Maximum Grip: Choosing & Installing Coilovers on the Main Miata

My tips on coilover tuning:
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[@_Gingium_]

You gotta come up with a better name than "Main Miata" for this car Greg!

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

+Gingium My subscribers basically named it that lol. I'd just call it "the red car" if I didn't have 2 of them

[@dennisbijdeweg7818]

Since it's gonna be fast, u can call it the "Red Rocket". perfect name

[@sethalton205]

The Pocket Rocket ;)

[@TheYz250fmf]

TheCarPassionChannel the mustang killer...

[@baron1c]

TheCarPassionChannel awwwwww u playa playa! Main Miata and a side Miata too! Nice... 😂 PS you should put the street coilovers on broke and boosted if they are indeed still good

[@BecauseMiata]

Thank you Greg! I'm still budgeting for coilovers, and with your discount...I can now add PowerTrix to my short list to choose from.

[@Bbeavis]

Winding up the spring seat does not increase the spring rate.

[@Nebbia_affaraccimiei]

this needs 100 likes.

[@FlorecentTurtle]

yep.

[@OldAssSax]

Progressive springs?

[@philjones5728]

Brendon, you're right about the spring rate staying constant (Hooks Law) 8¬D . Greg probably meant that more force is initially needed to compress the spring once a pre-load is added to the spring 'as if' the spring rate had been increased (even though it hasn't). It just means that more force through the suspension is needed to get the same amount of compression making the car 'feel' stiffer. Still a great video though.

[@kevinc9006]

So you think

[@LiamDrives]

I enjoyed the video. You should do a video first hand, adjusting the dampening in a canyon. Would be cool to see you explain how different dampening affects how the car drives.

[@Krautastic]

Hey Greg, one thing that would make a great addition to the video is a note about not over torquing the rear lower shock bolt. And to be careful on removal. There's a square nut held in with a weld cage inside the A-arm. Over torquing or not using some penetrant on removal can cause the cage to break away, and you're stuck either replacing the whole A-arm or cutting an access window into the lower A-arm to get access to the nut. Both are options that are not fun. I remember vividly trying to fit an a-arm with still attached shock into my garbage can when I did this years ago. It's also when I realized my torque wrench had newton meters on one side and ft lbs on the other, and you should really make sure you're looking at the correct side.

[@twincamuuu]

Most informative car related channel 👍

[@MiataMods]

Yet another awesome video Greg! Thanks for taking the time to make this video, this will help a lot with my own coilover install. Good luck with the VVT project!

[@Patrick94GSR]

Hey this is an informative, well-made video. However one correction - adjusting the spring preload does not change how stiff the spring is. The spring still has the same physical spring rate. The only thing that changing spring preload does (aside from changing ride height) is change the amount of load required before the spring starts to move. Since it's a linear rate spring, after that minimum load is reached (which it will be with the weight of the car on the spring), the spring behaves the same regardless of where the preload perch is located.

[@GearHeadsGarageChannel]

2:56 "The Christmas of Handling" =D Its already that time again? Seriously tho I'd be careful taking the coilovers in and out like that without removing the longbolt etc., might damage an adjuster D= I know I wouldn't be able to with the ones I'm running. Also, for anyone curious Powertrix coilovers are great! I ran them on my car for awhile and now my buddy is running them on his, fair price for a quality product!

[@Krautastic]

I agree. Not only that, but the stock suspension can't come out that way. You can do the ball joint method to get enough suspension movement, but the stock shocks will still be difficult to pull out. Only reason I ever did ball joint method was I was running the mazda comp sway bar blocks, and the long bolt wouldn't line up with the through hole on them. Long bolt is by far the best.

[@brich88]

Nothing is rusty, must be nice not to live where it doesn't snow

[@NoGrip]

bryan richardson or rain. or where they salt the roads. These jobs can x10 the amount of time taken in the UK

[@brad_a9088]

Im not sure if my 91 will pass MOT, its rusty as fuck

[@12101DyM]

bryan richardson if you hate rust Texas is the place to go. The only rusty cars here are cars that came from up north

[@therealboofighter]

I daily my MR2 in Alberta, we don't use a lot of salt on our roads. Things will still rust, but not as fast.

[@TeunS133N]

bryan richardson or u should have luck, i have minor rust at the wheel arch on one side. nothing more

[@GearHeadsGarageChannel]

Welcome back to the Greg train!

[@BlockchainOdin]

Awesome video mate! Gonna start binge watching more of your videos now I'm an MX-5 Owner😂

[@jacobwalton1720]

Boosted hii boosted

[@joewhirl473]

Don't know how I was never subscribed to your channel, been following since before broke and boosted! Keep up the good work man

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Joe Whirl KZbin had a little apocalypse where tons of people got unsubbed from channels :/ Glad you're back!

[@nismo2992]

Greg, I feel deceived because removing the stock shocks with lowering springs was pretty much impossible to remove unless I Jerry rigged some zip ties to the spring to keep it a bit compressed and the struggle was real 😭 Anyways the video did help 👍

[@jonnyviking1764]

One thing I found out recently when I had to adjust my springs on my coilovers is that you can take the top nut off without an impact. Most coilovers have a flat section on the threads on the top shaft where you can get a wrench on it so you can hold the main shaft in place while tightening the top nut. You can kinda see it in the video during the close ups

[@natemorris535]

Video quality continues to improve, keep it up man!

[@topdowntom312]

It's pretty awesome they gave you/us that mega discount! That speaks to your channel, Greg!

[@KevFromLA.]

dude thank you so much for your videos, I'm getting my miata tomorrow . I'm going full youtube, thanks to you I'm so educated when it comes to miatas! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BROTHA! Thanks for the discount too

[@frankraymond4627]

Good video as usual. I appreciate that you don't cuss in your vids. I can watch your stuff with my younger kids and not have to worry about language. I've been known to drop an f-bomb, but not in front of the kids. Nice!

[@colin_g]

fuck yeah!

[@frankraymond4627]

colingreczkowski nice 🙄

[@PorusniucCosmin]

you can see Deez nuts @ 8:50

[@mb-es1cn]

i laughed more than i should have..

[@UncleSam077]

Coming up on 50k! Great stuff as per usual, Greg :)

[@ElectronikReviews]

Amazing video. Better than all of the other miata coilover videos. Thank you!

[@jonnyviking1764]

haha I just got coilovers for my Miata 😂 this helps clear up the adjusting aspect, I was a bit confused of the different rings when I unboxed them

[@brendanhayellis]

you sir just saved me hours of time, stupidly I did not know that you could adjust the ride height by rotating the whole coilover, Previous I had disconnected the bottom of the strut and rotated the cup.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Brendan Hay-ellis Awesome :)

[@TrentRandal]

Your videos are so informative and easy to follow. Definitely going to be watching this when I buy my NB. Thanks dude!

[@miketrav]

Excellent video as always. With the Miata na with stock shocks you have to take out that long bolt as well or there’s no way the Stocks shocks are coming out no matter how hard you step down on the rotor

[@asilaydyingx6]

You can also change the springs by just unscrewing everything on the bottom. Leaving the top hat untouched. Just all depends how do you want to do it. And just as a note tightening the Spring preload does not change the spring rate. A lot of people mix that up. Again adjusting the preload does NOT change spring rate. Spring rate is set from what ever the spring manufacturer sets it at. Most coil overs have a preload adjustment spec. By adjusting the spring preload you are essentially adjusting how much sag the spring has initially.

[@iTzxNooBs]

Hey! Your channel is almost at 50k subs :) I've been waiting for this since around 5k lol. Keep making the quality content. I know your channel has grown extremely slow, but your content is better than most. TJ Hunt, Adam LZ, Evan Shanks, etc., I pretty much hate all their channels. They don't even work on their own cars. Just disgraceful. Keep being yourself and enjoying making the videos! I love watching them. BTW, you're a big reason I got a miata back in September 2016. I'm almost 21. I have loved the miata and its been wonderful learning how to actually drive. Thanks for your content. You've indirectly had an influence that made an incredibly positive change in my life.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Thanks man that means a lot!

[@alexbessonov5397]

just ordered these, thanks Greg.

[@TheYz250fmf]

GREG i missed you!!!! i have to do work right now though!! will watch soon (:

[@mgamma5001]

Hey G, I like the shorten shock and step on the brake to ease the install, great tip!

[@LocksleyLennoxfilms]

I love your videos man! They motivate me to keep going!

[@frankboezen1980]

This guy deserves way more views

[@Shakshuka69]

been waiting for this for like 3 years lol.

[@rac300]

I need someone like Greg but for e30's. Love the videos brother, keep up the great work.

[@Mortalomena]

You can grab the strut with vice grips, as the cylinder does not come even near the very top. Just grip at the very end and no harm done.

[@IamJ007]

That crusty disc and bare rear pad was top notch LOL....

[@jmccarsnmore1025]

Well done video. Will have it on my “watch later” list for when it’s time to change mine. I have some Tein Street Basis on mine since 2010. I think it’s time to think about some new ones!!

[@GoProGuy12]

damn 300 bucks is pretty good - about 25 percent off!

[@GoProGuy12]

funkingitup his opinion of them seems promising, but I understand that concern

[@funkingitup1805]

You might be right, but I know a lot of respected guitar players out there that will play on whoever will give them guitars and keep them sponsored. I'm not even mad at him if that's the case. I would run whatever company believed in my projects if I were in his shoes.

[@thr33f0urthr33]

I run Powertrix too as do many in the Z32 community and they will all speak highly of them. The owner Charles only makes products for a few platforms and they're made to his spec.

[@Lomaxmotorsports]

Dude for some reason KZbin rarely puts your stuff in my feed even though I'm subscribed. Anyway keep the videos coming and keep the rubber side down!

[@MrDanAldehyde]

great stuff as usual Greg! you're my inspiration. I'd love to see you eventually do an Exocet build one day.

[@josephkelly4893]

Thanks bro, as always plenty of good knowledge

[@TheBlackCat1997able]

I just bought these. I got the UL With the 10k/7k springs. Hopefully I'm going to like them, I'm trusting you Greg.

[@MorbidKitKat1]

damn, i want coils that nice on my miata. maybe on the next build ;)

[@ChutneyInc.]

ctek makes nice brake rotors! mine are dimpled (not drilled) and slotted. I chose them because while dissapating heat they are less likely to warp

[@afhostie]

Greg, at 5:04 when you put the nut back on and mentioned not touching the inside of the tube, isn't that a spot for a wrench on the right? The spot is on the far right between the threads and that cross-hatch design on the end.

[@MultiAna96]

Great video again! Love from UK

[@robbyfitzgerald9150]

Super helpful im installing powertrix on my 84 300zx thank yoh

[@ricky-xo9yu]

8:40 WHEN THAT VTEC KICKS IN YOOOO....didn't see any comments on that so i did🤷‍♂️

[@seethruhead7119]

For anyone watching this in 2022. I'm sure the poster has figured this out by now. But adding preload does not make your springs stiffer. (increase spring rate)

[@boosted2jz217]

The plate is awesome 👍🏻

[@ClaytonBridges]

just so you know theres a hex on the shaft of the piston on the shock that can be held with a wrench and still use another wrench to tighten it without an impact

[@wingman703]

Disappointed you didn't show the long bolt method... while it does take longer, it makes pulling the strut much, much easier(especially the long stock struts). Plus it doesn't require as much standing on the rotor or yanking things around.

[@Nebbia_affaraccimiei]

also, without removing any suspension bolt I HARDLY think you can get out the stock suspension, for sure not the one with slightly longer springs that came with the later NA models...

[@Repavich]

had to do long bolt method on my 96... lol tried to do it this way at first and it was a pita lol

[@AlexanderMoore5133]

Could you explain this method, or link to a video? I'll be taking off my bilsteins on my 94 R soon.

[@wingman703]

clubroadster.net/vb_forum/22-suspension/77650-how-swap-your-na-nb-suspension-long-bolt-method.html

[@GearHeadsGarageChannel]

Alexander Moore if you'd like to see how we have a video on our channel on exactly how to do the longbolt method installing coilovers, these same Powertrix ones in fact! But it works for any coilovers/spring/shock assemblies etc.

[@giantenemycrabX]

what i'd like to see is you adjusting the ride height and getting that dialed in, if possible. :)

[@newtracetriad]

Great video as always

[@johnsumrall6310]

WOOH! Immediately stopped what I was doing to watch :D

[@johnsumrall6310]

By they way, if you enter the coupon code at powertrix, it says this coupon code has already been used, might wanna figure that out :P

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

I'm working on it! They said they will fix it as soon as possible.

[@j.acencc6273]

Yea i learned something... I learned that i can't afford any coilovers that are actually worth switching to. What's the best way to lower my car but not sacrifice to much ride quality...because honestly the 2003 mx5 i have (stock suspension) seems to be pretty Damn good. But i am trying to cure my "mexi poke" and gap before winter ends. 16x8 +0... I was thinking lowering springs. Minor camber and maybe a little fender roll of necessary...

[@melody3741]

how do you pick coilovers without driving on them? i have the stock sport suspension and i do love it but when i want something better how do i know whether i will like it or not? i dont have the money for trial and error

[@jaguarjay13]

Pro tip when trying to get the front suspension out: Get a long prybar and shove the flat end of the prybar inbetween the metal shield part of the subframe (where the top wishbone is connected) and sit on the prybar with your full body weight. Wishbones will both lower far enough to get even stock suspension out (even if you weigh just 60ish KG) Standing on the end of the wishbone/brake disc didn't lower the suspension enough in my case :)

[@jonydupre]

JaguarJay I used this technique, really helped me because oh man, it was a paint to get the front suspension out! for everyone who is going to swap out their stock suspension, be prepared for the front being a bitch 😂😂

[@BKmotoLLC]

or just remove the long bolt that holds the upper control arm and front suspension comes out real easy. thats what i did.

[@jaguarjay13]

BKMOTO LLC That'd be an option too, if the upper control arm bolt isn't heavily rusted into place. Mine was so tight I didn't actually take it off, cause I was afraid to break it.

[@jonydupre]

Same here dude, I first used a wooden prybar but it just broke on me when I applied force to is, then I got a metal prybar and got the suspension out.. I litterly was stand/jumping on the prybar while someone else was fiddling the suspension out of there..

[@Haze8923]

Man I was really hoping you'd go more in depth about different spring rates & what it does to the ride quality

[@nopo303]

Are they still available clicked the link but they said out of stock can't you pre-order them? also that discount still in effect?

[@sync232]

When you step on the brakes the suspension lowers way more than mine. I cant pull out the shock because it touches the upper a arm.

[@MountTinMan]

Hey Greg. When you demonstrated changing the ride height and threaded the lower cup all the way on I noticed that the lower eye (shock mounting point) rotated with the cup. Does that mean you have to uninstall/disconnect these coilovers in order to rotate the cup and change the ride height, or is there a way to adjust the ride height with them on the car? Keep up the great work! I really appreciate the time you take to make sure you are informing your audience as you are performing your mods.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

No, once the coilover is installed the shock can spin independently of the cup/mount so you can adjust them while they are installed on the car. (You just need to have it up on stands to take the weight off the coil or it will be very hard to spin.)

[@tougechaser3693]

just in time. my coilovers come in tomorrow!

[@jtnh93able]

super helpful video, I did not know about the other adjustability in coilovers. now I get to go home and mess with my car !

[@redcloud319]

*Welp* now these are on my radar for getting a set :D

[@ollydubhead]

Hi Greg, Excellent vid as always.... A quick question.... Can you tell me the advantage of adjustable rose jointed drop links, or sway bar links, as opposed to stock...? Cheers, Ollie.

[@dirtlamp3603]

daily uploads

[@dumbestoyster]

damn Greg, coming through for the followers...

[@michaelgalbraith7028]

Ayyye does Greg respond to questions? Would you ever get an NB?

[@michaelgalbraith7028]

You hardly see NB's, which in the sense, makes them more unique.

[@yossi126]

He builds a vvt engine so it doesn't make sense anymore

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Michael Galbraith Maybe one of these days ;)

[@fastsvtt]

I'm selling my 99 NB with 53k miles

[@Doink420]

$300 off omg I died...😵😵 ty tho!

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

YESSSS

[@testacorsa150]

Awkwaaaard

[@AllMyDaysFeelTheSame]

You ever heard of anything bad about V-Maxx extreme cool overs? Think I'm gonna buy those

[@coastalbeer]

What I know is a stock Miata is already low enough and any lower you will be scraping your undercarriage all the time. If you like scraping, then definitely go for it. I don't like bottoming out my car. The Miata handles fine just stock. Save your cash for gas.

[@bg_azn]

as of right now, the ultra are $1550.00 but out of stock and the sport streets are $1250.00........ can we get an update for affordable yet reliable coilovers for both daily driving and drifting?

[@j.acencc6273]

Aren't you supposed to torque all the bolts under load??

[@HoboSmeller]

Greg where do you go to get your alignment done? considering if you leave the height alone, you shouldn't need an alignment, but being that the coils are brand new and stiffer as you said, could it set some of the alignment off? im asking where as im a SD native

[@v22e56]

dope vid!!! hey how long will your discount code last? before it expireds

[@therealboofighter]

With the channel name of the car passion, do you think you will ever do anything other than Miatas? I don't mind the content now, just wondering.

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Very possible; it started with 300ZX's after all :)

[@therealboofighter]

Cool. Thanks for the reply.

[@TuckedTv]

nice work and vid bro

[@guaripolo69]

i tried to apply the coupon and said it was already used :(

[@paulkimble4548]

Silly question...is the discount still valid or was that a limited time thing? I'm sorry if that's been answered I scrolled the comments and didn't find it.

[@yuuyiatakahashi1943]

Please tell me you intend to put the PowerTrix you removed onto broke and boosted, so that it can get off those RiceLands

[@Matij1648]

Hey Greg, love your videos. Your content has been helping me out as I slowly build my Miata. Just had a quick question since I'm looking at upgrading my suspension: do you know how high can the Powertrix go? I'm currently sitting at 14.5" in the rear and roughly 12.5" in the front, but I don't want to drop the car too much as I'm worried my wheels (Kosei K4r, 15x8 with +35 offset with 205/50/15 tires) might rub. I'd like to avoid rolling the fenders as my paint is so shot in some spots I'm more than certain it'll crack on some of the fenders.

[@hanroschoeman8292]

New to RWD cars here... this will be my first rear wheel drive Car except I will be buying NOT a NA or NB but a NC Miata (third generation) I was wondering I love these coilovers and have spend a few weeks researching different coilovers but I would like your recomendation on coilovers you would pick if you had a NC miata that will last just as long as these

[@Imaboss8ball]

get us a discount on a megasquirt lol. oh and I have a question. do you think a system like freevalve would increase horsepower significantly on a NA Miata? I recently learned that Miatas use a non interference design meaning that the valves will never hit the pistons in the stock configuration. so to me that means it would be relatively safe for someone to do freevalve like system on the Miata engines. all you really need is a ton of electric solenoids. I have a spare Miata engine and I think I might experiment with it. of course I would have to look into any patents first as I would hate to not be able to share my work. I think the biggest issue would be that the Miata doesn't have a crank position sensor. just a cam position sensor. once that issue is sorted everything else isn't too hard. and because it's non interference if you fuck up in valve timing it won't destroy the engine it will just not run right. which is really the best part. I guess the reason why most cars don't use a freevalve like system is because if it fails you lose your engine. and it's probably more likely for a freevalve system to fail than for a timing belt to break. If I can scrap together some money and motivation I think I would attempt this.

[@BecauseMiata]

Hey Greg, I saw you're running spring rates of 10k on front and 7k on back...what would you suggest for rates on a daily driver, non-tracked but still spirited driving?

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Because Miata That's exactly what I run and I think it's perfect

[@shaned4480]

Video has been out for two years and yet I still looked for your coilover vid after I bought a set. Oops.

[@NoGrip]

I'm all about maximum Grip

[@andrewleeper4944]

put a thin layer of paint on your rotors so they dont keep rusting when you drive itll scrap the paint off

[@loov1]

Hello greg, I know this video is old but I just started following your channel and have a question. I have a 1990 mx5 miata 1.6 that is my daily driver. I don't have any mods, it's all stock. I was seriously considering getting the SS coilovers with the swift springs but I had to stop my self because of the hefty price tag. Do the swift springs really make a difference? I don't drag race or anything, I only use my car to get to school and work. Although I like to hit the pedal from time to time. I do plan to turbo my car some day, but that will be in the somewhat distant future. Are there any alternative coilovers that you would recommend for someone on a budget? Even the base SS coilovers with stock springs run you about $800 and unfortunately your promo code has expired. Also would like to thank you for your video on how to replace a clutch. Your video is the most informative and easy to follow on you tube. Thanks for all of your hard work!

[@LuRyLaMa]

are you selling your old set? or are they going on B&B? I am interested if so!

[@shadowvps]

are these made in korea? or elsewhere?

[@cameroncooks2357]

How would these compare to the Xida's? How would these compare to the koni sport + ground control coilover conversion?

[@JesseSammons1992]

Idk if Greg has run Xida's to say...I'm not sure how much better/worse they'd be but I can say these are miles and miles better than a Koni GC setup.

[@jamessmith8284]

Hey Greg! Great video! I'm getting a seat soon for my miata and I believe Im going with the Sonic vs3. Isn't that the one you have but with the logo on it? id love to hear your opinion or see a video on seats! Thumbs up if you agree!

[@DaMePaz]

Soooo was watching your diff videos and you never explained how to get the caps back on ppf. My ppf is currently draggin ass behind me and it's depressing

[@koolerthanapolarbear]

"CHRISTMAS OF HANDLING" -greg

[@TheCarPassionChannel]

Well, if you install these coils it's basically like Christmas for your cars handling LOL

[@javierm996]

Idk if you'll ever see this but when I try to take off my coilovers bolt it won't come out it just keeps spinning have any tips on what to do?

[@ElectricRides]

What is the best bang for buck coilovers for the NB Miata ? I also live in Australia so shipping cost is gonna be huge but that's the car game.

[@DelLoosePhotography]

Greg, What do you think would be good spring rates for a 1990 miata that weighs 1700 pounds?