I have been looking online at Autozone, O'reily auto parts, Advance Auto. Looking for Struts for my 1986 RX-7 GXL. ADV Auto is the only ones that have them so far. They are the monroe sensatrac struts.
I am trying to stay close to stock configuration (Keep the price down) and still have the normal/sport buttons working but lately I go over a bump and I get anout 5 good bounces on the rear axle and the front of the car dives pretty good on the highway. Anyone know where they have them cheaper than $49 ???? Thats what ADVANCE Auto is charging for the Monroe struts.

 

Monroe struts are barely factory replacements and will not work with the adjustable suspension. They probably should only be considered if you are selling the car soon.

If you wish for the adjustable suspension to keep working you will need the factory struts from Mazda.

If you don't care about adjustability then Tokico HD (blues) are probably just fine, and also typically around $60 a strut online, but a radically better quality than the Monroes.

 

do I really NEED the Sport/ Normal buttons to work? I cant tell a difference now as it is?

 

You don't really need the adjustment, I haven't found anyone that can tell the difference.

You honestly do not want cheap struts, they will not last long and will give you a horrible ride quality.

 

Cheaper than $49 bucks each? Geez. Show your car a little love!

The Monroe Struts are garbage and will offer a ride quality less than stock but probably better than your current worn out stock struts.

 

I can't feel a diffrence with the stock shocks. But the car makes alot more noise from vibration in sport..

 

I got the tokikos from corksport for 60 bucks a strut. For the price they are awsome and stiff enough to be fun but not to stiff for daily driving. Dont bother with cheap ones unless your getting rid of the car as they handle like crap and break often. .

 

i have KYB's and there great

 

The Normal/Sport configurations only change the damper by a percentage of a kg/cm, really only enough to cause some more road noise to be conducted through the chassis.

I'd listen to anyone who says Tokico. I've had them on different cars, and liked both sets. Very good control, decent price. I'm probably getting some for my Mazda soon, as I have a lot of dive as well.

I think the sport/normal buttons on our GXLs were just a selling point. They don't do much physically, it's just a psychological thing. "I just pushed the sport button, so my car must go faster!"

~Brave Blue Mice
86 GXL - Home Depot Speed Shop.

 

KYB GR-2's... Some guy on ebay sells them cheap. Cheap, reliable, good performance.

 

the Tokico and KYB shocks are all good. however, you are looking for a more cost effective solution. how about getting a good set of used factory shocks? there are quite a few being sold every now and then in the 2nd gen classifieds on this forum.
but if you can it would be best to get some of the mentioned struts.

oh, and as for the comment about people not noticing the difference between normal and sport, these systems are well over a decade old now. most of them aren't working and the ones that are have to work with worn struts. i wouldn't expect them to do their job as well as they used to...

 

I run 4 KYB gas struts/shocks for over 10 years on 88 RX7 NA with no problems -guaranteed for life. Car has no roll and rides like on rails.

 

did polyuth susp and the kyb gr2s, i liked it when my car ran

 

Buy a set of 10 year old + used struts sort of defeats the purpose of replacing them in the first place.

There are no such thing as a "good set of used factory shocks".

 

well it sounds like his are in very poor condition. i have the stock 15 year suspension on my car and it still works fine. just saying that if he needs a temporary/cheap solution he can try to find ones that are still in decent condition.

that said i still agree with what has been said and recommend just getting some decent aftermarket struts...

 

Hah, I don't know how you guys can't tell the different on the AAS...

This car doens't have it but on the last one I had to drive around with it on Sport or the suspension was like a damn boat on the LA freeways... I was riding the waves. Otherwise on the street or at slow speeds I didn't notice unless I was cornering... got the boat thing going on through the canyons... that was FUN.

--Gary

 

I have to agree with bob I can definately tell the difference between normal and sport....Especially on the curves. Feels "boat like" on the NORMAL setting.

That being said There is no use for NORMAL setting. It's quite pointless. If you own a RX7 i don't think you expected a cadillac ride...

Just get what everyone suggested...GR-2 or Blues.
They might be a hair more stiffer than stock...not too bad, but considering your struts are worn out right now, they will seem like a dramatic change...but i think you will be able to live with it on the streets.

 

OK I will be scouring Ebay for the GR-2's most likely. I bought this car 2 months ago and have fixed the Power antenna mast, the clock, idiot cluster, and the cpu joints and replaced a leaking power steering line. The next thing I cant live with any longer is the bouncy ride as it goes down the freeway. Thanks for all the information.