Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Allright guys, I am asking the for the goods..

I just got a new SE, with the stock suspension,
Not bad, considering it is obviolusly old and worn.

This will be a Turbo car in the not-too-distant future.
I need ideas and recommendations about suspensions to hold that
kind of power (approx 350hp). I will not be autocrossing,
I will not be doing any super high speed runs,
& I will not be drag racing. (Ok, maybe a little informal drag racing)

I am looking for decent suspension setup that will feel tighter than
the stock, without jarring my kidneys. After all, I do like to cruise.

What's the consesus?
Tokico'? Models? Prices?
Eibach? Models? Prices?
Others?

What do I need to replace? The Struts? the Springs? The Bushings?
What can you say about it, awesome? Sux? or should I just go OEM?

Does anyone have specific part numbers? I definately want to do
the polyurethane bushings.

Where's the cheapest place to buy?

I know I am asking alot, but this board seems to really know its Sh*t.

Thanks in advance..

Gizmo

well, the suspension is probably (well, it is) completly worn out. Replacing the bushing will do a MAJOR upgrade. Even if the ride is a bit more harsh with polyurethane bushings, it is a must. Tokico Blue are the non-ajustable, almost like OEM struts. Illuminas are 5 ways ajustable, amd maybe the best compromise for an SE (since you are looking at the 350 HP range). Koni's strut are awesome but a little big costly for me. Springs are a bit more complicated... depend how exactly you want your car to respong. Eiback, suspension tech and RB are among the more popular.

My choice qould be:
-new polyurethane bushings
-Tokico Illuminas Shocks
-Eibach Springs
-a front strut bar. (in the 150-200$ range)
-maybe new swaybar

Front Suspension Rebuild by Eric Thompson
http://www.nellump.com/peri/epi/firs...spRebuild.html

Serzy's 1985 Mazda RX-7 Tips
http://serzy.rx-7.org/tips.htm

RotaryActive
http://rotaryactive.tripod.com/Articles/Suspension.htm

Bern's crazy ride, check his suspension mods
http://home.earthlink.net/~brhslm/

for stock parts and part fiche
http://www.mazdaformance.com/

Mazdatrix, can give you a good idea of prices, even tought that arnt cheap at all
http://www.mazdatrix.com/h6_79-85.htm

dam, I can't beleive I forgot the main suspension upgrade.... WEIGHT REDUCTION

genrex

[QUOTE] I am looking for decent suspension setup that will feel tighter than the stock, without jarring my kidneys. After all, I do like to cruise.

Hard to go wrong with Tokico Illumina shocks (5-way adjustable, from very soft to very firm) and Eibach springs. I wish I had that set-up..

~ genrex ('85 GSL-SE)

Gizmo

Tokico's ILLUMINA Shocks:
Front: BZ1069 ,
Part Number: 14425 Retail Price: $151.00 (RB)
Part Number: H-BZ1069 Retail Price:$142.40 (mazdatrix)
Rear: BE2317
Part Number: 14475 Retail Price: $129.00 (RB)
Part Number: H-BE2317 Retail Price: $120.74(mazdatrix)

Tokico's HP Shocks:
Front:
Part Number: 14401 Retail Price: $74.00 (RB)
Part Number: H-HZ1063 Retail Price: $66.03 (mazdatrix)
Rear:
Part Number: 14450 Retail Price: $54.00 (RB)
Part Number: H-HZ1069 Retail Price: $72.44 (mazdatrix)

Koni's Shocks
Front:
Part Number: 14326 Retail Price: $159.00 (RB)
Rear:
Part Number: 14327 Retail Price: $99.00 (RB)


SPRINGS
Front Spring Rate:
Stock 100
Racing Beat 145 (Lowers approx. 3/8") $100.00
Suspension Techniques 85/120 (Lowers Car approx. 1") $ 203.97 F+R
Eibach 171 (Lowers Car approx. 3/4") $ 266.00 F+R
Tokico ??? (Lowers Car approx. 1")

Rear Spring Rate:
Stock 85
Racing Beat 110 (Lowers approx. 3/4") $ 84.00
Suspension Techniques 80 (Lowers Car approx. 1")
Eibach 100 (Lowers Car approx. 3/4")
Tokico ??? (Lowers Car approx. 1")

Sterling

I've read a number of times regarding the poly bushings that the rear bushings should be replaced with new rubber, and poly on all others.
I've also read alot about people suggesting you lose the rear anti sway bar alltogether, as well.
The car has near perfect 50/50 wieght distribution, and the *** likes to break free if it's kept too stiff.

I have Konis "by default"...They were new-in-the-boxes, but I got them with the purchase of a car. I would never have coughed up the kind of dough places want for them, but I must say I am quite pleased.
However, mine are adjustable, and I don't know if they still make adjustables for our sevens. (Mine are pretty old.)
Whatever you do, get adjustable shocks. Pairing springs and shocks together is tricky business if you don't know exactly what you're doing. Alot can be outta whack if their not paired correctly, and you'll have blown big bucks on parts that basically "cancel" each other out and just give you stiff, dead, non-responsive ride. At least with adjustables, you'll better be able to mate your shocks to your springs.

With over 300 wheel HP, you better research it thoroughly -
base your descisions on more than just a few responces from here.
Do a search, ect. Also, look at the Grassroots Motorsport Magazine website. They've done numerous "Budget Rebuilds" on sportscars, including a few Rx-7 first gens. I would email them. Then report back to us with what they say!

Good luck, and it's nice to see someone "planning ahead"!

peejay

Sheez, and I thought stock was kidney-jarring enough

(watching with interest)

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Damn!

I am proud to be a member of this board.
Thanks for the quick responses.

Anybody know where to get the Polyurethene bushings?

Max7

there seems to be 2 choices, maybe more
Energy Suspension - http://www.energysuspension.com/maz.html
which can be bought through Summit Racing and the likes

Performance Suspension Technology - http://www.p-s-t.com/fekpgimp.html
can be bought strait thru them.

I was leaning towards the ES but installed a set of PST's on a friends car and liked the build of them. So I might end up getting a set for my front end rebuild

also a note. DON'T get the bushings for the rear. just use the stockers. Will bind to much with performance bushings.
Also quite a few of us run without the rear swaybar after upgrades in suspension (coils/shocks) to reduce the rears tendency to kick out.

rx7passion

you might want to check out shox.com for competitive pricing, since $266. for eibach springs when i got mine for $199. and i believe they match pricing or beat it

peejay

As a note I put poly bushings in the rear lower links, and a few months later I was working under the car and noticed that I could move the nose of the differential up and down quite a bit, due to slop developing in the bushings. I used Energy Suspension pieces, and they are of a 3 piece bushing design, a middle slice and two outer slices, presumably for more give when the links try to twist when the car goes over a bump or leans around a corner. I think that this design negatively affects the bushing life. Also, after I pressed the old bushings out (talk about a PAIN!!) the ES bushings popped right in with very little resistance.

I used to advise people to use them, because they did seem to help a wheelhop problem I was having, but now I tell people NOT to use them unless they don't mind frequently checking them for wear. For a few bucks more I could have made rod-end links for ZERO slop and plenty of lateral and twisting articulation with zero binding. Oops, I'm giving too many of my plans away

T-Rav

I second the recommendation of www.shox.com. The cheapest place I found for Tokico HP (blues) was on Nopi.com. However Nopi wanted $120 to ship them to Canada. I went back to www.shox.com and asked if they would price match (I didn't mention the shipping cost). They replied with:

We can sell them for $56.00 each front and $33.00 each rear.
Shipping is $34.00
total $212.00

Seemed like the best deal to me. They made it across the border in about a week. Hooray! Now if only the snow would go away.