Miata Mailing List: April 1992, Message #5
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   From: (none)
Subject: Re: Miata Suspension Mods
   Date: (none)

Karl Nordstrom says:
> 
> What is the full range of known modifications to the Miata's suspension?
> 
> I know of new shocks, new springs, and lighter wheels.  Are there any other?
> I read that the RX-7 has forged alluminum control arms but the Miata doesn't.
> Does anyone know were to get alloy control arms for the Miata?  Can the
> unsprung weight be decreased in any other ways?  Could the brakes be moved
> inboard, at least the rear ones?  Are wheel hubs heavy?

If you try to move the rear brakes inboard, you will end up decreasing the
rear track, not really a good thing.  Although I guess you could get new rims
with a different offset to accomidate it.  As for lighter rims, the stock
alloys weigh 12.2 pounds, with 185/60/14 Bridgestones, they only weigh 19.5
pounds.  This is incredibly light weight as it is.  For comparison, the Miata
I bought used from a dealer had some 15x6 Fittipaldi spinning star type rims
with Goodyear Eagle GT+4s in 205/50/15.  Those weighed 27 pounds each.  I had
the dealer replace them with the the stock alloys and tires, and I noticed a
marked improvement in handeling.  For Autocross I have a set of Panasport
Formula One rims (they look like the stock alloys, but have 8 spokes) with
magnesium centers, and Yokohama A008RS in 185/60/14, these very light racing
rims only save me 3/4 of a pound over stock with a weight of 18.8 pounds.
The Panasports run about $175 a piece versus $140 for the stock rims, of
course I got these used for quite a bit less.  Also, the offset of the stock
rims is 45mm, the Panasports are 40mm, this means that they increase the
track by 10mm, which is also noticable in the twisties as a good thing.  

If you really want to spend lots of money to get lighter rims, call this
company:
	Dura-Light Aluminum racing wheels
	8601 Urbandale Ave
	Des Moines, Iowa 50322
	515 276 0992
	fax 515 276 2587
They carry rims in 13, 15, 16, and 17 in widths from 5.5 to 20".  The rims
are 3 part aluminum rims with magnesium centers and for a 15x8 rims will cost
you $285 a piece, plus another $15 if you want annodized centers (Black, red,
blue, gold, or anthracite) and an additional $15 for pop off valve stems.
So for $315 a rim you can have some really cool annodized red rims to match
your Miata that only weigh 10 pounds, 13 ounces.  That's almost a pound and a
half lighter than the stock rims, for a much larger wheel.  

I have used Dura-lights on one of my project hot rod cars and they are truely
very nice, but for the money, the stock Miata alloys are great, and in my
opinion, they look good too.


-- 
Miq Millman -- miq@sgi.com or {decwrl,pyramid,ucbvax}!sgi!miq  415 335 1041