hey guys. just wondering who has done it. i've seen a few on different first gens but havent been able to get much info on them. just wondering if anyone on here has a setup like this in their cars. pics and info would be greatly appreciated. yes i know re-speed makes a rear coilover kit but its not what i'm looking for. thanks ahead of time.

 

are you referring to a coilover system like on direcfreak's car?

 

I don't think you can do a true coilover on the rear. The strut tower isn't strong enough to bear the weight, or something like that. Of course, anything is possible with enough reinforcement, but then you're talking about a big project...

 

If you want a true coilover system in the rear your looking at modifying the rear axle as well as building a crossmember for the upper mounts. The stock damper mounts were not designed to take any load, which is why the springs are separate. This really only needs to be done if your tubbing the rear end for wide drag slicks. Some guys start off thinking they want or need true coilovers to be "cool" or whatver their reasons are, but if your just looking for adjustment, then adjustable perches are the route to go. Easier, cheaper and effective.

 

What are you looking to do? I don't see much point in a true rear coilover with the stock live axle geometry (unless you are doing somthing (like drag slicks) where you have you change things to make something work). If you just want height adjustment, then the re-speed setup is the way to go.

What your goals are and your setup could help us find a solution for you. We can only assume right now (stock rearend?).. for all we know, you could have a Ford 8.8 or even a Miata IRS in there. The more info you give us, the more we can try to help.

 

IRS in a first gen would be awesome. Has it been done?

 

I've seen a 2nd gen IRS in an FB. Not sure on the Miata one..I know some have talked about it, but don't know offhand if anyone on here finished something like that. Would be very cool, but also a whole lot of work.

 

I talked to a shop that put an IRS in a FB. Said it wasn't worth all the hassle and didn't handle all that much better for street stuff.

 

There was a guy in Clemson, SC that had miata IRS on a first gen race car. It was sick, but it got wrecked and needed all new from the firewall up. Havent seen him on in years.

 

I think I have seen it before. For some reason I want to think the car was blue?


I wish I hadn't reformatted my computer, I KNOW I had a picture of it!

 

Yup, that was Rob. He raced it in NASA Southeast. Totalled it at Rockingham. The rear was reinforced to allow for the miata IRS.

 

Mazda made first gen test mules with 2nd gen suspension.
SN95 mustang rear coilovers are supposed to fit 1st gen rx7s.

 

For street use I agree with the above posts, but for serious competition, if you can find a legal class, (Targa Newfoundland...hint hint) it would be a huge benefit.

I am planning on doing a couple of coilover rears on FBs. I am going to use equal length upper control arms, by boxing the floor to allow for these.

I will be removing the existing shock mounts, building larger and heavier tubes to cover the coilovers. The cage will include a bar which will be the upper mount. The lower mounts will just be reinforced.

I also suggest removing the watts, as it has 5 bushings in it allowing a lot of movements, then add a panhard.

I am currently building a 5 link coilover rear on a S10.