850 Suspension Suggestions
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850 Suspension Suggestions
With my newly acquired 1996 850 Non Turbo (See my other post) I'm looking ahead a couple months at potential suspension upgrades while keeping in mind this will still be my daily and i plan on building a purpose built track car a year from now. My front fright shock is clunking and I'm not very against a stiffer ride. I had BC racing coilovers on my 1991 Miata and didn't mind them, but I am curious if there are better and more specified options. I don't want to lower it too much but i would definitely love an inch or two drop. The car will be mostly street driven with the occasional road trip and maybe a track day or two. I will link the couple of options i am considering and i would love some feedback from anyone with knowledge on the topic or have had similar or stated suspension.
KONTROL PRO coilovers
FcpEuro suspension refresh.
KONTROL PRO coilovers
FcpEuro suspension refresh.
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From: Burlington, VT
Usually the strut clunk is caused by a broken spring seat.
in terms of a suspension refresh I think coilovers are overkill and not the best ROI. Here's what I've done
1) Consider upgrading OEM Boge/Sachs to Bilstein HDs (B6s not B4s). Use a new spring seat - you can find a HD version at IPD and Ive seen some who recommend the seat from the XCs (dunno year/part )
2) Check the quality of the suspension bushings - the control arms have the ball joint so if those bushings are soft, replace as a unit
3) Upgrade the sway bars is the best bang for the buck. I loved having the IPD bars on my 850T wagon. Make sure you use the IPD HD end links or you'll be replacing the OEMs soon enough. To install the subframe needs to be loosened so you may want to have a shop do the work
4) Lowering springs are an option but not my first choice, if you aren't worried about clearance. HR are standard fixed rate, Eibach sells progressive rates - both lower the car about 1-2 inches. You may want to pair these with the Bilstein B8s which are the HD shocks with a slightly shorter rod.
5) invest in wheels/tires is probably #2 after the sway bars and fixing the struts. check out wheel-size.com to see factory rim width/tire sizes/offsets appropriate to the car. Check out hubcaphaven.com if you want to see some nice aftermarket OEM style wheels.
in terms of a suspension refresh I think coilovers are overkill and not the best ROI. Here's what I've done
1) Consider upgrading OEM Boge/Sachs to Bilstein HDs (B6s not B4s). Use a new spring seat - you can find a HD version at IPD and Ive seen some who recommend the seat from the XCs (dunno year/part )
2) Check the quality of the suspension bushings - the control arms have the ball joint so if those bushings are soft, replace as a unit
3) Upgrade the sway bars is the best bang for the buck. I loved having the IPD bars on my 850T wagon. Make sure you use the IPD HD end links or you'll be replacing the OEMs soon enough. To install the subframe needs to be loosened so you may want to have a shop do the work
4) Lowering springs are an option but not my first choice, if you aren't worried about clearance. HR are standard fixed rate, Eibach sells progressive rates - both lower the car about 1-2 inches. You may want to pair these with the Bilstein B8s which are the HD shocks with a slightly shorter rod.
5) invest in wheels/tires is probably #2 after the sway bars and fixing the struts. check out wheel-size.com to see factory rim width/tire sizes/offsets appropriate to the car. Check out hubcaphaven.com if you want to see some nice aftermarket OEM style wheels.
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