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

Racing Beat spring question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-22-20, 06:58 PM
  #1  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Racing Beat spring question

I recently picked up some unused Racing Beat springs. Any one run 205-50\15 with these springs? Wondering how\if the fronts will work out.
I have no rubbing on stock springs..
Cheers
Old 05-22-20, 09:44 PM
  #2  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
Yes,easily accomplished with proper offset wheels. What wheels do you have?
Old 05-23-20, 12:56 AM
  #3  
1985 rx7 GS
 
Kdo58's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Puyallup
Posts: 92
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
17" work


Old 05-23-20, 06:52 AM
  #4  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
Originally Posted by Kdo58
17" work
What is offset of your wheels?
Old 05-23-20, 10:20 AM
  #5  
1985 rx7 GS
 
Kdo58's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Puyallup
Posts: 92
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
I have no idea, they look good but with no side walls they ride harsh.
Old 05-23-20, 11:02 AM
  #6  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Good question,should have thought to include that information. They are 15x7 back set of 115mm and off set looks to be +25mm

Old 05-23-20, 06:34 PM
  #7  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
Are those 205/50/15 tires on the wheels now?
If so there will be no contact on RB spring.
Ideal offset for non SE suspension is +20 mm.
RB spring will drop car @1/3”-3/4” in front.
How close is tire to fender lip in straight ahead position,looks to be ok but hard to judge with wheels turned like in pic.
Old 05-23-20, 09:56 PM
  #8  
Full Member
 
FBPersimmon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 54
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
I just threw on some RB springs and have stock GSL-SE wheels and tires, which are 205/60/14, which are slightly bigger than 205/50/15 (comparison). So as mentioned above, sounds like offset is most important since your tires will be smaller than stock GSL-SE. Waiting for the springs to settle to get some pics (finally got them in yesterday).

Last edited by FBPersimmon; 05-24-20 at 10:48 AM.
The following users liked this post:
thirteenbees (05-24-20)
Old 05-24-20, 01:06 PM
  #9  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Side view

Old 05-25-20, 10:25 AM
  #10  
84SE-EGI helpy-helperton

 
LongDuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,314
Received 359 Likes on 250 Posts
Classic WEDS Bavaria wheels, man. Those are period correct for the car and those look to be pristine.

I'm running 15x7 wheels with 38mm offset (*tires are 205/55 Yoko) which is just shy of the stock GSL-SE offset of 40mm (14x5.5). Your offset is putting the centerline of the wheel inboard from where it should be, which is adding to your risk of contact with the spring. Lowering the car changes the geometry, but only slightly, and not enough to provide much more clearance, unless you install adjustable camber plates and run them zero to positive, which ruins handling. Unfortunately, the tire sizes you're looking at are likely to scrub the springs unless you go with a narrower width, like 195. Modern tires include some widening efforts like rebated bead seats to help with wheel curb rash, which only adds to your problem.

First step is to get an alignment and then measure carefully from under the car when it's on tracks and weighted like you'd drive it. Give extra clearance for cornering forces and turning radius. Don't take any chances and don't allow any contact - it's not worth totalling the car or driving off a cliff due to a blow-out.
Old 05-25-20, 10:51 AM
  #11  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Originally Posted by LongDuck
Classic WEDS Bavaria wheels, man. Those are period correct for the car and those look to be pristine.

I'm running 15x7 wheels with 38mm offset (*tires are 205/55 Yoko) which is just shy of the stock GSL-SE offset of 40mm (14x5.5). Your offset is putting the centerline of the wheel inboard from where it should be, which is adding to your risk of contact with the spring. Lowering the car changes the geometry, but only slightly, and not enough to provide much more clearance, unless you install adjustable camber plates and run them zero to positive, which ruins handling. Unfortunately, the tire sizes you're looking at are likely to scrub the springs unless you go with a narrower width, like 195. Modern tires include some widening efforts like rebated bead seats to help with wheel curb rash, which only adds to your problem.

First step is to get an alignment and then measure carefully from under the car when it's on tracks and weighted like you'd drive it. Give extra clearance for cornering forces and turning radius. Don't take any chances and don't allow any contact - it's not worth totalling the car or driving off a cliff due to a blow-out.
I have a finger or two space from wheel to spring now. I had thought of going to195s and just keeping the 205s as spares, or I could shop for new wheels but like you sad these are kinda rare and in good shape plus I've grown fond of them. OK food for thought. Thanks to everyone for the info...
Old 05-26-20, 04:20 PM
  #12  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Soooo, I pulled a front strut out to do some other work and it looks like the original owner cut the coils. The whole flat part of the top of the stock spring is gone.


The spring lengths look to about the same, the RB ones may even be a hair longer. With this in mind I suspect there shouldn't be any clearance issues.. what say yee...
Old 05-26-20, 04:55 PM
  #13  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
Put them in,you’re already there
Old 05-26-20, 08:45 PM
  #14  
Slowly getting there...
iTrader: (1)
 
Maxwedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SE PA
Posts: 1,638
Received 352 Likes on 259 Posts
The RB springs are direct replacements for OE. If you have almost 2 fingers between the tire and factory spring you will be fine.
The following users liked this post:
peejay (06-14-20)
Old 05-27-20, 03:48 PM
  #15  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
You'll be fine, throw em in! You'll probably notice an increased ride height instead of a lowered one, as the old coils are cut and worn out - the RB ones are new and stiffer.
The following users liked this post:
peejay (06-14-20)
Old 05-31-20, 02:39 AM
  #16  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Ohio
Posts: 509
Received 11 Likes on 10 Posts
Do RB springs have a dead coil so they can be cut a little and not affect the spring rate?
Old 05-31-20, 07:13 AM
  #17  
Slowly getting there...
iTrader: (1)
 
Maxwedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SE PA
Posts: 1,638
Received 352 Likes on 259 Posts
Originally Posted by hawk 7
Do RB springs have a dead coil so they can be cut a little and not affect the spring rate?
No sorry.
Old 05-31-20, 06:37 PM
  #18  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
One corner done,rusty bolts are a pita...

and I'm doing this at the same time

Old 05-31-20, 06:46 PM
  #19  
Slowly getting there...
iTrader: (1)
 
Maxwedge's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: SE PA
Posts: 1,638
Received 352 Likes on 259 Posts
Is that the T3 kit?
Old 06-01-20, 05:23 PM
  #20  
Senior Member

 
aeenox's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 338
Received 27 Likes on 25 Posts
Originally Posted by Maxwedge
Is that the T3 kit?
Looks like the T3 kit, thats the next major mod imma do on mines.
Old 06-02-20, 08:04 PM
  #21  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Yes it is.
Fit and finish is pretty good only odd thing is the braided brake line hanger for the strut doesn't work right with the rx7 strut.
You'll have to get creative if you want a backing plate and don't forget the lug nuts if you want to run the studs.
Also I was only sent the inner bearings not the outer, fortunately I had new ones in my parts supply.The ones in the kit say "Made in China".....

Last edited by thirteenbees; 06-02-20 at 08:15 PM. Reason: ADDING ON
Old 06-03-20, 08:20 AM
  #22  
Always Wanting to Learn

iTrader: (49)
 
DreamInRotary's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Cambridge, Minnesota
Posts: 3,078
Received 42 Likes on 40 Posts
Originally Posted by thirteenbees
Yes it is.
Fit and finish is pretty good only odd thing is the braided brake line hanger for the strut doesn't work right with the rx7 strut.
You'll have to get creative if you want a backing plate and don't forget the lug nuts if you want to run the studs.
Also I was only sent the inner bearings not the outer, fortunately I had new ones in my parts supply.The ones in the kit say "Made in China".....
Curious to see what you think of the kit! They actually reached out to me to see if I'd send them a backing plate set so they could R&D new ones...not sure if that's supposed to be a secret or not...
Not surprised about the "Made in China", most bearings are manufactured there anyways. Let us know how the kit goes!
Old 06-03-20, 08:12 PM
  #23  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Add to the two a fore mentioned issues above, the 4 bolts in the kit to fasten the calipers to the spindle bracket are to large and won't fit.
They won't pass through the caliper or thread into the bracket.
Old 06-13-20, 04:26 PM
  #24  
Full Member
Thread Starter
 
thirteenbees's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Victoria B.C
Posts: 103
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Well I was sent the wrong caliper to bracket bolts, new ones are on the way. T3 also offered to send the missing bearings..
This is what I did to secure the brake line at the hanger.




The following users liked this post:
Maxwedge (06-13-20)
Old 06-13-20, 06:02 PM
  #25  
ancient wizard...

 
GSLSEforme's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,335
Received 256 Likes on 209 Posts
I would expect a lot better quality"kit" for what you paid,not impressed. Not a secret i;m not a fan of T3 stuff,just one more reason.


Quick Reply: Racing Beat spring question



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:47 AM.