ok so im a newb to first gens and im looking to upgrade my suspension for my 80 SA. as im looking about i can't find any adjustable or stiffer shocks for my seven. Is there any way i can use 81+ shocks or will i have to upgrade my complete front suspension?

 

If you're looking for just shocks (rear) racing beat has options along with mazdatrix (both .com)

For the front struts, I honestly have no idea what to recommend. If nothing is available, then I would consider a conversion. However, factory inserts aren't a bad idea if the car is going to be used on the street a lot as the ride quality will be better than it is now, but I would also replace the springs otherwise you will still be wanting more. Stock struts/shocks with upgraded springs is a better combo than the reverse....IN MY OPINION

good luck!

 

stock as in NEW, but stock struts/shocks

 

your best bet is to upgrade to 83(late build)-85 front spindles. they are the bigger bearing units and they, like the 81-85's will accomodate the adjustible tokico illumina struts while giving you the more desireable spindles. all parts are 100% interchangeable except for the front calipers and brackets from the 79. the 79 uses a different caliper and bracket than the 80-85 12A powered 7's.

 

ReSpeed sells front and rear adjustable race springs that work on the 79 with tokico blues which are stiffer than stock .

 

What exactly is different between the 79-80 and the 81-85 struts that require them to have different inserts?

 

My understanding (from having read other threads here) is that the 81+ tubes use a shorter strut insert. If put into the 78-80 tubes, the insert will move vertically & can't be tightened down correctly.

I've also read that the shorter units can be used in the 78-80 by fabricating an appropriate spacer, but I have never personally tried it.

Getting to the point where I need to experiment with it, too, as my front struts are at the teeth-rattling point now.

 

Yes, there is a method involving a spacer which will allow you to run later model strut inserts in the SA housings. Send dj55b a PM and ask him about it (new owner of Respeed). I'm sure he can hook you up with whatever is needed.

If you can, then spend the extra money for the Illumina adjustables, rather than the Blues. You will appreciate this over the years as you drive it.





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well **** guys thanks for all the replies. im pretty much going for adjustable shocks all the way around and i'm getting Racing beat lowering springs all the way around no questions asked. i just haven't decided if i want koni yellows or the Illuminas. and im pretty sure KYB AGX were never made for the first gens right?

so to get adjustable shocks up front imma have to replace my strut and spindle assembly with the 81-85 12A ones? and about the above mentioned, the 79 brake caliper and braket set up. is it the same on the 80 as well or is the 80 the same caliper and braket as the 81-85 12a??

 

See my post above. You don't necessarily have to swap the strut/spindle to run later model shocks. There is a very simple spacer that can be installed to make them fit.

Also, before you drop the money on RB springs, make sure they are what you are going to want. I started with those, but very quickly decided that they weren't enough of a difference over stock. Later I upgraded to coilovers, which is what I should've done in the first place. The cost difference was nearly negligible. So if you're after handling performance, think carefully. If you just want a cruiser, then you'll be fine with the RB springs.

 

I agree with Kentetsu, I have run every kind of after market springs that have been available down through the years and now I am on the ReSpeed coilovers. I HIGHLY reccomend the coilovers.

Not only can you inexpensively adjust the spring rates later, to suit your preferences (and I have found the preferences will almost certainly change) but you will have a much better handling car, overall, cause you can adjust corner weights and account for uneven ride heights.

I also agree that all you need is the spacer, I have them in my '79 and there is no need to upgrade the struts unless you want to get away from the 4x110 bolt pattern. It can be as simple as a stack of washers in the bottom on the strut housings or a piece of metal tubing cut to length, very simple.

 

Now, all we need is for some enterprising machine shop to mill up a stack of properly sized, robust spacers for not a lot of money...

 

Consider the respeed coilovers instead, rb springs really won't make much of a drop.

 

nevermind

 

Well as you guys were reading and posting to my thread over night i did find a link to RE-Speed and i am very interested in their coilover set up. the main reason im wanting the racing beat lowering springs right now is cause i just bought my SA and it has cut springs on em :/

now about this spacer for my housings all i'll need to do is drop em in the bottom before installing the new shocks (adjustable or not)? and what kinda measurements will it need to be?

I've also been staring at the sleeve product on RE-Spd's site and from what im getting you just slide the sleeve onto the factory spring perch and slide those 7" RE-Spd coils on the lower spring seat then the upper seat. and then there is the thrust bearings...were would those go? im sure if i bought it the instructions would clear it all up right? lol

 

Off topic but 13x...i love that wing on your blue SA! What brand is it, how rare, where can i find and how much do they go for? lol

 

ReSpeed will help you get what you need if you tell them what you are after

 

The exact size depends somewhat on which inserts you are using. Small deviations in the diameter of the bottom of the insert and the configuration of the "foot" of the insert makes it a little bit of a case by case situation, if that makes sense. I have some pipe that is the proper ID/OD, I will measure it when I get a chance and also provide the approximate length, but that will be just a starting point as it may have to be tweaked a little depending on the insert. Not hard to do, I adjusted mine with a 4 inch sander, taking them down a little at a time until enough of the threads of the strut top nut would screw down into the strut.

 

Send dj55b a PM with your questions about the spacer (new owner of Respeed). He's very capable, a nice guy, and he'll do whatever he can to get you set up.

Respeed has always had the best customer service in the world, and I'm sure that won't be changing with Sam running things.

 

I was hesitant to respond until I realized it was your thread lol

Not rare can pick up on ebay whale tail on ebay perhaps is just the angle of the picture. Now the front damn to my understanding is not easy to come by and I have yet to find anyone making new ones and the hood well it's a one off things you have to do when you pull up behind cars in lineup like divindriver's at some place like sevenstock lol (damn that car is clean)

 

so its just a Generic whale tail wing off ebay?? and where can i see the pics of what else your talking about. the rx7club photo albumbs??

 

The one on my car is much older, it actually belongs to one of the local guys I am addressing some issues with it (making it prettier for him) then I'd like to attempt using it for a plug to make a mold and make myself a new one

Oh I don't have many pictures here I post most on our local forum. Here is a pic of the dam I referred to, the guy I got it from is a long time SA guy said it was a Petty


and here is a hint of the unfinished hood a few weeks before SS13 while my car was still black prior to being brought back to the color she was born with, mind you this is not for it to "look cool" but more with function in mind, but was coming out looking cool lol. Today it looks much better. Will deput it at WHiV4 before hitting SS14

 

I think I just saw one of these front air dams on eBay last week or so. The ad said it was original, never mounted or painted. Looked to me just like yours, a single central opening, the side markers mounted in the sides and it came up to just below the fender moldings. $225 if I remember right, but its gone now

 

Well **** that front damn looks pretty slick. i like how it doesn't take too much away from the original look of the front end. its more like adding to it. and the hood is kinda hard to see but hey function over form body pieces are beautiful IMO. i mean i love the look of the Gumpert Apolo that was on Top Gear. most would call it a ugly turd but i call it a racing masterpiece lol

 

hey guys i've also been looking into some struts and will be looking into evrything said above. but the reason i was looking into them in the first place is because i'm not sure if they are the reason my car vibrates alot once i reach 80mph. anybody have some input on why my 79 rx7 would vibrate pretty bad.