97-03 Coilovers worth it?

[JohnJ89]

Hey peoples, like some of you know I wanted to go tracking with my GTP (yes I know wrong track day car, but it's too late, I can't just return the car), some of the members helped me out with a good setup, which was ssc lowering springs w/ Excel GR2, GMPP front-Addco rear, trailing arms, lateral links, etc, 13.6" drilled rotors, GXP rims w/AS Pilot Sports 245 mm width (both end), sounded like a good setup but now I'm considering coilovers... but I don't want to spend say $1200 on coilovers + labor (I can't do coilovers, im not even gonna take a chance and try) and get toyed by a stock Miata on the track... so basically what type of performance are we looking at here with the Coilovers?

[Bio248]

if you're going to make them yourself, yes. worth it. if you're going to pay for preassembled ones, no. not worth it.

the ability to fine tune the ride height and handling characteristics will be vastly superior to drop springs.

[JohnJ89]

if you're going to make them yourself, yes. worth it. if you're going to pay for preassembled ones, no. not worth it.

the ability to fine tune the ride height and handling characteristics will be vastly superior to drop springs.

Yeah can't make coilovers lol ... but how much of a handling boost am I getting with coilovers against just SSC springs w/ 1.3" drop? And off topic, what spoiler is on your green GP?

[JohnJ89]

if you're going to make them yourself, yes. worth it. if you're going to pay for preassembled ones, no. not worth it.

the ability to fine tune the ride height and handling characteristics will be vastly superior to drop springs.

Oh and about your housing too, did you paint the headlight housing yourself by taking the lens off or did you buy the headlights? if so, how much? And yeah I can't even install coilovers let alone make them lol I just need to know how the handling will be is I do coilovers versus Lowering w/ GR2 struts.

[JohnJ89]

if you're going to make them yourself, yes. worth it. if you're going to pay for preassembled ones, no. not worth it.

the ability to fine tune the ride height and handling characteristics will be vastly superior to drop springs.

Oh and most of the guys here suggested me GR2s over AGX struts as well.

[Bio248]

spoiler: SLP gen1

headlights: blacked out housings from ebay

struts: GR2 and AGX will last about the same amount of time and the 'adjustment' that the AGX gives you is pretty well useless

coils vs springs: all drop springs are much softer and won't offer near the capabilities that coilovers will

[JohnJ89]

spoiler: SLP gen1

headlights: blacked out housings from ebay

struts: GR2 and AGX will last about the same amount of time and the 'adjustment' that the AGX gives you is pretty well useless

coils vs springs: all drop springs are much softer and won't offer near the capabilities that coilovers will

How much did the headlights run you? I'm debating between getting Halos, or painting my stock housings black but how much is fair price for the black housing headlights? I see around $64 on ebay? And ohhhh that puts me in a hard situation, I got a daily driver with under 80k miles on it still, I don't want to put on too many engine upgrades or build the tranny any time soon... however I do have the desire to go tracking once in a very while when summer rolls around... if coilovers offer a world of difference than drop springs then I'll go the extra mile because handling mods are the only mods I'll have for a while out of reliability fears... most of the forum guys suggested me drop springs, what do you suggest tho?

[Bio248]

i haven't owned a GP in 6 or 7 years, i'm not sure what anything costs anymore.

if it were my car i'd do coilvers over springs. you can go lower with them.

[GrandPrix06GT]

Hey man, I have pretty much new Coilovers on my car right now that will be coming off within the next couple weeks. They are one of a kind, custom built with agx struts, hypercoil springs, genesis guides, eibach helper, custom machined top hats with sealed thrust bearings that sit at the top. I'm here in metro Detroit if you want to talk more pm me. I could possibly install them for you as well at home in the next month or so for a little extra. Let me know.

They are better than what you can buy from ZZP and intense.

these are them being built
http://www.grandprixforums.net/threa...Updated-11-11)

[MrPoopyButthole]

if you're going to make them yourself, yes. worth it. if you're going to pay for preassembled ones, no. not worth it.

the ability to fine tune the ride height and handling characteristics will be vastly superior to drop springs.

What he said ^^^^^^^^^^

[matt5112]

I've posted about this before.

No one likes what I have to say, because I keep saying spend some real money.

If you're going to track your car, you're going to be going through rotors, pads and tires every season. So if you don't have money to burn, you're in the hobby. Also don't be shocked if you make a mistake, and wreck. Insurance doesn't cover track days, so it might be a good idea not to track your daily driver.

I also must say, you will definitely get spanked by stock Miatas if you run all season tires. Anyone who is even halfway serious is going to run the stickiest tire that is legal for the class. Think treadwear ratings of 120-140. Not 300+. Even then, you'll still get spanked. Oh Miata, how perfect a track day car you are.

As for the install, it's no different than regular struts.

You will want to pay to have the car corner balanced and the sway bar preload removed. You'll need at least one adjustable sway bar end link for that.

If you want cheap coilovers, just contact BC Racing. I'm surprised they don't make one for the W body already.

At the end of the day, it comes down to driver skill. Just do HDPE and learn.

[Alix0r]

Bags> coilovers > lowering springs...


The end!

[91parkave]

Coilovers