Which shock absorbers?

[adam1001]

I bought a set of TA Technix shocks (the cheapo ones which have several different names but allegedly come from Germany) a few months ago. I'm still mid-build (1.6 road car) but have begun to see negative comments about them.

Simple question... shall I carry on and see how they are or is it worth binning them and spending a bit more at this point? I want the car to drive better than an MX-5 and if the shocks are *too* hard it's not going to be much fun.

I fully appreciate the cost/quality implications and am obviously working within a budget, so does anyone have any recommendations?

[stubbers]

I was looking at these and noticed this www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=81473

Looks like new springs rectify the problem.

Rich

[tomaff]

I ended up refurbing the standard shocks and fitting some rokkor lowering spring to them with a 40mm drop. Cheep option at only £30 and a tub of paint. Does the job nicely.

T

[tomaff]

Voila

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ROKKOR-FRONT-REAR-LOWERING-SPRINGS-MAZDA-MX5-MK1-MK-I-NA-40mm-/320931550735?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&fits=Model%3AMX-5&hash=item4ab902d60f#ht_815wt_1128

[John B]

Depends entirely on budget. Personally I've gone for GAZ Pro Gold as I've had them on other cars.

[freshlikesushi]

you guys gotta realize also
these shocks you are using are meant for a car quite heavier.
put them on the exocet, and you will have a really stiff/non compliant ride.

While you may THINK that is a great ride and sporty, you are really just hurting your handling.

The best options under 1kUS normally are get some used bilstien shocks, send them off to be rebuilt and revalved to match your weight (you need to know front axle weight (faw) and rear axle weight (raw) and get some ground control coilover sleeves with the recommended spring rate and be merry.

The full adjustable coilovers on my exocet right now, arent very good at all now on the exocet They will work, but could be better for less than i paid for my coilovers

and you guys putting lowering springs on stock shocks, are doing way worse as well. Not only do you loose alot of your travel, in an already short shock, but they are a higher springrate, and the shock isnt made for that.

consider the amount of money you are spending on a kit car, and then think about cheaping on what makes it a truly fun car!

[gwnwar]

+1 on fresh comment most of these spring shock will make you feel like a 2x4 up your butt ride..revalveing the bilstiens and spring made for the weight of the car will give the handleing
you can enjoy not just put up with..

[adam1001]

Totally agree. It may be a budget kit car, but that's no reason to put the cheapest of the cheap bits on it which seriously compromise the handling and driveability. I'm just about to look into something which might mean we can get a deal on shocks which are modified by the manufacturer with the correct spring rate and (if necessary) revalving.

Freshlikesushi, a couple of questions. Would 'Exocet shocks' be sufficient or is there likely to be enough of a difference in the builds to require several different spring ratings? Also are faw and raw relevant if the car is roughly 50/50 and the shocks are adjustable? Forgive my ignorance, I'm not an engineer :-)

[freshlikesushi]

im not sure what "exocet shocks" are other than stock miata shocks.

as for if they are adequate, to be 100% sure id need a shock dyno.

but given the HUGE amount of weight shed by the exocet, anything meant for a miata is wrong. It will work, dont get me wrong, but is inefficient by the numbers

and i cant really imagine that the exocet is a 50/50 weight. i can actuall single handedly lift my rear end off the ground as it sits. mind you i hav ea v8 in the front. but i cant imagine i could do the same on the front with a 1.6/1.8

[gwnwar]

Has anyone corner weighed the exocet yet??

[adam1001]

By 'Exocet shocks' I mean MX-5 shocks specifically spring rated (and possibly valved) for a generic Exocet. If that's possible due to the variation in weight/weight distribution.

[freshlikesushi]

I wouldn't think a stock shock revolved would be any better than a stock shock.

Sure it may be decent. But what is the cost?
For a little more you can have a tailor made setup. It isn't as expensive as you thing to get some good dampers


But like I said a shock dyno would help. Compression and rebound are important as well as low and high speed damper settings (note terms may not match across cultures so I do apologize if our terms may be different from others. This is the only version of descriptions I know)

[adam1001]

OK, I've had a reply from the shock company. I've been running a set of these on my Integrale and they're excellent. Let me know what you think (and freakyparts let me know if you might be able to negotiate a better discount, you usually seem to manage it :-) )

One particularly good thing about these is the ability to adjust ride height independently of spring loading.

www.bc-racing.co.uk/c-bcn04/maxda-mx5-89/

15% discount for 5+ sets, the kits will be brought by sea with upto 12 week lead time to be able to offer that discount. Kits purchased at retail would be air freighted within 2 weeks if they are customised heavily or, if we can alter the MX5 kits we have in stock, supplied on a next working day service.

We can be flexible with spring rates and the dampers will be revalved if necessary to suit the rate choices. The dampers have a wide range of damping adjustability anyway so reasonable changes to rate can be controlled by the default valving.

If FAW and RAW differ from the MX5 to a significant degree then the spring and damping rates can be altered to suit. If you can send me corner weights then I will make sure the kits are correct.

If the front and/or rear ride height differs from the MX5 then this can be addressed.

We are extremely flexible and can adjust spring rate, damping rate and ride height to meet your specific needs at no additional cost.

So this would work out at £595 for a set.

[freshlikesushi]

I have them on my car.

They aren't bad. But they are real low even at max height for most of you I'd imagine

If you get them 2" longer shock body they would work well

[John B]

These look like nice quality shocks.
Personally I have opted for Gaz Pro Gold which is used in the MX150R racing series. You can choose your spring rates, order additional springs if you wish, and the damping is fully adjustable and if you ring them direct and tell them you are building an Exocet they may give you a discount, wink, wink.... Mine were £520 delivered if memory serves.
If you did a group buy maybe they would be cheaper still.