Mazda MX‑5 NA.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversGive an older MX-5 a known suspension setup. Identify its engine and existing hardware, then choose the springs and height for the roads or circuits you use.
The original pop-up-light MX-5.
Start by finding out what a previous owner has changed. An NA can have replacement dampers, mixed mounting parts or a complete coilover kit already fitted. Photograph the part markings and measure the current height before deciding which pieces to keep.
Check a 1.6, 1.8 or Eunos import against its own application details. Even where TEIN uses the same part number, its UK recommended lowering ranges differ between the two engines. A general Mk1 label leaves those details unresolved.
The MX-5 made its public debut at the Chicago Motor Show in February 1989. It reached Japan that September as the Eunos Roadster. The NA's pop-up headlights and compact open cabin identify the first generation; the fixed-headlamp NB followed in Japan in January 1998.
Mazda developed the original car around a naturally aspirated 1.6-litre engine, a manually operated fabric roof and two seats. Double wishbones locate all four wheels, while a powerplant frame connects the transmission and differential. Those choices are useful context when checking suspension parts on a modified example.
A 1.8-litre version joined the Japanese range in July 1993. Both engine sizes appear in the current suspension range, with different manufacturer height recommendations. Identify the engine actually fitted, especially if it has been replaced, and match it to the appropriate chassis and market row.
For an NA kept on the road today, the next suspension decision often starts with work already done to the car. Wheel changes, replacement mounts and a lowered stance all deserve inspection. A road refresh and a developed circuit build can begin with the same body, yet need different springs and installation plans.
Model history: Mazda MX-5 chronologyMazda original MX-5 engineering historyMazda original-car development and launch.
Start with your MX‑5 NA.
Match the model year, engine and body style before comparing brands.
Mk1 and NA roadsters
Record the engine, build date and original market. AST identifies its NA references separately from NB Street kits, and SPAX lists the earlier Eunos range. Check the exact part's conditions before treating this shortlist as a match for your car.
Explore NA roadster kits
UK 1.6 and 1.8
FLEX Z VSM40-C1SA1 and MONO SPORT GSM40-71SS1 each have UK NA6CE 1600 cc and NA8C 1800 cc entries. The engines have different recommended height ranges. Both kits also carry a front suspension-arm clearance condition.
See the UK engine examples
Eunos and other imports
Eunos is the original Japanese-market name. Give us the chassis number and engine, including any conversion, so we can check the appropriate market row. A UK TEIN application or a broad Miata title is not approval for every imported car.
Check my import
Turbo and circuit projects
Include the engine conversion, tyres and running weight when discussing a prepared NA. Tell us about rollover equipment and existing mounts. Agree the spring package, adjuster access and reservoir installation around that build.
Discuss my NA setupWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Twin-tube dampers for the listed UK NA applications.
Read the buying advice
TEIN FLEX Z VSM40-C1SA1 uses 7 kgf/mm front and 6 kgf/mm rear springs, with 16 positions that adjust compression and rebound together. The named UK rows cover the 1.6 and 1.8, with pillowball upper mounts. Start with the recommended range for your engine and have the fitter check TEIN's front suspension-arm clearance condition.
- Twin-tube dampers
- 7 / 6 kgf/mm springs
- Separate 1.6 and 1.8 height ranges
Monotube dampers and a different spring package.
Read the buying advice
TEIN MONO SPORT GSM40-71SS1 changes the package to monotube dampers with 10 kgf/mm front and 8 kgf/mm rear springs. It has 16 combined damping positions and pillowball upper mounts. Match the UK engine row, then agree a height and alignment before comparing settings on circuit. The higher spring rates need considering with your tyres and road use.
- Monotube dampers
- 10 / 8 kgf/mm springs
- Combined compression and rebound
Separate controls for a prepared NA.
Read the buying advice
AST 5300 RAC-M1206S is the shared NA/NB Motorsport reference. It provides separate rebound, high-speed compression and low-speed compression controls, using remote reservoirs. Specify NA springs and mounts with the supplier, then plan protected hoses, secure reservoir brackets and access to the adjusters. Choose the package around the car's tyres and operating weight.
- Three-way damping adjustment
- Remote reservoirs
- Agree NA springs and mounting parts
A spring around each rear damper.
The rear spring surrounds the damper on a standard Mazda MX‑5 NA.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.The NA has double-wishbone rear suspension. Its original coil spring surrounds the shock absorber, with an upper mount and spring seats forming the assembly. Upper and lower arms guide the wheel independently of that spring and damper assembly.
Check the parts retained by the selected kit. Original mounts, replacement mounts and spring seats need to form the assembly specified by its instructions. Some references cover both NA and NB, while AST's Street ranges use different generation suffixes. A shared listing is not permission to mix mounting parts.
Understand height and preload
Inspect first. Align at the final height.
Ask the fitter to inspect the joints, bushes and alignment hardware before fitting new suspension. Have the mounting areas checked as well. Agree any repairs before setting a height, so the alignment is measured on the finished installation.
Bring the wheel width, offset, tyre size and spacer details. Check clearance beside the damper, under the arch and through steering and suspension movement. TEIN's named NA applications specifically call for a front camber check to avoid suspension-arm interference.
Wheel width, offset and spacers
Describe the wheels by their measurements, including the tyres fitted. A wheel that clears at rest can still meet the body or suspension as the car moves. Check the proposed running height with the fitter before finalising the alignment.
Old mounts and previous kits
Read the markings on the existing dampers and photograph the upper mounts. Establish which parts the new kit supplies and which it reuses. Avoid assembling a replacement from unidentified NA and NB pieces merely because a catalogue title names both generations.
Bushes and alignment adjusters
Have wear, damage and the movement of the adjustment hardware checked before installation. Agree the work required to obtain the intended alignment. Keep the final printout with the ride-height measurements and damper settings.
Engine conversions and circuit equipment
A turbo conversion, cage or substantial weight removal needs to be part of the suspension brief. Give the supplier the operating weight and tyre choice. Check the circuit organiser's preparation requirements separately from the coilover specification.
The current MX‑5 NA range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
FLEX Z and MONO SPORT have explicit UK NA6CE 1.6 and NA8C 1.8 rows. FLEX Z pairs twin-tube dampers with 7/6 kgf/mm springs; MONO SPORT pairs monotube dampers with 10/8. Compare the engine-specific height advice and front-arm clearance condition.
View TEIN MX‑5 NA kits
N-04 has BR RS, ER and ZX configurations in the current listing. The manufacturer application table names NA8C/NB8C. Have a 1.6 or converted car checked explicitly; the broad 1989–2005 title alone does not establish that application or the contents of every configuration.
View BC Racing MX‑5 NA kits
The NA 5100 Street, Street Performance and Clubracing references use M1206S/2. Their NB counterparts use /1. The 5200 RIV-M1206S and 5300 RAC-M1206S references cover both generations. Confirm the NA mount and spring package, including which original parts are retained.
View AST MX‑5 NA kits
RSX571 is the single-adjustable Eunos kit; RSX3-1142 has separate bump and rebound adjustment. The supplier table lists 1989–1997 with 20–50 mm lowering at each end. The later 1998–2005 non-ABS Roadster references belong to the NB, not this shortlist.
View SPAX MX‑5 NA kitsFind your MX‑5 NA coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
10 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
![BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]](/images/09cf8cd191b679-480.webp)
BC Racing · BCR-N-04
BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]
Mk1 and NA roadsters
AST · ACT-M1206S/2
AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA - ACT-M1206S/2
Mk1 and NA roadsters
SPAX · RSX571
SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Eunos - RSX571
Mk1 and NA roadsters
TEIN · VSM40-C1SA1
TEIN FLEX Z Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA 1.6/1.8 and NB 1.6 - VSM40-C1SA1
Mk1 and NA roadsters / UK 1.6 and 1.8
AST · RIV-M1206S
AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RIV-M1206S
Mk1 and NA roadsters
SPAX · RSX3-1142
SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Eunos - RSX3-1142
Mk1 and NA roadsters
All MX‑5 NA kit links and part numbers
- BC Racing · BCR-N-04: BC Racing Coilovers - Mazda Miata / Mx5 (89-05) [NA8C/NB8C]
- TEIN · VSM40-C1SA1: TEIN FLEX Z Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA 1.6/1.8 and NB 1.6 - VSM40-C1SA1
- AST · ACC-M1206S/2: AST 5100 Clubracing Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA - ACC-M1206S/2
- AST · ACT-M1206S/2: AST 5100 Street Performance Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA - ACT-M1206S/2
- AST · RAC-M1206S: AST 5300 3-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RAC-M1206S
- AST · RIV-M1206S: AST 5200 2-Way Motorsport Coilovers for Mazda NB / NA - RIV-M1206S
- AST · RUV-M1206S/2: AST 5100 Street Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA - RUV-M1206S/2
- TEIN · GSM40-71SS1: TEIN MONO SPORT Coilovers for Mazda MX-5 NA6CE, NA8C, NB6C - GSM40-71SS1
- SPAX · RSX3-1142: SPAX RSX Double Adjustable Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Eunos - RSX3-1142
- SPAX · RSX571: SPAX RSX Coilover Kit for Mazda MX 5 - Miata - Eunos - RSX571
Before you order.
Identify your car
Identify the NA engine, build date, chassis number and original market.
Match the kit
Photograph the existing suspension and establish which mounts are retained.
Check what’s included
Match the exact part and configuration to the engine and application conditions.
Check your modifications
Check wheels, tyres and suspension-arm clearance at the intended height.
Plan fitting
Agree repairs, fitting parts, alignment and supply timing before booking.
See what the adjustments do.
Choosing coilovers for road and track
Compare the kit against your roads, tyres and setup plans before counting adjusters.
Ride height and spring preload
Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.
What spring rate tells you
Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.
Spring rates and top mounts
Read the front/rear figures and check which mounts come with your kit.
Questions about Mazda MX‑5 NA coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Does this guide cover the Mk1 and Eunos Roadster?
Yes. It covers the first-generation NA. Eunos Roadster was the original Japanese-market name, while Mk1 is commonly used for this generation in the UK. Give us the chassis number, engine and original market so we can check the application for your car.
Can the UK TEIN kits fit both 1.6 and 1.8 cars?
The named VSM40-C1SA1 FLEX Z and GSM40-71SS1 MONO SPORT entries each include UK NA6CE 1600 cc and NA8C 1800 cc rows. Their recommended lowering ranges differ between engines. Both carry a front suspension-arm clearance condition, so match the exact row before installation.
What lowering ranges do the UK TEIN examples recommend?
For the listed UK 1.6, both recommend 25–45 mm lower at the front and 30–50 mm at the rear. For the listed UK 1.8, the figures are 30–50 mm front and 40–60 mm rear. Check clearance and follow the exact instructions. The maximum mechanical adjustment range is not a recommended running height.
Does the NA have a separate rear spring and damper?
Its original rear coil spring sits around the damper in one assembly. Upper and lower suspension arms guide the wheel. Check which mounts, seats, boots and bump stops the chosen kit supplies or retains, rather than using a generic range photograph as an assembly guide.
Are NA and NB coilover kits interchangeable?
Some exact references cover both generations, but that does not make every mounting part interchangeable. AST's NA Street, Street Performance and Clubracing references use M1206S/2, while the NB uses /1. Confirm the instructions and mounting package for the actual car.
Which SPAX references are for the earlier Eunos?
RSX571 and RSX3-1142 list the 1989–1997 Eunos range with 20–50 mm reductions at the front and rear. RSX571 is single-adjustable; RSX3-1142 separates bump and rebound. The later NB non-ABS kit references are different.
Do pillowball upper mounts provide camber adjustment?
A pillowball upper mount has a spherical bearing; its presence alone does not establish camber adjustment. The NA uses double-wishbone suspension. Confirm the car's actual alignment hardware and the kit's mounting specification. TEIN's named applications include a front camber and suspension-arm clearance check.
What details do you need for a turbo or track build?
Send the exact car and original market, current engine specification, tyres and operating weight. Include the mounts already fitted and any rollover equipment or substantial weight removal. Agree springs, reservoir positions and adjuster access for that build before ordering.
Let’s talk suspension.
Use the finder to start your NA enquiry. Include its engine and original market, plus details of the suspension and wheels already fitted, so we can check the exact kit.