I’ve just fitted a TEIN Flex Z Damper Kit to my NC, but the standard sport model front brace does not allow access to the adjusters on top of the coilovers. Do I need to buy a nerw brace, or can I modify the existing brace without weakening it?
Thanks,
Gus
Some drill a hole in the standard strut top brace, me I just left my brace on as is. They removed easily for adjustments anyway, I had MeisterR fitted.
Think about it, so long as the adjusters clear the undersides of the brace why, once you have it set up, would you want repeated access to them if it’s just a road car?
I used a step drill and put a 20mm hole in each strut top cover to put the adjuster tool through.
What about the back ones. I thought about a hole in the plastic boot liner and 3d printing some covers. Worth it? (I am a tinkerer)
I did that for my rear MeisterR adjustable extensions, worth doing as it’s only one hole either side in plastic.
I got the extension adaptors so they poke in to the boot area.
I bought a new front brace to allow access at the front.
Can’t find anyone offering the remote adjusters for the rear online. Anyone know where I can get some?
Gus
100mm - Official Tein Flexible Adjustment Controller - 100mm Length | eBay UK
300mm - Official Tein Flexible Adjustment Controller - 300mm Length | eBay UK
Doh! Always check ebay. Thanks
Hi Gus , I’d be interested on you thoughts on the Flex z , I’m thinking about a set for my NC2.5 turbo but as always with suspension the online reviews seem to vary from “best thing ever” to “ never buy this, the springs sag in a few months” . I think these have their own pillow ball topmounts - is that correct ?
I’m looking for fast road use with decent compliance and a sensible ride height without losing all the spring travel, not lowered to speedbump scraping height.
I have GAZ gold pro on my mk1 which I really like but they don’t do them for the Mk3 ( and as bought they were way too low - ended up with 1” longer springs all round and a spacer on the back.
thks
Jim
Hi Jim,
I’ve only had mine fitted and setup for a couple of weeks, but I have to say I really like them. Having said that I can’t compare them to the Meister R, as I haven’t driven anything else. But they are way better than the Bilstein originals that had 70000 miles on them. I made the mistake of setting the car way too low to start with and thought I’d made a really poor decision, but I reset it to 340mm hub centre to lip of the arch back and front and it now drives perfectly. I used the alignment numbers from Flying Miata ( Recommended Alignment Numbers ) and the handling is amazing. It might be worth more for the Meisters, but I certainly don’t regret my purchase. I’ve put about 800 miles of fast road use on them ( I live in a part of Scotland with the best test track outside the Nurburgring)
and they are as comfortable as the original ride, but with much better damping and handling. I set them at 9 clicks back from full on which is one under half way. I can take speed bumps at normal speed and I haven’t bottomed it out once.
BTW, it says they have pillow ball top mounts, but they are not adjustable for camber at the top. But overall I’d say good value for money. If you want to spend a wee bit more, go Meister or I was advised to look as BC Racing which are available in what looks like adjustable pillow ball BC Racing BR Series Coilovers For Mazda MX-5 NC
Good luck
Gus
The mk3 does not need camber adjustment from the top of the coilovers.
Caster, camber and toe are all adjusted by eccentric mounts on the suspension pivots.
Yes, my mistake.
Thanks Gus , very helpful. Looks like a good option .
I know meisters get some good reviews , bit AFAIK they use non standard spring sizes and need “corrosion prevention fluid” to stop them rusting , so I’m leaning towards Tein which use 2.5 inch standard springs and seem to have proper powdercoating/rustproofing (which is kinda needed in the Scottish climate)
thks
As said simply measuring, marking and drilling the turret tops gives you easy access to the damping adjustment. I then bought a couple of Allen keys off ebay, cut them to length then epoxy bonded tyre valve caps to them and they’ve been perfect for almost 2 years now. The black one was the ’prototype’ one but the green ones were the finished article.
Also I bought my rear Coilover adjusters from here
They are certainly worth it as you don’t have to remove any trims to access them once fitted.
