THSCC Forums

So, the little lady got me a set of new shocks for the 93 Miata. Getting everything together to get them installed with some help this weekend.

Should I spend the extra coin and get new OEM dustboots with the bumpstops built in or is it okay to save a little and use the KYB replacements.

I only ask because I see a lot of talk about how the OEM bumpstops act as a progressive spring in conjunction with the factory springs.

Any ES Miata guys have 2¢ to throw in?

_________________
Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

I would get the OEM bumpstops without a doubt. For a stock car, the bumpstops do act as an extra spring and the KYB's will not be nearly as effective. I've driven cars equipped with the KYB's and wasn't impressed at all.

Jim

Are the KYB's solid or something?

Jim and Jordan have both mentioned this, and I think it is pretty well documented that the bumpstops were part of the suspension design in the Miata. I remember poking on the internet and seeing someone who wanted to design his own bumpstops for a more modified suspension.

Also, would the KYB bumpstops be stock class legal?
(no rulebook on hand, and I don't have that section memorized...)

The KYB's look just like the stock ones, and are listed as OEM replacements by several suppliers. Does that mean they are the same, probably not. As fas as stock legal, I'm not touching that one, have you seen some of the other threads recently

KYB's are stock legal. Stock legal is defined by attaching at the same mounting points and being within 1/4" of the stock length of the shock (both body and shaft). As far as shocks go, the KYB's aren't too bad. The only downside is that they are not guaranteed for life like the Konis, and they adjust rebound and compression at the same time, which can be a detriment at times. - AB

_________________
'14 Toyota Sequoia Platinum 4WD
Super Westerfield Bros - '93 Integra - LeChump Du Jour
STX 93 - Scion FR-S

He's talking about the KYB replacement bumpstops, not the shocks. The shocks are a great deal for the car although I do prefer the Konis. I used to use the KYB shocks with my current spring setup (450/300 Ground Controls) and switched to the Konis. The Konis seem to deal with the higher than stock spring rates better than the KYB's. The KYB's would get harsh when adjusted to deal with the stiffer springs but for softer rates (like the recommended GC rate, 350/250?) or the stock springs, they were pretty good. I really need to get the Konis revalved since they are currently using the off-the-shelf valving but that is yet another project for the offseason.

As far as the KYB bumpstops being legal, I have no idea. I just know that they seemed stiffer than the OEM bumpstops and prehaps not as progressive which caused which ever end that hit the bumpstop to wash out suddenly. For non-aggressive driving, they were fine but for anything approaching auto-x aggressiveness, they felt terrible to me.

Jim

OEM Boots/Bumpstops on the way. Might as well do it right the first time. Of course that might mean Ground Controls. . . nah. . . . gotta stick to the "plan."

BTW The KYB AGX shocks have a lifetime warranty now. My understanding is that it's based on sales date regardless of what it says on the box or in the box with the documentation.
(i.e. here http://www.shockwarehouse.com/cgi-bin/s ... ranty.html and any other KYB retailer)

Between the lifetime warranty, my decision to stay in ES for a while and the fact that they can be had for a good bit less coin then the Koni's I decided I'd save the money until I can appreciate the difference. (Hell, at this point with 96k on the factory installed units a set of Monroe Sensa-Trac's from Sears would be an improvement.)

Thanks again for the feedback.

David

_________________
Not spectacular just decent.
I'm not sure what I'm driving.
Maybe an ITR in DS.
Or half-assed STX prepped 330.

good thing. Any non-OEM replacement part, removal or modification of the OEM bumpstops (other than enlarging the hole for a larger shock shaft) is illegal in stock class, as is changing the shock body length so that the bumpstop contacts the shock body at a different point in the suspension travel (+-1/4").

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.