Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
V-Maxx XXtreme Track Pack Adjustable Coilovers,adjustable dual spring set up,FM front and rear sway bars,in addition added FM Frame Rail braces.
I spoke with Keith at FM and told him what my intentions were for my bone stock 94 NA. Basically I wanted a track day car that I could still drive on the street once in a while if I wanted to.He suggested the the V-Maxx Stage 2 Track kit.Upon recieving the kit, it was well packaged and all the pieces looked to be of excellent quality.The kit included everything that was needed including mounts. Although I would have liked to see adjustable end links in the kit as well.In addition I purchased a set of Frame Rails and adjustable end links to be installed at the same time.Installation went without a hitch everything bolted up perfect and I was on my way.
I can tell you the Flyin Miata kit along with some new 949 Racing 15x8 rims and 225/45/15 BFG Rival tires woke this car up,the flatness in cornering is an unbelievable difference,but what surprised me most is, even with the track springs installed the overall ride is 10 times better even over rough pavement.Anyone thinking of doing the track kit,dont be put off because you think itll ride too harsh..It seems great to me.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99-'05 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
AFCO suspension with 450/300 spring rates.
I chose the AFCO's because I liked the idea of a system with more suspension travel than stock. I autocross and track my car, but spend a significant amount of time on the highway and secondary roads. Our pavement is not the smoothest in the world (to say the least), so ride comfort is of paramount concern. I must say that I'm overwhelmingly impressed. On the road, the ride is, dare I say it, downright plush. The car soaks up bumps effortlessly (they're heard more than felt) and it's almost impossible to bottom out the suspension. Front-end grip is absolutely astounding (turn-in is RIGHT NOW!) and, once I fiddled with the shock settings and reinstalled my stock rear anti-roll bar, the back end follows faithfully. No surprises, thankfully, given the amount of power available (about 400 rwhp). Mid-corner bumps are handled with aplomb, imparting a great deal of confidence. Some other observations, this time from an autocrosser's perspective: * Transient response is wonderful. Serpentines can be taken at speeds I would never have achieved with my old set-up. * Steering feedback has increased, giving me a much better feel for what the chassis is doing * Squat is minimized, making launching much easier * Brake dive is also much reduced, giving the ABS system less work when coming into the stop box In summary, this suspension can do it all - provide a comfortable ride on pockmarked streets and allow you to chase FTD at your local autocross. Two very enthusiastic thumbs up.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Flyin' Miata springs, rear perches, Tokico Illumina adjustable shocks, bump stops, sway bars.
Excellent. Everything works as advertised. This combination provides significant improvement in handling, cornering, body roll and control - on the track (at various club/HPDE events at Grattan, Waterford Hills & Gingerman) and on the street - especially with the rear perches maintaining travel on our horrible MI roads. Gives the car more of that Miata "point & squirt" feeling, with no significant sacrifices. Shocks & bars are easily adjustable, though with more difficulty on the rear shocks than KYB AGX's (which were formerly in the package).
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Flying miata sway bars, springs, and tokico illumina shocks.
Outstanding setup. Springs and shocks lowered the car approximatly one inch and really firmed up the ride - but not harsh - controlled. The sway bars were set to the factory recomended settings during installation and provided a much more nuetral cornering car.
Have about 300 miles on the new suspension and still love the setup. 100 miles of it was at a track day at Putnam Park road course. I was able to carry more cornering speed and the car was more predicatble and controllable at the limit. The car was neutral to slight push that could be dialed in or out with the throttle. Few had anything for me in the corners. What a blast. Highly recommend for the corner loving enthusiast. May be a little stiff for the high mileage grand touring road trip crowd.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
The Flyin Miata Stage 2 suspension kit consists of 4 KYB AGX adjustable shocks, 4 sport springs, 2 swaybars and a polished shock tower brace.
I installed all the components myself using the hydraulic lift in my garage. No problems with fitment at all. Installation took about 4 hours. I could do it again in under 3 hours.
I have had this set-up for 10 months and have mostly enjoyed it. The handling is great, the car stays flat in the corners and remains level under heavy braking. The ride quality is somewhat harsher in the rear. I usually set the shocks firmer for highway ( F-5 R-6 ) and softer for city/country ( F-3 R-4 ). I have tried all the settings including full hard ( F-8 R-8 ). Due to the harsh ride I bought the FM Extended Shock Mounts for the rear. Review will follow.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Suspension upgrade kit consisting of: Flyin' Miata springs, KYB AGX shocks, Flyin' Miata sway bars and a Flyin' Miata shock tower brace.
As it was my first shock install, it was tough but doable (I had help). One question I had before beginning the work was quickly answered by email. No modification of stock parts is required. All hardware and bushings from original shock/spring assemblies is reused and no cutting of bump stops is required on M2 cars. The sway bars and shock tower brace were a breeze to install and would be an excellent upgrade by themselves.
The car is transformed with this kit. Obviously, Flyin' Miata did alot of R & D to find just the right combination of parts. Even though the spring rates are almost 3 times higher than stock, the ride is quite nice. My wife didn't even notice the change! The car sits about 1.5 inches lower all around and looks great! There is no body roll to speak of and no brake dive either. The car is very responsive with Toyo T1S tires. Turn-in is crisp and controlled. The whole sensation is one of tautness and controlled firmness. I can't wait to play with the shock and sway bar adjustments at the next autocross! The true potential of the Miata chassis comes out with this kit. If you're looking for improved handling for agressive street driving, look no further. One small warning: as with any lowered car, you will have to be a little careful over speed bumps and pulling into steep driveways. It's not slammed but it does require a little more care. It'! s more than worth it though.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Full suspension kit from Flyin' Miata. Includes shock tower brace, adjustable sway bars, stiffer lowering springs, and KYB AGX 4-way adjustable shocks.
I started with the shock tower brace.It does sharpen up steering and DEFINITELY reduces aftershock when going over railroad tracks etc.It also makes the engine compartment look cool!The sway bars were the next to go on.Once they were on, the car was cornering much flatter.Body roll had been reduced noticeably.Body roll was very noticeable before the sway bars.About two weeks ago I finally purchased and installed the shocks and springs.The lowering just makes the car look much more aggressive.The car seems to corner even flatter now with the spings and shocks on.I took the car to an empty parking lot the other day and just let loose.Let me just say that the handling is confidence inspiring.The rear end comes out predictably and the car goes where you point it. The ride is more harsh of course,but it doesn't really bother me at all.Oh yeah,I have yet to have problems with ground clearance which was a major concern for me with the lowering springs.
Flyin' Miata sells QUALITY products. I wouldn't hesitate buying anything that they sell. Their wesite is a joy to navigate through and customer service is top notch. My miata now looks better and handles better. I would recommend this kit to anyone who wants to delve deeper into the miata's handling potential and still have decent ride quality.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
stage 2 suspension kit from Flyinmiata. comes with 4 kyb agx shocks,4 lowering springs, sway bars front and rear, strut bar. i payed about $1100 for the kit with shipping plus all new dust boots for the shocks.
done this job in 4 hours all by my self. car handles much better not really stiff and hard ride either. shock can be adj via knob by the tower. for street or touring race. great product, if you got the money to spend at one shot.
good kit, take out the hassle try to put your own suspension kit together. for $1100 this kit better last me for a long time.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Flyin' Miata springs, adjustable sway bars and Tokico Illumina Shocks.
I sent an e-mail to Bill Cardell at Dealer Alternative the day after I finished the installation. My words were something like"...the most profound, positive improvement I have ever gotten from aftermarket equipment...". It's true. My Miata's a '90, which Bill described in an earlier note to me as "pretty flexy". So I also installed four chassis braces, the weekend before I upgraded the suspension. They did tighten up the handling, and all but eliminated those "shudders" when driving over RR tracks and corrugated road surfaces. But I must say I was amazed at the improvement the suspension changes made to the cornering stability of this car. It also lowers the car slightly..more in the rear than in the front..and the net effect is very pleasing. The Illuminas appear well-matched to the FM springs. This combination makes it possible to take full advantage of the shock's adjustability. It's been very enjoyable experimenting with all the different combinations of shock and sway bar adjustment. Each combination does have a unique character...so set up a designed experiment like I did and evaluate them systematically. Take notes...and use 'em at the next autocross or track event to set up your car. All of the parts installed without any real drama. I used the non-ball joint breaking front shock installation method in the "Tips From the Garage" section. Working alone it took about 1hr/shock. The sway bars were easy and yes...it is easier to remove the front bar by guiding it out through the driver's side. One note of caution...the FM springs will produce some (!) negative camber particularly in the rear wheels. A good 4-wheel alignment is essential after they're installed. Bill Cardell includes some recommended settings with the springs. I also read Mig Millmans writeup on alignment in Miata.net. Since Mig's recommendations dealt with stock springs, I folowed Bill's recommendations, and am very pleased. Thanks to the guys at Parks Mazda in High Point NC for being so fussy and spending 3.5 hours to get the alignment.
Great parts. Buy them, and realize the full handling potential of your Miata...with no real penalty in comfort unless the shocks are set to "5"..full-firm. Thanks also the the many product reviewers on Miata.net who responded and answered my questions objectively. Great feedback, and it helped me make a well informed decision to buy these parts.
Full FM suspension package, including strut tower brace, sway bars, springs, Tokiko Illumina shocks, and tires, all sourced from Bill Cardell at the Dealer Alternative
I just finished a complete upgrade to the running gear of the car. It is currently equipped with FM springs, FM strut tower brace, FM sway bars, and Tokiko Illumina 5-way adjustable shocks. I am running Dunlop SP8000s 195/55ZR14 on stock ('96) alloys. The car has the Torsen rear end.
I installed all these bits in stages. When I got the car, it was fitted with generic all-season tires in the stock size (185/60R14). I was living in Connecticut at the time and there seemed little point in lowering and/or stiffening the suspension because the roads were so bad. So, the first thing I did was to install the strut tower brace, which, as has already been reported elsewhere on the net, made a subtle but noticeable difference to the behaviour of the car. Less ongoing oscillation after hitting bumps or potholes. A nice tightening of the front end.
I moved to California six months ago (Jan. '98) and within not too long I replaced the awful el-cheapo tires with the Dunlops. Not before taking them out for an autocross, however, which was amusing (lots of tail-happy cornering) but not very fast. The Dunlops themselves made a wonderful difference, but the car still understeered quite noticeably.
Next I installed the sway bars. At the next autocross, and at Laguna Seca, the car behaved much better. There was still some understeer, especially at speed, which surprised me, but it turned out that my alignment was completely wrong and I'd been too lazy to get it fixed before the track day. Once that was corrected, the car felt very very good.
But not good enough. So I just installed (with the help of another miata.netter) FM springs and Illuminas, and took the car out for a run today. No more understeer at speed, in fact very little understeer at all, unless I'm really silly :-) The car feels fantastic, tracks razor-sharp, and has excellent control of the suspension after bumps and dips. No more bounciness! I am *very* pleased. Bear in mind that I still haven't had the alignment fixed since installing the springs, so there is presumably more fun to come.
Overall, the car is now arguably competitive with just about any factory-issue street-legal car in the world. Too bad the driver isn't! With bigger, stickier tires, the grip will be absolutely phenomenal. I look forward to the next autocross, even though I'm running in CSP against all the veterans.
Every part of this setup came from The Dealer Alternative. Bill has been great to deal with, and was remarkably tolerant of my many questions. I would be happy to answer any questions about the parts themselves or their installation.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
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15 January, 2014 |