Hey Bert ! Yea, long time I know.... I'm seriously thinking about Deal's Gap this year. The DGRR would be a perfect time to go. Especially now that I've sorted out a few things...namely suspension. I need to check my calendar and make sure I don't have anything going on that weekend.

I'll try to make a drive in event before DGRR. I was actually wanting to go up to VIR today for the races, but couldn't find anyone that was going.

Keith

 

Keith, thanks for the info. I know after I did the shocks and springs on my T2 the difference was very nice. I've got the AGX shocks also and got to play with the settings up at Deals Gap last year which was fun. I've been running 3/6 on it since then but I don't DD it either. When I put the front and rear strut bars on last week it made the ride much more stiff at those settings. I'm thinking about setting mine to 2/4 since it was so bouncy on some of our wonderful highways around town before we head up to Deals Gap.

 

Some of us (ME!!!) were thinking about going up there tomorrow, possibly early AM since the racing starts around 8 or so. I'll see if I can get anybody else to commit to it tonight at the meet.

 

Hey Greg, I've been doing a LOT of Miata suspension research, and most of the Miata guys run the adjustable shocks with more stiffness in the front than the rear. It gives Miatas a quicker turn in. I'm not sure if that would apply to the T2, but they are similar enough cars. Like on a first gen Miata the fronts might be set to 3 or 4 and the rears set to 2 for normal street driving.

Of course, your T2 has a lot more power, so it might need the back end to be firmer so that you can put the power to the ground. I'm certainly no suspension expert (yet.)

I'm still trying to decide between Bilsteins and Illuminas now. It's the classic handling/ride quality debate. Illuminas set low are nice and plush, while Bilsteins are very firm.

 

[QUOTE=NC_FC3S]I really like the new springs and shocks. I have the shocks set at 2 on the front and 4 on the back. It's pretty stiff around town but it's not a daily driver and it's a lot more firm now and corners flatter in the turns. Overall i'm very happy with it. Now I just need to find some time to play with the settings on the KYBs a bit.[QUOTE]

And Greg said "Keith, thanks for the info. I know after I did the shocks and springs on my T2 the difference was very nice. I've got the AGX shocks also and got to play with the settings up at Deals Gap last year which was fun. I've been running 3/6 on it since then but I don't DD it either. When I put the front and rear strut bars on last week it made the ride much more stiff at those settings. I'm thinking about setting mine to 2/4 since it was so bouncy on some of our wonderful highways around town before we head up to Deals Gap."

Well, since y'all have just gotten the KYB AGX's I will check them out. On Tire Rack the prices are much easier on the pocket book than for the KONI's. Since y'all have the experience with them it would seem reasonable to buy something that we already know about and have had some experience with. where did y'all buy yours and did you do the install yourself or outsourced it? If so where? I'd like to do the install myself if there are no special tools required except a spring compressor and I think I can borrow one at Advance Auto. I'll have to check their prices out as well.

 

Bert, do you have air tools?

On the FB, it doesn't really require any special tools, but it would be nearly impossible without a good impact wrench. Other than that, just buy or borrow some spring compressors and you're set. Don't forget lots and lots of PB Blaster, and some bearing grease if you need to pull off the hubs in the FC (you have to pull the front ones on the FB.)

You can also pick up KYB AGX's cheap on Ebay, but it's not a LOT cheaper than if you picked them up from Advance Auto. I buy shocks from ebay myself, but you run the risk of the ebay seller not being an official seller and having no warranty.

From my reseach, here's how I rank the popular 7 shocks:

KYB AGX- Best bang for the buck. Handling is excellent, but is a bit stiff when set to any fun settings.

Tokico Illuminas-Some consider it a step up from the AGX's. They only have 5 settings instead of 8, but the difference between full soft and full hard are much further apart than the AGX. I like the dampening curve on these, it allows a nice ride at low speeds without being floaty, and it's firm when you need it. More expensive than AGX's I will probably be buying a set of these for the Miata and installing them soon.

Koni-The best shock of the bunch. It combines nice riding for street use with really great handling for the track. If price was no object, I'd pick Konis easily, but they cost a bit more than the other options.

Note that this is all based on research, I've only actually ridden in cars with AGX's, and was quite impressed.

 

Interesting thoughts there! Is a Miata 50/50 on the weight or a little more front heavy? I do know that the rear end of the Turbo seems to dig in a little more or better now than before I did the shocks and springs and as usual the rear tires wear more (very even though) than the fronts which I think is typical for an FC.
Anyways, I might try a "reverse" setting just to see! All I know is I had one heck of a bouncy stiff ride after the strut bars went in than what I had before on the same settings on the outer loop and elsewhere Wednesday.

 

Burt, I got mine off of eBay back in 2005. Seems like they were around $325 shipped. I agree with Joey on his rankings and about the install. I had mine done all at the same time; shocks, springs, bushings and tires by MMAutowerks when they were around.

 

ATTENTINON ANYONE GOING ON THE DRIVE TODAY

My FB is having some issues, I had to come back to get the Miata. I'll be running late, but I'll be there. Please don't leave without me....

And Greg, the Miata is 50/50.

 

Drive was fun..... until nic's motor pooped out. 3rd motor in 2 years??? We shall see.


BC

 

^Well BC, we shall see. After you left we waited about 30 minutes for roadside asst. but they called saying they couldn't send a truck without an actual location for for the car so, I talked to them for a while. I decided to try and crank the car...guess what??? It started and we drove to the CharGrill trouble free. I'm gonna call the service dept on Monday and see what they recommend. I think it was just a fuel flow issue and I might need to just need to get a new fuel filter. I'll post up when I find out more...

Great turn out tonight also, the 8's were out in force tonight, and I was the only three rotor...LOL!!! Hell, Doug and Beth made it out so, anytime they make it out it's a good thing! Still no Bobby though...I guess we may have to put out an APB for him, HAHA!

 

Still can't figure out how they thought we were 100 miles from Raleigh, wouldn't that put u half way into VA? Anyway I hope it's something simple as bad fuel or just a clotted fueld filter.

Yep, good turn out. Hopefully now that the weather is making a turn for the better we'll have better turn out like tonight.

 

Yeah, it was kinda strange they plotted us so far away...ohwell. I didn't have any problems on the way home, but then again I didn't take it past 6k either. I'm take it out tomorrow and play with it a little so, we'll see!!!

 

Couldn't you have given them latitude and longitude? I don't think it gets any more precise and accurate then that.

 

That's the bad part...we gave the exact intersection and town we were in and they still said we were 100 miles out!

 

Dear Mazda,

You suck.

Thanks,

Your local RX-8 owner

 

So much for great plans of mice and men.... or RX-7 owners. Got up this morning to go to VIR. Did my usual checkup of oil, tires and radiator and started the car to let her warm up. Got in and hit the road. Stopped along the way to hit a store for some stuff, came back out and put the key in and BAM! Car started to turn over, radio came on, seatbelts started moving then all of the sudden NOTHING! I was like, WTF? Being a musician first thing I think of is blown fuse, check those and they all look good. Check the battery and the connections and everything looks fine and is tight. Scratch my *** and think... this sucks! I check my bearings.... no I'm nowhere near that damn route everyone breaks down on so what the hell is going on? Is my car pulling a Nic or what!?!?!?!? I recheck everything again and still nothing, no juice period. I decide ok it's got to be the battery connections. Check the passenger bin for my socket set... oops I took it out to put on the strut bars and didn't put it back. So I grab my trusty Craftsman one-size-hits-all tool (large flat head screwdriver) and decide to attack the battery terminals as best as I can. Get back in and turned the key... nothing. Decide to get nasty and attack them again. Try the key and got a spark!!! Ah hah! So after several trys (about 15 mins worth) I finally get the damn thing started. Decided as much as I wanted to be at VIR I'd better get my *** back to Raleighwood and work on the car. Got home and went to work on the terminals and connections and it's all better now. And to think I almost took the Vert this morning instead... sucks to be me. Guess I'll just work on cars today since it's so freaking nice outside and I'm not where I want to be.

 

That sucks Greg, but at least it was just the terminals and not something more severe, like a blown muffler bearing.

Today would be a nice day for a vert ride...

 

Greg & Bert, I just got online this afternoon... Just saw your posting Greg. Heck , had I known someone else wanted to go up to VIR...Dang ! Well, I got a lot of yard work done. Still wasn't quite as much fun.

Bert, I got my KYB AGXs off of Ebay. I can't remember the guys screen name...Something like "JDM...something"... He's got good reviews and I think I got them for just over $300... Don't quote me on that though.. Anyway, I had Atlantic Tire in Cary put them on. I believe it was less than $250 installed. I suppose I could have attempted it myself, but sometimes it's just less painful to get the pros to do those things.

 

That was probably "JDMWerks." I got my RX7's struts from him and I am just about to order a set of Illuminas from him too. He only seems to have the GR-2 shocks in right now from KYB. Here's a link to the only 2nd gen AGX auction I could find at a decent price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-A...spagenameZWDVW

It's weird because normally you see dozens up.

*edit*
I just ordered my new shocks. Maybe they'll get here in time to put it on this weekend, wee

 

You don't have to completely remove the hubs on the FC. You unbolt the top of them and let them hang from the a-arm. Then you repeat in reverse. Just remember which way the bolts came out, because they'll go in both ways, but they'll only come back out one way. lol

 

hey guys there is a sweet looking black NA s5 up in wake forest for 3300. i didnt get the mileage but the car looks really clean. if anyone is interested I can try and get more info on it.

 

This stinks?



Lol. Im funny.



BC


glad to hear the car got started again Nic. the g/f's cake that dragged me away yesterday was a big hit at the grandparents anniversary I am happy to say.


BC

 

Almost vacation time to go to DEAL'S GAP! YEEEAH WOOOO!!! *dances*

 

Like I said before, Victor is selling his car, and I wanted to see if any of you would be interested first...here's the info...

"ok the bad things
1. rear housing crack 2. front differential mount needs to be replace 3. still work but highly recomendeble replace ECU wiring harness ( cant handle the mods..)

the mod list.
1. bridge port 2. 4 720cc injectors 3. throtle body mod (ported) 4. hks SSBOV 5. full racing beat exhaust 6. centerforce dual friction clutch 7. light cover intake duct 8. rx8 winning blue paint job
i can go in detail about the internals on the engine but thats by request only and if they want the engine fix i can do it too but the car will cost more and have to wait for me to get back. victor"