I've literally been going back and forth in my head about what I should do for my suspension as far as shocks and springs go. But I can't seem to make up my mind. I have a 1988 Mazda RX7 Convertible. My intended uses and area are, mountain pass driving (somewhat aggressive) etc and I am in the San Diego County area in Southern California, some of the roads aren't that great. I also intend to do some daily driving as well. So here's what I've thought of using:

Shocks:
1. Bilstein
2. KYB AGX
3. Tokico Illuminas
4. Tokico Blues

Springs:
1. Racing Beat vert springs
2. Ground Control

I intend to install a full urethane bushings kit or similar, Ground Control Camber Adjuster link, and I intend to use Sumitomo HTR A/S P01 205/60-15 tires.

Other ideas are welcome that will get me to the desired setup.

 

Get some coilovers. You'll only spend a few hundred more than shocks + springs + they will probably come with front camber plates.


When I did my suspension, the coilovers were bearable for daily. The thing that REALLY killed it was the poly bushings. I've gotten used to them now, but at first, holy **** was that ride bone-jarring.

 

Bilsteins with ground control.
Best setup you can get

 

Wouldn't matter more what you were planning to do with the car..? Drift, drag, autox/ road race/ track car..? I mean with drift I wouldn't touch anything but coilovers. My car with Auto x i'm not going nearly as severe as that. At least not yet. I'd like to hear more suggestions too. and reasons why if data and facts coudl be backed up with it. ( Haven't done a search yet, next stop)

 

I've talked to guys who have paid extra for adjustable struts, only to set them and forget them. Also, adj. struts are generally harsh, so they set them on the softest setting, which is like Tokico HP. Get Tokico Blues, along with the Racing Beat springs. And if you have money left over, get the sway bars, too.
I'm running upgraded sway bars (Eibach) and that is my best suspension upgrade. I was comtemplating between Eibach and Racing Beat springs. I ended up getting a good deal on Eibachs, but I think Racing Beat would have been a better choice.

 

I have an 89 convertible. Last year I installed eibach springs and koni struts and shocks. I used the ones recommended by the respective companies for the TII. On smooth pavement it's a great ride and the car handles great. It still has the original bushings. The ride is fine, but on bad pavement, the whole car rattles. I think that is more a function of it being an old car and a convertible at that.

Doug

 

Is there any aftermarket suspension option that offers a ride similar to stock?

I don't ever do any autocross nor any sort of track events; this is simply a fun car for me to drive on public roads. I'd like to update my shocks at the very least just because the car is so old, but I don't want to sacrifice ride. For my purposes, the handling of the stock suspension is totally adequate.

 

Well the idea is to have a car that is good for mountain and canyon type roads. San Diego roads aren't the kindest roads depending on where you are, and getting into some parking lots is not the greatest either. This isn't going to be some kind of race car, this is going to be my fun car, semi daily driver. So for this car, coilovers aren't the best option, since I would like to use parts that are readily available.

So what are Tokico Blues like, are they a lot stiffer then stock? How much is roll reduced by? is it a lot?

When I think handling I need to know how the shocks and springs feel going straight, but also need the feeling of how the feel while corning. Thanks for the info so far.

 

I have the Tociko blue struts with the racing beat springs on my S5 vert, and i like it. I go to San Diego often and i know how horrible the roads can be especially in OB. The ride is nice not harsh at all, the handling was improved a bit but nothing extreme. They have been on the car a long time so its hard to remember how it was completly stock. The best handling improvements have been the Mazda Trix strut tower with fire wall brace, and the racing beat sway bar I just installed. I need to get a rear sway bar because just having the front one gives it a bit of understeer. I would deffenitly get some good struts and springs. They are probably all tired and worn out anyways. I bought racing beat because they know rx7's.

 

That is quite insightful. The bang for the buck is really tempting.

 

Anybody have anymore input?

 

Figured I'd bump for more input if anyone has some.

 

I bought adj struts and admit I change them rarely. I have Eibach springs, tokico illumina shocks, and racing beat sways.

However I still think it was worth the extra money.

I currently drive on 5 rear and 4 front (5 is hardest) because the front sway bar was under steering a bit. I drove on 5/5 without the sways. But on long trips I set them down to 2/2 and its nice and soft.

OP, at the end of the day you will be happy with whatever you choose as it will be worlds better then your blown out shocks.

 

I would look into the Ground Control Coilovers. I called them last week asking about the range of adjustibilty in their kit for the FC. Their responce was "that kit is made more for "agressive" street use". With the cround control kit, you can have them help you get your spring rates right.
Put coustom spring rates, adjst shocks, LIFETIME WARRENTY! and bam, sounds like the perfect set up for some one who is looking for a better system. and you have room to grow, lets say for some reason you end up doing a TII swap or somthing, all you need is order some stiffer springs, turn up you adjust shocks and your good to go

and as a side note, so far i have not heard anything bad about ground control i hope this helps you out some good luck!