Which Bilstein shocks work on FB RX-7 rears?
 

I've got a set of blown Bilsteins (mostly blown...they're really sluggish in the return after compressing them) that I pulled from an FB in the yard awhile back. I'm wondering which car these originally came from? I know that some folks out there are running Bilsteins in the rear and I'm pretty sure they weren't originally available for first gen RX-7s.

Just trying to see if it'll be easier to replace them with a new set or if I should get these rebuilt. For those that have gotten their Bilstein rebuilt, how long is the turn around?

fm

Answering my own question in case someone finds this doing a search:

Thanks to j9fd3s, I found the right shock to get. Bilstein PN# B46-0317. They need a different bushing, which Bilstein supplies. The bushing is PN # E4-GV1Z044A05. The old one gets pressed out and the new one gets pressed in. Other than that, a direct bolt-in.

fm

yup thats what i run!

Why not just go with the tried, tested, and lifetime warranty Tokico Blues??

I've heard good things about Bilsteins in FBs... How do you like them?

bilsteins are valvable!!!

^Gravity Fed took the words right out of my mouth. Also, Blues aren't really designed for lowering...only slightly better than OEM...I know a couple of people that have run lowering springs on Tokico blues only to have them blow inside of a year.

If I were to go with Tokicos, I'd go with Illuminas which can stand up to higher spring rates, can handle lowering, and offer the adjustability. In fact, I've got MR2 Illuminas on the fronts for this very reason. But from my conversations, Bilsteins are an all around better performance shock (not good for daily driving though). That doesn't matter to me as this car is for auto-x only. I'd get Bilsteins for the front too if it didn't mean doing major mods to my shock tube assembly.

fm

since the bilstein is valve able, you should be able to get the ride AND the handling

I've got B's on the rear of my car (not sure of the model atm) and love them. They just plain work, under any and all conditions. :)



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Interesting, I googled that part number and the first couple of links say RX-7, then Corolla with some dude on Amazon.com selling them.

A search on Bilstein's US site says nothing is available for our years' RX-7.
Searching for the part number from this thread turns up this full number: F4-B46-0317-H0
And the new number: 24-003179

AFAIK, there were no Bilsteins produced specifically for the first gen RX-7. It just happens that the AE86 shocks (the Corolla shocks you found reference to) are a very close match. The only thing that needs to be changed is the lower bushing. Bilstein keeps the correct bushing in stock for those that are looking to install them in their first gens.

Kentetsu, your vids are one of the reasons I'd been looking for these. Of course, then I'll have to learn how to drive but... :)

fm

Bilstein info
 

Okay, I managed to get the time to search up the info on my shocks. Different model than you guys are considering by the look of it. Last I knew, these were available through Summit or any circle track shop. See attached...

Woah, those are tiny! Yeah, it looks like there is a spacer there. I ended up ordering the AE86 shocks, which should be in sometime later this week.

fm

Yes, there is an extension at the top of the shock. They offer them in 1 and 2 inch lengths, and it is probably safe to combine them since all stresses would be vertical anyway. The lower part (shaft) connects with a bolt and spacers, rather than bolt and bushing. Overall, it's a very easy installation without making any modifications.

Do they work for the fronts or what do u guys run for front shoks