But, what I'm driving at is there is something wrong with the OP's car. I hate to hijack the thread, but I will anyway. Doubt tire pressures. Okay, I re-read the OP and, if he's experiencing float at 70-80 mph, then there's an issue. And in a Miata, Texas plains cross winds can come in half lane, whole lane, and two lane strengths. Disclaimer: Answering posts may rely on professional experiences assisting Miata enthusiasts in curing the Miata's bad headrest sound. Too many posts here by users who found a more planted steering feel with a R-type front lip, but as Lance points out, something isn't right beyond aero if the car feels at all disturbing at normal modern freeway traffic speeds. It's what you know that isn't so. Car feels floaty after new tires going. 16" wheels are likely on the heavy side for a NA/NB, though many have heavier. 3rd December 2019, 22:51||# 8|. Which can be shorts changing if you've been at the wheel all day, now tired and reaction time is slow.
Irrelevant to the OPs issue though, no issues on a stock miata at 70mph. I'm looking for a gap in the schedule when I'm feeling frisky, to zip tie my R-lip on the '92. I am of the opinion softer inflation of tires within the usual range are less directional, not an improvement. Is there anyone else out there that has experienced this? Car feels floaty after new tires change. And as a side 97 sits just a bit higher than all the other might be contributing just a bit. It's not hard to talk yourself into believing a teeny spoiler does something other than bling, but you'd be better off with a functioning set of shocks. Unencumbered by the thought process.
Easiest check is tire pressures, then alignment. 00 SE 317k RIP... 99/00 hybrid w/335k on motor. Join Date: Aug 2007. Conventional pneumatic tire theory says less slip angle as inflation increases, till the contact patch starts narrowing from the edges lifting, which radial tires do far less than previous bias ply designs. I added the 'R' lip to my '93 L. E. and it was rock solid to 156 mph (not exaggerating, on either count). Sent from my LML212VL using MX5 mobile app. Current: 30AE with XIDAs and Rays ZE40 wheels. More on crowned roads than new flat pavement. THEN if you want to nail the front down harder than Mazda did go shopping for aerodynamics. Car feels floaty after new tires changed. You may want to switch them out for 15s or 14s. IMHO 28 lbs cold tire pressure is too high. Heavy big wheels makes a slow car slower and makes it handle like garbage. Darty is toe, floaty is shocks.
I run 40lbs and mine tracks perfectly on Texas highways at 75-80mph. A solution found for speeds above that was to simply re-set to the lower European OEM front-end height. Your 17 inch wheels are way too big and heavy for a NA. If it's not tire pressures, check your toe alignment. Ever since I did this, I am experiencing similar symptoms.
Remember as you look for issues, you are not needing to "upgrade" or modify to correct the problem, just bring things back up to stock. Location: Waterbury, CT. Posts: 32, 525. One of those silly looking wings hanging over the rear end can give excessive down force on the rear and lighten the frontend giving that floaty feeling. Location: St. Louis, USA. Not scary, just light. 0 litre with FMII (GT3071R); '04 MSM with FMII, XIDAs & TSE BBK. Location: Evansville IN. Measure from ground to center of the front hubs, and compare to the posted diameters of the OEM/stock/common 14" and 15" tires usual to Miatas in this forum. As for ride height, the tires' size matter more.
4 new shocks fixed it, no aero needed. I have a '96 it's stance is the same as your '97. TrackRat - 1997 103, 000 miles Montego Blue/black. For that 70-80mph range the culprit would not likely be excessive front-end height unless unrealistically exceeding OEM Mazda Miata front-end height. Yes, and that's great. So, there is something wrong with yours. Thanks-Scott C. '97 Miata/'10 Mazda 3 5 Door/'72 Olds Vista Cruiser-455. Has anyone else noticed that the OP has not been back on the forum since making this lone first post? Check your tire pressures... 28 lbs is pretty get a GOOD that you are gonna be spending real $$$..., __________________. Quote: Adding a cheap chinese knockoff 'R' lip for 30$ did vastly improve steering feel up to 200kmh / 120mph.
I expected the rear spoiler is functional, as it is large, rigid and bolted to the trunk. I've never had a plain Miata that fast, but I was expecting more of a handful. I wouldn't want to find the right front lip or splitter to nail the front end to the road if the lower right rear control arm has a cracked weld. Your effective tire radius?
The NA/NB can get a little light in the front at around 100 mph. So many twisty roads, so little time! I've owned a '97 for about a year now and when driving on the highway 70-80mph the steering feels too light and the front end feels floaty or twitchy in a way that is not confidence inspiring. Bad truck ruts can toss any small car around. Any improvement in steering at speed likely makes the necessary added care parking front-in to parking barriers a good tradeoff. The PO added this rear spoiler, R-bits and little front spoiler, which I call my curb feeler. Also, what would be some ways to mitigate some of these issues or what have you done to fix these issues? Location: Kahuku, HI. Rough or crowned surfaces challenges suspension and alignment, as well as improperly worn tires. Location: Edmonton, AB. If your car is at a higher ride height, I'd expect a R-package front lip, or similar aftermarket knockoff, to be noticeably less 'floaty'. Join Date: Mar 2018. 2016 MX-5 GT Blue Reflex. Over what roads at 70-80?
So yall really think the R-lips make a difference? Junsho, Be suspicions of culprit simply being nothing more than excessive front toe-in. Join Date: Dec 1999. I had the same floaty feeling when I bought my NA with 52k miles on it. Divulging variances from OEM (or none) and other related details, very well might assist replies more specifically applying. Location: The Villages, Florida. Location: Colorado, USA. President Nutmeg Miata Club... 94 Cpkg/ TracPK/RBsways/header/ex/Boss/Frog Twin. Location: Jerome, AZ. I'm believing, because I was surprised at how stable my car felt at 90+mph (on track). Alignment wrong or loose, worn suspension bushings, or broken suspension parts are likely issues. The aftermarket knockoffs are pretty inexpensive. 92 auto red HT NB2 seats 10AE Bilsteins.
Posts: 3. floaty feeling at highway speeds. BTW doing this completely fixed the speedometer error). After any damaged or worn past serviceable parts are found and replaced, alignment matters. Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 1996 Chaste White, PEP, 110, 000 miles and counting. It needs a little toe in or toe out (I forget which) to reduce this tendency. But if the lips actually do something, cool. It isn't what you know, it isn't what you don't. I am currently running no spoiler, but am thinking that might help correct the issue. Adding a R style front lip might help a little bit also. I am running a set of my ND wheels on my 97. Front toe in particular.
I set mine to zero in the front, and it got a little darty at highway speeds--not floaty, just twitchy and too easy to change direction. Location: Dallas 90 Red pkg B, 91 BRG restored.