What have you done to your P5 today?

[Kansei]

Or both.

I never was one for scientific method.

Braking force diminished after car accident? change the pads, rotors, fluid, and brake lines.. and none to the same model they were before.

I'd make a great doctor

"But doctor, I just have a slight head cold!"

"TAKE YOUR DAMN VICODIN, IBUPROFEN, MARINOL, AND VIAGRA AND LEAVE ME ALONE!" (blah) (rant) (rockon)

 

[aMaff]

less travel = bumpy ride. The purpose of the bump stops is to keep the shock / strut from bottoming out (which generally will destroy it). When you lower it, you decrease your strut travel. Think of it this way: Ever ridden in a go cart? That is literally 0 suspension travel (except for some tire flex). Bumpy, right? Ever ridden in a stock benz E class? Tons of suspension travel. Smooth as butter (of course this is really over simplifying things, but you get the idea).

Most lowering springs do not have high enough spring rates to keep the car off of the stock bump stops during hard cornering. B/c of that, w/ a long (stock) bumpstop, you'll basically be riding on the bumpstop, not letting the suspension do its job. This not only makes for a harsh ride, but can also make for some skittish handling when your spring rate suddenly goes from 150# to approaching infinity (for the record: exageration) as you hit the bump stop.

I hope that helped, as I'm @ work, and it's probably pretty convoluted.

 

[JoshP5]

Chris, are you running the MSP front upper strut mounts and/or rear trailing arms that Edwin recommends?

 

[mazda_pro5_2nr]

less travel = bumpy ride. The purpose of the bump stops is to keep the shock / strut from bottoming out (which generally will destroy it). When you lower it, you decrease your strut travel. Think of it this way: Ever ridden in a go cart? That is literally 0 suspension travel (except for some tire flex). Bumpy, right? Ever ridden in a stock benz E class? Tons of suspension travel. Smooth as butter (of course this is really over simplifying things, but you get the idea).

Most lowering springs do not have high enough spring rates to keep the car off of the stock bump stops during hard cornering. B/c of that, w/ a long (stock) bumpstop, you'll basically be riding on the bumpstop, not letting the suspension do its job. This not only makes for a harsh ride, but can also make for some skittish handling when your spring rate suddenly goes from 150# to approaching infinity (for the record: exageration) as you hit the bump stop.

I hope that helped, as I'm @ work, and it's probably pretty convoluted.

Lol, no. I actually felt smarter from one of your posts....that is a first...HOLY CRAP! Lol, just kidding.

 

[aMaff]

it's about time right? For the record, I replaced all of my bump stops w/ the mazdaspeed ones when I did my RB springs / illuminas.

 

[amsgator]

If you lower your car with a spring and you're using stock bump stops that are taller then you're pretty much riding on the bumpstops all the time. This doesn't allow the strut to travel as it should to smooth out your ride. It really makes great sense now that I think about it.

so if i get springs and smaller bump stops could i do w/o new struts?

 

[mazda_pro5_2nr]

it's about time right? For the record, I replaced all of my bump stops w/ the mazdaspeed ones when I did my RB springs / illuminas.

So did you do that on the Miata or the P5? And how is the ride difference?

 

[aMaff]

that depends on whether or not your struts have enough valving to handle the new springs.

 

[JoshP5]

Apples and oranges.

 

[amsgator]

that depends on whether or not your struts have enough valving to handle the new springs.

and how would i go about finding this out

 

[aMaff]

I did it on both cars. I dunno abt the difference on the P5, b/c I did the bumpstops at the same time I lowered it, so I can't really give a comparisson of lowered w/ or w/o shorter bumpstops.

On the miata, I can. The rear had the stock bump stops for a little while. The miata has little shock travel to begin with, and I was WAY low (like slammed lol) in the rear. W/ stock bump stops, going over bumps on the interstate meant negative G's (ie me coming of the seat lol). With new, shorter bump stops, the ride was noticeably improved. After I rasied it up to a non-retarded height, the ride was INCREDIBLY better. B/c I've got very good shocks on the car that can easily handle the spring rates I have (which are 375#/in in the rear, 550#/in front), the ride is actually very good for a car as stiff as it is. I don't even take everything out of 'race mode' (ie soften the valving, etc) after the races anymore. I've pretty much got it where I like it.


EDIT: For the record, the mitat almost rides as well as the P5 lol.

Amsgator, you can generally call the shock manufacturer and tell them what spring rates you plan on running, and they'll tell you yes or no.

 

[meinp5]

so if i get springs and smaller bump stops could i do w/o new struts?

Well...you don't have to...but if you don't you'll likely blow the stockers out. Then you'll need new struts anyway. So I would bypass that step and do all the work at one time.

 

[Kansei]

Chris, are you running the MSP front upper strut mounts and/or rear trailing arms that Edwin recommends?

I replaced the "spring seat" (the piece of rubber under each spring).. If I replace the perches, I want some more adjustability than the stock front upper strut mounts.

 

[CTt3P5]

Nothing....but I am getting a good education on bump stops!

 

[amsgator]

i'm gettin an edumacation on mounts. i think i am about to order the sls front mount (reading other threads )

 

[mazda_pro5_2nr]

The power of reading and the search button, lol. by the way, ams...did you ever get your engine problem resolved?

 

[amsgator]

it still shakes but i think it's from the header. it's not as bad as it was, one of the plugs was pitted and i changed all 4 and i think that helped quite a bit.

i think the front and passenger side mounts are ripped so that's why i was going to order the sls front, that may help as well. i'll get their side mounts when the driver's side mount comes out, i just dont like the idea of replacing one side mount and not the other.

 

[mazda_pro5_2nr]

I would buy the whole kit, not just one or two. That's like having your girl get only one implant and not the other side, lol.

 

[amsgator]

exactly. they only have the front and passenger side though so i am gettin the front. the front makes the biggest difference from what i've heard so i'm just gettin that til they come out w/ the other side. hopefully get it in next week

 

[whitemp5seattle]

traffic court results

Hey e'rebody,

To answer questions asked on previous pages, I got my ticket for "traveling fast" (I was caught going 48 in a 30...honest mistake...oops). Original trial date was in March, but I was traveling for work so I had it reschedule to today.

I went in, talked to a state attorney, explained that it was just a mistake and thatr I have a good driving record with no tickets. Waited in line for almost an hour to talk to the guy for 2 minutes.

I ended up paying a "charitable contribution" of $75 and having the ticket anulled. So no insurance hike. Yay! (And the original ticket was for $167 or something, so $75 is great)

(nana)