Gaz shocks bought, what next?
Discussion
Chaps,
Good evening, my caring family have bought me some new shocks and springs for my mk1, and very kind of them too.
I have the Gaz fixed height kit with springs from Mx5 parts. My Mx5 is a 1995 UK 1800 model, existing suspension components are quite corroded. The plan for the car is to set her up for track use only for the next couple of years as currently SORN and will be trailered to the track.
Big question is what else will need changing? In the back of my mind I can think of top mounts (are the mk2 versions better? New or old?) and shock absorber boots. Would be great to get some advice on any additional bushes etc which would be a good idea to swap when we fit the new shocks. Will get the Geo done when all it's all installed. Cost wise would be good to keep things reasonably sensible and maybe change other less important components as I go along.
Many Thanks in advance for any advice.
Good evening, my caring family have bought me some new shocks and springs for my mk1, and very kind of them too.
I have the Gaz fixed height kit with springs from Mx5 parts. My Mx5 is a 1995 UK 1800 model, existing suspension components are quite corroded. The plan for the car is to set her up for track use only for the next couple of years as currently SORN and will be trailered to the track.
Big question is what else will need changing? In the back of my mind I can think of top mounts (are the mk2 versions better? New or old?) and shock absorber boots. Would be great to get some advice on any additional bushes etc which would be a good idea to swap when we fit the new shocks. Will get the Geo done when all it's all installed. Cost wise would be good to keep things reasonably sensible and maybe change other less important components as I go along.
Many Thanks in advance for any advice.
Edited by Itsallicanafford on Monday 12th January 23:11
If you've already got the suspension to fit a mk1 then you can't really put mk2 topmounts on as they're slightly different. A complete mk2 suspension and topmount setup will fit a mk1 though and the latter topmount is a better design.
If you're modifying for track days then it might be worth upgrading the arb's and bushes too. Quite an easy job to do yourself.
If you're modifying for track days then it might be worth upgrading the arb's and bushes too. Quite an easy job to do yourself.
I found that frame rails (from P5) made a lot of difference to my Mk1 in reducing scuttle shake as well as improving handling.
As Lazza says ^^ poly bushes are probably the cheapest, most cost effective up-grade though you shouldn't really need to change the anti-roll bar if the suspension's doing its job properly.
Previous owner had fitted chassis braces which are also a good idea if you intend tracking it.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe
As Lazza says ^^ poly bushes are probably the cheapest, most cost effective up-grade though you shouldn't really need to change the anti-roll bar if the suspension's doing its job properly.
Previous owner had fitted chassis braces which are also a good idea if you intend tracking it.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe
Got the older Gaz shocks myself, but the height adjustables. Really happy with them.
- Use the existing top mounts with the Gaz shocks.
- Treat the damper bodies/threads to something to protect them, ACF 50, spray grease etc.
- Tyres! Good, matching tyres all round!
- Be very, very, very careful with wishbone Polybushes. They aren't a cheap upgrade! Lots of info in the usual places but consensus seems that other than a select few manufacturers, most of the polybushes available do more harm than good (snapped upper wishbones, play, squeaks, etc?)
OEM or ILMotorsport rubber bushes, or energy suspension poly bushes come highly reccomended but there more like £300 odd quid. I'm weighing up doing it on mine but its bloody expensive to do it right.
- ARB bushes can be done cheap, and worth doing. Replace all the droplinks for new and then its just two bushes per side. Had a noticeable effect on mine, ARB actually working, not just flopping about.
- Alignment bolts. Was reccomended to replace these on mine also, if there old/crusty/worn. Helps to get the alignment more accurate, and means you pay less for the person doing it!
- Then get it aligned somewhere that knows what they are doing!
- Use the existing top mounts with the Gaz shocks.
- Treat the damper bodies/threads to something to protect them, ACF 50, spray grease etc.
- Tyres! Good, matching tyres all round!
- Be very, very, very careful with wishbone Polybushes. They aren't a cheap upgrade! Lots of info in the usual places but consensus seems that other than a select few manufacturers, most of the polybushes available do more harm than good (snapped upper wishbones, play, squeaks, etc?)
OEM or ILMotorsport rubber bushes, or energy suspension poly bushes come highly reccomended but there more like £300 odd quid. I'm weighing up doing it on mine but its bloody expensive to do it right.
- ARB bushes can be done cheap, and worth doing. Replace all the droplinks for new and then its just two bushes per side. Had a noticeable effect on mine, ARB actually working, not just flopping about.
- Alignment bolts. Was reccomended to replace these on mine also, if there old/crusty/worn. Helps to get the alignment more accurate, and means you pay less for the person doing it!
- Then get it aligned somewhere that knows what they are doing!
Gilhooligan said:
If you've already got the suspension to fit a mk1 then you can't really put mk2 topmounts on as they're slightly different. A complete mk2 suspension and topmount setup will fit a mk1 though and the latter topmount is a better design.
If you're modifying for track days then it might be worth upgrading the arb's and bushes too. Quite an easy job to do yourself.
Thank's for this reply. Sorry for the thread derailment OP. But....If you're modifying for track days then it might be worth upgrading the arb's and bushes too. Quite an easy job to do yourself.
I bought some hsd coilovers that were previously fitted to a mk1 but hardly used. I googled a lot before commiting to buy and I got the impression that the two were interchangeable?
I have a mk2, does this mean the had' from the other gus mk1 won't fit??
Chaps
Firstly, many thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.
Reading through them all I think I will do the following In addition to the shocks and springs:-
New shock absorber boots
Keep existing top mounts
New drop links
New anti roll bar bushes
New alignment bolts
Book up a track day at Cadwell park!
I car already has a sparco sprint seat, 5 point harness, TR Lane roll bar and harness bar and I run it on 15 inch rims with a full set of AD08's so hopefully the suspension change will be last (or latest!) part of the puzzle.
Firstly, many thanks for all the replies, much appreciated.
Reading through them all I think I will do the following In addition to the shocks and springs:-
New shock absorber boots
Keep existing top mounts
New drop links
New anti roll bar bushes
New alignment bolts
Book up a track day at Cadwell park!
I car already has a sparco sprint seat, 5 point harness, TR Lane roll bar and harness bar and I run it on 15 inch rims with a full set of AD08's so hopefully the suspension change will be last (or latest!) part of the puzzle.
Gassing Station | Mazda MX5/Roadster/Miata | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff