I think my GSL-se is riding low. I just installed a Racing Beat street header and now the flange slightly scrapes on the ground. I need to know what the measurement should be from the fender to the ground front and rear. If think I may have sagging springs in the front, or may need to raise the engine (can I shim or somehow raise the engine mount?) thanks in advance,

Hugh

 

Have you ever replaced the springs?
If they are OEM, then they've likely saged 2-3 inches.

Even putting on LWERED springs is a step up from worn out OEMS.

-Spencer

 

GAWD Mo money Mo Money.. well I paid 300 for the car so I guess I cant really complain.

 

The center caps of the wheels should be roughly inline with the edge of the rocker panel. At stock ride height.

GSL-SE's have the same springs as 12A cars, so they may sit a tad lower than stock. But generally speaking, if your header scrapes ground you are sittin' way low.

 

SE's came with slightly lower ride height springs, slightly modified front suspension mounting blocks, and also higher rate shocks and struts to provide better skidpad numbers. The springs on the SE's are also a higher rate than standard to accommodate the lower ride height.

In your case, these cars are almost 20 years old and if you've never changed the springs, it's very likely that 20 years of sitting on them has gradually decreased their ability to hold the car at correct ride height.

Replacement of springs will restore ride height, followed by replacement of shocks/struts (nitrogen charged) to increase rolling height, followed by replacement of front suspension mounts. All of these things will increase ride height, but likely there is a mounting issue that's causing your header to be so low.

When you mention that the flange is scraping, I would think that your rear engine mount (transmission mount) may be shot, causing the rear of the engine to mount much lower than the front, resulting in driveline misalignment and your header issues.

If this were the case, you would likely also see problems with aligning the header, collector, and pre-silencer, since these were all made on a jig designed to replicate the stock mounting positions on the RX7. Take a look and reply back - we'll help you figure it out,

 

Are there any brand of springs out there that don't drop the car 3/4" to 1"? I want to put some new springs in my car but i don't want to drop it anymore than it is. I have to drive this in winter and it's going to be freaking neighbor snowplow if it gets dropped another inch. But i guess it's probably sagging a big.

 

The increased grip is entirely from the tires. (-SE's had gummy RE92's)

The stiffer dampers are to better control the rapid body motions that grippier tires can cause.

After 20 years of deterioration and aftermarket tires, the suspensions are effectively the same.

The ride height is a little lower because the cars are heavier. All 1st-gens have the same spring rate and length (except for differences between LHD and RHD cars).


Lowering springs generally will raise your car up, since the lowering is relative to stock ride height.

 

After market lowering springs are frequently known to RAISE the car since the 20 year old springs are sagging.

Right on.

 

There is a very cheap temporary alternative. Go to the parts store and get the rubber spacers that u wedge in between the coils. That raised my GSL-SE at least an inch.