NC2 Suspension Options

[AndyT]

Much is discussed about coilovers and the for and against, I have read the threads. In particular that if fitting coilovers, the standard sways should be retained.

I was considering the TEIN Flex Z or MCA Blue coilovers. I don't want to lower the car too much, rather want a flatter, controlled ride. The car is likely to see 1-2 track days a year and a Motorkhana, otherwise a nice daily driver.

If I am not tracking the car though, why not Progress Technologies springs and either a Koni or Tokico strut? Sure they are a bit cheaper, will only lower the car no more than 20mm or so, yet still achieve my aim of a more comfortable, flatter cornering ride.....am I correct?

All this said, if I go down the path of springs and struts, versus coilovers, do I need to/is it necessary to do sways as well? Over to the collective wisdom of the forum

[JBT]

You can probably guess what I'm going to say. Seriously consider the after market lowering spring/adjustable shock/bump stop combo before going for ride height adjustable coilovers. The combo will work fine for track days too.

Run it with the standard sway bars initially. You can always add them later if needed.

I'm on Tein Flex Z ATM and Whiteline adjustable sways but the sways were already fitted. IF, repeat IF, I keep the Teins, I may consider going back to the original sways as there is now, IMHO, probably a bit too much roll stiffness for the street.

[AndyT]

Thanks JBT, it was your dilemma that got me thinking about more fit for purpose options for my car

[JBT]

If you're in the Brisbane area AndyT, you're welcome to have a drive of mine.

[pie5]

I have the Progress/Koni Combo with Whiteline Sways and I love it.
Comfortable for the street, yet not so low I can't get over all of the speed humps around where I live.
And they work really well for the couple of track days I do.

[JBT]

For what it's worth, photo today of mine at ride heights of 343 mm front and 335 mm rear - standard height with the Tein Flex Z.

[AndyT]

Lot's of good feedback thankyou. Seems to me springs/struts are more suitable for my purposes.

Pie5 did you by locally or from GWR in the US?

[Charlie Brown]

John,
Have you got your F/R heights the correct way around?
You should have 5 to 8mm rake when measuring from the sill pinch weld to the ground. The front being lower.
I run the same centre axle to wheel arch distance front and rear which gives a rake in the range above.

Andy T,
Tokico struts and lowering springs are definitely what you need. You get a far more compliant ride for a mostly road dríven car.
Adjustable sway bars is the following step but you may find the springs and struts are enough.

[JBT]

Yes Phil, all good. Measurements taken with full fuel. Photo above shows the car with full fuel on a pretty flat driveway. When the pinch weld/sill is level, the rear arch lip is a bit closer to the hub centre than the front. The sill rake on mine is down to the nose but, only by a few mm with full fuel. I may lower the fronts a couple of mm in the future as the rears can only go up by about 5 mm max to maintain minimum recommended engagement in the lower bracket. Or I might bump the rears up a few mm and the fronts down the same amount.

[Luke]

This is the problem with MX-5's, to many suspension choices.

As per Phils comments.
Don't go all out at first.
Do the springs and shocks first, see what difference it makes then make a decision if you want or need to add sway bars later on as they are relatively easy to change.
Plus depending on the balance of the car after the spring/shock change you can better judge which sway bar/bars to change and what size to get if required.

For example on my NB I went with Tein Street Flex Coilovers as it is mainly a track dríven car and comfort did not matter. I actually wanted Mono Sports but they were still under development at the time.
The car with this 1 change had a lot of oversteer and no traction on the track thanks to the very even 7/6Kg/mm front/rear spring rates.
I then removed the rear sway bar which balanced the car perfectly for me on track and it still has less roll than the standard setup with the benefit of less moving parts and lots of traction. Oh plus its low, probably to low for most people.

[pie5]

Lot's of good feedback thankyou. Seems to me springs/struts are more suitable for my purposes.

Pie5 did you by locally or from GWR in the US?

Purchased the Koni's locally and the Springs from GWR in the US.

[AndyT]

Excellent feedback thankyou and my decision seems relatively simple now. Progress springs and likely Tokico struts.
From experience having had TEIN coilovers and koni adjustables in other cars, once set, I never touched them again.

So last question, Tokico HP non-adjustable (blue) or Tokico HTS adjustable (red)???

What experience is out there?