Tein Coilovers

Entice · Postby **Entice** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:13 pm

Looking at a brand new set of Tein SS with 6/5 spring rates.. at a price too good to refuse...

given its dríven in a fun state, and given I could tolerate the Jap spec flexes in an NB... I think this will be a desirable (to me) package...

all at a cheaper price than a new set of BC's

so tempting....

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:48 pm

It's not as simple as just guessing a couple of spring rates. Springs, chassis and sway bars all act as one system.

Got to FatCatMotorsports suspension calculator for your car at http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FRC_1_6NA/FCM_MSDS_1_6NA.htm.

You'll notice that Mazda set it up with a ratio of front to rear bounce ratio of around 0.95 and front roll couple of 55%. The 0.95-0.98 BFR gives comfortable ride and balance. FRC of 55% gives neutral handling, FRC less than 55% means prone to oversteer, over 55% means prone to understeer.

If you plug in your 6/5Kg/mm (=335/279 lb/in) springs into the spring rates for the first row you'll see BFR jump to 1.15 and FRC plummet to 47.1%, meaning the car will feel choppy at the back and have chronic oversteer. i.e. good only for drift days. A 25mm front rollbar will correct the oversteer but the ride still won't quite feel as balanced as a stock LE. Removing the rear bar and using a slightly thinner front bar will give the same effect.

Alternatively watch how 7/4Kg/mm (391/223) preserves Mazda's original good choices for BFR and FRC but doubles the stiffness, so the car still feels as good but is much tighter in the twisties.

Entice · Postby **Entice** » Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:32 pm

interesting reading.

But, a novice question this may be, and I dont presume myself to be more knowledgeable than the plethora of information that is there, but Isnt alignment also to be taken into consideration, esp when considering over/understeer?

Further, I would assume the standard data they have there are for US spec vehicles? Ie, a 93 LE in USA was very different to a 93LE in Aus.

whichever way I decide to go, a decent chat to my aligners is in order.... I have been very happy with both guys I have used in the past, and both have had experience with MX5's...

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 6:44 pm

They're different things. Adjusting alignment and tyre pressure is all about getting the best contact patch on the road. It represents very fine, final tuning.

All the fundamental balance and ride stuff comes from varying springs, sway bar diameters and sway bar arm lengths in harmony with shock and bumpstop selections.

WASP · Postby **WASP** » Fri Oct 15, 2010 8:51 pm

A friend fitted the BC coilovers,daily dríven and weekend warrior,swears by them,and not that expensive.
WASP

Mr nanotech · Postby **Mr nanotech** » Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:19 pm

WASP wrote:A friend fitted the BC coilovers,daily dríven and weekend warrior,swears by them,and not that expensive.
WASP

Agree completely with WASP on this one. I've got mates running BC BR series coilovers as daily drivers and no problems at all when it comes to ride quality. If you want advice, ask Jeo on the forum, he just bought himself a new set of BC's. But to be perfectly honest I think the BC BR series are better value than Tein SS. Reason being that the SS don't have separate spring and height adjustments. By lowering and raising the car you also coil up or loosen the spring in the process as the adjustment is under the spring ONLY. The BR series have the height down the bottom and are a mono tube design similar to the monoflex Teins but way cheaper.
Cruise some forums and have a look around because BC are massive in the uk and the Nissan crowd love them. Brand new you can pick them up from Mania at about $1200 with a one year warranty. I'd definately consider this option before going to the SS, you'll get a better ride from what I hear and the design is virtually the same as the monoflex series Teins.