UPDATE:
Since apparently we're children here, i need to set some ground rules for this thread.
DO: Post reviews of your setup, other setups, opinions on setups, experiences, anecdotes. Feel free to do these things by any means necessary. I don't care if there's a ton of profanity, if you compare a setup to the amount of times Uranus gets pounded by large objects at a high rate of speed, i don't care if you feel like saying your ebay sleeves and springs on your 200k worn out NA bilsteins is better than Xidas. That's your opinion and you're welcome to it. You may post your opinion on any setup being discussed, any ad copy being discussed, and you may compare your setup to anything you like.
DON'T: Personal attacks.
Example: "This setup gobbles huge bags of ****," not "You/he/she gobbles huge bags of ****."
Also DON'T: Post in this thread if you have no experience with budget bilstein setups, don't plan on learning about them, and just want to argue about things that you have no knowledge of. White knighting will not be tolerated, unless it's raving about how awesome your budget bilstein setup is.
Since this is my thread, and i'm a moderator, and this is one of the only good threads on this forum, i will enforce the rules. I may very well do so without warning. If you're worried about receiving a ban over a post, then don't make the post. Super simple stuff.
Budget Ballers, this thread is for you. You want real performance, but you're on a Ramen budget. You lust after Xidas, but you don't have the patience to save for them. You have the money for Megan Racing coilovers, but you're smart enough to know that they're complete and total garbage when it comes to performance.
You're in luck. Many Miatas came with shocks that are actually quite good. Your car might even have them. They're called Bilsteins. My guide will not go hugely in depth in terms of WHICH shocks are right for you. I will just give all information i have on them. This will focus mostly on length and which "fits" your car best. We can discuss the nitty gritty in subsequent post, and i'll update with info as it comes up.
Step 1: Choosing Your Shock
Step 2: Choosing Your Top Hats
A large portion of this will be determined by your shock choice, as well as your spring rate choice. We'll keep this simple: If you have travel issues and are riding on bumpstops constantly, these will need to be addressed.
From order of shortest to longest: NA, NB, Custom/ISC/Garagestar
Here's a general rule, obviously with many exceptions depending your budget, wants, and setup.
NB Shocks on NA: NB top hats all around possibly acceptable. Extended hats in the rear are a good idea.
NB Shocks on NB: NB top hats probably fine. Again consider extended rears.
MSM shocks on NA: NB top hats front, extended rear.
MSM shocks on NB: NB top hats probably fine. Definitely consider extended rears.
Lighter spring rates are MORE likely to need taller hats, as you'll be traveling more.
Basically, it's never a bad idea to spring for some NB top hats at a minimum. If you're using NB shocks, i'll just say that you NEED NB hats, or you're going to have a bad time. NA shocks on an NA, your call. Won't kill you if you're sprung properly.
Step 3: Choosing Your Springs
Step 4: Choosing your Bump stops
A large portion of this is determined by your budget and if you're interested in future-proofing your setup or not. I've linked the FCM bump stop guide in post #3 (link to be added later), that you can use for a basic guide.
Baller Setup #1 Swank Force Racing Approved Bump Stops:
Spend $72.16 on 4x Integra Speedthane bumpstops and hack them up. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ISS-310-3019-50
Start from the top. Cut off 30-35mm of the smallest diameter section and throw them on your shock shaft.
Then, IF USING NB or ISC hats, cut the second largest "disk" out of the bumpstop. (You'll see what i mean.) Retain that for later use. (FCM uses these in place of the upper rubber hat bushing, and so should you.)
Congratulations, for all intents and purposes, you just made FCM bumpstops.
You Like Ramen, But Only The Good Kinds Bump Stop #2:
For $46.88 + shipping, you can make a pretty decent setup that won't offend anyone. Buy four of these. http://www.acuraexpressparts.com/oe-acura/51722se0003
Cut to 25-35mm, throw over your shaft.
These are rubber, don't bother with the second disk like you would with the Swank Force Racing Approved Bump Stops, since this will just be like stock, but not fit as well. Throw the rest away, use stock bushings in your top hats.
You Only Want Bump Stops So You Don't Break Things:
Have i got great news for you! This will only be $25.28 + shipping. Buy four of these. http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle/jsp/item.jsp?srchwords=51722-SR0-003
Cut to 30-35mm, throw on shaft. Throw the rest away.
If you're someone that will use these, you're probably someone using Ebay sleeves/perches as well. These are the cheapest way to ensure that you won't blow out your circlips that your Ebay sleeves are sitting ON, instead of OVER. If you're going to do cheapass, do it right.
Should I Use Stock Bumpstops?
What i'm putting in this thread is not meant to be a Bible, so you can do what you want. However, i have a set of MSM bumpstops that i considered using. The problem is that they're REALLY soft, which sounds like a good thing, but also gives you the potential to TRULY bottom out your stuff, which feels REALLY bad. Try at your own risk. I will not recommend it.
Step 5: Do You Want Other Fancy Stuff?
POPULAR OPTIONS:
-Shocks anointed in garlic oil to ward off vampires
-Springs bathed in scented rose water carried in a bathtub touched by Jesus himself
-Bump stops created in my very own Feng Shui enhanced kitchen, cut by the very best Made in USA steak knife.
-Smiley Face Stickers to bring you joy inside
-Grounding straps to wear on your wrist to be connected to the car on the other end, ensuring the feeling of connection to your car
-Buttplug makes analysis probing simplified. Also brings you joy inside. Wallet removed from process.
-Never-ending supply of buzzwords
-Suspension chakra alignment
Teaser: I'll tell you how to build Swank Force Racing Zyduhz.
Zyduhz by concealer404, on Flickr
Since apparently we're children here, i need to set some ground rules for this thread.
DO: Post reviews of your setup, other setups, opinions on setups, experiences, anecdotes. Feel free to do these things by any means necessary. I don't care if there's a ton of profanity, if you compare a setup to the amount of times Uranus gets pounded by large objects at a high rate of speed, i don't care if you feel like saying your ebay sleeves and springs on your 200k worn out NA bilsteins is better than Xidas. That's your opinion and you're welcome to it. You may post your opinion on any setup being discussed, any ad copy being discussed, and you may compare your setup to anything you like.
DON'T: Personal attacks.
Example: "This setup gobbles huge bags of ****," not "You/he/she gobbles huge bags of ****."
Also DON'T: Post in this thread if you have no experience with budget bilstein setups, don't plan on learning about them, and just want to argue about things that you have no knowledge of. White knighting will not be tolerated, unless it's raving about how awesome your budget bilstein setup is.
Since this is my thread, and i'm a moderator, and this is one of the only good threads on this forum, i will enforce the rules. I may very well do so without warning. If you're worried about receiving a ban over a post, then don't make the post. Super simple stuff.
Budget Ballers, this thread is for you. You want real performance, but you're on a Ramen budget. You lust after Xidas, but you don't have the patience to save for them. You have the money for Megan Racing coilovers, but you're smart enough to know that they're complete and total garbage when it comes to performance.
You're in luck. Many Miatas came with shocks that are actually quite good. Your car might even have them. They're called Bilsteins. My guide will not go hugely in depth in terms of WHICH shocks are right for you. I will just give all information i have on them. This will focus mostly on length and which "fits" your car best. We can discuss the nitty gritty in subsequent post, and i'll update with info as it comes up.
Step 1: Choosing Your Shock
Step 2: Choosing Your Top Hats
A large portion of this will be determined by your shock choice, as well as your spring rate choice. We'll keep this simple: If you have travel issues and are riding on bumpstops constantly, these will need to be addressed.
From order of shortest to longest: NA, NB, Custom/ISC/Garagestar
Here's a general rule, obviously with many exceptions depending your budget, wants, and setup.
NB Shocks on NA: NB top hats all around possibly acceptable. Extended hats in the rear are a good idea.
NB Shocks on NB: NB top hats probably fine. Again consider extended rears.
MSM shocks on NA: NB top hats front, extended rear.
MSM shocks on NB: NB top hats probably fine. Definitely consider extended rears.
Lighter spring rates are MORE likely to need taller hats, as you'll be traveling more.
Basically, it's never a bad idea to spring for some NB top hats at a minimum. If you're using NB shocks, i'll just say that you NEED NB hats, or you're going to have a bad time. NA shocks on an NA, your call. Won't kill you if you're sprung properly.
Step 3: Choosing Your Springs
Step 4: Choosing your Bump stops
A large portion of this is determined by your budget and if you're interested in future-proofing your setup or not. I've linked the FCM bump stop guide in post #3 (link to be added later), that you can use for a basic guide.
Baller Setup #1 Swank Force Racing Approved Bump Stops:
Spend $72.16 on 4x Integra Speedthane bumpstops and hack them up. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ISS-310-3019-50
Start from the top. Cut off 30-35mm of the smallest diameter section and throw them on your shock shaft.
Then, IF USING NB or ISC hats, cut the second largest "disk" out of the bumpstop. (You'll see what i mean.) Retain that for later use. (FCM uses these in place of the upper rubber hat bushing, and so should you.)
Congratulations, for all intents and purposes, you just made FCM bumpstops.
You Like Ramen, But Only The Good Kinds Bump Stop #2:
For $46.88 + shipping, you can make a pretty decent setup that won't offend anyone. Buy four of these. http://www.acuraexpressparts.com/oe-acura/51722se0003
Cut to 25-35mm, throw over your shaft.
These are rubber, don't bother with the second disk like you would with the Swank Force Racing Approved Bump Stops, since this will just be like stock, but not fit as well. Throw the rest away, use stock bushings in your top hats.
You Only Want Bump Stops So You Don't Break Things:
Have i got great news for you! This will only be $25.28 + shipping. Buy four of these. http://www.hondapartssales.com/lisle/jsp/item.jsp?srchwords=51722-SR0-003
Cut to 30-35mm, throw on shaft. Throw the rest away.
If you're someone that will use these, you're probably someone using Ebay sleeves/perches as well. These are the cheapest way to ensure that you won't blow out your circlips that your Ebay sleeves are sitting ON, instead of OVER. If you're going to do cheapass, do it right.
Should I Use Stock Bumpstops?
What i'm putting in this thread is not meant to be a Bible, so you can do what you want. However, i have a set of MSM bumpstops that i considered using. The problem is that they're REALLY soft, which sounds like a good thing, but also gives you the potential to TRULY bottom out your stuff, which feels REALLY bad. Try at your own risk. I will not recommend it.
Step 5: Do You Want Other Fancy Stuff?
POPULAR OPTIONS:
-Shocks anointed in garlic oil to ward off vampires
-Springs bathed in scented rose water carried in a bathtub touched by Jesus himself
-Bump stops created in my very own Feng Shui enhanced kitchen, cut by the very best Made in USA steak knife.
-Smiley Face Stickers to bring you joy inside
-Grounding straps to wear on your wrist to be connected to the car on the other end, ensuring the feeling of connection to your car
-Buttplug makes analysis probing simplified. Also brings you joy inside. Wallet removed from process.
-Never-ending supply of buzzwords
-Suspension chakra alignment
Teaser: I'll tell you how to build Swank Force Racing Zyduhz.
Zyduhz by concealer404, on Flickr
