2007 Mazda MX5 MS-R package!!!

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

I concur with everything Donnie said about springs - they make a huge difference. The soft springs are one of the biggest problems on the current Miata, nice for ride quality on the road, but not so good for autox.

ep

markodell · **Joined:** Wed Jul 27, 2005 6:19 pm **Posts:** 65

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Chuck Frank wrote:

Like I said, I have no experience working with spring rates, was more a question of can they make the springs much stiffer than the 99 S was and still be drivable?

Sure. If memory serves, those springs are still WELL under 200 pounds/inch, and lots of people daily drive stuff in that weight class with well OVER 300 pounds/inch. Shocks need to be valved better to control that much more spring, but it isn't bad as long as the shock is decent.

The Spyder springs were under 100 pounds/inch, IIRC.

--Donnie

For those of you wondering about spring rates for various miata setups, I recently came across this incredible miata suspension spreadsheet. Its very interesting because it lists spring rates, sway bars, roll stiffness, bounce frequency etc for all the different miata packages from the factory PLUS many of the popular aftermarket kits. A must have for any Miata racer...

http://www.fatcatmotorsports.com/FCM_MSDS_v7_1.xls

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 9:53 am

Thanks, Mark.

Note just how little change there was in springs for the 1999 "Sport" package. That's almost negligible in the grand scheme of things.

--Donnie

Chuck Frank · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:11 am

Thanks Mark!
Wow, I thought there was a much greater difference in the spring rates between my 99 PEP suspension and the 99S.
The CSP STS2 setup was an eye opener! Hey Keith did you try springs in these ranges befor writing off the NB as non-competitive in STS2? I know Andy chose the NA primarily because he already owned it from his Stock and CSP days.
I learn something new every day, now to see what Spring rates Mazda chooses to use on the 07R, will they be as conservative as the 99S, or will they go all out with a CSP range package????

Keith Vail · **Posted:** Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:33 am

Chuck Frank wrote:

Thanks Mark!
The CSP STS2 setup was an eye opener! Hey Keith did you try springs in these ranges befor writing off the NB as non-competitive in STS2? I know Andy chose the NA primarily because he already owned it from his Stock and CSP days.

Chuck I am running a 94 NA. The 99+ NB is not STS2 legal. My spring rates are 550 lbs in front with 375 lbs in the rear. I could up the spring rates more if I end up continuuing to develop the car.

Donnie Barnes wrote:

A little birdie tells me they haven't even tested this new package yet, and won't for another ten days! Ugh.

Yup I was told that they hadn't even had the package installed on a Miata yet. So they would have to install the package before testing it.

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

http://scca.org/_FileLibrary/File/san%2 ... al%202.pdf

Buetzer in a '99 beats Dietz/Lillejord in a Solstice, for whatever that is worth.

The NC Miata wins CSP, too. Woodshedding might be an appropriate word.

Eric Peterson · **Joined:** Mon Sep 01, 2003 10:24 am **Posts:** 494

Buetzer is one of the most talented solo drivers in the country. He can literally beat anyone, when he is *on.* It wouldn't surprise me to see him win Nats, even though the Miata is giving up several tenths to the Solstice.

ep

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2007 Mazda MX5 MS-R package!!!

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