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Post by R2S on Mar 25, 2014 18:19:16 GMT
Just spent the afternoon reading up on suspension for MX5s and am now doing an impersonation of the bird that flies in ever decreasing circles until it disappears up its own xrse, there is so much info!
Looking for some guidance on Shocks, Springs and Bushes of which there are hundreds advertised on the internet.
Donor front shocks have had it so at the very least these will need replacing and as such it would seem sensible to replace all four, what with?
In the case of the springs i want to lower the car by at least 35mm (the fact that i am going quite high on tyre profiles means very likely car won't actually be lowered 35mm indeed it may well be higher!) but i don't want to turn the thing into a roller slate with rock hard suspension.
Bearing in mind everything is being stripped it would be sensible to replace ALL bushes but up to now i can't find a full kit for my 1998 MK2 set up (but strangely they are available for MK1's).
All thoughts, experience, guidance welcome.
I don't have an unlimited budget but neither to i want to cut corners.
R2S
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Post by gwnwar on Mar 27, 2014 5:43:58 GMT
As for bushing are the ones in the control arms shot or do you just want to replace them.. I know www.mossmiata.com/has a kit with them .. It looks like they are the same 90 to 05.. why not call a vendor or two to check.. If you drop the car 35mm with lowering springs you will end up with a rough ride as most of the spring are way heavier in rate then stock.. Do you plan on really closing the gap from top of tire to wheel well.. You might want to price a set of adjustable coil over shocks just get a light spring rate.. What is your car going to be used for.. racing or street/road use were you want a good comfortable ride..
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Post by R2S on Mar 27, 2014 6:51:31 GMT
gwnwar
Thanks for the link, its the first time i've seen a bush kit going from 90 to 05, to date the ones i've seen advertised are up to 97!
The planned 35mm drop is based on advice from John who has the Replicar in South Africa and i think Snowbird1 is looking for a similar drop.
In order to get the 50s look (I have the 15" x 7j wires from MEV) i was proposing to go to standard, 80, profile tyres (205 80 15) which will lift the car some way above standard so a 'drop' is a must and may well need to be even more than 35mm.
Car will be used for touring, around UK and Europe (still trying to work out where to store anything more than a toothbrush and carry a spare wheel) accordingly i am looking for compliant ride.
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Post by gwnwar on Mar 27, 2014 20:53:52 GMT
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Post by R2S on Mar 27, 2014 21:06:46 GMT
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Post by gwnwar on Mar 27, 2014 21:27:27 GMT
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Post by R2S on Mar 27, 2014 22:12:57 GMT
This was where i found out the 185s i was planning to fit weren't ideal as my wheels are 7j, was therefore looking to 195 80 15 but discovered Vredestein don't do the classic in this size and their 205 is a 70 profile and over £200!
Need to sort the suspension, set of Spax RSX suspension kit is looking favourite at moment as everything is matched and there is £165off at moment, first to establish clearance within arches but i'd still like to go as high profile as poss on the tyres for the 50s look (up side will be any stiffness resulting from suspension drop should be offset by more tyre wall to flex)!
Done loads more reading today, including the car bible, and common thread seems to be buy a matched set hence arrival at the Spax set up, haven't ordered anything yet though.
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Post by gwnwar on Mar 28, 2014 4:15:45 GMT
R2S...Try looking at 205 75 15 they are the same height 27" dia.(8" wide) as the 80s or 195 75 15 26.5 dia. 7.68 wide
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Post by jimmypatch on Sept 18, 2014 10:26:02 GMT
So have we come to general conclusion as to what is the "best" tyre size to go for? i was thinking of 205,70,15
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Post by jimmypatch on Sept 18, 2014 10:26:43 GMT
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Post by R2S on Sept 18, 2014 11:04:16 GMT
With the width of the wire wheel sup[plied by MEV I can't go below 195 and rim dia is 15, anything over 215 is likely to be too wide so I am probably with you at either 195 or 205. Took a picture of some on a Jag replica that had same wheels at Stoneleigh owner had used 215 65 15 Toyo Road Pro which are about £75 each. Will be sticking with the standard wheels and tyres for IVA to ensure I don't create any problems for myself. As for shocks I went for a set of Gaz Gold Pro which I have recently seen advertised at mega discount, paid £550 for mine but am sure they are being advertised somewhere at £450.
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Post by jimmypatch on Sept 18, 2014 12:39:43 GMT
I am going to get a cheap set of coilovers on eBay. and I will have to use the wire wheels for the IVA as the idiot who sold me the MX5 didnt give me the locking wheel nut key, so the wheels will have to be cut off. Not good
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Post by mawdo81 on Sept 18, 2014 12:46:40 GMT
You can normally get spare locking wheel nut keys. Speak to your local tyre place.
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Post by mawdo81 on Sept 18, 2014 12:48:36 GMT
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Post by R2S on Sept 18, 2014 14:12:49 GMT
If its the key type this sort of tool won't work as outer casing simply spins.
Can you get in with a dremel and grind off back of wheel stud that locking nut is on??
Just been watching Classic Car rescue and a chap had a bug with scooby engine in it looked very neat.
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