Matt_S3_RX7

Just interested in wondering why everyone seems to get the adjustable coilovers?

Whats the advantage? I currently have the stock struts with KYB shock cartridge and lowered king springs over them.

The ride and handling is pretty poor (even though i have all new shocks and steering componenets), if i go down a bumpy tarmac road the front feels pretty average.

I was wondering if i get the Coilover kit will this improve my ride and handling? also what spring rate is the best for all round ride and handling?

Cheers Guys.

rotary84

iTrader: (4)

KYB shocks are really stock replacement

PercentSevenC

Coilovers will do two things for you: allow you to easily set ride height and give you a large variety of spring rates to choose from.

Matt_S3_RX7

Ok guys so in your opinion;

- Whats a good spring rate to get with the coilovers?

- And what would be the best performace shock absorber........adjustable?

I value all your experienced RX7 advice

Kentetsu

When I was considering moving from RB springs to coilovers, I ended up speaking with Billy from Respeed (www.re-speed.com). He was extremely helpful, asking what my intentions for the car were, etc. Based on what I wanted to get out of the car, he suggested I go with 275 Lb. springs on the front and 150 Lb on the back. I also went with the adjustable mounts for the rear of the car, so the entire car can be set for ride height. Camber plates too.

The results are pretty incredible. The handling is downright scary sometimes (in a good way). I also daily drive my car through the three warmer seasons, and the Illumina shocks on the front allowed for a comfortable ride at lower settings. I used to run Illuminas on the back too, which made it even nicer, but gave that up when I went with the slightly better performing Bilstein shocks on the rear.

The best advice I could give you would be to send Billy from Respeed a PM (user name is Bwaits) and seek his advice. He has vast amounts of experience and is a really nice guy who loves rotaries....

Good luck, and feel free to let me know if you have any questions...


.

Rotarx7

iTrader: (3)

respeed all the way!!
i have 350lb springs upfront and i love them. i have eibachs in the rear right now but im looking to get the spring adjusters

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Buy me some coilovers!! i'm jealous

Rotarx7

iTrader: (3)

k, if you buy me a PAINT JOB. im super jealouss!!

Kerebrus

iTrader: (30)

Hahaha.. Let me know when you wanna paint your 7.. I'll get you hooked up no problem.

Rotarx7

iTrader: (3)

nice! i will fo SHO

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Whether you use coliovers or not you need to match the shock dampening abilities with your spring rate. I suspect that the original posters issues are that he is using basically stock shocks with a firmer and shorten spring which increases the spring rate further. He probably has a harsh bouncy ride from this setup.

Coilovers are great but if you just use some common sense and match your spring rates with your shocks or have adjustable shocks you can get the ride you want without spending a fortune.

[soapbox]

For a street car coilovers are overkill and a waste of money. The reason for going to coilovers and adjustable shocks is to fine tune the handling for each track you race at. If you autoX it might be useful there as well but only if you are good at instantly adjusting your setup between runs.

[/soapbox]

Kentetsu

I have to disagree with you a bit on that TG. I find the coilovers useful for changing my car from daily driver mode to racer. I have one setting used for street, and another for race, and don't usually make any adjustments between runs (on the coilovers).

When I get there, I drop the front of the car about 2 inches, add a bit of toe out, set the camber to "almost" max, and set the tire pressure. Takes about 20 minutes if I do it by myself, or 30 minutes if I have help. After the race, I put everything back the way it was and drive home.

Plenty of ways to work it, just depends on how serious you are about racing. But either way, it gives you the added flexibility to change your car into what you need....

Electronblue

iTrader: (5)

I disagree that its a waste to run coilovers on the street. Not only are coilovers good for the tuning between runs, but more importantly its more adjustable when you first install them. You cannot corner balance a car with springs/struts by simply adjusting a few rings. As long as you get struts that are correctly valved for the springs rate you use, the ride quality of coilovers rivals a strut/spring combo. I run coilovers on my Subaru Legacy wagon daily, and will be on my RX-7 hopefully this summer.

Matt_S3_RX7

Im running aftermarket shock absorbers but I think they are only as good as OEM replacement?

They cannot be adjusted, plus I have lowered "king springs" which I think have a spring rate too high for the shocks.

So if i get the coilover kit from Respeed which shock absorber would you suggest? adjustable ones?

Ive bought high quality parts from Respeed before and i agree Billy does great service.

Kentetsu

Go for the Illuminas if you can afford them. The adjustability makes a big difference, especially when it comes to "softening things down" for a long trip or something. And on the highest setting, the car will be rock steady.

mustanghammer

iTrader: (3)

The other advantage to coil overs is the ability to dial in more negative camber (if you have camber plates). Coilover springs are a smaller diameter - 2.5" - so you can lean the strut farther into the tower for more camber.

Matt_S3_RX7

Yeah sounds like ill grab the illuminas, coilover kit, and coils from Re-speed, but with the dollar the way it is at the moment its going to cost a pretty penny lol.

I have the camber plates,FC calipers, BB Kit and SS lines, just need some FC hubs and Drilled/slotted rotors and ill be set

Thanks Guys



Cheers Guys

tigermack

iTrader: (5)

Ah, I was gonna chime in but looks like you're all set. =)

mpk490p

i have HP's (which i had got the illumias) Noltec top mounts and front and rear coilover kit from ReSpeed, the car was corner weighted with a 50/50 split and handles great i dont mess with the settings as it feels a good comprimise between street and track (the 7 is a second car so not a daily)

Mark

Matt_S3_RX7

Ive been looking around for the Illuminas and all i seem to find is this picture of them? http://mrcmfg.com/catalog/images/tok...ina-shocks.jpg

I know that this isnt a "Front shock cartridge" the same pictures seem to be everywhere claiming to be FB's? does anyone have a photo as im wondering how they are adjusted, if its from the top? it must be a real pain adjusting the rear

Kentetsu

The Illuminas you want are a cartridge replacement. You disassemble the stock strut housing, pull out all of the guts, and insert the cartridge. Pretty slick.

They adjust from the top of the unit (only takes a second). I've had great experience with them and wouldn't hesitate to recommend them. My only wish is that I had purchased the version that Respeed has, but I picked mine up before I even knew they existed....

Rotarx7

iTrader: (3)

whats the difference with respeeds illuminas?

t_g_farrell

iTrader: (1)

Kentetsu your using them because you autox and are serious about it. Exactly the reason to have the setup you have.

I still maintain if your just using the car for the street (no racing involved) then coilovers are a waste because theres no real reason to adjust the ride on a regular basis.

tigermack

iTrader: (5)

There's plenty of reason to adjust the ride on a regular basis. If it's snowing out, would you be driving as low? =P

justint5387

iTrader: (1)

They are the MR2 rear strut, it is stiffer.