gscully

A friends of mine has a 1st gen RX-7 that is gutted has a rollbar and fuel cell. It hasn't been started in about a year and a half so hopefully the seals haven't dried out. We're planning on taking it autocrossing this summer and want a decent suspension setup on a budget. I was thinking one of two combinations eibach springs, toicko blues and kuhmo 712's OR racing beat springs, toicko blues and falken azensis. What are anyone's comments on these possible setups and can the toicko blues handle both brands of springs. I'd really like to go with the falken tires as they are really stickey, I run 712 on my streetcar and they're great for the money but the falkens would be better on the track. Both of these packages would come in at my estimation $1100 CDN (about $725 USD)

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

GS,
I have looked at a whole lot of spring rates and for the money ($139) and I think the TMC are the best deal.

Here is a spring rate comparision.
Spring Rate Comparison
Brand Front Rear
Stock 100 85
Suspension Techniques 120 80
Racing Beat 145 110
TMC (CS400) 155 125
Eibach 171 100
Dave Turner 225 155
Tim @Mazda Comp 1 225 160
Tim @Mazda Comp 2 250 170
Scott West 285 155
Mazda Comp IT 300 175

If you are running autocross weight is a key issue. Since the speeds are not that high, i would not use the roll bar, and you really do not need the fuel cell.

Ya, I am sure that is just what you wanted to hear.

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

Ok, so some how that posted before I was done, but...
So the weights are in pounds (frount and then rear).
The first five are kits, like RB. The rest are based off coil-over set ups.

If you want to really setup the car, buy jim Susko's setup manual for first gens. Ya, its $75, but if it saves you from buying the wrong parts once it will pay for itself.

I autocross my car and found his book GREAT! I run a much higher spring rate than any of these and my car feels like a go cart.

Best of luck!

willhogan

Kill no cones what spring rates you running

gscully

I wouldn't have done the rollbar or fuel cell either but the car was previously used for rallyracing and it needed both by the rules. I'm not familiar with most of these springs who sells TMC and the other ones (Dave Turner etc)? I want high rates but also am concerned if the rates are too high the shocks will blow than things start getting expensive.

JDuncan

iTrader: (3)

Links to where to buy?? I am trying to pick spring rates right now and have been leaning towards 350# front and 200# rear.

I didn't find anything on Amazon.

Thanks,
James

gscully

I just noticed that the ones I didn't recognise are coilovers. Are these coilover sleves or full coilovers? I like the rates on the TMC springs, seems reasonably stiff but something that the shocks can handle.

DriveFast7

iTrader: (1)

http://www.ground-control.com/
click catalogs on the left
1st gen rx7
enjoy!
when i was putting my suspension together 2 years ago ground-control was cheaper than mazdamotorsports.com

350 front is great for road racing but 200 is too stiff for the rear. i had 220 rear and the back end kept stepping out and i had to wait too long before getting on the gas. cost time. go softer like 175 or 150

and i don't really know what the hot setup spring wise is for autox. they do run much stiffer springs than road racers typically. since speeds are slower and there are much more transitions you want the suspension to set RIGHT NOW.

-bp-

JDuncan

iTrader: (3)

200 is too heavy for you, but I weigh 330# personally, and that is what is pushing me that way. I will be talking to the folks at GC again next week and hope to get the suspension and have it on by mid Feb. We have our first event early March and I want it to be somewhat sorted. I do wish I could find a complete PolyUrethane kit, because buying this and that is irritating. If you know of someone who sells a complete one, let me know.
Thanks,
James

Rx7carl

Worth it at 3x the price!!!!!

**** GC, their customer service sucks *****.

gscully

Now I'm thinking we'll most likely go with custom rate eibachs that I saw on groundcontrol website. I'm looking at probably 300lb/in front and 175lb/in rear. How well would the toicko blues or illuminas handle these spring rates?

nimrodTT

If you're going autocrossing, the most important thing to buy is a good set of DOT-approved race tires, don't waste your money on street tires unless you're going to compete in the street tire class. Then if you're on a budget go to Ground-Control or Mazdaspeed for suspension; and if there's no limit to the money you can spend, go to G-force.

Here's the link to g-force: http://www.gforceengineering.net/

95markVIII,
GC has all the bushings you'll want to replace, and can piece it all together for you.

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

I just clipped and pasted the chart from an excel database, so there are folks you may not know.

Dave Turner is one of the guys that started the spec 7 class on the west coast, and scott West is the fastest first gen autocrosser in my region.


If you are looking for the TMC spring, then look for anyone selling Spec 7 kits, it is what they use.

As far as the spring rate I am using, look at MEDIUM in Jum Susko's setup manual.

GS< you can also buy alot of this stuff directly from Mazda Competition.

I looked ar a lot of shock and sping combinations, and unless you really set up in costs you probally do not want to go more than #200 or #225 on your springs.

I am running the race illumina, and they are quite up to the job.

I think that Nimrod has a real key point, buy good tires. Who cares what your spring rate is if you can't stay on the track.

Good luck.

JDuncan

iTrader: (3)

Well, my 205/50-15 V700's only got one event on them last year, so they should be ready for action. Sadly, the 205/60-13 BFG Comp TA R-1's didn't make it through the whole season. I agree, tires definitely make a big difference. I still want to know where to find this Susko setup manual you keep referencing. I have been running Eibach Pro springs, but am looking at going to coilovers, either through GC or mazdamotorsport. I, too, will be going with the Tokico racing 5 struts and shocks. With my weight and full interior taken into account, I am still leaning towards 350# for the front and 200# in the rear.

I sure would like to read this book you keep talking about, though. Can't find it at amazon or BN.com

Doh, never mind. Found it at the link above. James=retarded...

Thanks,
James

TheTwinTurboRX-7

the car I just bought has the RB springs with Tokiko Blues, will the shocks be up to the task of handling what the srpings are dishing out?? As far as tires are concerned, have four new Falkens on the way. Looking forward to a fun autocross season, maybe finally give some miata's a run for their money.

Ben

Rx7carl

Yes Ben, the blues are like a 3 on the illuminas. You should be fine.

Kill No Cone

iTrader: (6)

Ben, that sounds like a great set up and the shocks will be perfect.

95 Mark, Here's the link to g-force: http://www.gforceengineering.net/

So Carl, I know you are using Jim's book. What spring rate did you chose? Light, medium, or hard?

Good luck, all

TheTwinTurboRX-7

sweet, thanks for the endorsement.

ben

Rx7carl

Kill, I dont divulge stuff like that! you ought to know better. lets just say that its not soft.

gscully

That's a setup I was looking at, how does that car handle now with whatever tires are on at the moment.