Hey all, working on putting the Miata floor in my 79 Fiat 124. Need some numbers, if anyone is willing to provide/measure (I'll be in your debt).
I cut off the rockers and fenders, and therefore cannot measure the factory NB ride heights from the usual spots. So, does anyone know the following measurements for a FACTORY or MILDLY lowered car:
Lower ball joints to ground, front and rear
Lower control arm pivots to ground, front and rear
Frame rails to ground, front and rear (I have up to the front sway bar mount and the rear edge of the rear subframe)
Subframes to ground, front and rear
Any other measurements I could use as a reference. I don't need all of them, just something I can use front and rear. I cut the rear rails off right behind the rear subframe, and the front rails are gone forward of the front sway bar mounts.
Many thanks!
When building my Challenge car. I utilized NB Miata front suspension so I have some notes with measurements.(DeadSkunk's Challenge Corolla)
Front A-arm camber bolts are about 6.375 above grade. The frame rails beneath the passenger compartment are about 5". The photo below is the floor dimensions for an NA, but should be close to an NB. The datum is only 2.2" from the frame rails VS the 5" I measured from my NB. I think you should be able to locate the floor within your shell by using these dimensions with the extra 2.8" added . My old notes showed the frame rails at 5" with the rocker pinch seam at 6". The car was at stock ride height on 205/50/15 tires when the measurements were taken.
I don't have those specific measurements on hand, but I can give you a free bump.
And not sure if it's any help, but here's a spec sheet for a 2004 Miata:
Warren: Very helpful! I'll add those to the notes.
Colin: Thanks for the bump, and the specs. Sadly, the transmission and oil pan will probably hit that 4" ground clearance mark before anything else (a dangerous game). But it's good to know what Mazdaspeed was up to!
For racing - everyone I know including me does ride height measurements are done from the pinch welds - i.e.
https://www.949racing.com/supermiata/tech-info/miata-race-alignment-info/
I think what you're saying is the pinchwelds/frame centers still exist? In my experience, even just the ballpark is good enough and then you need to do tire probes, lap times, etc. To dial it in - proofs in the pudding.
We had a spec miata I glued back together with hopes and dreams fighting for (and getting) a podium against pro-built cars this weekend setup that way (roughed in and sent it).
In reply to accordionfolder :
Other way: I removed the pinch welds, and obviously the Fiat fenders are different. I still have the frame rails, as well as both subframes, so I can reliably compare there. But most of what I've found measures to fender or pinch weld
