So my car is too low...

Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres questions and answers

Moderators: timk, Stu, zombie, Andrew, -alex, miata

Speedyblue
Fast Driver
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:28 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Gold Coast

So my car is too low...

Postby Speedyblue » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:16 pm

Some measuring shows that my car is a little low.
It's an NA8 rolling on 195/50/15's
Lowered king springs and koni's

I figured it would be an easy case of lifting the perches up a level to sort it out, but it seems the rear is already on the 3rd perch. The front is on the second perch. In theory, this should have the car sitting above the magical 100mm mark, but no go. Unless the rears have 4 perch levels? (hard to see if there are any more above the spring platform)

So now I'm confused and annoyed as I need to get a RWC on the car soon. Not really a fan of changing the springs just for the RWC and changing back afterwards. I'd rather get it sorted properly and all legal.

Upping to a new set of 205's may get it close to where it needs to be. Any other options out there?
Not RED

User avatar
philz
Wheel guru
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:32 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Sydney

So my car is too low...

Postby philz » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:42 pm

What height is it at now?

And what size wheels 15x7?

User avatar
rossint
Fast Driver
Posts: 460
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 7:56 pm
Vehicle: NA6
Location: ADELAIDE

So my car is too low...

Postby rossint » Fri Oct 02, 2009 8:45 pm

Find someone to put more grooves on the shocks at the desired height.

Speedyblue
Fast Driver
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:28 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Gold Coast

So my car is too low...

Postby Speedyblue » Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:37 pm

not 100% sure on the wheels, but probably 15x6.5
The chassis rails are about 95mm off the ground. More in the middle...

I'm wondering if someone has cut the kings lows to give some additional drop. The serial number on the spring shows it's the correct springs for the car, so that _should_ be legal height at the middle setting.

If the koni's were to suit an NB, what would that do to the car? make it sit higher or lower?
Not RED

User avatar
philz
Wheel guru
Posts: 1297
Joined: Wed Jun 04, 2008 4:32 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Sydney

So my car is too low...

Postby philz » Fri Oct 02, 2009 11:46 pm

usually a shock and spring combo, like king and koni, give about a 2inch drop, or something that is still legal height.

Your tyre combo is correct, but I reckon it's the springs, they are either cut, custom, or the real super low ones.

User avatar
StanTheMan
Forum legend
Posts: 6824
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Balgowlah

So my car is too low...

Postby StanTheMan » Sat Oct 03, 2009 7:33 am

on another note. My kings have sagged a fair amount too over the years.
Satans Ride called F33nix the resurrected NA6

Speedyblue
Fast Driver
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:28 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Gold Coast

So my car is too low...

Postby Speedyblue » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:32 am

I'll see what the mechanic says today. I'm supposed to be getting some tyres this morning. Once it's on the hoist it might be easier to spot a problem.
Not RED

rascal
Racing Driver
Posts: 1770
Joined: Fri May 16, 2008 1:39 pm
Vehicle: NB8A
Location: FarSE Melbourne

So my car is too low...

Postby rascal » Sat Oct 03, 2009 8:58 am

I'd also go with the springs having sagged..

User avatar
Garry
Speed Racer
Posts: 3481
Joined: Sun Apr 27, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NB SP
Location: God's Country
Contact:

So my car is too low...

Postby Garry » Sat Oct 03, 2009 10:02 pm

usually a shock and spring combo, like king and koni, give about a 2inch drop, or something that is still legal height.


There's no way you can take 2" out of the MX5 ride height and still be legal. Without looking at the specs I think you'd be lucky to get a 1" drop and still be legal. Remember the 100mm ground clearance is fully laden, in NSW at least.
Shiney black one with added red bits. Member of the fart club. Now with extra doof and Sunlong. - deceased and gone to heaven

User avatar
Craig
Speed Racer
Posts: 6612
Joined: Wed Apr 23, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: Non MX-5
Location: Sydney

So my car is too low...

Postby Craig » Sun Oct 04, 2009 11:20 am

StanTheMan wrote:on another note. My kings have sagged a fair amount too over the years.


Too many Big Macs more like it! :P
*** Audi Q5 55 Sportback - HYBRID! Zero -100 in 5.3 seconds! 8) ***

Speedyblue
Fast Driver
Posts: 123
Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2009 7:28 pm
Vehicle: ND - 2 GT
Location: Gold Coast

So my car is too low...

Postby Speedyblue » Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:06 pm

Someone pointed out to me earlier that the camber settings will affect the height as well.
Having just checked, visually there is a fair bit if camber on the wheels. I couldn't find a spirit level, but we're talking 10mm difference from top to bottom... That's possible enough to make a decent difference. Also explains why it's so fun to drive :)
Not RED

User avatar
StanTheMan
Forum legend
Posts: 6824
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2003 11:00 am
Vehicle: NA6
Location: Balgowlah

So my car is too low...

Postby StanTheMan » Sun Oct 04, 2009 2:15 pm

yes it makes a difference but not really a huge difference in height unless you are really putting in massive camber .It would be an absolute pig to drive.
Satans Ride called F33nix the resurrected NA6


Return to “MX5 Wheels, Suspension, Brakes & Tyres”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 132 guests