Hello,

I need some advise concerning the suspension replacement of my 1987 NA.
My current stock suspension is worn out and is in dire need for replacement for the upcomming inspection. I know there are lots of suspension threads around, I read many of them but my situation is a bit different thus me looking for some adivse.

Its a 1987 NA with 4 piston brakes up front and vented discs all around. Pretty much everything stock. It will be used mostly on the street and see some track days or performance driving lessons.

For legal reasons I am not allowed to run coilovers or any aftermarket suspension setup on a street car without german TUV papers. So I am basically looking for a shock and spring setup that will do the job instead of coilovers. Unless they have all the legal papers of course... The TUV crap will be bypassed by painting the shocks/spring black just like OEM and nobody will be the wiser. Preferably non adjustable shocks, that makes passing them as stock much easier. I ,ight as well swap the swaybars and bushings out while I am at it. What about the swaybars and prothane bushings that Racingbeat sells ?

So what shock/spring setup is recommended for my application ? I am sure you have more experience with this than I do. All I am going to use the car is mostly street with some occasional track days for track driving lessons and fun.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Brgds
Steven

 

So am I correct in assuming that changing the ride height of the car is also apart of not being able to modify the suspension? If that's so, then I would look at either Tokico HP Blue or KYB GR2 shocks since both are much better than factory shocks. But without the ability to adjust the dampening of the shock itself, and then I'd just use the factory springs over the top of them. If you can use a lowering spring then I would take a real hard look at TEIN S. Techs. Probably the best progressive lowering spring you can get today. If it were me I'd do Tokico HP Blues and TEIN S. Techs or Tokico HP Blues with stock springs.

 

Bilstein makes shocks and struts for the FC, the fronts require a little work.

 

Get KYB-AGX..and use the stock springs.
These shocks ARE adjustable but they are stock looking and the adjustment is on the bottom of the shock in the form of a dial on the rear shocks,so not really noticeable compared to a full blown coilover setup.
The Front shocks adjust at the upper shaft where the Strut mount nut is,so you can hide that with your engine bay rubber shock cover .
Now,Info wise/ride wise..great over all ride on the street.I have set up at least three cars with this and Every time I sell one I end up getting another set to put on the next car I buy..lol!

 

^
I think that Canada and the US are similar in that our inspections are not anything like the Yurps are subjected to.
"Stock looking" ain't gonna cut it, acceptable parts carry the certification either visibly or by document and the inspectors know their ****...a **** "kinda" hidden will simply trigger a request for TUV (or whatever) proof of suitability.

We got it easy.

 

Exactly, stock like dosn't cut it, it has to be stock or look identical that nobody suspects something else. The tech has 1 minute to inspect from below and work the checklist. He will be looking for rust spots, wheel bearing play or worn tie rod ends etc... If nothing looks suspect he wont be looking for part numbers. They usually go a bit easier on older cars tho.

In Europe there is no market for RX7 parts so we have a hard time finding legal aftermarket stuff.

@2jzfc
Ride height will not be checked unless its obviously too low. I will take a look at the Tein S Tech springs. They sound like a decent alternative to the stockers if they are available for the FC.

@monty11ez
I ve seen some bilsteins on ebay around here, how about the quality of these ?

@misterstyx69
The KYB's are adjustable, I could hide the fronts just fine as you say but not the rears, the adjuster is just too obvious


How about the build and handling quality of the Tokico HPs ? Can they keep up with a slightly stiffer springs than stock ?

Brgds
Steven

 

Hey man I just got coilovers and got my old suspension for sale, it's tokico struts on eiboch lowering springs , nothing wrong with them, just got coilovers. I can ship if you pay for it


http://greenville.craigslist.org/pts/5618826813.html

 

Some Bilsteins have TUV certification. They're excellent quality.

 

How sticky are the tires you plan to run?

For springs, go with oem (duh), eibach pro-kits (progressive rate and black) or Racing Beat (linear rate, but red). All the others are bright colors and perform worse.

Performance Non-adjustable shocks - Bilstein B6 or Tokico HP's - Compared to OEM, the Tokico's are actually smoother over harsh bumps, but handle better. Haven't heard much about the bolt-in Bilsteins and their mounts are obviously not cost-cutting OEM designs. Bilstein has a good reputation, but cheap adjustable coilover combos don't cost much more and fit the needs of many buyers.

FWIW, After retiring from the coilover game, I settled on tokico HP's and eibach prokit springs with 1 coil cut.

 

I will be running semislicks, Advan AD08 or AD48 depending on wheel size. They are soso in wet but great on dry ground

I like this the Tokico HP's with Eibach springs. Sounds like a good combination. I dont like the fabrication that has to be done to get the Bilsteins to fit. Sure it can be done but I have so many other things to work out so I prefer rather not to cut up suspension parts

 

I use the Tokico HP (Blues) with Tanabe GF210 springs. It works great for me. The ride height dropped a tasteful inch, and it handles nice and tight without being uncomfortable to drive.