The Miata

[hotrodalex]

Sawzall the shocks half, cut out half an inch, weld back together.

[MrH]

Either go slightly shorter/stiffer springs, or lower the spring seat. You can usually just cut another snap ring groove in the tube, but I wouldn't recommend it with pressurized shock.

Do you have any measurements on the stock shocks? I can pull the prints for the bilsteins to compare.

[hotrodalex]

Can you change the mount any? Like this Mustang.

[Rich]

Either go slightly shorter/stiffer springs, or lower the spring seat. You can usually just cut another snap ring groove in the tube, but I wouldn't recommend it with pressurized shock.

Do you have any measurements on the stock shocks? I can pull the prints for the bilsteins to compare.

I'll see what I can pull up.  I'd like to keep the stock springs if I could.

I'll be taking the car in tomorrow for coolant flush, spark plugs, and to check the valve clearance.  It's started to sound like an old air cooled VW. 

I get a new top and the seat tear fix done on Monday.  Otherwise, it's running like a top at about 120k miles.  I'm loving the new shocks/steering rack bushing.  Feels great cruising at 90mph.

[Rich]

I'll see what I can pull up.  I'd like to keep the stock springs if I could.

I'll be taking the car in tomorrow for coolant flush, spark plugs, and to check the valve clearance.  It's started to sound like an old air cooled VW. 

I get a new top and the seat tear fix done on Monday.  Otherwise, it's running like a top at about 120k miles.  I'm loving the new shocks/steering rack bushing.  Feels great cruising at 90mph.

turns out the tick was just a loose spark plug.  Quiet as a mouse now

[Rupert]

Did the NB still have the hydraulic lifters?

[Rich]

Did the NB still have the hydraulic lifters?

Solid lifters

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Really?

Maybe thats the noise I've been hearing.

[Rupert]

The hydraulic lifters in the NAs clatter when the oil passages get a little clogged.

[Rich]

Re: The Shocks... this is what the tire rack dude sent me:

Hello Mr. Tucker,

REf./#N709827

Thank you for your good follow up.

There is no reasons for which your vehicle should have "grown" 1.5" after installing these Bilstein...

We can only think of two reasons:

-  Wrong part were shipped to you.
-  Installed front dampers on the rear and vice-versa?

Cordially,

Reggie
If you order online, please reference "Reggie" on the order as a previous contact. Thank you.

Reggie Bourlier  |  Sales Specialist

[Rich]

Front PN:  24-065580
Rear PN: 24-065597

Double checked the Bilstein part number on the shock vs the tirerack website and they match.

Next up are a new top, fix the console hinge, wheel refinishing (the polished lip clearcoat is chipping off), FM springs, and depowering the steering or getting a manual rack. 

[Rich]

My friend brought the car into the shop to see if the spring perches were on upside down. Shop said they are on correctly

[Rich]

I've finally made contact with a couple of shops back in the UK to have the work done. Big things are coming haha. The highlights will be

Seam welding the sills and where the A-post meets the body
Frog arms
Flyin Miata springs and new bump stops
Control arm bushing replacements
New top
I've done even more reading about NB shocks and springs. It turns out that Bilstein HD shocks do raise the car some, so I'll go with the FM lowering springs to bring the ride height back to just a little less than where it was before the shocks. Apparently the FM springs also mate up well with the HD shocks.

I'm just going to wait for the power steering to crap out or start crapping out before I make the decision to de power or get a manual rack for it.

[12,000 RPM]

I heard Miatas have short suspension travel in general.... have u thought about coilovers? Those would eliminate that problem, and some of them are not complete crap.

[Rich]

I bought and have the bilsteins installed already anyway. If I keep it long enough I'll either go back to the stock springs and kyb shocks, maybe try out coilovers.

I'm most excited about the seam welding, frog arms, and bushings. I've heard they make a lot of difference.

[Rich]

I've ordered a stock steering wheel off of e-bay.  I'm going to try my hand at re-wrapping the wheel with new leather from Redline Accessories.  I aint got nothing but time here.

[AutobahnSHO]

I've ordered a stock steering wheel off of e-bay.  I'm going to try my hand at re-wrapping the wheel with new leather from Redline Accessories.  I aint got nothing but time here.

That would be cool!   I've also seen "paracord" wrapping junk (550cord) on pinterest.

[Rich]

That would be cool!   I've also seen "paracord" wrapping junk (550cord) on pinterest.

I plan on doing black leather with silver stitching.

I've gotten it worked out I think. I sent an e-mail to my friends that are watching the car for me to have it brought the 3 hours to this place : http://www.themx5restorer.co.uk/

If all goes as planned it'll be dropped off in early September, and I'll pick it up in November.

[Rich]

Big Things are Coming

[FlatBlackCaddy]

You bought a shifter boot and bump stops?

Big things?

[Rich]

A new top and seam welding too

[Soup DeVille]

You bought a shifter boot and bump stops?

Big things?

Improved bump stops, philistine.

[MrH]

$50 for jounce bumpers?!  That's highway robbery.

[Rich]

Due to my awesome sewing and planning skills I've run out of thread, at least a useful length of it. I'll head to the bazaar Sunday and see if they have a matching thread there, I'm sure they do.

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Sewing?

That's womens work.

[Rich]

I make a bad ass sandwich too.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Nice skin

[MX793]

Are you actually sewing the leather or just lacing through the provided accent stitching?

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Should have went with Alcantararara

[FlatBlackCaddy]

Are you actually sewing the leather or just lacing through the provided accent stitching?

Looks like its just looping through the accent.