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New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 6:56 pm
by drpro
I am a new MX-5 owner. I have a 2006 GT with 6AT. I have discovered in the three months of ownership the wonderful world of after market accessories and upgrades for the Miata. I would also like to thank Brian for his advice on purchasing RB sway bars. I bought a pair last week and finally had the chance to install them today. I had a bit of a struggle with the front one since I was working alone, but finally got it in place, the rear was very easy. Put the wheels back on and went for a ride. Oh, my the car feels like it is on rails, this is a great improvement for $300 and four hours of my time. I had installed the front strut brace (Cobalt) back in December when they were on sale, I thought there was a small improvement, but for the money the RB sways over the factory sways is night and day.

My next step is to replace the factory shocks, so open the wallet and go for the Ohlins. I do have a couple of questions. I am strictly a street car person. I realize the front will be lower and new end links are necessary. Also in 8000 to 10000 miles I will be needing new tires and I would like to go to 215/45/17 or 225/45/17. I will probably stay with the factory rims, though maybe new wheels will be in my future by then. I believe I would stay with either 7" or 7.5" wide rims.

My main question is will the above tires and wheels work with the Ohlins coilovers.

So for Ohlins coilovers, what endlinks for the front of the car. I would also like to replace the rear endlinks at the same time, same question.
I understand that the rear coilovers will need the tophat from the rear factory shocks. Is it easier to rent a spring compressor to remove the old hats for reuse or just buy new hats. Also is it just the hats that are needed or some additional parts.
Finally as far as adjustments go can you preset them before installing or in order to install the Ohlins does everything need to be at its shortest dimension.

I know settings and rides are individual, however is there a setting for all four Ohlins that would be ball park for a street ride Miata.

Thanks
David in Nashvegas

Re: New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:52 pm
by Brian
Hi David

Glad you like those Racing Beat sways. The funny back story is that it took me about two years of begging my friends at Racing Beat to get them to finish that sway project. I just knew they would be popular and for the money they are an amazing mod.

Yes, any of those wheel and tire combos will work with the Ohlins. On the endlinks, we have Powergrid links for front and rear. If you don't lower more than about an inch you could skip the rear and just do the fronts (and our Racing Beat front links at $85 a set are a bargain). I would just use the rear factory hats again, getting the factory units apart is pretty easy with even a basic set of spring compressors that you can rent at many auto parts shops. As for settings, there is no magic combo, have fun experimenting according to what your local road conditions dictate and your own ride tastes.

Re: New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 8:47 pm
by drpro
Thanks for the quick reply Brian. It sounds to me the most adjustable way to go would be the Ohlins combined with the PowerGrid short front links along with the PowerGrid rear links, then I can tinker and still have the needed adjustablity. I also recollect reading in your coilover install directions about replacing a nut? something on the front coilovers with a nut and lockwasher. I assume this is metric. Would you by chance know the size and would a Lowe's or Home Depot metric nut be satisfactory?

I also read in your instructions to drive the car for some miles after the install and then have an alignment done. Do you have any recommended settings to use or would whatever the factory numbers are be ok?

Thanks
David

Re: New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:32 pm
by Brian
Yes, that nut is for the top of the assembly (holding on the hat). Sorry, don't recall the spec off the top of my head but HomeDepot or any hardware place would have it.

Re: New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 4:26 am
by Reitrof
Brian wrote:If you don't lower more than about an inch you could skip the rear and just do the fronts (and our Racing Beat front links at $85 a set are a bargain).
Brian, is Racing Beat planning to make a rear set?

Re: New sway bar install, next coilovers

Posted: Thu Feb 16, 2012 7:01 am
by Brian
Reitrof wrote:
Brian wrote:If you don't lower more than about an inch you could skip the rear and just do the fronts (and our Racing Beat front links at $85 a set are a bargain).
Brian, is Racing Beat planning to make a rear set?
I don't know, rear is less critical but they are looking into it.