How high should my MX5 Roadster 1998 model be?

[tescoking]

Well, let me answer you this before you get frustrated because of other negative commmets.

First of all, my answer might not be the best or perfect answer for you.

So here is the first thing.
You need to know that you must have at least 100mm ground clearence from the lower point of your car.
It is the law, so that mean your car is at least 100mm from the ground now.
And here is the second thing.
Are you using this car for daily drive? I assume that will be "yes".
Which mean you will pass through speed bump a lot, and when you drive pass a speed bump, will you slow down or just go over it? When I mean slow down I mean like really slow and people behind you will F at you.
If you don't want to be F, then just add on another inch from where you at now. I suppose you are at the legal height at the moment.
And if you think lower the car is not something that you like. Then even easier, no need to ask, just look for a set of stock springs. Then your problem should be solve.

[Red Dragon]

If you post in the cars & parts wanted section you will probably have plenty of offers for standard springs.

[davekmoore]

it is ruining the bottom of my car and at some point I will end up with a hold through the floor

It would need to be very low to be creating a hole through the floor.

[Jeo]

When you say lowered, are we talking this kind of lowered.



If not, just drive carefully and you'll be fine.

To give everyone here more information though, what the distance from the centre of the hub to the top of the guard?

[tescoking]

Thats right, go to Want to Buy WTB section or used part sale section and look for standard springs for your model

[Okibi]

I also suggest taking it to a local MX-5 specialist or chat to the motorsport girls/guys at your local MX-5 club and ask which shop they recommend for suspension.

Some suspension chains are too use to dealing with family cars, falcodores and commercial vehicles, they'll try and sell you their own brand of suspension rather than offering recommendations based on quality and performance.

You own a fantastic handling car, don't spoil it by skimping on suspension and alignment.

[93_Clubman]

Do you know what shock absorbers are currently on the car? Standard springs will be fine with standard shocks, but may not be suitable for non-standard shocks. In which case your WTB should be for NB8A standard shocks & springs, which are frequently advertised in our MX5 parts for sale section. Alternatively as Okibi says go to one of the MX5 specialists or someone else that forumites have previously recommended, depending on which state you're in. Also worth checking with Boyracer (Lou) who's selling a whole bunch of stuff at the moment:
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=60950

[Red Dragon]

Your location might help for fellow members who have the parts


Which state / area

[OurCognitiveSurplus]

My 1998 MX5 has height adjustable coilovers. I'm no expert, but my mechanic is. His view is that 'slamming' the car makes the handling worse, not better. Lower than stock is an improvement, but not a lot lower. You need some height for the suspension design to do its thing. If your wheels are disappearing into your guards, you've gone too far.

My car only scrapes on the most crazy of speed bumps when dríven carefully.

For the money above, I would get some yellowspeed coilovers from the forum sponsor. There's a big thread with experienced owners discussing heights. Have a read.

[emily_mx5]

Get some new oem replacement shocks like Koni, and some 2nd hand stock springs.
Shocks should only cost you $500 or so, and 2nd hand springs nothing, $50 at most.
Then a couple of hundred dollars in labour to put them together and install them in your car, and then a decent alignment.
Should be around $800 I guess, but your getting a lot more for that money.

However if someone says you need to change something, and they sell the part they are recommending, assume they are biased and seek out other information/oppinions.

You ain't gonna put holes in the floor lol.


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[Jeo]

300mm is lower than stock but generally about right for handling set up. Certainly not low enough that you'll be breaking the sump through normal driving.

Are you noticing that you're scraping on things or is this just the shop's assessment?

[Aussie Stig]

hub to rim 300mm for the front and 325 for the rear should be a good setup

[tescoking]

After you set your car back to stock height and you could build a undertray to protect all the way at the bottom of the car. It is useless but if you pass through a speed bump and it does scratch your car, it will only scratch the tray.

[Magpie]

Have a read of http://949racing.com/miata-race-alignment-info.aspx

Where you measure the ride height is specific to each car as the pinch rail may be damaged on the panels may not be in the same place for each car.

Did you measure with the normal weight in the car, tyres at hot pressures and how much fuel in the tank? All these will affect the measurements.

[Pamex]

My suggestion would be if you just want to raise it to stock, get some stock shocks and springs and whack them in. It's not expensive and not a long job to do.

I'd avoid Pedders as they are overly expensive and not the best you can get for your money.

You might bash the sills a little being low, but I seriously doubt you're going to bash a hole through the bottom of your car. I think that may be a little on the cautious side. I've been under a lot of lowered MX5s and the like and haven't seen a hole bashed through yet. Bashed and flattened sills, yeah, but not a hole.

I was running at 50mm height and the underside of mine is fine. I only raised it as I love being able to just hop off gutters and paddock bash.