Mazda Miata Coilovers: NA, NB, NC and ND

This article was written by Coilovers.com Owner and Principal, Lou Tortola.

We list Miata coilovers for all four generations, NA, NB, NC and ND, from BC Racing, KW, Fortune Auto, TEIN, Öhlins, Bilstein, Feal and Ksport. The right kit depends on which generation you own and whether the car lives on the street, at autocross or on track.

Few cars get modified as often or as thoughtfully as the Miata. It is light, balanced and honest, so a suspension change shows up in the first corner. That cuts both ways. A good setup makes the car sing. A bad one makes it skate, bounce or scrape. Below is what we list for each generation, then the setup notes we give street, autocross and track owners.

Every fitment here comes from the title of our own product listing. Confirm your car on the product page, or call 1-800-460-9106 with your VIN before you order.

NA and NB Miata Coilovers: 1989 to 2005

Most NA and NB kits share one listing, because most brands list the two generations together. Here is what we list.

Two notes for older cars. First, a car this old may have rust or worn bushings where the new parts bolt in. Check the mounts before you blame the coilovers. Second, plan your wheel and tire size along with your ride height. They decide your clearance together.

NC Miata Coilovers: 2006 to 2015

The NC often gets overlooked, but it has a deep coilover list.

If you own a late NC, give us the VIN. KW's NC1 wording is worth confirming against your exact car.

ND Miata Coilovers: 2016 and Up

The ND has a long list too. The RF matters here, so read each title.

Newer model years thin out on some brands. If your year is not in a title, call us. We will not guess.

Before You Order: Springs, Rates and Upkeep

A few details spare you time once the box arrives.

Many Miatas are summer cars that sit through winter. Before storage, clean the threads, check every locking collar and look for any oil on the damper bodies. Small problems are easier to fix in the off season than the week before your first event.

Street, Autocross and Track Setups

The Miata does all three, often in the same week. Set it up for the one you do most.

Street

Keep the drop modest. There is no single safe drop for every car. It depends on wheels, tires and the bump travel you have left. Go too low and the car rides on its bump stops, which feels harsh and unpredictable. Spring rate and damping both shape comfort, so start from the kit's default spring rate and the manual's damping setting. Our guide on how coilovers affect ride quality explains why.

Autocross

Autocross rewards quick transitions and a car that puts power down out of tight corners. Adjustable damping helps you tune between runs. Change one thing at a time and write it down. Check your class rules before you buy, because they can limit what you change.

Track

Long sessions bring heat, so damper consistency matters. Set ride height, then corner weights, then alignment. Corner balancing aims for about 50 percent cross weight. Our coilover setup guide covers each discipline in more depth.

For all three

On full-length kits like BC Racing and Fortune Auto, height is set at the lower mount. The spring perch sets preload. Our guide on how to set ride height on coilovers walks through it. Tighten each locking collar, then recheck after a few hundred miles. Align after every height change, because camber and toe move with ride height. Start damping from the kit's manual setting, since click counting differs by brand.

On a car this light, unsprung weight is worth thinking about. A coilover kit does not automatically cut it. The wheel, tire, brakes and hub make up most of the unsprung weight, so lighter wheels do more than any damper swap.

Matching a Brand to Your Miata

We are an authorized dealer for every brand here. Each serves a different Miata owner.

Pick a coilover kit for how you drive, not for the label on the box. That is how performance suspension on a Miata stays fun for years.

Frequently Asked Questions