Exocet too low

[ciaoberto]

Hello good people!!

I wondered if I could tap into your collective excellence and maybe get my questions answered?!!

My Exocet is bottoming out (Sub-frame bolts onto the tarmac) I'm currently using springs and shocks from my donor vehicle. They were Mazdaspeed branded KYBs I believe, not sure on the springs...

I'm happy to spend some money on the right kit, but ultimately don't know what I really NEED?

1. Standard height springs? £100 ish
2. New shocks? £400 ish
3. New shocks and springs? £567.60 ish

I've been looking at the GAZ Classics on MX-5 parts as they say they allow 'up to' 35mm lowering from standard height, presumably I can have it higher using the adjustment?

What are you thoughts?

Can I provide any other info?

[jason82]

I have put standard shocks & springs on my kit & the rear lower wishbones were dead flat, giving it a nice ride height. With my Vmaax ones, the suspension drooped like mad. Standard is the way to go if you want ride height. I paid around £280 including vat & delivery from MX5 Heaven.

The standard springs will be stiffer than what they normally would be on an MX5 because the Exocet is a lot lighter.

Hope this helps !

[browno]

I am on gaz gold pro coilovers - which are very nice, but seem a little low even adjusted fairly high in their travel (I don't want to go too high and put loads of preload on the springs) - so I have ordered some 10mm shock top spacers from Jas performance to see if they will give that vital extra bit of room - at £38/pair, I figured they're worth a go just to get a little bit more height, and keep the preload reasonable.
Only ordered this week (just getting back in the garage, having done nothing over winter!) so will keep you posted once they're here and fitted.

[hammy3601]

I'm on MSR's which have a great range from an adjustability point of view. For perfection I would speak to Protech and get exactly what you what as an individual

[kiwicanfly]

Curious how a car with significantly less body weight than the donor be so low?

[jason82]

The chassis suspension pick up points appear to be set further in board, changing the shock angle. I have purchased a brand new o.e. spec shock & spring set, & the clearance is probably the best that it can be without using a dummy strut (suspension packer plates like used on the Exomotive Exocet).

I raised this subject last year before I fitted my suspension, because most of the cars on this forum at the time had droopy rear suspension, which I believed was bad for the suspension. Before putting my o e. Suspension on my kit, I tried the old vmaax coilovers out of interest & the clearance was really bad, even on maximum ride height. What I mean by really bad ride height, is thinking about driving on main roads, bearing in mind speed bumps etc.

If the pick up points were move out to the edge of the vehicle an inch or two, I believe that it would rectify the issue as the shocks are not on so much of an angle, straightening out the rear lower wishbones. I know that the suspension needs to be on a slight angle, but if it were to mimick the MX5 setup it should be good. After all, Mazda spent a shed load of money getting the car in standard trim to handle so well.