is always the topic.

Sliding Falkens at a roundabout a couple of inches and giggling is not drifting.

Skill? Whats that? Boost is the answer!

All but one question though....Why in the world would you cruise with those police magnets?

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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby silvermiata » Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:32 pm

how is the ride on your new suspension setup mmm? i have been meaning to put the suspension in for the last 2 weeks but missus is driving me mad.. :evil: will put them on this weekend though.... and also how much did you get it for? do you have the red mazdaspeed springs?

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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby Moto » Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:46 pm

mmm wrote:All but one question though....Why in the world would you cruise with those police magnets?


Yeah I asked myself the same question, my car is completely legal, a couple mates were going on the cruise and I was bored!

I was funny showing those guys what a car with approx. 90rwkw can actually do in the right hands.

Rock hard coilovers and boost controllers do not, a good driver, make!

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Sun Sep 14, 2008 11:28 pm

silvermiata wrote:how is the ride on your new suspension setup mmm? i have been meaning to put the suspension in for the last 2 weeks but missus is driving me mad.. :evil: will put them on this weekend though.... and also how much did you get it for? do you have the red mazdaspeed springs?


I bought the lot for AUD$400 from an older guy who couldnt stand the harshness since a back injury. His car did under 20,000km.
The ride is comfy and not at all stiff. Softer than Integra Type-R. A non-car enthusiast wont know you have changed anything at all.

It came with Bilsteins and red springs. I assume Mazdaspeed.

Well worth the $$ considering I didn't pay too much. Plus my car is 10 years old so the suspenion has sagged. Nothing to write home about really. In the end, they are stock suspension. My sway bars are factory original though, so changing them might give a synergy effect. Time will tell.

The SE suspension is extremly comfy. If you don't want a P-Plater racer that bumps and "crashes" all over the place then these are 10/10. This is what I was after.....and cheap of course. :P

There is a shop, however, that wants $900 for some old ones. Tein Superstreets is around $1170 sometimes depending on exchange rates. And that's brand new with the opportunity to specify spring rates upon ordering at no extra cost.

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Wed Sep 17, 2008 1:53 am

silvermiata wrote:how is the ride on your new suspension setup mmm? i have been meaning to put the suspension in for the last 2 weeks but missus is driving me mad.. :evil: will put them on this weekend though.... and also how much did you get it for? do you have the red mazdaspeed springs?

Got yours in yet? What's your opinion Silver?

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SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby silvermiata » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:43 am

i ve put mine on yesterday.. well it is definitely heaps better than what i had in before.. but the ride height went up after kings... i wish it was a little lower like an inch.. i really like the firmness though... i have realised i need to change my crappy nankangs (just back 2, fronts are kumhos..)

sway bars are definitely on the list though...

mmm

SE Turbo Bilsteins/springs in stock '99 NB

Postby mmm » Wed Sep 17, 2008 10:36 am

silvermiata wrote:i ve put mine on yesterday.. well it is definitely heaps better than what i had in before.. but the ride height went up after kings... i wish it was a little lower like an inch.. i really like the firmness though... i have realised i need to change my crappy nankangs (just back 2, fronts are kumhos..)

sway bars are definitely on the list though...


Mine is a little too high, too.
:(


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