Ive got an ND1 2.0L, standard shocks and springs for the Recaro model.
I have YSR coilovers en route from BBR and eibach sway bars. I am dong this as a DIY install.
Does anyone have any recommendations (or even better - ''do not do’s ‘’) for the ride height?
im currently sitting approx 140mm front, 145mm rear in ground clearance (front and rear side sill jacking points to the ground).
Wheels and tyres are of standard size.
I was going to initially try 110mm and 120mm front/rear for rake and lower height. But im not finding any solid info on the forums as to good or bad.
I’ve seen much of MX5 forums seem to use a wheel center to arch clearence as a measurement. i can work with those if theres a recommendation there too.
Of all the forum mentions i can find quoting exact lowering figures which then lead to ‘‘this is too low’’, they all refer to springs-only over oem shocks. which of course doesnt apply here.
*note, i am not worried about speed bumps or ground strikes. ive been running around in a 90mm clearance car with front lip sticking out on bespoke coilover setup for some time and JUST made it over everything :D. point is i didnt scrape any local speed bumps nor ground-out on bump stops or road on country lanes.
my question is more specifically around wheel arch rubbing on corners. especially track work.
** second note. i purchased these from BBR, but they didnt have any recommendations to give. neither starting ride height on initial fitment, nor a range to be within. so im about to hit trial and error territory. any help appreciated.
I would set the front to give a height of 320mm from the lip of the front arch to the centre of the wheel. Any lower and you will be scraping. I’d fit Eibach arbs as well (which is what I’ve done).
These are the measurements ive just taken. probably about 5-8litres f fuel from full. otherwise, empty car.
From the underside, there is a little amount of rake. which would increase as the fuel reduces. rear wheel is a little higher in the arch.
I dont suppose anyone with coilovers fancies whipping out with a tape
thank you for the alignment, i’ve got a few variations to look at. 949 seem to keep popping up in my recent searches too :))
the pinch weld height, sounds like Blue will be somewhere around 105 with his/her setup.
a 120mm ride height is a UK road ‘standard’ for some sportier cars from the factory. so i feel this is still quite high. (not a standard that i know of, but if you google some GT or Sports cars for ground clearance, 120 is typically the lower end.))
and Xmas is here gives me something to do at the weekend.
i’ll get them on the proper scales when i can and ill get the oem kit on to compare too. but initial weights from the home scales (as a guide):
Front coils (each) - 8.4lbs
Rear coils (each) - 7.8lbs
Front ARB - 14lbs (not including new fitment brackets. just the bar)
Rear ARB - 3.6lbs (as above)
Considering the pinch weld height is approximately 145mm all round on a standard ND with Bilstein suspension fitted, the figure seems awfully low. Compared to my figures, you must have no wheel gap?
Its ‘only’ a 40mm drop to true ride height. ive seen a couple of youtube videos now (one was grassroots, and another a youtuber) who between them have quoted a 2inch drop, and a measurement of 12.75 to the center of wheel to arch. (god i hate that measurement. never seen any other community measure from there).
My point is these equate to about a 50mm drop.
Eibach do a ‘Proline’ or similar spring off the shelf which is a 40m drop. their next step after their typical 25mm (front)) drop.
Based on my measurements from my screenshot above, Blue’s looks spot on, no? a 40mm drop in the arch would equal about 105mm pinch weld. allowing 2mm for accuracy in measurement and/or car fluids.
If I remember correctly, BlueAgave’s ND has 215/45 R17 tyres which reduces wheel gap and increases pinch weld height, both by approximately 5mm.
Also, they’ve got MeisterR GT1 fitted which happens to have some of the longest damper travel available for an ND coilover, making the low pinch weld height less of an issue.
I’m not familiar with Yellow Speed coilovers and their damper travel but since you’re fitting stiffer ARBs, the low height could also become less of an issue.
I took it down the shop. the bushings on the rear hub were shot and i didnt have the tools to reove the old ones or press in the new. so got some polybushings.
Got the Yellow Speed Racings fitted - Rubbing!!
So fitted and ‘settled’’ with approx 115mm/118mm front rear. approx 50 miles done. after 4 wheel alignment to 949’s racings sppecs) and then about another 50 miles of driving i am now hearing rubbing on gentle cornering.
eased it home.
re-measured, and the rear and settled further down to about 112mm. but the front has sunk to 97mm lol.
Looks great for a photo but thats about it lol.
Its rubbing at the front (looking at the clock face of the front wheels, its rubbing the arch by the headlights). the clearence to the top is still ok. Camber was set to 2deg and caster to 8deg which would against favour too here.
i’ll get it readjusted. but if anyone else gets YSR coilovers… be prepared for some droop for the first tank of fuel.
(for wheel center measurements, i only roughly checked as i dont like that measurement, but its approx 12" and an 1/8th front, and bang on 12" at the rear. )
absolutely! ive just gone and taken videos, i’ll get it on usertube and post the vid for a full walk around incl where its rubbing (and, the ‘why’).
Now ive sat on the floor next to it with the torch, looks like too much caster + camber for its ride height.
From the center of the wheel in mm for accuracy vs inches)
Front is 310mm center to arch
Rear is 315mm center to arch
I also re-measured from the pnch welds while on the floor
Front 95mm
Rear 100mm (dropped further… or my inaccuracies earlier).
i’ll get the vid sorted now…
**Also note i requested aprox 110front/115mm rear. so i’ll just get it raised back to its intended height.
so im about to hit trial and error territory. any help appreciated.
gives me something to do at the weekend.
