Suspension Setups

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

Today I'm planning on Installing my Bilstein HD's, FM Springs and FCM Bump Stops. I can't wait to see how it handles. What have you got done and how do you like it?

Originally I was planning on sticking it out in E-stock this year but yeah... I like modding :cool:

[caseyfoster]

RE: Suspension Setups

Are we doing this today?

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

RE: Suspension Setups

Oh yes. Need to amass lots of Gatorade, possible Taco Bell, no doubt countless visits to Pepboys, and a pint of vodka for the eventual celebration.

[thx712517]

RE: Suspension Setups

2001 Mazda Miata C-Stock setup

RB 1.125" hollow front bar
Gearhead Garage adjustable end links
Koni Sport OTS adjustable shock absorbers
-1.5 front camber
-2.2 rear camber
Close to zero toe at all four corners
Front caster maxed out
Stock 15X6 Miata wheels painted black for ultimate speed
Very old V710 slicks

I like it a lot. Very good at transitions if you're smooth (my car doesn't like getting jerked around), takes a set quickly and is very easy to balance through a sweeper with the throttle. There's a bit more understeer than I could care for even with a decent pressure differential in the tires, which is why I'm looking into getting some of FCM's crazyweird bump stops.

[caseyfoster]

RE: Suspension Setups

Sweet setup kevin, about how long have you been auto crossing?

[thx712517]

RE: Suspension Setups

I started in 2007 a month after buying the car. I was 21 at the time, which is why the car is 21 CS. I only made it to two or three events total in 2007, so I ended up building up the car and getting ready for the 2008 season. I've been to every event for the ARSCCA this season, although I'll be missing the August 9th event because of the family vacation. I went from fifteen seconds behind first place to two seconds, sometimes less. I'll place first one of these days.

[Jack-MX5ATLanta.com]

RE: Suspension Setups

wow that's quite a decrease in times, pretty much what I'm waiting for to happen to me.

[caseyfoster]

RE: Suspension Setups

At all the auto crosses that i have been to that you were there, it seemed that you were absolutely raping the track. Keep up the good work, you should elaborate on your suspension set up a little more. Like what you have changed here and there to get better times at the track.

[thx712517]

RE: Suspension Setups

Me raping the track? Really? Sam Mobley is the one I usually associate with autocross domination. He's come in first place for almost every race he's entered. The guy's my C-Stock idol, I look up to him and Jim and David and what they're able to do.

I recently fixed my front swaybar. I had used an impact gun on the bolts for the swaybar clamps and that had tightened it down so far the bar didn't actually move up and down without a considerable amount of force. I went back in there, added some washers, and tightened things down moderately. The bar moves very easily now without a hint of stubbornness. Of course I had to put on the Mazdaspeed swaybar mounts. Those things are a real ***** to install. Mazmart and R-Speed both refused to do it, and after I was finished, I understood why.

I run shocks at full stiff on all four corners. It's easy and repeatable. Tire pressure up front is usually 26 to 29 psi, with the rears at 24 to 25. Doing it that way helps me to keep the car planted in corners and lets me get onto the throttle pretty quick without worrying about spinning it out. I'm going to be playing around with the settings on the rear shocks at the test and tune August 30th, to see if I can soften them up a bit and run more equal tire pressures without introducing a lot more understeer into the car. The biggest thing that I'm always told is to look waaaaaay ahead, don't coast, and don't be afraid to spin out.

[simontibbett]

RE: Suspension Setups

My setup right now:

Tein springs
KYB AGX shocks
Seam welded chassis
OPM strut bar
Flyin Miata sway bar
ALL metal bushings
Roll bar welded in
Dont remember my alignment specs.

I am going to upgrade though, shocks to something different, and a LOT stiffer springs.

[thx712517]

RE: Suspension Setups

Who seam-welded your chassis? What difference did you notice after it was done?

[metalman]

RE: Suspension Setups

My 'for looks' street setup :D.... Koni adjustables, Eibach ProKit springs, FCM bumpers, and on my project car, Konis, Ground Control coilovers w/crap *** cut oem bumps. Have NB tops on hand that I will likely convert to when I stop being lazy.

[simontibbett]

RE: Suspension Setups

Who seam-welded your chassis? What difference did you notice after it was done?

Previous owner did it, not sure what difference, I know the car is a rock though and not the most comfortable dd lol but I like it like that ;)

[caseyfoster]

RE: Suspension Setups

Great write-up guys, solid information there. Tell your other miata autox buddies to get on here and throw down some of their information.

[redrumracer]

RE: Suspension Setups

all i have is sleeved coil overs that came with the car :(