NC Miata MX-5 Coilover and Sway Bar Conversion, How To

[@CarsandCameras]

Hey, how did you setup turn out regarding tire rubbing? I have a set of BC Racing coilovers I'm about to install with the same wheels you have. I'll be running 245/40 tires, and (according to Brian Goodwin) I'll need a decent fender roll with at least -1.5 degrees of camber. How did it turn out? I'm just trying to get as many opinions as possible to get an idea of what to expect! Also, nice video! It was very informative. I'm thinking of doing 13" in the rear and 12.75" in the front (for ride height), -2.3 degrees of camber in the front, -2 in the back for the 245 tires.

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

CarsandCameras I ran 235/40 tires and only had to roll the rear lip a little. I didn't have to touch the front. I think with 245's, you'll need a pretty serious fender roll in the rear and maybe a little flare but it will depend on your ride height and stiffness of your springs. Good Luck, these cars handle just awesome at the track when set up right.

[@CarsandCameras]

Dan Tsuchiya Thanks for your reply. I've heard of people running 255s without using fender flares, so I'm hoping I won't need them. I'll back down to 235s before I do that. I'm just hoping I won't need an absurd amount of negative camber for them to fit, as I daily drive the car.

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

@Logan, My Mazdaspeed kit did not come with the wrenches to tighten the ride height rings (I know, strange.) I purchased a set on eBay. A good alignment shop should have a set so you can adjust by hand and then just have the mechanic do the fine adjustment and tighten. Good Luck!

[@DriversTherapy]

Did you have to preload the coilovers? I am installing the same coilovers

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

David Rosckowff I did not preload them, but that's not a bad thing, it will help them settle faster. I did have some settling after 1000 miles. However, I just raised it back up to the height measured just after alignment and corner balancing. Very minor. Please note, all pivot points should not be torqued until vehicle is fully on the ground or weight of car is on the suspension.

[@loganmclendon2086]

Did your set come with a spanner wrench to adjust ride height? I can't find a tool in my Mazdaspeed set to tighten the ride height adjustment.

[@davidr2975]

Why didn't you use the Mazda speed sway bars? Just wondering, I just ordered some.

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

I had purchased the PT bars from Goodwin and at the time they were highly recommended. MazdaSpeed (Eibach) bars are great, I just installed a front one on my S2000. The procedure is the same. Good Luck!

[@PaulWingfield]

Just what I needed. Thanks.

[@pdwcave]

Do you have to get the car up off the ground and expose the callipers?

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

You have to remove the wheels to expose the brake calipers, if you are servicing the calipers then yes the car needs to be lifted: 1X1, 2X2, or all four.

[@ericamezquita5446]

Nice tutorial. With 17x9 rims I'm assuming 48 or 50 mm offset did you fender roll your nc? Also I'm on more of a budget with my mx5 or soon to be nc I have an nb, any reason for going with mazdaspeed. I'm looking at teins. Also how fairly difficult was it to adjust the end links? Did you take it to go get an alignment after? Sorry for having so many questions I've just been fascinated with the nc even though I don't currently have one.

[@ericamezquita5446]

Also for coilovers or any kind of suspension is it recommended to buy dust boots?

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

Eric Amezquita Thanks, yeah the widest you can go with the NC's is 17X9. It's preferable to have 48 or even 50mm offset then you won't have to roll the rear lip, but I have 45mm offset (which is more common) so I had to roll the rear lip flat. With the almost 3 degree negative camber up front, no mod was needed to the front fenders. I picked up a new set of MazdaSpeeds on Miata.net from a guy that bought them new but then wrecked his NC before he could install them, as I was open to almost anything. They are higher quality than Teins. Goodwin also has some nice coilover choices. I am setting it up for track use so didn't want to go too cheap. Racing Beat end links aren't the easiest to adjust, but I just had the car on the ground and then took them out and adjusted them and then reinstalled them. The stock dust boots did not fit the Mazdaspeeds and they didn't come with dust boots. I don't drive it much in heavy rain so I've never had an issue without dust boots on any quality coilover. I am in California, so if you live in the rust belt, custom or adapted boots might be worthwhile. I've had NA, NB, and NC's on track and they really made a big improvement when they designed the NC. Once the suspension is dialed in, it's very capable.

[@ericamezquita5446]

Oh I see thanks for the response. I see now just to be clear you uninstalled the end links to adjust them correct or can end links be adjusted as they sit in the car? I've been on the forum of Goodwin trying to research wheels and max tire size on the nc without fender roll and I've seen 235/40/17s but looking toward Dd tires and wheels instead. I notice that you had a shock tower brace factory possibly? If so how are you able to adjust the dampening on the coilovers with the brace covering the knobs?

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

Eric Amezquita It's easier if you remove the end links, adjust them and then install and tighten the lock nuts. I still have to drill a hole in the shock tower brace so the tool can fit in to adjust.

[@thetruesurvive]

You already had the eibach+bilstein upgrade? Why change it?

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

I wanted to have adjustability to lower the vehicle plus have adjustable dampening.. The spring rates are also upgraded for better track usability.

[@bretdouglas9407]

Deja vu. Ur playing with my head lol

[@JasonCoreyRice]

First things First , then repeat

[@VilThong]

Awesome video ...very helpful. It would of been better if you had the lens focus on some shots other then that great job. =)

[@kyokiiiiii]

What tools do I need for this?

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

Metric combination and sockets (shallow and deep), screwdrivers, mallet....the basics. You won't need any specialty tools.

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

May also want to have some coil spring compressor tools on-hand if you decide to disassemble/assemble and pending on what type of coil-overs you are fitting. Good Luck.

[@JohanserMolina]

I just bought these you know how low I can go

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

+Johanser Molina You can bring the car down so the top of the fender is about where the top of the tire is with the stock wheel/tire. You don't want to get too low as the springs are not super stiff and over large bumps you'll bottom out which isn't great if you're in a high speed turn. It's best to take the car to a good track or competition prep alignment shop to do a proper height adjustment, corner balance, and alignment. What looks cool on the street is different than what performs well on the track.

[@JohanserMolina]

+Dan Tsuchiya I'm actually not gonna use them on the track I'm gonna use them on the street.

[@SirFixAlotAutos]

+Johanser Molina Ok, since the spring rates aren't that high (stiff) for these, you don't want to lower it too much because street use will see more bumps or dips than track use and you want to keep the suspension from bottoming out. Since they are adjustable height you can experiment to find what works/looks best. Just up the dampening settings the lower you go. Good Luck.