I have a first gen 83' RX-7 and i have heard that the suspension is not all that great and i was looking into cars that i can do a full swap with. I have heard that some good ideas would be like a GSL-SE, or even a 300zx. i was just wondering if anyone know of any other compatible suspension set ups, and what others have done. and preferably ones that will work with big brakes.

 

The Se swap is the easiest upgrade and is a direct bolt in. In the archive section there is a complete thread on the subject.

 

With the exception of the horribly designed Watts linkage for the rear axle, the suspension on the RX-7 isn't actually all that bad. Your best bet is to buy a panhard bar and 3 link setup from a company I can't remember the name of right now, some harder rear springs (around the 150lb range), aftermarket shocks and you have yourself a pretty good setup for a solid rear axle.

For the front, there are a number of options. You could go with a coilover kit, aftermarket strut inserts, racing beat sway bar, camber plates, and the ReSpeed big brake kit.

This will give you an extremely good suspension setup for street use and moderate track use. With good tires, I would think something like this would pull at least .9g on a skidpad. This will also be much easier than addapting something from another car.

For the record, the GSL-SE suspension is not a whole lot better than the standard RX-7 suspension, and therefore not really worth the time IMO unless your trying to get a different bolt pattern.

 

G-Force Engineering for the pan hard/ tri link


http://www.gforceengineering.net/

 

+1

the suspension on the Gen I's is no longer cutting edge ... not sure if it ever was, but "not all that great"? i wouldn't go that far. the cars can be quite unruly when perfectly up-to-date, much less aged. however, i think they handle VERY well.

i would say either get the "tried-and-true" upgrades and learn how to drive the car effectively, or just get another car. trying to convert to another acr's suspension system will prove frustrating at best ... if not, unsafe. for that, just get the car you want to turn it into. they're not for everyone.

 

Just add some springs, new shocks/struts, and a heavy front swaybar and you'll be happy unless trying to compete in National class championships or something.

Check out www.re-speed.com for a good start to upgrading. Great people to work with...

 

IMO get the car lower an inch or more with some slightly stiffer springs and your choice in performance struts. If you re-assemble everything properly you will be very very satified!
The next thing you will want to do is get the extra horses out of teh engine, most recommend (in this order) Performance exhaust research and buy/install, Intake&carb research and buy/install... theories on HP gain range from 25-75hp maintaining driveablility and effiency, the next step after all that would be a rebuild with a port job...
maybe some brighter aftermarket headlights to start with, then the larger rim and new tires, then the suspension, then engine stuf, and btw,, muhahahahahaha rx7 is teh best

 

A good rear upgrade for third generation is the 03 Cobra w/ the Jimlab cradle. Is there a Cobra cradle or kit for the first generation too? I have a first gen. body that will be getting a 13b single, and needs suspension upgrade. thanks.

 

Kentetsu nailed it right on the money...for the street, these cars need very little to be outstanding handling machines...even bone-stock with dying factory shocks, 'Tweety', the 84 GS, can still go through loose, two-lane clover-leafs at 75 mph leaving 95% of following traffic behind all skeered to go through at those speeds...TIRES are very important to the equation. Spend the money on the easy suspension mods, then go to the exhaust. Unless you're really handy and lucky (scoring the GSL-SE pieces on the cheap), the swap is not going to be as cost effective as the procedures outlined by Mr. K...

 

here's the thing though. i am looking to make the suspension pretty good for street usage. I would like to hit those corners a little hard faster and overall better. The last part for the suspension switch is to end up with a LSD. The stock 83's dont have them.

 

The gsl's do

 

+2
+2 Again.

1st - Before messing with struts and springs - is a better wheel combination for better handling. I am not a believer of 13's. I think 15's are a great size for regular FB. Although I like the "look" of larger wheels.
2nd - New Struts and Springs all around
3rd - Thicker fron Swaybar.

Those three changes will make your car handle like rails, and still be very comfortable to drive on a daily basis. Coil-Overs, camber Plates, etc - only if you are planning to compete in a track event. Otherwise those things will just make your car less "comfy and forgiving".