Racing Beat springs with Koni Special Active (red) shocks?

[MichelP793]

I'm leaning towards the Koni Special Active (red) shocks, which might lower my 2009 soft top a half inch from the old Bilsteins, depending on how much the Bilsteins are sagging. Got that. I don't want to lower the car any more than that because I have to go through a big dip to get in or out of my driveway. (City property, can't fill in the dip.)

The GWR listing for Racing Beat springs says, "Ideally suited for use with the stock Mazda shocks the Racing Beat springs will interchange exactly with the stock springs.… NO drop for 2009-2011 unless you add Koni SHOCKS."

The GWR listing for Koni Special Active shocks says, "they will ride better and handle better than the KONI STR-T. However, once we get into lowering and increased spring rates then KONI SPORT [yellow] is the way to go. Note that KONI recommends these ONLY with stock springs!"

If the Koni red shocks are good with stock springs, and the Racing Beat springs are good with stock shocks, will the Koni red shocks & Racing Beat springs be good together? If so I think they'd be perfect for me.

Thanks for any thoughts.

Update: just heard back from Koni NA: "Thank you for contacting us here at KONI NA. If the springs retain the factory OEM ride height, the Special ACTIVE dampers will work just fine. However, I would double check with Racing Beat to confirm their lowering amount as their website say lowers approximately ½”. It is recommended to use only stock height springs with the Special ACTIVE dampers on the MX-5." So I looked at the Racing Beat website. They only have springs for the 2006-08 soft top and the 2016-22 soft top. (Mine is a soft top.) The GWR website says Racing Beat springs are for 2006-15, will drop 2006-08 1/2 inch, no drop for 2009-15. So … ???

[Brian]

Koni says we don't know if you get the benefit if you don't use the stock springs. So, roll of the dice on results. Looking at other platforms and reviews I have found reviews are really mixed if the customer used Eibach or some other aftermarket spring. Thus, we cannot suggest Racing Beat or ANY SPRING BUT STOCK.

[MichelP793]

I appreciate your advice. 2 related questions.

(1) I assume Koni red + stock springs will ride better than Koni STR-T + Racing Beat springs. Will the STR-T+RB combo handle significantly better than red+stock?

(2) My car needs an alignment, I figured I'd do the shocks & maybe springs first. Should I use the alignment numbers in the Progress springs listing on the GWR website? Or will the fact it's still at stock height mean I need different alignment numbers? No track or autocross; a fair amount of curvy, hilly back roads; some interstate.

Thanks again.

[Brian]

If you want the RB springs....then I would match those with Koni Sport shocks.

Yes, for street toy the alignment numbers in our Progress Description are what we suggest. And you can often get those numbers even with stock springs (might be just a hair less camber available with stock springs).

[MichelP793]

Final questions:

Which bump stops? I want to improve handling for me while improving ride for my wife, so I'm going with Koni reds and stock springs. (I know, all I want is everything, sorry.)

Do I need the top hat bushings? My 2009 has 99,000 miles and I intend to keep driving it forever.

I will check with my installer about whether he can drill out the washers from 10mm to 12mm. If that's a problem I will order the washers with 12mm holes. As soon as I hear from him I will call GWR and order. Thanks so much.

[Brian]

Yes, at 99k miles I would do fresh top hat bushings because the old rubber top bits are going to be compressed and getting hard from age.

On the bumpstops, you have to pick those based on priority. Sport is handling priority, 'comfort' stops we offer are for max comfort but give up just a bit of crisp responsiveness.