[lowandslow24]

I must first say that there is not a better company to deal with than FM when it comes to customer service and product support. I purchased the new adjustable VMAXX XXtreme "track pack" with the NB tophat conversion, and 500/300 spring rates which was at my door 4 days later.


I had a local race shop install it for me, along with an autocross alignment at the same time.


I must say, it rides very nice. I went from H&R race springs with old AGX's to this and it is night and day. The car is more planted, the bumps are absorbed on the street as they should be, and for it having 500/300 spring rates, it is not as rough as I thought it would be

There was one issue that my extremely talented and educated mechanic found out - with the tender or "helper" springs installed there was rubbing of the drive axle and the collars on the VMAXX. The only way to fix this issue was to take the coil overs off the car, apart, remove the tender springs, and reinstall. I know in all reality the tender springs do nothing... but this cost me $85 in labor and I wish this was known prior to installation. My 1991 is an unmoleted, one owner 130k mile car that is accident and abuse free. So I don't know what could cause this... any suggestions?


And I also found out through my mechanic that the adjustablity of the shocks are not the same from shock to shock. You can turn the knob all the way to the left and begin turning to the right to "stiffen" the shock. Well here is the thing, the stiffening is not the same with every shock. There is no way to tell what setting you are on, all you have is the little click sound. There is noticable pressure changes when you turn, but again, this varies from shock to shock at different "setting clicks"


Also, per FM's suggestions of ride height, the Miata looked like a 4x4. I know that their suggestions are probably for the softer spring rates of the sport setup or the older VMAXXs, so my mechanic just spun them down a little to where there would be no rubbing issues with my 15x8 6Uls and 205/50 R888s at autocross, and still have a good stance. It is now practical, planted, and looks great all at the same time.

So overall, I am very happy with the VMAXX adjustable setup. I just wanted to make these issues known prior to someone else buying them.


FM, you are wonderful and I am happy with the very afforadable setup you sell. Keep up the good work!

 

[brontosaurus]

And I also found out through my mechanic that the adjustablity of the shocks are not the same from shock to shock. You can turn the knob all the way to the left and begin turning to the right to "stiffen" the shock. Well here is the thing, the stiffening is not the same with every shock. There is no way to tell what setting you are on, all you have is the little click sound. There is noticable pressure changes when you turn, but again, this varies from shock to shock at different "setting clicks"

This is the difference between cheap shocks and nice ones. Consistency. If you're not dampening your springs the same way corner to corner, how do you think that's going to affect your handling? Cheap, adjustable shocks are more-or-less just a novelty.

(disclosure: I have some relatively cheap, adjustable coilovers :v that are more than likely just as inconsistent as yours)

 

[stormin'norman]

Lawl. Brainwashing at its best. Quick zomg everyone buy them.

 

[reversecaoboy]

I wouldn't praise a coilover that I have to take apart and remove a spring prior to install. I paid for them springs and I wanna use em!

 

[Tekel]

I would be more apt to think your mechanic did something wrong in this situation... I know these are new springs compared to the original vmaxx but they should be the same diameter and I have never read anything about rubbing issues with these. Might want to call FM and talk to them. The helpers are there to prevent droop.

 

[lowandslow24]

I wouldn't praise a coilover that I have to take apart and remove a spring prior to install. I paid for them springs and I wanna use em!

Well, I am not praising them... that is why I pointed this out. I do enjoy the ride quality though.

I would be more apt to think your mechanic did something wrong in this situation... I know these are new springs compared to the original vmaxx but they should be the same diameter and I have never read anything about rubbing issues with these. Might want to call FM and talk to them. The helpers are there to prevent droop.

This mechanic builds spec miata cars, is well known, and knows what he is doing. I have read some posts about rubbing on other brands, but these are new, so I wanted to point this out. Hopefully I won't get enough travel and experience droop that will cause a problem.

 

[lowandslow24]

This is the difference between cheap shocks and nice ones. Consistency. If you're not dampening your springs the same way corner to corner, how do you think that's going to affect your handling? Cheap, adjustable shocks are more-or-less just a novelty.

(disclosure: I have some relatively cheap, adjustable coilovers :v that are more than likely just as inconsistent as yours)

You are correct, although I have heard about other higher end brands doing the same thing...

 

[brontosaurus]

You are correct, although I have heard about other higher end brands doing the same thing...

I think you're confusing "street 2naz" high end with actual high end.

 

[concealer404]

What? KSports or Tein Basics aren't high end?

sadpanda.jpg

 

[ebruner]

I installed a set of these on my car this last weekend and encountered none of the issues your "mechanic" ran into. I currently have the car set at 12-1/4" front and 13" rear. I'm having a 6pt roll bar installed next week so with the added weight and settling I'm hoping to end up around 12" front 12.5" rear.

Overall impressions are quite positive so far. Granted the car currently has no roll bar installed yet so it bends and twists like a door hinge. I have the vmaxx dampers setup on the middle dampening setting front and rear and it seems close. If anything I might need to go a bit stiffer on the adjusters once the shocks break in.

I'm happy with the setup. I needed a setup that could handle mixed canyon, track and autocross. With the condition of the highway's and canyon roads around here I didn't want to run above a 500ish front spring (bad back).

I'll report back more once the roll bar gets installed and I get the car aligned.

 

[stormin'norman]

With the condition of the highway's and canyon roads around here I didn't want to run above a 500ish front spring (bad back).

Sure you could. It would just require ponying up the money for quality dampers.

 

[concealer404]

Sure you could. It would just require ponying up the money for quality dampers.

What he said.

 

[ebruner]

Sure you could. It would just require ponying up the money for quality dampers.

Fairly snobbish attitude IMO. There is always a time and place for one part over another. I made the decision to buy these based on research and knowing what i wanted to do with my own car. You are free to voice your opinion as this is a public forum but shitting on parts you have no experience with is pretty immature.

I'm not quite sure why I'm explaining myself as I feel no need to do so... however here goes. These are not an end game setup for me. I've owned this car for 12 calender months now and I'm sick of riding on 110k mile dampers. While ultimately I would like a set of Xida coils... I have other fish that need to be fried on this car. (clutch, motor burning oil, hans device, tires, sway bar, etc etc). That means I must pick and chose my battles and when to have those battles.

This suspension setup is a limited risk item for me. They have the spring rates and the ride height operating range that I am looking for. They also have the customer service that I desire right now in my current economical state and they are also available now. I was not comfortable with any of the other sub 800 dollar parts on the market for my use and also comfort on the street. This setup provides me with 2 years of new shocks at a spring rate more conducive to what I need to do. They will also hold resale value enough for me to sell them for 500 bucks once I am done with them in 12-24 months. Limiting my exposure to somewhere around 300 dollars. I weighed these options and I felt that the risk of a 300 dollar loss was worth not dealing with bounce/jounce/rattle and rolling that I currently have.

While I always appreciate your posts normin... you need to not sink to the level of those that are taking this forum down a notch. :roll:

 

[brontosaurus]

I don't think you need to justify buying cheap dampers --obviously the only reason anyone buys them is just that. Why are you so offended?

You could have bought a "good" setup, that being Konis (actually consistent dampers). Swift springs and a spring sleeve setup for the same amount as these mediocre quality Vmaxxes.

 

[ebruner]

I don't think you need to justify buying cheap dampers --obviously the only reason anyone buys them is just that. Why are you so offended?

You could have bought a "good" setup, that being Konis (actually consistent dampers). Swift springs and a spring sleeve setup for the same amount as these mediocre quality Vmaxxes.

I wouldn't classify koni's which are not built for a spring rate 5x the stock spring rate as any better than these. I've ridden in plenty of cars with that setup and between the issue of no spring rate at full droop in the rear and dampening not up to the task... I felt them to be inadequate. Also... I don't feel a koni setup is going to hold it's value like this one will. I'll end up getting low balled by stance brah's trying to resale a koni setup... where as with these I can just pop on over to m.net and offload them for a controlled loss.

Also... I'm not offended. I don't expect to get along with people on the internet nor agree with them. This is a public forum and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. People on this forum just like to give that opinion often without personal experience of a given product. :fp:

 

[concealer404]

I wouldn't classify koni's which are not built for a spring rate 5x the stock spring rate as any better than these. I've ridden in plenty of cars with that setup and between the issue of no spring rate at full droop in the rear and dampening not up to the task... I felt them to be inadequate. Also... I don't feel a koni setup is going to hold it's value like this one will. I'll end up getting low balled by stance brah's trying to resale a koni setup... where as with these I can just pop on over to m.net and offload them for a controlled loss.

Also... I'm not offended. I don't expect to get along with people on the internet nor agree with them. This is a public forum and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. People on this forum just like to give that opinion often without personal experience of a given product. :fp:

You're going to have to explain your sentiments of Konis not being able to handle a not horribly aggressive spring rate such as you have on your Vmaxxs. 500lbs is well-handled by "normal" Koni Yellows.

Sincerely,

Someone who runs 650lb springs on his Konis.

 

[brontosaurus]

I wouldn't classify koni's which are not built for a spring rate 5x the stock spring rate as any better than these. I've ridden in plenty of cars with that setup and between the issue of no spring rate at full droop in the rear and dampening not up to the task... I felt them to be inadequate. Also... I don't feel a koni setup is going to hold it's value like this one will. I'll end up getting low balled by stance brah's trying to resale a koni setup... where as with these I can just pop on over to m.net and offload them for a controlled loss.

Also... I'm not offended. I don't expect to get along with people on the internet nor agree with them. This is a public forum and everyone is entitled to their own opinion. People on this forum just like to give that opinion often without personal experience of a given product. :fp:

Not really sure where you got that idea about the Konis. Koni Yellows or Sports will easily handle those rates. Were you referring to yourself at the end of your post?

 

[ebruner]

You're going to have to explain your sentiments of Konis not being able to handle a not horribly aggressive spring rate such as you have on your Vmaxxs. 500lbs is well-handled by "normal" Koni Yellows.

Sincerely,

Someone who runs 650lb springs on his Konis.

In new condition I have really no problem with the Koni's other than how harsh they can be on So Cal FWY's on the stiffer settings on the dampers (IE rebound dampening that makes my ass come out of the seat on expansion joints). However, once the koni's have some time to do their work with the increased spring rate I find that their life is far too short and that leads to less than optimum dampening for both me and the next owner.

In addition the lack of ability to rebuild the koni's or to have them custom valved. Between these details I see the koni's as a non-starter for my use. That doesn't mean they are a bad setup by any means... I just think for my specific purpose and where I'm at with this car right at this moment... they were not the answer. I very seriously considered DIY'ing a set of coil overs myself but I came to the determination if I did so it would have been with bill's instead.

That being said if you peaked under my wife's speed3 you'd find koni yellows that I absolutely love. Same on the mini that I sold years ago.

Edit: one last beating to this dead horse. I do my best to not impose my experience, opinion or advice onto other people when not necessary. I almost always try to put any suggestions or posts into the context of my own situation. On that note... I am not looking to give people advice about koni's or DIY coil overs. That's not what this thread was about... it was just turned in that direction by other people.

 

[concealer404]

In new condition I have really no problem with the Koni's other than how harsh they can be on So Cal FWY's on the stiffer settings on the dampers (IE rebound dampening that makes my ass come out of the seat on expansion joints). However, once the koni's have some time to do their work with the increased spring rate I find that their life is far too short and that leads to less than optimum dampening for both me and the next owner.

Errrrr... if you don't run them at utterly retarded ride heights... they last a LOOOONNNGGGG time.

If they're harsh, then they're set up wrong, and that's that.

In addition the lack of ability to rebuild the koni's

Whoa, what? There's probably hundreds of shops around the US that rebuild Konis. I actually had mine rebuilt this past fall and... (to be continued after quote)

or to have them custom valved.

re-valved to "race spec."

It cost me a whopping $240 including shipping to have them all done to specs that will work perfectly with my setup.

Where exactly are you getting your (mis)information?



To clarify... i think we're all happy that you're happy with your purchase, but your methods of justification are a bit flawed.

 

[Tekel]

The more I read other peoples experiences, the more I am thinking your "mechanic" put your suspension together wrong. On m.net there are several people who have installed them and no notes like yours.