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I couldnt find any threads about these coilovers on an SA/FB when I was shopping for them, so I figured this might be useful for those who are interested. So far I am really happy with this setup. The fronts and rears are both adjustable for ride height, dampening, and rebound (only fronts have camber adjustment). However to my surprise, the rears are not true coilovers. Instead, they keep the same style setup as OEM, and use a height adjuster plate that sits on top of each rear coil spring. Looks like a cup that sits inside the coil spring, held in place between the spring and the body of the car. I didn't know this when I purchased them because every website that sold these used stock photos of coilovers designed for other vehicles.
As for installation, everything was very simple and went together without any issues. The overall build quality appears to be very good. The only hard part was having to cut and weld the old spindles to the front coilovers. It really wasn't that bad though, and can be done in under an hour. Only had to cut 20mm above the knuckle, slip the hollow end of the coilover over that 20mm section, and weld together. They also came with instructions that explained all of this.
Currently (shown in pics) the ride height adjusters in the rear are turned down as far as they will go. The fronts are only adjusted about half way down. This is disappointing if you want to go really low. I would like to go lower, but I am also worried about the angle of the driveshaft. Even so, I may eventually decide to go lower. If I do, it appears that you are able to very simply remove that height adjuster from the rear coil springs. Simply pop it out, and it should be able to drop another 1" lower.
With the ride height where it is now, and the camber at 0, I haven't had any rubbing at all. My wheels are 15x7 with 20 offset. Overall I am very impressed with the handling performance. The only other suspension upgrade I have is polyurethane end link bushings. The car seems extremely well planted in the turns, and very little body roll. No noises or clunks yet. It is however, a somewhat stiff ride. This is exactly what I wanted, but some people may not be happy with how stiff these shocks are. You might be able to adjust them to make them softer, I haven't tried messing with any of the adjusters yet and just kept the factory settings.
Overall, with a price tag of only $1K, I am extremely impressed. I dont have any real racing experience or extensive knowledge of suspension setups, I can only say that these are a HUGE improvement over my stock suspension, and I am very happy with them so far. I have had experience with Tein coilovers on my miata, and I would say these are comparable. There's probably some better/cheaper way to improve the handling performance of a first gen, but if you are looking for adjustable ride height, I would recommend these.
Thanks!! I took pics of the front coilovers, but forgot to take pictures of the rears. I will be working on the rear end links this weekend, I can snap some photos while I am in there if anyone is interested.
This is the exact coils and wheels I was planning to get this fall! Glad to see it worked out. Any pics of the fronts after welding?
A big advantage to these is as performance shocks slowly become more unobtainable, getting the BCs rebuilt should be an option for years to come.
I will take pictures this weekend when I work on adjusting ride height again. BTW, if you are interested in these wheels they are for sale. I am looking to replace them with something slightly wider.
BC makes a decent coilover. Glad to see they have a kit now. I bet they don't lower too much in the rear so you don't get into the crazy bind situation when you slam the rear end.
T3 makes rear drop brackets for the lower links and shocks to help with that situation (and your friends at Alpha Waterjet Cutting). Don't know how well they work though.
I think those lowering plates that T3 makes is for their coilover setup. Probably wouldnt work with the BC's because it would not lower your coil spring, which controls your ride height. But as I mentioned, I can still get at least another inch lower in the rear by removing those adjusters.
How serious of a problem is that binding issue with the rear end? I've heard people talk about it, but I've seen so many slammed first gens it makes me wonder if I am worrying too much.
I've mentioned this in other threads, but possibly the single biggest ride-comfort improvement I made to my 84SE was cutting 1" off of the rear Bump Stops to prevent the rebound jolt when the suspension comes to an abrupt upward stop. I drove around with it like that for years without realizing that removal of the spring (*doesn't even require removal of the wheel, but it helps), a 14mm bolt up through the middle, and then cutting the Bump Stop and reinstalling would make such a difference.
Keep in mind that your suspension should have SOME sort of Bump Stop to prevent crashing metal-on-metal contact, but be sure you account for the reduced ride height from lowering springs and coil-overs or you'll be jolting up and down the street like I did,
So, turns out the rear end can go lower. In my infinite wisdom, i forgot to remove the old rubber perches for the coil springs. Removing them brought me down another good inch or so. Also, took some pictures of the rear end setup. I will get pics of the front soon.
I'm interested in that adjustable height (?) shock. I've looked at T3's rear coilovers and I have some adjustable KONI's, but, how does an adjustable body shock work?
I'm interested in that adjustable height (?) shock. I've looked at T3's rear coilovers and I have some adjustable KONI's, but, how does an adjustable body shock work?
You have to set the shock height in relation to the spring height in a divorced setup. My old Genesis Coupe was the same way.
Geez those BC rear adjustable springs don't provide much travel. The T3 rear coilover isn't a proper coilover either. It is a regular shock with a height-adjustable spring mechanism bolted on. This is achieved through a bolt-on collar as the spring perch. The collar is just held to the shock with a single bolt. The adjustable thread is then just a hollow metal sleeve which just drops over the top of the shock with a metal cap sitting over the top. None of the spring perch or adjustment collar is part of the body of the shock itself or welded to it in any secure way. There also does not appear to be anything locating the rod centrally within the spring sleeve. I took a look at the prodcut and was thoroughly unimpressed.
The only true rear coilover designed specifically for a 1st gen RX-7 that I've seen is made by ACBron Motorsports in Australia. On this product, the adjustment collar is part of the actual body of the shock itself and at the top there is a thick machined plate locating the spring over the shock rod. This means that it bears the load of the top of the spring, not the rear strut tower. The spring height adjusts from the bottom, not the top, which makes it easy to adjust. It is a bespoke design created from scratch for a 1st gen, not another product from another car bodged cobbled together with other components to fit a 1st gen (which is what the T3 is). They also do a machine bracket that bolts to the factory mounting points which drops the shock and allows for further travel and adjustment. Using these, the amount of ride height adjustment is actually limited by the body of the car.
XYZ Suspension in Australia also does a proper rear coilover, but IMHO it is inferior as it adjusts from the top, not the bottom.
You have to set the shock height in relation to the spring height in a divorced setup. My old Genesis Coupe was the same way.
am i doing something wrong with my rear shock adjustment? I just kinda threw them in. I thought that adjuster on the shock body was for dampening or something.
Overall, with a price tag of only $1K, I am extremely impressed. I dont have any real racing experience or extensive knowledge of suspension setups, I can only say that these are a HUGE improvement over my stock suspension, and I am very happy with them so far. I have had experience with Tein coilovers on my miata, and I would say these are comparable. There's probably some better/cheaper way to improve the handling performance of a first gen, but if you are looking for adjustable ride height, I would recommend these.
well, that says it all right there. you made a change that made you happier with the car and while your frame of reference is not an Rx-7, you do have an actual frame of reference. i'm happy for you.
also, i must say, the car looks beautiful - everything about it! great stuff.
The only true rear coilover designed specifically for a 1st gen RX-7 that I've seen is made by ACBron Motorsports in Australia.
XYZ Suspension in Australia also does a proper rear coilover, but IMHO it is inferior as it adjusts from the top, not the bottom.
how long have these guys been around? i only ask because about 10 years ago (when i was still driving my '84) i had looked pretty extensively for some "true" coilovers that bolted on without major work (cutting, welding, etc.) and found nothing ... anywhere.
07-09-19, 03:02 PM
