Miata Suspension
Orange Koni shocks are the ones that I picked for my car. They are actually painted in yellow now. I can still remember looking under Datsun 510s in wrecking yards and be thrilled to find orange Koni shocks.
I paid about $350 for a set of four struts. This was the best price that I could find. The mail-order company is called Imparts (800)325-9043. They might have a page then I can just place a link to their page.
The koni strut allows car height adjustment of about one inch. Since I am using after market springs that lowered my car one inch, I left the setting on the strut at the top slot. I think this is factory car height. I can lower my car two inches using the lower slot and the Eibach springs. I actually did this for another Miata, and that car was pretty low to the ground.
The installation required spring compressor to separate the spring and the strut. The holes in the front mounting plates also needed to be enlarged a little bit using a drill because the Koni strut shaft has a larger diameter than factory strut. The rear installation is straight and forward but the front requires the separation of the upper arm ball joint. I read in the Miata Magazine that the front strut can also be removed by separating the lower arm. Looking at the manual it seems like a good method too...
Unlike the Tokico 5-way adjustable shocks, the Koni shocks has a adjusting screw that allow for variable settings. The down side is that it is harder to be sure if the right and left are set at the same location. I just count the number of turns that I made and hope that both side are at about the setting.
I originally set the shocks at firm position but could not take it after a week and adjusted it to a softer setting.
The Koni are good shocks priced at about $100 lower than the Tokico. They are also warranted for life. I think they are good replacement shocks for a car like Miata.
Here is a picture of the Trust strut tower bar. This unit costs about $100 and is easy to install. It improves the stiffness of the front end and also improves the looks of the engine compartment.
