Miata questions

[will]

Will i need a spring compressor to change my Miata shocks?
If not how do i do it?

[Kevin M]

Yes, you will. It's kind of a pain in the ass actually. The stock springs are about 6 feet long. If you can come up with some loose springs and tophats, that will make it a bit easier, otherwise I would just pay to have them done. I had a '96, and if I ever get another one I won't bother with changing springs or shocks myself, unless I was going straight to coilovers and didn't need to assemble/disassemble each corner.

[van]

If you think youv'e got what it takes to tackle 6 foot springs, You can rent a spring compressor from autozone for free. You will have to pay for the tool(deposit) and you will get your money back when you return it. IIRC it was like $60.

[solonut]

Will I did mine in about 5 hours taking my time....but then again I have the tools....

you might want to get on the web site miata.net and get signed up....they have a garage section that will teach you to do justabout anything on a miata....Pat

[Kevin M]

If you think youv'e got what it takes to tackle 6 foot springs, You can rent a spring compressor from autozone for free. You will have to pay for the tool(deposit) and you will get your money back when you return it. IIRC it was like $60.

The issue with spring compressors is that there is very little room around the springs, especially in the rear which are the difficult ones. The hardest parts is figuring out how to arrange 2 compressors on the assembly and still get it bolted to the car.

[solonut]

The issue with spring compressors is that there is very little room around the springs, especially in the rear which are the difficult ones. The hardest parts is figuring out how to arrange 2 compressors on the assembly and still get it bolted to the car.

on a miata you dont compress the srings on the car....just take off the top 2 nuts then the bottom bolt then pull them out....you will need to pry down the control arm to get it out....then compress and swap parts...

[Kevin M]

Ah, that's right. I think I figured that out as I was bolting the last one in.

[solonut]

Ah, that's right. I think I figured that out as I was bolting the last one in.

thats why I love miata.net's garage section.....you learn from ther mistakes and learn all the shotcuts....

[dsmith]

Will, I did mine myself and still have all 10 fingers and didn't need a trip to the hospital; if I can do it anybody can.

I got a spring compressor from AutoZone for free (deposit as above) and you will need a bench vise, a long breaker bar, and if the shocks are Konis you'll need a universal drill bit to drill out the holes in the top caps and the fenders. Other than that it's just the usual hand tools. Go on www.Miata.net (http://www.Miata.net) and go to the Garage section and find the instructions in the Suspension section.

There are two ways of doing it; I went the "remove the long bolt" method for the front and it was silly easy - the shocks actually hit me in the head when they fell out. The rears take some muscle to compress the suspension, but it's an easy Saturday afternoon job for all four.

[Braydog]

but it's an easy Saturday afternoon job for all four.


You can do mine next time then Don. I've changed many shocks, springs, and full coilover conversions. My last set of putting coilovers on my current car threw me a curve ball that ended up taking us 11 hours to do. And we didnt even have to compress springs, just a straight swap. :mad:

[MPREZIV]

Full 4 springs swapped=2 hours.

Coilover swap=1hour.

Thank GOD for the right equipment! :D

[dsmith]

The Miata is famously easy on shock/spring changes; don't know about any other type of car.

[will]

There is supposed to be an A/C sight glass in front of the radiator on top of the reciever/dryer unit. There is a round viewing hole in the plastic shroud that seals the radiator and the frame.
All this is fine a well but I have no sight glass, just a fitting.
The guy I bought the Miata from said the A/C needed a charger but when I went to charge it the gauge said it was over charged. I bleed it down 'till my gauge was the in the green but the A/C still doesn't work.

The A/C light comes on on the dash, the fan works, and sometimes the compressor kicks in and changes the RPM, But the passenger side radiator doesn't come on.


There are no shops who work on A/C in Quincy, so unless some one has a suggestion it is off to Reno. Any A/C places you would recommend over there?

[will]

My new Miata has 17 inch wheels with good looking street tiers, but I cnat us them in stock class.
I also got the stock wheels with mud and snow tiers on them. All the tires are the same size but not the same brand. There are 2 that match that are not bad, and another set of 2 that match but one is worn out.
I'm still a novice so I could run the 17 inch wheels but think I should get rid of them so I don't get too spoiled, and used to them.
The guy at the tire store said I could rung the matched set in the rear and he had a tire that was close enough to the other good one that I could run in the front.
Is it too crazy to run miss matched mud and snow tires on my Miata?
If I bought a good set of street tires would they be a whole bunch better?
Where do I get street tires, in Quincy they only sell hwy mud and snow, and how much do they cost?

[solonut]

Will do you have 14" dia wheels??...If so these are what Jim & Don are running in ES... http://www.vulcantire.com/cgi-bin/tiresearch.cgi?stock=601&f=azenis_rt615_t.htm.....Pat

[will]

the tiers I have on my stock 14' wheels are 185 60 the ones you linked me to are 195 60.

What is the difference in size?

[will]

What are you running Pat?

[solonut]

thats the smallest size that tire comes in.....not a problem......I have 205/50x15 toyo proxes4.....but I'm in a different class....to pop back into ES all I have to do is put back on the stock 14" wheels but I'll be on these.... if i go back


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+V710

[Braydog]

AC in a miata = top down.........take that horsepower robber out of your engine bay!!!! (check with class rules before you follow my advice, I'm not sure if you can do that).

[Braydog]

thats the smallest size that tire comes in.....not a problem......I have 205/50x15 toyo proxes4.....but I'm in a different class....to pop back into ES all I have to do is put back on the stock 14" wheels but I'll be on these.... if i go back


http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Kumho&tireModel=Ecsta+V710



You're running proxes 4??? Isnt that an AS tire? Props to you if that is the case.

[solonut]

AC in a miata = top down.........take that horsepower robber out of your engine bay!!!! (check with class rules before you follow my advice, I'm not sure if you can do that).

Not in stock class unless its a stand alone option then you have to sswap all parts to non-ac.....

Will, ck with C&C in Sparks and talk to Rusty....they are a BIG supporter of the SCCA........they can also do the shocks and good alignment....Pat



C & C Automotive Specialties (http://maps.live.com/clicks.ashx?i=0&p=7&t=1&s=3&b=0.00&a=DWLPAV&q=c%26c&l=sparks%2cnv&x=-MSNYP&u=aHR0cDovL3d3dy55ZWxsb3dwYWdlcy5jb20veG1sYXBpX2Ns aWNrcz9kZXN0PWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cueWVsbG93cGFnZX MuY29tJTJGaW5mby1TUDMxMDE4NjEyJTJGQy1DLUF1dG9tb3Rp dmUtU3BlY2lhbHRpZXMmbGlkPTEyMTAwOTMyMSZwaWQ9TVNOMi 0wMSZ0aWQ9MjQ4ZGIzZTgtMmZjZi00OGQ5LWEyOGYtODNjNmQy ZDU3MTQ3Jmx0PTcmdnJpZD0xMjY4MTI2NDAxLTE0NjkxMzUwMz E=)

820 E. Greg St, Sparks, NV
(775) 329-9974

[Cody]

You're running proxes 4??? Isnt that an AS tire? Props to you if that is the case.
Yep, M+S rated. When I lived in CA they were the tire I recommended most often for all season tires as they're really nice but I wouldn't autoX on them. :eek:

[solonut]

Yep, M+S rated. When I lived in CA they were the tire I recommended most often for all season tires as they're really nice but I wouldn't autoX on them. :eek:

Watch me sunday....I've been running them all year....:cool:

next year I'll be on the hot STS tire....either toyo R1R or the new kumho XS....

[newbie911]

To the O.P., I have a set (4) of "factory option" BBS mesh style 14" wheels off my '90 miata with like new Bridgestone performance tires 185x60x14 (maybe 2000 miles on them and their rated for 40,000 miles). The rims use to be silver with a polished lip, but now are painted solid white. If interested, I can sell them cheap. I can also take some pics and post them if you want to check them out!

[will]

Dean, I'm interested. lets see the pictures or a link to the tires.

[sperry]

Will, I consolidated all your separate threads into this single one for your Miata questions.

[Joeyy]

Dean, I'm interested. lets see the pictures or a link to the tires.

Lets get some pictures up on this thread of the "new" Miata.

[will]

I have lost my usb cable to down load pictures from my camera to the computer. Next time I go to reno I will get a new one. Until then you will just have to trust me when I say I got a good looking black Miata.:D

[will]

OOPS I hope I did not mess up.
I ordered some 195 45 14 tires for my Miada. This will bring my top speed in second gear down to 55 from 60 with stock tiers, 185 60 14. In the one event I ran I never toped out is second so I figure the lower gear ratio will help acceleration and thus give me better times.
My fear is that a top speed of 55 will slow me down more than the accelerations will help me.
Do low power stock cars, like the Miada, often go faster than 55 on an autocross course?

Second question;
Does the Miada, have a rev limiter, or could I harm the engine by over revving it?

[solonut]

did you order the toyo T1Rs? Call the place back and see if its to late to change to te 195/55x14s....Pat

and yes miata's have a revlimiter....I use it for a shift point:)

[will]

Yes I got to the toyo's the other ones you recomended were back ordered.
I will call and try to change. Thanks

[TracDaz]

Will,
The Miata has a rev limiter. It's set at about 7,100 RPM. The Miata has a well-built engine and I've never seen where a naturally-aspirated one has blown. Guys in Spec Miata even run theirs' a quart low on oil...

Changing springs/shocks is a snap as they come off the car as individual coilover units. You'll need the compressor to disassemble the coilover unit, though. As recommended by others - see Miata.net - great resource!

The Miata will gain alot from an agressive alignment: I ran 1.75 degrees front and 2.25 degrees in the rear with a Flyin Miata front sway bar. I should have had 2.0 degrees in the front as it tended to plow. Get the lightest tires and wheels you can find - the Miata loves light corners. Plug your ABS fuse back in - 1) you have to have it engaged if it came stock with it, and 2) ABS is a beautiful thing... ask Don Smith ;)