ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

In my way-off, far-into-the-future dreams for my RX-7 I see one major snag. The suspension type will always be MacPhearson + multi-link. Is this so bad? Is it possible to swap in, for example, the suspension from a Miata (double wishbone + newer multi-link)?

1SWEET7

iTrader: (1)

Why do you wan't to change. The FC handles like a dream on rails.

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

Even compared to newer cars?

Though it will be a relief if all I need is new bushings, nice wheels, a stiffer suspension, etc.

I'll be making a major project out of my '7 but I'm still in the "planning" phase ("lazy" / "waiting for income" phase). I want to build with an overall goal in mind, and handling is becoming more and more of a priority.

Rotary_Rocket_87

A FC with a well maintained stock suspension will handle better than alot of the newer cars. Yes the ride is a little stiff, but that is what you need to keep speed in the corners. The only cars around me (other than a few NSX's) that handle better than an FC are all wheel drive, and some of those can't keep up on some windy roads in stock form suspension wise.

My T2 has a failing suspension (worn mounts and bushings with tired struts) and it still handles like a wet dream.

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

Well then, that problem's covered.

Black91n/a

It's actually strut and semi trailing arms. This can be tuned to be very effective and can handle beautifully, but it's a compromized system. Porsches and BMW M cars use struts in the front and they handle very well, but a more ideal setup is a double wishbone system like in the FD. You'll spend thousands converting an FC to another suspension system, and it'll probably handle worse (due to lack of knowledge, lack of space, fitment issues or any of a number of potential issues), so you will have thrown a buttload of money into making an old car worse, and less valuable. A better plan would be to start with a different platform like the FD, which is better in many, many ways. In the end you'll spend less and have a more valuable car. If you're intent on keeping the FC, leave the suspension system alone and get good dampers, they'll make more difference than a fancy double wishbone system.

uhh

What are some good dampeners though? Price not concerned. What rates as well?

rerun100

I have a 87 Sport Package version and had many people tell me the car handles like it's on rails. I would tend to believe that general assessment. Since it's still on the original bushings, wheel and tire setup and OEM sway bars (Turbo type), an aftermarket upgrade will probably improve it. However, I must say, my 04 RX-8 Sport package handles MUCH better. Auto magazines claim it has one of the best handling chassis out of the factory.

Black91n/a

A good option for stock style dampers and near stock spring rates are Bistein shocks, they're nonadjustable, but have slightly more aggressive damping and are a monotube design, which is superior to the more common twin tube design. Another good option is the Koni Yellow, they can handle some pretty stiff springs, are adjustable, have good damping and ride comfort and are a favorite among amateur racers.

Coilovers are another story, they'll cost more, but you can get some very good dampers with them if you resist the urge to cheap out and do your homework before buying.

What ends up being best for you depends on your intended uses of the car, your driving style, and many more factors.

I've heard (from RETed) that 400lb/in front and 275lb/in rear spring rates work well on the street and can be easily used every day without too much of a ride comfort loss if you use good shocks (Koni Yellows). Those rates are also good on the track, and many racers use those rates. It's a good starting point

ericgrau

iTrader: (1)

So suspension is the weakpoint again. I can see how to do some serious horsepower upgrades, but without the handling to match I'm in a bit of a jam.

What if I compromise ride comfort on the springs & shocks, get super-light wheels, get nice tires, go polypropylene bushings all around, replace the rear-wheel steering bushing & arm (& other necessary hardware), get sway bars, strut braces, etc. ? Would this bring it up to RX-8ish handling, albeit at the expense of comfort?

According to kbb.com (Kelly Blue Book), a '94 Miata goes for under $4k, though a 2000 goes for $9-10k. How does its handling compare to an FC? To an RX-8? How hard is it to drop in a rotary?

I'm trying to do everything - both handling and horsepower - for under $10k. This is including the $2500 I spent on my '7. According to kbb.com I could sell it for almost $4k, though.

Otherwise I'd just save up for years and blow $20k on a nice FD I saw or one like it: Every reliability mod, every performance mod (about 350whp, plus handling upgrades and carbon fiber hood), newly rebuilt engine. Guy didn't have time to race anymore; put 2000 miles on the rebuild over 1-2 years. Oh yeah, car came with trailer too.

Black91n/a

It really depends on what your after as to which is better. If you can turn a profit on your car then that make the sale prospect more attractive.

The FC will have more potential in the higher speed arenas like drag and road race, whereas the Miata will be better at autocross.

The Miata is a better handling car out of the box and can be made to handle brilliantly. The basic suspension is better, but the FC suspension works well too, and can be made to handle really well. The Miata is also significantly lighter, but it's also a very small, cramped car (especially if you're big and the car has a roll bar) and isn't very practical, whereas the FC is a fairly practical car with all that cargo space. With the Miata many people, even averaged sized people have a lot of trouble getting low enough in the car to get their helmeted head sufficiently below the roll bar to satisfy the rules for tracks and aren't allowed to run (driving schools, HPDE's, etc). One issue with the Miata is there's not really any good options for any tires of significant width unless you get a larger diameter tire or a race tire, and they're very sensitive to wheel weight.

As for upgrades on the cheap I'd say Koni Yellows, GC coilovers (400/275 is a good starting point for spring rates), light wheels and good tires for sure (and replace anything else that's worn out), and then for some other optional things I'd say swaybars, polyeurethane bushings, DTSS eliminator bushings, camber plates, and a rear camber link, weight removal, battery relocation. With that the FC should handle very well, but whether or not it'd be up to the levels of a Miata, RX-8 or FD is unknown to me (for now).

My advice is to not cheap out on the suspension, brakes or tires, if the car can't turn or stop, going is irrelevant.

gscully

FC's handle very well, mine just has B&G springs and tokico blues, stock swaybars with new poly busings, TII 5 bolt swap and some falken FK451 tires pretty much the cheapest setup you can have and it still handles very well. What are you planning for the car is it a track car or autocross anyways if that's the case it's mostly about tires and driver. I would just get some nice coilovers, replace any bushings that are totally shot good tires and you're fine.