Hello. Unlike in many vehicles, the Mazda Miata ND platform and suspension - which the 124 is based on - depends directly on the suspension bump stops as part of a dynamic system. At a very early point in suspension travel over surface irregularities or in curves, the bump stops will engage as part of dampening and control. In other words, any time you turn an ND at speeds above 20-25 mph, you're likely "riding" on the bump stops to some degree. As a result ND bump stops are long, and contain graduated densities of material along the lengths -- soft at one end (contact point), graduating to hard at the other end (base on the frame). This is by design.
As a consequence, in tuning a suspension, bump stops require attention. For example, you can buy "street-oriented" bump stops from Flyin' Miata, whereas Goodwin Racing sells "track-oriented" bump stops (FM's are longer and softer and more closely follow OEM design; GWR's are shorter, harder, and compensated by recommended changes in spring rates, etc.)
My question is for verification. I've been assuming that the 124 suspension is identical, and 124 bump stops are identical in form and function to the ND's. Recently, however, I was told by a vendor that this is not the case. The vendor, however, deals mostly in 500 parts. (Nothing against that outfit, I have no complaints.)
So has anyone here dealt specifically with bump stops in relation to 124 suspension tuning? Anything you can tell me? Thanks! GP
As a consequence, in tuning a suspension, bump stops require attention. For example, you can buy "street-oriented" bump stops from Flyin' Miata, whereas Goodwin Racing sells "track-oriented" bump stops (FM's are longer and softer and more closely follow OEM design; GWR's are shorter, harder, and compensated by recommended changes in spring rates, etc.)
My question is for verification. I've been assuming that the 124 suspension is identical, and 124 bump stops are identical in form and function to the ND's. Recently, however, I was told by a vendor that this is not the case. The vendor, however, deals mostly in 500 parts. (Nothing against that outfit, I have no complaints.)
So has anyone here dealt specifically with bump stops in relation to 124 suspension tuning? Anything you can tell me? Thanks! GP