i have been looking for a week now, not only can i not find any vendors of a rally worthy coil and shock combo, but neither can i piece one togather myself due to lack of knowledge.
This is what i want. Hard to bottom out. no bouncing.

I know you cant just through a big spring in there and expect the shock,Dampner,strut to do the work, but how would you gauge this so you could put togather a capeable setup.
Im not so much wanting to rally the firstgen, but like a corolla (not ae86) or some suby, 323gtx. something like that. anything 4wd. Before i become obsessed with this i want to know where the hell do these guys get there parts...you cant build everything! i can build my own bash guard light bar and tube bumper.
anyways ,know any vendors, any good articles about understanding suspension.
Any help would be apperciated.
Thanks.

 

There are plenty of performance parts vendors for our cars:

www.mazdatrix.com
www.racingbeat.com
www.iscracing.net
www.gforceengineering.net (Jim is the man when it comes to 1st gen suspension.)
www.ground-control.com

That's just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. So far as what spring/shock to choose, that's a little more touchy, it all depends on your driving style and your tastes. There is no one right answer and it really has to be something you try, mix-n-match and finally set upon the right setup for you.

 

If you want to understand what is going on, look on the internet or go to a large bookstore and find some of Carroll Smith's books. I think the one you want is titled "Tune to Win". This guy is long recognized as the authority on chassis design, suspension and handling, died a couple years ago.

The MacPherson strut is not the best suspension or the easiest to analyze. Contact some of the suppliers that people have suggested, and tell them what kind of driving you intend to do. Much of what they offer was developed by lots of trial and error. I have never set any of my RX-7s up for racing, but for street driving, I think the most important place to spend your money is on good wheels and tires. The best suspension will not be much help until you get some good tires on the ground.

 

Well put on the tires issue...

I have seen so many people put a TON of money in their cars only to see them have the cheapest tires...

Your only as strong as your weakest link...

 

Tree25is check out the Suspension/Wheels/Brakes/Tires section on this site. You will more than likely find your own answers.