Thread: DD Setup Q: Stock Springs w/ AM Sways and Struts

My background:
I have setup a regionally competitive autocross SSM Supercharged Miata, so I have a decent understanding of setting up a car for abrupt transitional response and handling. Plus I read the suspension sticky a few times.

My car and plans:
Right now I have a 93 SER that I use as my mileage eater (75 mile per day). I have no intention of poking/pulling/stretching or any other -ing my car for aesthetic "benefits." Next spring I plan on replacing the tired 175k mile DE with a mild (I/H/E, leaving cam stock) VE. I live in SE Idaho so the car will be used year round with time in possibly deep snow. That means preserving ride height is important. Most of my commute is highway, but on the weekends I enjoy a mountain pass or two. After the VE swap and a few more upgrades I could see doing 1-2 HPDE days per year down at Miller Motorsports Park. This is in no way my track car, nor do I want to spend $$$ on the car.

My question:
Since I want to preserve DD ability, ride height, but also want to improve handling, how about this plan: Upgrade front and rear sways moderately (already installed 19mm RSB), upgrade struts to a entry level performance model (AGX), decent AM progessive bumpstops, but leave springs stock. The effective spring rate will increase during cornering due to the sways, the struts will be able to handle the additional stress from the sways, but straight line and ride height will remain acceptable. Basically, suspension wise it would like a Stock Class SCCA Autocross car...with an additional sway.

Thoughts?

Excellent plan for your stated goals and budget. It will make for a very fun daily driver. Steve Foltz (93sr20ve) recommends a similar set-up to Farmboss in...The Suspension Thread.

I would not upgrade the front sway bar, leave the stock unit in place. I'd at least wait until you do the other mods you outline and then decide if you think it would help.

Shawn B

Just say "No" to upgraded front sway bar and bandaid bumpstops.

I like to say "why" when someone makes a statement without a stated reason.

Reading thru threads about upgraded bump stops it seems installing a more progressive bump stop can lessen the harsh transition for a strut bottoming out. With stock springs and aggressive driving (or pot holes/frost heaves) there is a high chance of running thru the travel. While I agree that someone using them to “cure” the rough ride of matching GR-2s to Megan Racing springs is definitely a band aid, the $70 investment seems to be a decent bang for buck in the suspension department.

As for the front sway upgrade, in my experience in autocross it is quite beneficial to have that aggressive rotating ability on course with just an upgraded rear. For significant highway use with possible object avoidance, plus potential track days, having a more balanced effective spring rate front to rear is desired. Since I would not be upgrading springs (and SER being a front heavy fwd), I feel upgrading the front sway would be more beneficial than detrimental.

Once again, I would like for you to elaborate.

B13's have four struts. No shocks.

Ninja edited to not confuse future searchers. What are your thoughts about my intended setup?

The AGX dampers will probably have a less-than-normal lifetime on them since the springs will be doing little help for the AGXs increased compression and rebound damping. They are rebound adjustable only dampers.

I also agree with leaving the front sway bar stock until you get a good feeling of how the car rotates before adding anything up front. I understand you wish to daily it and if you really do not care about the understeering/oversteering thing, then do what your plan mentioned.

Since the main goal seems to be a daily driver, I am a bad person to ask because I tend to give answers that are more racing orientated or straight to the highest/best/extreme example to get best possible performance.

Your experience is RWD and not FWD for bars. Take everything you know and throw it away. A SSM miata is nothing like a FWD car...

You shouldn't normally (or plan to) be bottoming out your shock/struts. Bump stops are meant as fail safe on hard hits (I realize this is how the stock miata suspension functions). For some stupid reason internet "experts" have deemed that progressive long travel bump stops are an option rather than proper dampning and spring rates. You should have gone though this while setting up your SSM miata. If you did you would find that internet advice leaves alot on the table.... But then again this is internet advice so your head should explode by reading this and getting stuck in the paradox set forth by this post.

Annnnnd boom goes the dynamite.

O_0