suganuma

ya.....ive been thinking of copying his setup
looks to me like he did some really in depth research....research taht i can take advantage of....hehe

jimlab

Jack, do you have any pictures of your setup? One of the reasons I was reluctant to go this route was because of the delivery problems they were having, and I'd heard that Ground Control was shutting down the "Advanced Design" portion of their business because it wasn't making any money. Anyone know the truth about that rumor?

They have to be a great setup, I just didn't want to get hung out to dry for an even more expensive setup, although I've heard that since the shocks are Koni-based (this is true, is it not?) that they're readily rebuildable, should you need to. Replacement would be what I'd be most worried about. I don't drive my car enough to wear out shocks, but there's always the possibility of damage.

At this point, it looks like I'll just take the plunge and buy the M2 shocks. I can't talk myself into the HKS kit because not enough people have tried it, and because of the availability problems I listed. The Apexi N1 kit is almost non-existant, apparently. No one is able to get their hands on a set right now, and they're the rough equivalent of the M2 Performance kit anyway.

Trout

I don't have any pictures but will see if I can get a friend with a digital camera to help this weekend. The pillow mounts are identical to what I see on the other Koni's shown on this thread and what M2 sells with his Ground Control coil over conversion kit. It uses 8 in. long x 2.5 in. ERS springs so no replacement problems there.

I haven't heard any Ground Control rumors. Check their web site. I've spoken to these guys on the phone before and they were very helpful with questions but I think they only sell this kit through M2 since he helped them with the valving for the application.

These aren't based off of Koni unless Ground Control copied their internal design. They are full body coilover shock not a conversion. According to Ground Control's web site, "they are fully rebuildable and revalveable by you. All shims, pistons, and spacers in stock at Ground Control." I may want to call and get a copy of the rebuild literature that they report to have just in case they stop production.

If you happen to have the Sport Compact Car from June 2000 issue (last entry for Project Rx7), they have a good write-up on the Advanced Design Shocks that they put on Project 300ZX. A lot of good information about their construction. It would be worth looking at their web site for an archive.

If you can get someone from M2 on the phone (I can usually get them 1st or 2nd try unlike others report), they might have an idea on lead time but from the List ramblings it sounds like they've stepped up production OR quite possibly some folks canceled.

Will see what I can do about pictures. Later, Jack

jimlab

I usually just talk to Brian directly when I call M2. I just didn't want to spend that much on shocks, because I know enough about my own driving skills to know that I'm not worthy...

Don't need 'em for drag racing or street driving, but I did want a *quality* coilover for tire clearance and adjustable ride height, and I definitely need them for corner balancing the car once all is said and done.

neo_omega

I saw a test on the HKS and Apexi and some other. They say HKS is the best one.

jimlab

Do you remember where you saw that test?

Want2race

I think taht you need the Area 51 kit from Dave.. Its un parreleled! Its formula one style dual contilevers! And includes a roll cage!

Anything less would be an insult to the V8 Rx7! A complete waste IMO!

rx7tt95

As Hedgehog said, a good set of Penske's or JRZ's in the single adjustable variety will be world's better than most of the "generic" JDM stuff. Single adjustables are less prone to poor owner inputs as well. If we could get a single adjustable JRZ set for $2K complete, I'd be interested... I've been doing much research on the upper crust JDM stuff and have been talking with numerous RX7 owners in Japan. Out of the generic JDM shocks, the HKS seems to be the most liked. www.takakaira.com has pictures of their latest setup. The downside is that the spring rates are the same for the front/rear. Oversteer anyone? The upper crust stuff is more than you're looking to spend. The only advantage, as I see it, over custom-made Ohlins/Penske/JRZ stuff is that the shock body and ends are specifically made for the FD and come with all the necessary hardware, valved correctly for the FD and the spring rates. A few of the brands would be Quantum, Ohlins SPL Pro's, Aragosta. Aragosta is the latest offering, a Denmark-based company that is apparently making great inroads in motorsports and the Japanese enthusiasts love them. There's a variety of Ohlins that bolts right in, fully adjustable (2 way I believe as my Kenji is a bit rusty LOL) with remote resovoirs attached to the shock body for $350,000Yen (conversion rate is 123Y to the USD). Big bucks. The Aragostas from KnightSport go for 288,000Y and come with your choice of spring rate. Either choice would require servicing in Japan, more than likely, although the Ohlins USA may service them for you. I believe that Takakaira also offers the HKS at less than $1900.

Silver93T

Jim, I was also looking into the Apexi. Mazdaspeed, and HKS coilovers. I also looked at Tein and Tanabe. After being unable to find any decent information about any of the above, I had enough and placed an order for the m2/advanced design. Those are the ones I orignally wanted, and there must be a reason why none of the big rx-7 tuners in the usa sell the japanese coilovers. If you are so concerned with the color, you could aways paint them. My friend painted his silver tanabe's orange so he could see where the threads on the shock body end.

weaklink

Jim,

rx7.com has the n1 package listed on their site, of course that doesn't mean it's in stock. it's obvious from reviewing your posts that you've decided. just get 'em.

jimlab

Looks like I'm going with Penske single adjustables, or failing that, the M2 Performance coilover kit.

The N1s aren't in stock, no one can tell me if they're rebuildable or replaceable singly (which is the case with both the choices I listed above), and they have no provisions for custom spring rates, as far as I can tell. Bummer.