Are NB MSM Springs = SE or SP springs?

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 9:17 am

I'm looking into a mild spring upgrade for my 99 10AE and have shortlisted Eibachs, Tein S Tech and NB MSM springs.

From my reading on the NB MSM, I understand that this is equivalent to the SE sold here in Aus. In contrast the SE is an Aus only iteration by Mazdaspeed Aus.

If so, my main question is: do the springs on the SP and SE have the same specs as the US NB MSM?

For reference, the US NB MSM spring rates are 157 / 215 lb/inch and drop the car about .75 inches all around (per the Big Forum).

Thanks.

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:08 am

US's MSM = Australia's SE. I'm 99% sure they're the same springs.

I'm also 99% sure the SP springs are not related to the MSM's at all.

When you say "springs" do you literally mean the springs, or the whole shock/spring combo? Just checking because the other options you mention are complete setups.

93_Clubman · Postby **93_Clubman** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 10:18 am

ADM NB SE had the red MazdaSpeed springs on silver Bilsteins, while the SP had standard NB8B dampers & springs - according to the following ADM NB SE got the same spec springs as MSM: http://www.mx5cartalk.com/SP_SE_Comparison/

Espelir springs have been used to good effect on the NA8 Clubman yellow Bilsteins, so might be worth considering for the NB8A 10AE yellow Bilsteins: viewtopic.php?f=30&t=30330

hks_kansei · Postby **hks_kansei** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 11:50 am

Also worth noting, just to Chuck a spanner in the works here.

Masdaspeed Japan also sold springs different to the SE.

They were called Mazdaspeed BSpec springs, and were manufactured by Eibach for Mazdaspeed (with different specs to the regular eibach springs)

There were metallic charcoal grey with both the Mazdaspeed and Eibach labels on them.

I have a set that used to be on my car if you're interested in buying them.
I can dig out my old catalogues and find specs on spring rates etc if needed.(they're about 30mm lower than standard NB ones, and progressive rate)

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:00 pm

JINBA ITTAI wrote:I'm looking into a mild spring upgrade for my 99 10AE and have shortlisted Eibachs, Tein S Tech and NB MSM springs.

From my reading on the NB MSM, I understand that this is equivalent to the SE sold here in Aus. In contrast the SE is an Aus only iteration by Mazdaspeed Aus.

If so, my main question is: do the springs on the SP and SE have the same specs as the US NB MSM?

For reference, the US NB MSM spring rates are 157 / 215 lb/inch and drop the car about .75 inches all around (per the Big Forum).

Thanks.

The Australian "SE" IS an MSM (Australian regulators deemed that the name "Mazda-Speed" encouraged reckless behaviour so the car was renamed here and all Mazda-Speed references removed from the car except for the stamp on the top of the exhaust tip which they obviously didn't spot).
The only real differences as far as I'm aware is that it's RHD here and the boost was lowered to 7.5psi.

The US 2002 "SE" is called "The Titanium" in Australia (Titanium colour with "love it" or "hate it" camel trim).
"SE" references need clarifying when communicating with anyone outside Australia because the 2002 SE is what they'll assume you're talking about.

The 2002 "SP" is an Australian-only edition and is for all intents and purposes a stock 2002 NB with a good turbo+manifold, dodgy intercooler plumbing, sexy carbon fibre air box and Chiptorque turbo tune that generates black smoke (rather than "SP", maybe they should have called it "The Squid").

ManiacLachy · Postby **ManiacLachy** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:09 pm

Lokiel wrote:The only real differences as far as I'm aware is that it's RHD here and the boost was lowered to 7.5psi.

Because I feel like being pedantic... also our 3.6 diff vs the US 4.1. We definitely got the better end of that deal.

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 12:45 pm

ManiacLachy wrote:
Lokiel wrote:The only real differences as far as I'm aware is that it's RHD here and the boost was lowered to 7.5psi.

Because I feel like being pedantic... also our 3.6 diff vs the US 4.1. We definitely got the better end of that deal.

Whoops, how can I have forgotten about the diff? We definitely got the better deal here.

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 2:32 pm

Thanks for all the comment guys.

@ManiacLachy - yes it's just the springs I'm after. When I referred to Eibach it's their Sport Kit springs and with regard to Tein it's their "S-Tech Springs".

@93_Clubman - thanks for the comparison chart which I had seen before. The section on springs was blank for the SP so I thought I'd double check through this post. Never heard of Espelier springs, the link you posted points to MX5parts as the supplier, but it looks like they're not being offered anymore. But overall what I'm after is a comfy touring (but still sporty) ride.

@hks_kansei - am keen to know more about the MSM Bspec springs and will PM you.

@Lokiel - thanks for confirming differences between MSM/SE/SP/Titanium. My take away is that if I want MSM springs I should either source them from the US or locally off an SE. As a fallback I can get Tein S-Tech springs as their rates are only 9% different from MSM/SE.

Sharing my research so far for others who may be interested:
Stock NB: 118 / 162 lb per inch = ratio .73
NB with Hard-S: 168 / 130 lb per inch = ratio .77
NB MSM: 158 / 215 = ratio .73
Tein S Tech: 235 / 173 = ratio .74
Eibach Pro Kit: 228/137 = ratio .60
NB FM: 318/233 = ratio .73

bear2230 · Postby **bear2230** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:13 pm

I had the Eibach on my silver car which I bought from shox.com and they were good. They lowered the car about 30mm.
I eventually got rid of them and then bought PSS9 coil overs.
My advise here is forget the Eibachs and just buy coil overs.
It will cost you a thousand dollars more but it’s the same labour to change them over and the end result is much better with coil overs.
My next bit of advise will be buy some RCA Blue or Reds if the budget permits.

Just my 2c worth but I have done it a few times

Richard.

wasp47 · Postby **wasp47** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:32 pm

PM sent

Lokiel · Postby **Lokiel** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 3:43 pm

On the old mazda-speed.com site, H&R springs were used by several MSM guys on the OEM shocks.

Enter site:www.mazda-speed.com "H&R" springs into a Google search for lots of info on them.

I helped Crapweasel install his on one of his SE's - he thought they were OK.

JINBA ITTAI · Postby **JINBA ITTAI** » Wed Oct 25, 2017 5:46 pm

@lokiel - thanks for the tip

@wasp47 - pm replied...still researching

@bear2230 - I don't have any plans for track work, so don't need the higher performance limits that coilovers bring. If I did, I agree PSS9s or MCAs are the ducks guts from what I've read on here!