mx5cartalk.com

Hi, i'm interested in lowering my mx5 na6 but i know next to nothing about all this. I dont have a huge budget so as cheap as possible without compromising quality would be best. I would like to make the suspension stiffer at the same time to give it better handling. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

I want the same help haha hopefully someone replys with the goodies

Go for a decent alignment first and then decide. Guran does wonders with a stock NA6 on the track have a look at his car, there have been no quality comprimises (that I know of), just stock.

Now that that is out of the way to try and answer your question...

Does your budget extend to coilovers? Is it for looks (hard parking) or for a purpose? How low is low?

Lowering raises all sorts of issues as you are taking the steering geometry away from what it was designed to do. This can be fixed somewhat by using different MX5 OEM parts like the tie rod end ball joints from the 1993 LE (OEM part number N021-32-280A). I do know that is a very small amount of interest in getting some custom lower ball joints made up specifically for lowered MX5 NA's. Or you can use drop spindles, however these will blow your budget.

No coilover budget? Well you will have to look at lowering springs, these pop up everynow and then on the forum. Only coilovers will allow you to adjust ride height, set corner weights as well as match the travel to the suspension/wheel movement range. However there are options out there like for the Bilstiens where you can convert them into ones with an adjustable spring perch, however the valving may not be suitable for your chosen spring rates.

I would suggest again a good alignment and then save your pennies and do it right the first time.

This should help to explain the effects of lowering.

The most cost effective option is to purchase a set of lowering springs, these will lower the car, and in most cases be stiffer than stock by a little.

The most common specs are about 1/3 stiffer than stock, and between 20mm and 40mm lower than standard. You re-use your current shock absorbers with these.

Handling wise they are fine, the car should behave much the same as it did before (note you'll need to get a wheel alignment done afterwards)


Cost wise, I think a set of Kings are about $300 brand new.
You can often buy secondhand sets for much less (sometimes as low as $50)

Be aware than NA and NB springs are different.




I've had lowering springs on my NB for about 5 years now, they've been great, still comfortable like stock, a bit stiffer in corners, and handles at least as well as stock (I wouldn't say better, about the same)
I'm only replacing them since I blew the rear shocks. (btw, you can fit a B6 engine into the boot of an NB..... but the shocks complain a lot)