Should i upgrade bushes and shocks? Any downfalls?
Discussion
Faced with a very important decision.
Mazda is due for an MOT soon, the arb and link bushes are in terrible shape as well as the shocks seem to be a little on the overly-bouncy side. So hopefully before MOT i want to change these items.
At the moment the ride is a little choppy over bumps and there is far too much leaning about in bends.
So the question is which parts do i fit? I initially thought that upgrading said bushes to polyurethane and changing the shocks for KYB items with matched springs would be ideal however i do not want to carry out any mod which i will later regret.
I don't need or want adjustable coilovers so they are out of the window. How about standard springs and shocks? How good are they when they are new? Is there still too much role and a choppy ride?
Is changing the bushes to poly recommended or is it overkill for a daily driver?
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
Mazda is due for an MOT soon, the arb and link bushes are in terrible shape as well as the shocks seem to be a little on the overly-bouncy side. So hopefully before MOT i want to change these items.
At the moment the ride is a little choppy over bumps and there is far too much leaning about in bends.
So the question is which parts do i fit? I initially thought that upgrading said bushes to polyurethane and changing the shocks for KYB items with matched springs would be ideal however i do not want to carry out any mod which i will later regret.
I don't need or want adjustable coilovers so they are out of the window. How about standard springs and shocks? How good are they when they are new? Is there still too much role and a choppy ride?
Is changing the bushes to poly recommended or is it overkill for a daily driver?
Any help/advice would be appreciated.
I probably would fit poly-bushes but only to replace bushes that had to be changed. I wouldn't bother replacing the lot. They can make the ride a bit more "jiggly" but if it's done at the same time as new shocks & springs then it will still be an overall improvement.
Which KYB shocks are you talking about? I used to have KYB AGX (adjustable but not height adjustable) with FM springs and I thought they were superb. The non-adjustable KYBs get good reports too. Match them with Eibach springs.
Which KYB shocks are you talking about? I used to have KYB AGX (adjustable but not height adjustable) with FM springs and I thought they were superb. The non-adjustable KYBs get good reports too. Match them with Eibach springs.
MX-5 Lazza said:
I probably would fit poly-bushes but only to replace bushes that had to be changed. I wouldn't bother replacing the lot. They can make the ride a bit more "jiggly" but if it's done at the same time as new shocks & springs then it will still be an overall improvement.
Which KYB shocks are you talking about? I used to have KYB AGX (adjustable but not height adjustable) with FM springs and I thought they were superb. The non-adjustable KYBs get good reports too. Match them with Eibach springs.
Well i'm looking at simply upgrading the anti roll bar link (figure of 8 type) and the main anti roll bar bushes only. The KYB shocks i'm thinking of are basically the fixed rate sports set with matched springs. Plus the price is reasonable too.Which KYB shocks are you talking about? I used to have KYB AGX (adjustable but not height adjustable) with FM springs and I thought they were superb. The non-adjustable KYBs get good reports too. Match them with Eibach springs.
What i'm trying to stay clear of is doing something which will ruin the ride.
Oh and i also feel like upgrading to E30 bbs wheels too or i might just refurb the standard wheels with a tough of colour coding.
Shaid GTB said:
What i'm trying to stay clear of is doing something which will ruin the ride.
I've just fitted a set of 7x15 BBS from a corrado G60 and Gaz gold pro coilovers. You can set the damping yourself really easily, I've got mine set up fairly soft at the mo for commuting and the ride is comparable to standard, Not at all crashy.
They were £600 delivered.
Scho said:
I've just fitted a set of 7x15 BBS from a corrado G60 and Gaz gold pro coilovers.
You can set the damping yourself really easily, I've got mine set up fairly soft at the mo for commuting and the ride is comparable to standard, Not at all crashy.
They were £600 delivered.
How do you find the ride after you upgraded to 15's? Any noticable differences?You can set the damping yourself really easily, I've got mine set up fairly soft at the mo for commuting and the ride is comparable to standard, Not at all crashy.
They were £600 delivered.
Adjustable shocks will allow you to have a better ride than non-adjustable. With adjustable you can set them how you want. If they are not adjustable you get what you're given - if that's not ideal you're stuck with it.
With GAZ Gold Pro you get to choose the spring rates according to how you want the car to feel. The shock adjustment should just be fine-tuning. Being able to set the ride-height helps too.
If the bushes are just the arb mounts then go with poly bushes - you won't feel any difference but they will last longer.
You won't notice much diference between 14" & 15" except cheaper & better tyres
With GAZ Gold Pro you get to choose the spring rates according to how you want the car to feel. The shock adjustment should just be fine-tuning. Being able to set the ride-height helps too.
If the bushes are just the arb mounts then go with poly bushes - you won't feel any difference but they will last longer.
You won't notice much diference between 14" & 15" except cheaper & better tyres
Edited by MX-5 Lazza on Tuesday 11th May 12:26
Shaid GTB said:
Scho said:
I've just fitted a set of 7x15 BBS from a corrado G60 and Gaz gold pro coilovers.
You can set the damping yourself really easily, I've got mine set up fairly soft at the mo for commuting and the ride is comparable to standard, Not at all crashy.
They were £600 delivered.
How do you find the ride after you upgraded to 15's? Any noticable differences?You can set the damping yourself really easily, I've got mine set up fairly soft at the mo for commuting and the ride is comparable to standard, Not at all crashy.
They were £600 delivered.
-14" with cheapo rubber and standard springs/dampers
-15" with Toyo TR1 and Gaz Gold Pro.
All I can tell you is the 2nd set up feels more precise, I seem to be able to feel fro grip better, maybe less sidewall flex.
The toyo's are fantastic tho, I was amazed by the grip i found round the Evo triangle in the wet. £120 for four in 195 45 15 from camskill.
Edited by Scho on Tuesday 11th May 12:30
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