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

rally springs?

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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 05:37 PM
  #1  
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rally springs?

anyone know where I can find some rear coil springs for my first gen. 7?
I'm setting her up for rally cross and am looking for a little more height and spring stiffness to handle the bumps with out bottoming out...
I've already beefed up the front by installing springs and strut cartridges from a golf GTI. This has given me the added height and a heavier spring rate while also allowing me to increase shock stiffness so she don't top out so hard and bounce off the track.
I am hoping someone out there knows where I can scavenge some rear springs that might be made to fit in this car...or maybe a source for new parts?


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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 05:48 PM
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I should've read that word carefully: rally cross. I mistook it for autocross. Must've been the word "cross" that got me confused. But anyways, try the Search button up at the top. You should be able to find some answers. Maybe.

Welcome to the Forum.

Last edited by 85 FB; Sep 18, 2006 at 05:52 PM.
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Old Sep 18, 2006 | 05:57 PM
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im curious as to how you got gti springs/shocks on your rx7. what all did you have to do to get it to fit?

as far as the rears, the rears are the same diameter all the way up, so you could probably call up eibach, and have them make you some springs a specific diameter, spring rate, and hieght for you, with some dead wound coils so you can cut them if need be.
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 12:06 PM
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Well...I cut the mazda strut housing off 3" from the bottom, cut the GTI housing at about the same point and welded it to the RX7 spindle. Then cut the GTI sping perch just above the weld and rotated it about 180 to clear the tire. a .250" spacer is required behind the wheel so the tire won't rub. Now my front end sits about 1" higher, with about 1/2" more travel and stiffer damping. Now if I could only achieve the same on the rear for as little money...
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 01:43 PM
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Companies like Summit or other auto supply places sell 'general springs' where you can select the length and the spring rate. Typically any where between 150lbs/in. to 600lbs/in, and you can get them in different lenghts so you could buy one larger than what you need and cut a few coils to get to the size you want.

Good luck, keep us posted.
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 02:09 PM
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yea, thats pretty much what i was saying, but i think summit would be alot cheaper...although it may not last as long.

you didnt have any problems with the suspension arm? with all of the excess travel? i think that is really cool idea, do you think you could get some pictures of the setup?
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Old Sep 20, 2006 | 02:14 PM
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From: un. k
Ford Escort springs

I forget what years, but they fit exactly and are much higher.

Its what Peejay uses for his RallyX FB. PM him about it, and ask him about his setup. A lot of interesting stories behind his car.
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Old Sep 21, 2006 | 02:39 AM
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thats a really good idea if it would work, so heres a 3:30 am bump for verification.
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Old Sep 21, 2006 | 05:04 PM
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Does anyone know what the factory spring rate is on the back of this car?
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Old Sep 21, 2006 | 05:22 PM
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Oh, and as far as the suspension is concerned: I also boxed in the control arms for rigidity and reiforced the cross member. I moved the control arm pivots out 1/4 inch for a little negative camber and dropped the x-member 1/4 inch to correct the geometry a little. This also meant I had to lengthen the center link and lower the pitman and idler arms the same amount to prevent bump steer... I won't really know how well all this works until I get the car level and beat worthy, but I'll let you know when it's done...I wonder where I could find some wheels to bolt on that have a little more poitive offset in order to eliminate the wheel spacers
Thanks for the escort tip, as you can see, I'm all about scrounging used parts...

Last edited by porsdude; Sep 21, 2006 at 05:24 PM.
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Old Sep 21, 2006 | 05:47 PM
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Stock spring rate according to mazdatrix.com is 85 on the rear. Where exactaly are you planting on rallying the car? Laughlin? or the California circut?
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