Anyone tried GWR Progress springs on KONI Special Active (red) shocks?

[KenR415]

Wondering: Has anyone tried running these shocks with slightly-increased spring rates? Example: GWR Progress?

If so: Soft top or RF?
GT/GTS/Club/Sport? Model year?
Your ride & handling impressions?

My Miata is 2016 ND (ST)GT MT, daily driver.
All season UHP 215/45 on 8” rims.
I have both spring sets: stock and Progress. Will get the Special Active shocks — just deciding which springs to fit first.

Notes: The early ND GT had softer rears (80 lb/in) than Club (100) and later models, right?
KONI recommends Special Active (FSD) reds ONLY with stock springs.

Thanks!

[Brian]

KONI says these shocks are best used with stock springs. On other applications where this tech has been available for years we see that customers with stock springs are the most happy with this shock, not customers with lowering springs. Thus, though I am super curious about use of them with a spring that is very mild like the Progress Springs......we don't yet know if you get the magic dual nature of these shocks with any lowering spring on this application.

Yes, Club has 100 lb rear rate for better rotation.

[KenR415]

Hi Brian, As always, thank you for sharing your expertise with all of us!!!

FYI: Shocks received …thank you!
Back Story: I had planned on asking you if KONI might someday soon build them for the ND. Then…BOOM!!!…They did, and you added those to your inventory *and* even included them in your KONI SALE! Wow! My wish finally came true! Much appreciated!!!

Next: To satisfy your curiosity and mine, ha ha, I’ll be brave enough (or foolish) to try out this combination on my 2016 ND GT MT ST Daily Driver. First, I’d like your advice again, please: Which set of BUMP STOPS are most likely to be compatible with that combo?

Let me know, and I’ll make it happen.

Thanks again! Cheers and blessings, -Ken

[Brian]

If daily comfort is part of your goal here, then the comfort stops:
https://www.good-win-racing.com/Mazda-P ... 790ND.html

[KenR415]

Yes, comfort + a slight edge in spring rates.
So, the GWR 46/46 Comfort Bump Stop Kit.
Got ‘em already. Thanks again! Cheers!

[Brian]

By the way, two perch positions on the ND/Fiat 124 version. That means you can keep original height or take advantage of fact that KONI are lower pressure and you can lower the car some even with the stock springs.

[KenR415]

Many thanks for that info sheet Brian!
So #1 perch it will be for Progress springs.
Cheers and blessings to you & your crew.

[Brian]

Since KONI says over and over that those are just for stock springs we will be interested in your feedback with Progress Springs. Do the shocks have the magic with mild spring rate upgrade like the Progress springs offer?

[TomK629]

I'd be interested to hear how this goes as well. The Koni SAs have been available for some time in the Euro car world and there are many posts in teh Porsche & BMW forums by drivers having good results with Koni SAs and MILD lowering springs (typically Eibach on those platforms). I recently installed Eibach pro-kit springs (progressive and ~1" lower than stock US height) on my 996.1 with Koni SAs + shorter bump stops and am very happy with the full dual/active nature of these shocks with the Eibach springs. I would not be surprised if the Miata world figures out which lowering spring combo (if any) plays well with the Koni SAs. Good for you for being the guinea pig.