Mk1 Eunos 1.8 Budget Shocks Spring Combo - Advice needed

[Tom W]

Hi, Having recently purchased a lovely rust free, 1996 Eunos 1.8 VR Limited Combination B. I am thinking of doing a budget (£300 ish) suspension refresh. I am looking for well matched springs and dampers. I do not want coilovers as im on a budget and the sole use is fast road. I will get them aligned at WIM once fitted.

Autolink have the own brand 'sports springs' for £94 inc VAT

or

Tein S Tech Springs are £108 inc VAT (Lower 45 mm front / 40 mm rear)

Anyone chosen these or a similar set up? KYB AGX seem highly rated but nearly £400 for a set! Are their any cheaper options that work well on the road, ie not bone jarring with a well controlled ride?

Thanks in anticipation of your advice!

[snotrag]

I rebuilt my Mk2 with bog standard 'oem style' KYB gas shocks - I think they call them Excel-Gas.

Bought them from buypartsbuy, simply as it was cheapest. try Eurocarparts etc etc.

I've said it a million times before - its all about NEW dampers!

The autolink springs with NEW dampers will be fantastic - my Mk2 was. Came to less than £300 i seem to recall (few years ago).

[Dimski]

My 1.6 Eunos' dampers were ruined, I fitted these last weekend.

I believe them to be a step up from the £200 ebay coilovers, and the decent stuff starting at £500.

I've not had it aligned yet, but them seem fairly decent. The improvement over the knackered old ones is huge. I've kept the height almost standard.

[Tom W]

Thanks for your comments so far, very useful.

I have just reviewed the cars history file.... Pleasingly it had new FRONT KYB gas shocks less than 10k ago

I have pretty much decided to buy a pair of KYB gas shocks for the REAR, but which lowering springs would be best for fast road use?

the wheel arch to wheel centre is approximately 340mm at present..... I hear that 310mm is optimal for handling? (my VR limited has lower suspension that most UK cars I believe)

Which springs will would work best with these Non adjustable KYB shocks? Tein, Eibach, Autolink sport springs???

Anyone with recommendations?

[chasdad]

I'm sure I've read that lowered springs on standard shocks is not ideal

[Tom W]

From reading the Tein and Autolink product descriptions these lowering springs are designed for standard shocks.

For road use, apparently the Teins are good as long as your shocks are in good condition or new.

Im going to order these tomorrow, unless you have tried them and didn't rate them for road use.

[chasdad]

I was only going by something I've read. I've an s special on original Bilsteins

[VladD]

Doesn't the MX5 have coil overs as standard?

[skinny]

I went for mk2 bilsteins from the sport. I think they are as good as you can get for under £300

[MX-5 Lazza]

MX5s do have coil-overs as standard i.e. the springs sit over the shocks and sit on perches on the shocks, but when people talk about coil-overs the generally mean height-adjustable

[VladD]

Thanks Lazza.

[Tom W]

Thanks for comments, the Mk2 Bilsteins are twice the price of KYB... more than I was looking to spend really. Im sure they work well though.

Just to clarify, Im not looking for height adjustable coilovers, just decent fixed rate shocks that work well with paired springs.

Anyone had any experience with the Tein S Spec Lowering Springs? I am about the push the button! Mainly concerned about ride quality even with new KYB shocks.

[skinny]

2nd hand billies? i think i got all 4 on mine for £150 complete with top mounts.

[chasdad]

Hi. Just seen a set of reconditioned Bilsteins on mx5oc for sale if your interersted op

[chasdad]

Hi. Just seen a set of reconditioned Bilsteins on mx5oc for sale if your interersted op

[Tom W]

Thanks Chas dad, they do look good. Will make a great buy for someone. I have just purchased the Tein S Tech Lowering Springs 45mm front 40mm rear from Amber performance



Together with new KYB Excel G gas shocks



Should I buy these to protect the shocks and will the bump stops be sufficient?

[Tom W]

Can anyone confirm whether these Bump Stops (pictured above) are sufficent for use on my Mk1, given the lowered Tein springs? Anything else I need for the suspension refresh, apart from springs, dampers and bump stops?