Adjustable Mazda 2 Struts/Shocks

[jasyatz]

What coil overs do you have? You may have all the bits you need already.

 

[seanmc]

No coilovers, just the CS adjustables on their way. Aiming for the proverbial compromise street-a/x-trackday setup on my Fiesta. Frankly, I didn't do enough homework before jumping in, but here I am - wondering what springs and bits might get me there.

Any feedback appreciated!

 

[jasyatz]

No luck on changing spring rates with the CS struts. Believe me I tried to convert them to a coilover setup. Talked to the CS guys a bunch of times before I bough them and they said they should fit but they never tried. The GC sleeves don't fit. The stock strut above the perch is just too short to fit a sleeve safely.

GC recommends a min of 1/2" protruding from the top of the sleeve to prevent the sleeve from cracking. You can't get it.

So you are stuck with where I was. Try to buy Tein tapered springs in the 55/85mm in the rate you want and hopefully guess the first time to get the correct ride height, or just buy a true coilover; that's what I did.

Honestly the only parts from the Bilstein Autocross kit on my car now are the front struts. Everything else is back in the box. So very little from that kit are needed.

My build page has all the bits and specs of what I have. No rear ride adjusters needed. Just add a half inch or so on the height of the spring for every 100# lighter rate you go with. If you want 250# rears, I'd start with a 7" long 2.5" spring. The market for used 2.5" springs is greater than looking for 2.25" so you'll be able to find them for cheaper ( around $70 pair shipped). Either diameter will work though If you need a bit more height in the rear, You can always add a rubber spring isolator from the GC 88-91Civic front kit to add a 1/4" (1/2" if you use them on top and bottom of the spring). Just zip tie the springs into the stock rear upper perches. this is covered by GRM on their Fiesta b spec build page.

 

[seanmc]

So you are stuck with where I was.

My build page has all the bits and specs of what I have.

Thanks for the clarity and guidance, Jeff. I'll be weighing my options.

 

[jasyatz]

Just to clarify even further; The maximum rate the Bilstein PSS kit can handle without a revalving is 350#front and 250# rear. It will cost you $220 for the front pair and $130 for the rear pair plus 2 way shipping and you can have them revalved by Bilstein to match YOUR intended spring rate. Just give them the weight of the car(or corner weight sheet), payload size (average including passenger weight( if you want them optimized for Autocross just include the driver weight)) what spring rate you intend to run, and give them an idea on how you plan to use the car, and what your priorities are (ultimate grip no sacrifices, daily driver occasional track us etc). Turn around time is around 4 weeks so best time to do it is right after you put the winter setup on.