As some of you are aware I recently had the MCA X-C series coilovers installed on my ND. As it's been a couple of weeks now and I've been able to put a thousand or so KMs on them I thought to share my thoughts on how they're going with the community here. I'll try to translate my driving thoughts into words as best I can however I'm by no means a professional writer.
Warning: Here Be Lengthy Discourse.
Background
Suspension tuning is part art and part science. The art aspect will come into what the driver wants for the car in a given set of conditions. After all, if it was pure science, it'd make setting up a F1 car a lot easier, don't you think? Feedback from the loose nut behind the wheel is part of it (the art).
Understanding what the car is going to be used for is as important for the driver as it is the person/ people designing the parts. Sometimes I'll hear of, or speak with, drivers who installed a part they're ultimately unhappy with because it's purpose is different to the drivers or it's not of a high standard. I get that.
I think I read everything I could get my hands on online from this and other enthusiast forums. I researched spring rates and what it means to the overall setup. I spoke with friends who are enthusiast sports car drivers like me. I spoke with mechanics and garages. Learning lessons from trial and error can be a part of building your ideal car. Likewise, it's important to work with a company that knows the car and has an extensive background in suspension.
With that in mind, I was very clear about what I'm looking for - my ND is a daily drive that sees me put 2,000km a month on the odometer. I wanted a suspension setup that was going to be well sorted for general duties with added adjustability for when I wanted a more sporting ride through the hills on the weekend or a club track day.
For those that are familiar with it, I had in mind something similar to the adjustable damping from my F30 3 series. Comfort mode for around town. Sport mode for more spirited endeavours.
What I didn't want was a harsh, jittery, bouncy, slammed, POS ride.
I joked to a friend at training one night that my fiance caught me looking at stuff online that I shouldn't be - suspensions mods
Why MCA
I went with MCA Suspension as they design and manufacture custom made coilovers built to suit each customer's requirements and car. If you want to read more about the company, go here-> https://mcasuspension.com/about. While this business isn't as well known overseas to the general public, they've a well deserved reputation locally and internationally with the motorsport community.
I'd almost be mad not to choose MCA in hindsight when I have such a quality suspension engineering and manufacturing business almost local to me, however I took the time to research there were a few things which one me over:
30 years of history and reputation in motorsport community
Positive reviews across many platforms
Build quality
Customisation
Engagement
I had a chat to Josh Coote about what I was looking for and decided to get the X-C series (purple) coilovers with spring rates of 9/3.5 kgf/mm F/R, what they recommend for the ND to match a sportier setup on the X-C series coilover. Other choices are available, but honestly after using these I reckon they're bang on.
To help understand spring rates, stronger springs at the front make sense as there is a) more weight up that end, b) the motion ratio at the rear is different to the front, c) springs need to be matched to the shock absorber. The X series come in a few flavours and offer a bit more when compared to the Blues (which still rate highly) however I figured if I was going to spend some hard-earned on this I'd do it right - Red and Gold are going too far for my application, X-series seemed just right. The website has a good comparison of the different types of coilover they have on offer (Blue, X-series, Red, Gold). https://mcasuspension.com/suspension
Thoughts after install
I couldn't be happier, MCA have absolutely nailed it in terms of delivering what I wanted. After playing around with damper settings I have two "go to" settings for both around town/ highway use and sportier, twisty road endeavours.
For those of you who haven't experienced a quality aftermarket suspension setup, it might be hard to imagine the difference. I'll call out some of the characteristics that stood out to me:
Composure - bumps and holes in the road are soaked up beautifully. They no longer unsettle the car as much as stock suspension. I actually went looking for bumps in the road and would laugh at how the car dealt with them now.
Far less diving under firm braking.
Far less pitching up under acceleration
Less body roll
More comfortable ride with improved handling (the holy grail!)
For reference, my Comfort setting is 8/10 back from hard (MCA use 12 adjustments) and my Sport setting is 4/8 back. Sport+ is 0/2 or 0/3 back, I'm still working out which I prefer best there. FWIW I added the adjuster extenders which make changing the rear settings a breeze. They tuck up nicely out of the way too. MCA advise against changing OEM sway bars when using their suspension.
In terms of ride height sitting at 35cm/ ~13 3/4" from the centre of the wheel to the top of the wheel arch/ fender on all four corners. My front lip (I have the Mazda aero kit, not the stock lip) is 14cm/ 5 1/2" from the ground. IIRC this makes the car about 2.5cm/ 1" lower than stock.
Final comments
A few shout-outs to those that helped- Josh, Murray and the staff at MCA, Jeff at Automotive+ for the install, Ken at Accurate Suspension for the alignment work. Thanks guys, appreciate all your work with Hiro and making this investment in his performance a reality.
Hope this helps the community out if you're thinking of taking the plunge with what I think is the single best performance modification you can make to the ND.
[ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
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- MikeVictor
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[ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
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- Gladiator
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
I'm glad you're happy with them. I've got MCA reds on my NA & love them. I also found Josh & the other staff excellent.
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"I'd rather a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy"
1990 Silver Eunos NA6
1990 Silver Eunos NA6
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
good review
I use the reds on a couple of different cars and they are fantastic. I was at a track day last week with a customer I sold an ND to who had standard suspension and I gave him a drive of my ND with the reds in it. He ordered a set for his car the next day
I use the reds on a couple of different cars and they are fantastic. I was at a track day last week with a customer I sold an ND to who had standard suspension and I gave him a drive of my ND with the reds in it. He ordered a set for his car the next day
- MikeVictor
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
thanks guys
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- MikeVictor
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
I was fortunate to be invited out to Lakeside this Sunday past by my mate in the Renault club, which were able to run a club only happy lap session for about 40 minutes before the Euro car day kicked off and madness ensued (I saw in car video of a P-plater in E36 or 46 spinning out overtaking a Focus past the Carousel and missed it's nose by a bee's d*!@, but that's another story).
Without a doubt this was the most enjoyable session I've ever had around that circuit, and that's with taking cars and bikes there for 20 years.
The MCAs had a lot to do with this, I wouldn't have liked to have dríven the way I did in the stock suspension. For reference, I put the fronts on full hard and two clicks back on the rear. Seemed to work a treat for my driving at 8/10ths, the car was always planted and had plenty of control. Never bouncy or jittery. Overall it was an absolute pleasure to punt around the track and reinforces my philosophy that everyone who considers themselves a "Driver" should own a MX-5 once in their life. I know I'm preaching to the converted here.
I can see where the X-Rs would come into their own here if you were being very serious about your track time, however for my car and the fact it's a DD I'm confident I made the right choice here. Given the chance to go 10/10ths I reckon the X-Cs would still do a great job too.
Only problem from the whole day was that I think some of the poor Renault guys see racing lines as those stripes you put on your car...
Without a doubt this was the most enjoyable session I've ever had around that circuit, and that's with taking cars and bikes there for 20 years.
The MCAs had a lot to do with this, I wouldn't have liked to have dríven the way I did in the stock suspension. For reference, I put the fronts on full hard and two clicks back on the rear. Seemed to work a treat for my driving at 8/10ths, the car was always planted and had plenty of control. Never bouncy or jittery. Overall it was an absolute pleasure to punt around the track and reinforces my philosophy that everyone who considers themselves a "Driver" should own a MX-5 once in their life. I know I'm preaching to the converted here.
I can see where the X-Rs would come into their own here if you were being very serious about your track time, however for my car and the fact it's a DD I'm confident I made the right choice here. Given the chance to go 10/10ths I reckon the X-Cs would still do a great job too.
Only problem from the whole day was that I think some of the poor Renault guys see racing lines as those stripes you put on your car...
ND GT with a loose nut behind wheel
Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
Nice Review..
I was recommended the X-R variant for street use over X-C for some reason. Then the Perth recommended installer/dealer for MCA said I wouldn't need more the MCA Blue's for street use. (I want a better setup over stock that isn't silly low but don't want to take away from the stock comfort) My Lotus Exige has the duty of breaking my back haha.
Are these really worth the price difference compared to say Tein Flex Z, ST X or the Blues as suggested by the dealer?
I was recommended the X-R variant for street use over X-C for some reason. Then the Perth recommended installer/dealer for MCA said I wouldn't need more the MCA Blue's for street use. (I want a better setup over stock that isn't silly low but don't want to take away from the stock comfort) My Lotus Exige has the duty of breaking my back haha.
Are these really worth the price difference compared to say Tein Flex Z, ST X or the Blues as suggested by the dealer?
- MikeVictor
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
Vex wrote:Nice Review..
I was recommended the X-R variant for street use over X-C for some reason. Then the Perth recommended installer/dealer for MCA said I wouldn't need more the MCA Blue's for street use. (I want a better setup over stock that isn't silly low but don't want to take away from the stock comfort) My Lotus Exige has the duty of breaking my back haha.
Are these really worth the price difference compared to say Tein Flex Z, ST X or the Blues as suggested by the dealer?
I think have a read of the MCA website and you can easily see the difference between the Blues, X series and others. I also reckon you might have answered you own question about whether to opt for the X-Cs and X-Rs if you have a Lotus to take care of the back breaking duties! I'm quite happy with the X-Cs set to 5/8 back from hard for daily use, so there's still plenty of room to make them harder if I wanted.
The time I spent at Lakeside I don't think I've ever enjoyed pushing a car or bike around as much as I did my ND that morning, it was just sublime.
So as far as the X-Rs go, I think take Josh at his word that they're the "R"ace spec. If that's what you have in mind for your car, all good, if not, perhaps opt for the X-Cs or Blues if you want to save $500. I reckon $500 will soon be forgotten though and the improved components worthwhile. Again, never be afraid to spend someone elses money!
Let us know how you go mate and happy travels.
ND GT with a loose nut behind wheel
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
I went the Eibach Springs and Eibach Anti Roll Kit and found that it greatly improved the cars handling overall..
I always usually go KW, MCA or Cusco coil overs with my previous cars but glad I went with Eibach's this time around...
Great review btw!
I always usually go KW, MCA or Cusco coil overs with my previous cars but glad I went with Eibach's this time around...
Great review btw!
- MikeVictor
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
ND1.5 wrote:I went the Eibach Springs and Eibach Anti Roll Kit and found that it greatly improved the cars handling overall..
I always usually go KW, MCA or Cusco coil overs with my previous cars but glad I went with Eibach's this time around...
Great review btw!
Thanks mate.
The Eibach springs are a good first step I agree, however if the wallet permits they're not a patch on a set of well made coilovers where the springs and dampers are matched. MCA advise against changing the roll-bars with their setup and recommend keeping stock.
ND GT with a loose nut behind wheel
- MikeVictor
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Re: [ND] MCA X-C series coilovers installed and reviewed
Quick settings update - the 4/8 back from H as the recommended setting for sporty driving is still my go-to, however for a more compliant daily/wife-mode I've been using 6/8 back. I know I mentioned 5/8 previously however I reserve the right to be wrong and would suggest it wasn't quite enough and the extra click toward soft just makes the front end that bit more compliant. It's a perfect setting for longer highway drives and scooting around town in traffic if you're not going near the hills for a while.
ND GT with a loose nut behind wheel
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