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Independent Rear Suspension from a Miata

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69MGC

69MGC

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I'd like to put an independent rear suspension on my B. I know of the Hawkes setup but that's way too expensive for me. Has anyone in the group done a less expensive setup for the rear? I'm thinking that a Miata rear might work. Do you know if this is possible? Well, anything is possible but I mean what mods have to be done to make the Miata rear work? or maybe I'm just asking for too much!

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cowboy.gif
 
I've seen this discussed before. While I can't remember the specifics, the final verdict in that thread was that by the time you modified the Miata parts enough to fit, it would practically be a "from scratch" system. I would personally look into Hoyle, Hawk or Bill Guzman's system. They are practically bolt-in.
 
Kev, I guess my first question would be "why?"
Have you ever driven a B that has been properly set up?
A little research, and some work will give you something that will out handle any conversion that you can do.
Just because it's newer, doesn't necessarily mean it's better.
What are you doing with the car? Autocross, or just street running?
Jeff
 
Well Bugeye58, I have always wondered why virtually the entire automobile world went to the independant suspension.I guess it was just too much trouble to properly set up the old style solid axel.---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hey I'm open to suggestions. Point me to some info on setting up a B suspension "properly" and I'll read it.

If the B standard suspension is so much better when set up properly, what do you all think of Hawkes, (et al's) claims that their suspensions are a greater improvement over the standard B setup? Who is an novice supposed to believe?

I want my car to handle better, I'm not an autocrosser or a street racer, just what a comfortable ride without the bone jarring effect. Hey I'm almost 50 my back can't take too much abuse anymore.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif
 
The stock suspension is quite good but does suffer the typical negative aspects of solid axles. Independent suspension will perform better on rough roads and in very hard driving. On smooth roads under normal driving conditions it would make no difference.

The main thing you will notice between the two is that the IRS setup won't jump around in a rough turn like the stock live axle.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Hey I'm open to suggestions. Point me to some info on setting up a B suspension "properly" and I'll read it.



Hey I'm almost 50 my back can't take too much abuse anymore.Who is an novice to believe?--Hawkes,{etal's}---Keoke /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif


[/ QUOTE ]
 
The third edition of Roger Williams "How To Give Your MGB V8 Power" book will be on the store shelves soon, probably in September. This edition has a good section on MGB IRS units you should find interesting.

I'm putting a Jag IRS in my own MGBV8. Once the Jag unit has been modified, it's almost a "bolt-in" operation.

A well set-up IRS will out-handle a well set-up live axle assembly, but for most of us, the difference is really not worth the money.

But what does that have to do with anything? Heaven forbid that we have to justify the things we do with these cars.
 
oooo... a Jag rear end... got pics? :p
 
danmas, those are neat for sure! The Hawk is nice but it is expensive. I am assembling their front coil over now:
ftas.jpg

Rear end I am just setting up with sway bar and Panhard rod. I wanted the Hawk rear suspension but I wasn't going to pay that much.

Gary
 
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