1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

How to fix: 1st gen front suspension.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:37 AM
  #1  
RallyGTI's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NW Wisconsin
How to fix: 1st gen front suspension.

The car


From the front.


From the side


In action
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFoGm6gRacY


Dave
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:47 AM
  #2  
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Bryan, TX
Nice video!

What all did you do to the front suspension?
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 09:18 AM
  #3  
RallyGTI's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NW Wisconsin
Originally Posted by dantheman
Nice video!

What all did you do to the front suspension?
We installed the front suspension/ steering from a 2nd gen. onto the 1st gen. rally car.
Dave
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 10:37 AM
  #4  
ZeikHunter's Avatar
The Baxter
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio, TX
is there a reason it has a roof scoop? not too familiar with the rally scene, but i thought roof scoops were only practical for mr cars.

and that first pic reminds me of a crazy dream i had- 4 flip-up lights on my fb. i woke up and tried to find a practical way to mount the hood....
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 11:57 AM
  #5  
RallyGTI's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: NW Wisconsin
Originally Posted by ZeikHunter
is there a reason it has a roof scoop? not too familiar with the rally scene, but i thought roof scoops were only practical for mr cars.

and that first pic reminds me of a crazy dream i had- 4 flip-up lights on my fb. i woke up and tried to find a practical way to mount the hood....
The roof scoop is to push fresh air into the cabin, on stage the inside of this car turns into a sauna.

The carbon fiber light pod houses 4 HID lights that turn night into day.
Dave
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 05:56 PM
  #6  
DriftFB's Avatar
Reno Rotary.
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 11
From: Reno
Awesomeness, I've heard of and seen some photos of this car, nive to see your finally on here. I like it, sounds like a back of bee's coming through the woods, then a little yellow FB goes shooting by.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 05:57 PM
  #7  
DriftFB's Avatar
Reno Rotary.
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 11
From: Reno
Oh, and how difficult was the 2nd gen suspension into the FB? I wish there was a write up. wink wink.
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:12 PM
  #8  
woodonastick's Avatar
my fb is older than me
Tenured Member 15 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: San Jose
^^ thats wat i thought the thread was going to contain! more info plzzzz with a cherry on top
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:24 PM
  #9  
Yellow '79's Avatar
ERIC
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 964
Likes: 0
From: Southern CT
that a nice quick car you got there
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:26 PM
  #10  
Dan_s_young's Avatar
Turbo widebody FB
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 3,733
Likes: 3
From: Alberta Canada
Billy (Respeed) has hinted in other threads about a kit he's making as we speak that will adapt the 2nd gen suspension. Last I heard sometime next month was the expected release.

Awesome car BTW!
Reply
Old Oct 30, 2006 | 08:31 PM
  #11  
DriftFB's Avatar
Reno Rotary.
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 11
From: Reno
Originally Posted by Dan_s_young
Billy (Respeed) has hinted in other threads about a kit he's making as we speak that will adapt the 2nd gen suspension. Last I heard sometime next month was the expected release.

Awesome car BTW!
Oh dang, I'm going to be looking forward to this one. Thanks for sharing the hint.
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 06:07 PM
  #12  
v8dats's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: florida
bump!!

any updates on this?
any more info??
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 06:59 PM
  #13  
no_name's Avatar
Duct-tape fixes all
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 0
From: Toronto, Canada
did you use FC subframe, and controll arms, with an FC spindles and coilovers? I have been very intrested in making a first gen rally car for a long while now lol. I am also wondering what spindles you were running before hand? did you jsut use 84-85 spindles? and what kind of rates are u running spring wise lol?
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2006 | 10:26 PM
  #14  
aussiesmg's Avatar
Thunder from downunder
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1
From: Convoy, Ohio, USA
I am planning on this soon, can you show the mounting points and indicate which ones you changed.

How did the steering column install go, any issues?
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 01:01 AM
  #15  
trochoid's Avatar
Old Fart Young at Heart
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 15,145
Likes: 8
From: St Joe MO
A writeup/how to with detailed pics, measurements, modification proceedures, parts list, etc., would be greatly appreciated by many of us 1st genners. It appers that you have done a very successful and workable swap, where many have failed or not followed through with completing. Please enlighten us oh wise rally meister.

Loved your vid, but alas, it's entirely too short, more more, now now, lol. Even though I'm older, I am still impatient somedays.

I don't know how I missed this thread when it was posted 5 weeks ago. Guess I don't spend enough time on the forum. yeah right
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 08:59 AM
  #16  
82transam's Avatar
Never Follow
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 120
From: North Jersey
hahahaha trochoid not spending enough time on here yea right man I'm very glad to see that some people have actualy done this swap successfully, because lets face it the FB front end leaves much to be desired. I may have to consider doing this on my 13bt car....
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 11:43 AM
  #17  
dbragg's Avatar
Say hello to Mr.Wankel
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 1
From: Cartersville, Ga
guys, billy is working on something to help our front ends also. i recommend waiting on this to hit the market before you try this swap.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 11:57 AM
  #18  
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Bryan, TX
Originally Posted by aws140
guys, billy is working on something to help our front ends also. i recommend waiting on this to hit the market before you try this swap.
Who is billy? I know people by their forum names. I am too much of a internet junkie.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 12:02 PM
  #19  
dbragg's Avatar
Say hello to Mr.Wankel
Tenured Member 05 Years
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,962
Likes: 1
From: Cartersville, Ga
im sure youve heard of respeed, correct? well hes the man behind that amazing company. he has a lot of new products about to hit the market.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 09:47 PM
  #20  
Kentetsu's Avatar
Lives on the Forum
Tenured Member 15 Years
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 11,359
Likes: 14
From: Grand Rapids Michigan
This guy shows up to say hi, and we bombard him with requests for photos, writeups, and parts lists.... He'll never be back now! lol.

I'm not sure how I missed this thread either, but it sure looks interesting...
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 10:17 PM
  #21  
Naegleria_Fowleri's Avatar
Terrified.
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,463
Likes: 1
From: Muncie, IN
I can't believe I missed it as well.

It looks like you did an absolutely amazing job on it.

And I can't wait to see what Billy comes up with for the front suspension as well. I am still really confused as to why he is putting so much effort into developing things for first gens when the rest of the world is leaving them behind, even though I am in much appreciation as I am sure he will be seeing a lot of my money.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 10:31 PM
  #22  
Rotary Enthusiast
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 766
Likes: 0
From: Bryan, TX
Originally Posted by aws140
im sure youve heard of respeed, correct? well hes the man behind that amazing company. he has a lot of new products about to hit the market.
Ahhh, I didn't know that was his name irl.

Look forward to seeing what he has coming out. Should be good stuff.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2006 | 10:37 PM
  #23  
Rx7carl's Avatar
Airflow is my life
Tenured Member 10 Years
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,736
Likes: 2
From: Orlando, Fl
Nice car and vid. Your having too much fun now stop that!

Omid (abeomid) did the swap and did a writeup a few years back. Whatever happened to him? He sorta disappeared, kinda like me for a while but IM BACK BABY! Anyway from what I remember it looked pretty straight forward. The mount hole line up almost perfectly (IIRC he had to oval the holes in the FC crossmember, thats all).
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2006 | 06:11 AM
  #24  
82transam's Avatar
Never Follow
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 8,389
Likes: 120
From: North Jersey
It seems kenn chan has done the swap as well: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/fc-suspension-swap-writeup-237825/ Its omid's original thread, but its been revived. Does seem pretty straightforward. However, i have so many parts sitting around already with the intent of using various respeed kits I think I'll just go that route, assuming I like his rack and pinion kit, which I'm sure i will.
Reply
Old Dec 9, 2006 | 11:50 AM
  #25  
aussiesmg's Avatar
Thunder from downunder
Tenured Member 10 Years
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,843
Likes: 1
From: Convoy, Ohio, USA
It seems perfect for a rally car, the extra suspension height is actually and advantage for this purpose, what rear mods did you do?
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:01 PM.