Threaded Mode | Linear Mode

**keegano** · 04-20-2010, 01:28 PM

so, i've been looking at suspension upgrades for the MG and there are only two full kits available on the market, and none of the usual big manufacturers (koni, eibach, bilstein) have any kits. matter of fact, koni is the only one that has anything and they're the Koni classics. the kits that are available, i've never heard of and have no idea how they perform.

so my question is, is it possible to mismatch manufacturers (i.e. - one for shocks, one for springs, one for sways, etc.) and still have an effective setup?

also, does anyone know how well the koni classics perform? they're only rebound adjustable. how effective is that?

**93redfox** · 04-20-2010, 01:33 PM

seems odd they only offer one shock option. surely they make another that's the right length and mounting type.

mustang guys do it all the time for drag setups(springs from here, shocks from there, control arms from somewhere else. not all do it right, but some do)

my question would be, how do you figure out what other application's stuff you could use to fit the mg.

zps2004 · 04-20-2010, 01:35 PM

Nothing wrong with matching. I would actually reccomend it. Remember springs do only one thing and so do sway bars. It is very hard to mess those up. A 19mm swaybar from brand A should be basically the same as a 19mm sway bar from brand B. Same with Springs Shocks on the other hand make a huge difference.

I wouldn't have any doupts aor koni's. They do make good products. Rebound adjustable is fine. Most adjustable shocks are rebound. Mine are.

**keegano** · (This post was last modified: 04-20-2010 01:40 PM by keegano.)

thanks zach. also, where would i find the OE shock length/travel specs and how would i compare that to aftermarket shocks. what do i need to look for as far length/travel/spring rate? also, do i need to take lower ride height into consideration due to lowering springs.

i know the basics of how suspensions work, i just don't know the mechanics and how to apply all the information.

meatman10523 · 04-20-2010, 02:04 PM

If you call Koni up they are really helpful. I built a custom setup for my old 240 and they where able to hunt down another rear shock for me that would bolt up fine, had shorter stroke and was externally rebound adj. (for an eclipse i think) so they may be able to do the same for you. i have a feeling classics are basically the same as yellows but prob a bit softer for the old school springs and not built up for harder use (this just a guess) they can give you all the info (valving rates, rec. spring rates.. etc) and even custom build/valve some for you, but it prob will be a bit more expensive.

Hraefn · (This post was last modified: 04-20-2010 02:24 PM by Hraefn.)

I second the comment about springs and sways... they are just steel springs. By all accounts you want to stick with Eibach or HyperCo if you can. They have higher quality control and their actual rates are very close to advertised; they also have a wide variety of rates and sizes to choose from.

For shocks, best bet is see what others are doing. If you need something custom, start measuring and then call around... there are a lot of manufacturers and definitely some cost-effective solutions from Bilstein, Koni, or the circle-track guys (Afco, et al). If you can find something off-the-shelf, especially if you can revalve (are the Koni Classics rebuildable/revalvable?)... you always want to do OTS if you can.

There are also several quality vendors who could custom fabricate something for you. Think $4000 and up. Ground Control, JRZ, AST, Leda are all names I've seen who have created one-offs. YMMV and I have not actually spoken to any of these, as my budget (this year) is much smaller than that. If you decide to go this route, call them. Email will get you no-where.

Don't discredit a small manufacturer that you have not heard of... if they're willing to back up their product with dyno plots and offer rebuilding services, they're probably fine.

As far as what spring rates/sway rates/valving... holy crap, where to begin. Prepare the spend a lot of time reading and set aside a lot of time and money to really do it right. I'm just starting down that long slippery path myself. My own plan was to find someone with a setup that met my short-term goals and just copy that as best I can. Then build from there.

**keegano** · 04-20-2010, 03:44 PM

thanks for all the input guys. i'll let you know what develops. as it is now, i'm just dreaming. i'll have to wait until i get a job before buying anything (anybody know anyone hiring?). also, i'm not really looking to "go pro" with the MG. it would take so much to get it there, i don't think it's worth it. for instance, the only kit available to change my rear end from leafs and solid axle to coilovers and IRS is $5,000 plus i'll need a new dif. ($2,000 for quaif lsd). i could buy another car for that (miata, crx, 240) and outfit it pretty well and probably have better success.

all i want for the MG is to kill some of the massive body roll and make it tossable at an autox (being class competitive isn't a concern with the B).

meatman10523 · (This post was last modified: 04-20-2010 05:00 PM by meatman10523.)

find out what the factory spring rates are, then ask what the classics are rated too and see if its enough to be able to reduce the body roll at all. sway bars can help alot too, especially if you have rebound adjustment, since increasing the rebound reduces roll by acting through the sway bar or something i think... so if the other kits arnt reputable enough/too expensive for you i would just get the classics and springs and big sway bars ...it will drive a bit weird since 1 wheel bumps will upset the whole car more

old cars like there are a PITA when it comes to upgrading, i think they actually make yellows for spritfires/GT6s so that will help me out a bit, but alot of the time you will have to do something custom, or deal with all the little guys out there still making after-market parts for the cars.

**93redfox** · 04-20-2010, 06:43 PM

i think if you were gonna do crazy stuff like i.r.s. swap and custom suspension, you could prob fab it up all nice to accept miata parts, but that involves either butchering the frame(mg's are body on frame? if not, worse sacrilege) or building one from scratch. I wouldn't do that to yours, too nice.

Hraefn · 04-20-2010, 06:55 PM

No need to get rid of that solid rear, that's vintage baby Smile

Theodore · 04-20-2010, 07:17 PM

Re-engineering is expensive, time consuming, frustrating... my vote? BORROW BRAINS!
James Farris lives in Salisbury, NC ... he raced the RC Cola MGB in Southeast in the 80s (still owns it and many many parts and unusual cars) and he knows more about suspensions on old English cars than anyone I know.

Write him, tell him what you want to do. He may have parts and if he does, he'll enjoy helping you (as in priced right). What he does not have, he can tell you where to get and save you a lot of R&D. He knows how to lock rear ends, do coil over suspension mods. He knows how to take leaf springs apart, flip middle one and reaasemble to get original ride height. He also knows how to tune and modify carbs (little things like "chamfering the piston to improve air flow in " and "removing the damper and drilling tiny holes in the screw top of the carb to get the same effect but faster response".) James is a wizard... and unfortunately unemployed. Company he was working for had a layoff. He's 62 but sharp as a tack and once worked for the largest builder of Formula Vees in the US. He also has trophies from autocrosses and racing beginning in 1976 through this year and he still autocrosses in CCR monthly.
James Farris
rabbitfarms@msn.com

Tell him Ted E. Bayer says Hi.

**keegano** · 04-20-2010, 08:50 PM

thanks ted. i'll send him an e-line when i get closer to actually buying some parts. pick his brain a little. i know of another guy in Greenville, name's by Hap Waldrop. he owns acme speed shop. he also races Bs and is a highly regarded engine and car builder.

just trying to make use of all of my resources and find a few more. the deeper i dig into this stuff, the more i realize i don't know.

Theodore · 04-20-2010, 09:28 PM

(04-20-2010 08:50 PM)keegano Wrote: i dig into this stuff, the more i realize i don't know.

I get that feeling on a regular basis! I'm off to Pocono Speedway... I'd be lost without Trackpedia ... and after studying it to get ready, i'm still lost! <S>
I hope to get some laps in the Mini before it starts raining. This is dyno and test n tune to prepare for Robin Hood Rally. Can't wait.

James may have parts laying around that are just what you need. I'll soften him up for ya...
<S>
Ted

**keegano** · 04-20-2010, 10:09 PM

(04-20-2010 09:28 PM)Theodore Wrote: James may have parts laying around that are just what you need. I'll soften him up for ya...
<S>
Ted

i'll let you know when i acquire the funds Ted. when i say i'm broke, i mean i'm BROKE. like $20 in the bank for food and that's it. man i need a job.