Beefing up a NB

[zeolite]

Ladies and gents of 'menders

Yesterday we beat the crap out of the NB on rough, rocky roads and it is obvious that the standard suspension (of unknown vintage) was not up to the job. I haven't been under to scrape the mud off and check the damage yet but we already know there is something buggered in the diff.
if we are going to do that event again or others like it we need to give ourselves confidence that we can hammer into a bumpy test with confidence that it is going to take it.
So my question is; Has anyone gone down the Targa/Forest spec route before? if so what setup did they go for?

I know most of you folks generally go the opposite way with lowered and track setups but any input will be welcomed.

[Mazda Mender]

You are going to need something that is going to help absorbing the bumps , now you can crank the meister R's up to standard height or higher as well as bringing them down low, and have 32 settings from soft to hard, i would have a word with Jerrick at Meister and see what he recommends he knows his stuff when it comes to suspension.
M-m

[zeolite]

Update: Diff seems fine once we fixed the rear

Thanks Wayne. That is the kind of input I am looking for. I have seen that Flying Miata offer a spacer for the shock to give it another 3/8" clearance. I think with that Abd standard we will get the clearance.
The car is remarkably undamaged considering the crashes and bangs so we were perhaps being a bit too old wifey after rebuilding it.
Does anyone know the spring rates on the standard springs?

[GlennyGills]

I can definitely recommend the MeisterRs for everyday enjoyment, but they are set up from the factory to be lower than standard I understand and I adjusted mine to absolute max as advised by MeiseteR and the car still sit very low.
This of course could be down to my prowess with spanners but after many months and miles no rattles etc. encountered to indicate bad fitting.
This is what I now have

IMG-20161210-WA0002.jpg (343.24 KiB) Viewed 5915 times

Wayne, you have much much more experience than myself but just looking to provide my experience.

Good luck

[Mazda Mender]

Update: Diff seems fine once we fixed the rear

Thanks Wayne. That is the kind of input I am looking for. I have seen that Flying Miata offer a spacer for the shock to give it another 3/8" clearance. I think with that Abd standard we will get the clearance.
The car is remarkably undamaged considering the crashes and bangs so we were perhaps being a bit too old wifey after rebuilding it.
Does anyone know the spring rates on the standard springs?

Have a word with Jass performance he does spacers to buddy is you are thinking of staying with the standard set up.
M-m

[Lazza]

Standard shocks are probably going to be the strongest. I wouldn't fancy putting aftermarket adjustable shocks through that sort of punishment. They are usually made for road/track rather than road/off-road. There may well be some shocks that can be made to suit, people like GAZ can create a bespoke setup with custome valving but it wouldn't be cheap.
If you have the time & space it might be better to buy an old Mk2.5 mot failure and strip it. Mk2.5 shocks will give you a slightly higher ride height, will be younger and you could swap the bumper & headlights and get better lighting too (Mk2 lights aren't great but Mk2.5 lights are very good).

[zeolite]

I have been looking at the choice of standard height non-adjustables on the basis that they will be stronger. My choices would include the B6 Bilsteins, Sachs and Kyabas. I have always been a fan of bilsteins from my Mk 1 Escort days. Does anyone have any experience with them?