Seems like most options for these cars is no longer available (ReSpeed, gforce engineering, etc) so I wanted to see what other members have got on their car. Car will primarily be used for autocross but I will be driving it on the street to and from events. I want independently adjustable rebound and compression. Best solution I have been able to find on the interwebs would be Koni 8611 strut inserts on the front and Koni 8042 1134Sport (mustang rears) for the rear. Likely paired with the groundcontrol coilover kit and camber/caster plates and then get the Konis revalved to match the springs I select (Currently thinking around 600/350 lb/in front/rear).

I have tracked down a set of advance design shocks but am concerned about part availability in the future when I need to rebuild them. Does Bilstein make a strut insert with independent adjustability that fits our cars? I don't think I am ready to go all out with a set of Penskes or Ohlins.

 

It is awesome that you want to autocross your first gen, not many do it anymore. The competition is difficult against the newer Miatas and the like, but it's still fun. I can give you some tips but I have a few questions. Firstly what class do you want to be in? My fathers 85 GSLSE is in SCCA STR class, and while it is still impressive competitor (With the good driver he is), it is very hard to compete against the NA, NB, and NC Miatas. The problem with classes is a single performance part can bump you into a different class where you will not as competitive without building your car to the limits of the class, that is his current situation anyway. So what other parts do you have on your car, If I remember correctly you had an rb exhaust and some konig 15" wheels. Both of which can bump you up to a tougher class. On the other hand if your doing it purely for fun you can build the car however you want, but a little competition is always fun.

I apologise if I am speaking in a too newbie way, you seem like you know more than me when it comes to suspension setup.

As far as my suspension knowledge goes, I do have experience with the single adjustable Koni yellows for the foxbody. The set I have used on the rear of a foxbody were fairly soft, even at their stiffest setting they were softer than a set of normal KYB gas-a-justs, but this helped the car rotate much better and seemed more nimbe through sloloms, which is especially important for a large car. The adjustments using the **** on the top seem very linear between compression and rebound ressistance, but when put on a car that weighs about 700 pounds less I do not know how they would feel. You mention revalving Koni's, that would seem like a solution but I haven't heard of that being done before.

On the other hand. My dad's FB handles pretty darn well with simple springs bushings and a front swaybar. As always tires are #2, #1 is the nut behind the wheel.

 

I have the DA Koni shock and struts you mentioned on my race car. They are night and day better than the single adjustable Koni so worth doing in my mind. I sourced my stuff from JPM when he switched to Penske's. Regarding the Advanced Design stuff, they are pretty cool and easy to adjust but yes you would eventually needs someone that can repair them. I researched this many years ago and found a guy but never followed up. There are places that service different makes of shocks.

For spring rates I am at 500lb front and 275lb rear with a suspension technics front bar and no rear bar. I could see going stiffer front and rear but there are allot of variables to consider. Like driver preference, the tires being used, suspension design, bushing material, car weight, aerodynamic aids and chassis structure for example. I have seen fast RX7s with allot more spring rate than you mentioned and equally fast RX7s that are set up allot softer.

 

I’ll be running in STS. If I ever find a gsl rear axle & diff I’ll move up to STR. If/when I decide I don’t like money I’ll go to CSP ha, but that is a long time away.

I’m not trying to be competitive, just have fun and improve as a driver. I’ll be sticking to local autocrosses. Of course, I would like to give the Miata’s a run for their money.

I spoke to the shop groundcontrol recommended for rebuilding the advanced design shocks and the gentleman there said he wouldn’t pay much for them these days. Sounds like it’s a matter of when, not if they have part availability problems.

 

What about XB? We have a pretty big XB group here in KC and they seem to be having a blast. I run my Mustang in CAMC and I really like the run what ya brung attitude of these classes.

 

I hadn’t considered XB. Unfortunately there isn’t a large group running XB local where I am. Pretty much anything I’d want to do to the car is STS/STR legal anyways so I don’t think it’s a big deal.