After a lot of physical testing done by Steve (TurboProto) and researching done by me here's the final verdict
As some of you may know.. Steve (TurboProto) and I have been working with each other to create a coilover setup that is good in quality and affordable (meaning the sub $1000 range). Many people choose to use the Ground control setup, but it did not suffice as the ZX2 struts tend to give out quite early and doesnt offer sufficient dampening for higher spring rates. I set out to find something that is competitive for the money, and finally looked to AURFA when I was in taiwan to help me with the setup. This setup is compatible with both 4wd and FWD Proteges
This setup also offers seperate height and preload adjustments. This helps when you want to stiffen up the springs a slight bit and it means no danglings springs or bottoming out the strut pistons when going low.
Some initial Photos:
On Steve's Car (TurboProto)
There are more pictures on Steves 4wd thread
Final Updates
We finalized the designs on the AURFA coilovers to ensure and trouble free fit to the BG chassis. The main issue was the springs originally supplied. The original prototype that I got has springs a little bit too long in the front and rear. With our final changes, This gives the car about a 1.5 to 3" drop without changing the preload or damper stroke (I was able to drive the car for 80 miles with it barely dragging the mudflaps, w/o bottoming out once or the ride being horrible!
Specs of the coilovers
We are going to run a standard 8k/6k spring rate. (446/335 in US measurements)
The dampeners are non adjustable, we will be working on having an adjustable setup later on (but that will put it well over the price range of D2's and K sports)
It will work with stock upper mounts or the Cuscos
(I would give an option of pillowball mounts, but for the price that I can get them for at the moment, it would be about the same as the cuscos, and wouldnt be worth the money)
We also tested it out on my 93 DX at the local autocross last week, and We were running similar times as some of the miatas (of course not the super good ones). It was driven by one of the guys there, a member of the SCCA with about only 2 years driving experience.
SCCA Practice Day feedback
The only suspension mods were the AURFA coilovers, a GTX STB, and a Cusco rear STB
We were averaging about 70 to 73 seconds per lap, while the average miata time was about 70-72 (keep in mind this is on a wet day with stock tires). I gave it a shot and did a 73.77 seconds. The other driver's best time was a 69.36. I was quite impressed as I was hoping to break 75 seconds since it was raining and the car was ran with hankook optimos (cheap passenger tires). The driver really liked the setup and said that it oversteered nicely when needed and there were surprisingly no understeer issues (maybe due to the rain).
We will be making a few alterations to the car later on and we will attempt to run it again, with my driver Romel Decastro. He gave me feed back and how to fine tune the suspension initially and tested it on the road.. He was surprised at what the car can do, and found that even on the crappy tires, the car was well balanced, with little to no understeer and no unpredictable oversteer.
Lets get down to business:
If anyone is interested, I am taking orders on these. I will return to Taiwan in Mid March to personally inspect these and send them out..
These will be made on a per-order basis. meaning. If you want them, you have to pay for them now. I am taking orders starting Late Feb to March.
They will be priced at $750 a set + shipping to the lower 48 states.
(This would be the best price I can get em at considering shipping over here and the quantity that I will be requesting.) I am trying to work with Panda Garage (a local shop and parts importer to import more of these and larger quantities and varieties).
It usually takes about 60 days for the items to sent over here by surface (meaning no air). So we will be looking at getting them in June.
If you guys need any references, Im sure there will be a few members on this forum, including (TurboProto) himself to vouch for me.
I also have Jimmy Yu the owner of Panda Garage, Richard Leu of Speed Alliance, or Dat Nguyen of Vertex USA as professional references. Please post to see if you are interested in purchasing a set.
I may have you guys purchase through the shops to ensure your peace of mind.
-Grant
As some of you may know.. Steve (TurboProto) and I have been working with each other to create a coilover setup that is good in quality and affordable (meaning the sub $1000 range). Many people choose to use the Ground control setup, but it did not suffice as the ZX2 struts tend to give out quite early and doesnt offer sufficient dampening for higher spring rates. I set out to find something that is competitive for the money, and finally looked to AURFA when I was in taiwan to help me with the setup. This setup is compatible with both 4wd and FWD Proteges
This setup also offers seperate height and preload adjustments. This helps when you want to stiffen up the springs a slight bit and it means no danglings springs or bottoming out the strut pistons when going low.
Some initial Photos:
On Steve's Car (TurboProto)
There are more pictures on Steves 4wd thread
Final Updates
We finalized the designs on the AURFA coilovers to ensure and trouble free fit to the BG chassis. The main issue was the springs originally supplied. The original prototype that I got has springs a little bit too long in the front and rear. With our final changes, This gives the car about a 1.5 to 3" drop without changing the preload or damper stroke (I was able to drive the car for 80 miles with it barely dragging the mudflaps, w/o bottoming out once or the ride being horrible!
Specs of the coilovers
We are going to run a standard 8k/6k spring rate. (446/335 in US measurements)
The dampeners are non adjustable, we will be working on having an adjustable setup later on (but that will put it well over the price range of D2's and K sports)
It will work with stock upper mounts or the Cuscos
(I would give an option of pillowball mounts, but for the price that I can get them for at the moment, it would be about the same as the cuscos, and wouldnt be worth the money)
We also tested it out on my 93 DX at the local autocross last week, and We were running similar times as some of the miatas (of course not the super good ones). It was driven by one of the guys there, a member of the SCCA with about only 2 years driving experience.
SCCA Practice Day feedback
The only suspension mods were the AURFA coilovers, a GTX STB, and a Cusco rear STB
We were averaging about 70 to 73 seconds per lap, while the average miata time was about 70-72 (keep in mind this is on a wet day with stock tires). I gave it a shot and did a 73.77 seconds. The other driver's best time was a 69.36. I was quite impressed as I was hoping to break 75 seconds since it was raining and the car was ran with hankook optimos (cheap passenger tires). The driver really liked the setup and said that it oversteered nicely when needed and there were surprisingly no understeer issues (maybe due to the rain).
We will be making a few alterations to the car later on and we will attempt to run it again, with my driver Romel Decastro. He gave me feed back and how to fine tune the suspension initially and tested it on the road.. He was surprised at what the car can do, and found that even on the crappy tires, the car was well balanced, with little to no understeer and no unpredictable oversteer.
Lets get down to business:
If anyone is interested, I am taking orders on these. I will return to Taiwan in Mid March to personally inspect these and send them out..
These will be made on a per-order basis. meaning. If you want them, you have to pay for them now. I am taking orders starting Late Feb to March.
They will be priced at $750 a set + shipping to the lower 48 states.
(This would be the best price I can get em at considering shipping over here and the quantity that I will be requesting.) I am trying to work with Panda Garage (a local shop and parts importer to import more of these and larger quantities and varieties).
It usually takes about 60 days for the items to sent over here by surface (meaning no air). So we will be looking at getting them in June.
If you guys need any references, Im sure there will be a few members on this forum, including (TurboProto) himself to vouch for me.
I also have Jimmy Yu the owner of Panda Garage, Richard Leu of Speed Alliance, or Dat Nguyen of Vertex USA as professional references. Please post to see if you are interested in purchasing a set.
I may have you guys purchase through the shops to ensure your peace of mind.
-Grant
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