So I drove the car to work today. Let me tell you, it was an experience. My 83 GSL has not been on the road in a year.

I've driven boats with more stability in choppy seas then my little GSL.

She creaks, she rattles, she moans when going into a turn. In a straight line she bobs.

Since everything is stock under the car, now is the time for some upgrades. I can't see a reason to replace anything with stock parts.

So, my question to all the experts out their. Urethane bushings? Upper and lower trailing arms with heim joints? Coilovers, or springs?

All help is appreciated. Pictures would help too.

 

I'm no expert by any means but,
In my old car I had the race beat springs and tokico struts and boy did it handle so much better.

 

Unless you are going to race it I would consider just replacing the stuff that needs it with OEM and in the case of the bushings urethane works well and doesn't seem to mess up the ride. Sure there is a lot you can do to make it perform better than stock but almost all of the things you do make it less comfortable. Even the difference between a stock 85 GSL and a stock 85 GSL-SE is noticeable on a road trip. The GSL is a lot easier to sit in for hours at a time.

If you are racing it then go for it. Lots of suggestions on the forum, some easy and inexpensive and some difficult and expensive.

Best Wishes!

 

Lot of experienced suspension guys here warn of ride issues if you replace ALL the rear susp with poly or Urethane bushings. These can bind up in a very bad way for stock/street use. I will let others address WHICH are OK to swap back there, but wanted to give a head's up. Fact is, for the rear trailing arms, the ONLY way to replace with OE bush-part is to replace the WHOLE arm, as the inserts are not sold separately. This does not appear to be a problem (use of Poly/Eura) on the front however AFAIK.

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Street driven car, just want to renew and improve the natural goodness? Get everything listed here for the front of the car.
http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...Mazda+RX7+1984
If you need shocks, go for a set of RB springs with KYB's . They're available and reasonably priced. As stated above, keep rear bushings stock, you'll be glad you did.

 

You can replace all the bushing with poly bushings except the trailing arms, as Cookboy said
keep those stock. Even the watts linkage can use the poly bushings. One trick to note is to
not torque down the bushings fully while the car is up in the air. Load up the rear axle
with full car weight, then finish torqing them down. Will sit prettier then.

 

what about front shocks? and Mc Pherson strut springs? Mine have been leaking since 1991, the shocks that is. The steering is loose, but still workable for my needs.

Alignment techs have trouble making adjustments.

 

For Shocks I'm going with Iilluminas front and rear. I want the suspension tight.