drumplaya310

Hey guys i was just curious what u guys think are some of the best aftermarket performance lowering springs/suspension to buy for the fc(86 base). I would personally like springs that lower the car fairly noticeably for that aggressive look but not ridiculous like you would see with an air ride system. Please give me prices as well if you can. Thanks
Also, i used to own an '87 fc gxl model(actually i still do but it's dead now), but now i'm planning on buying an 86' base model w/ 4 lug wheel pattern. Will there be a considerable difference in handling between these two? I believe my gxl model would've came w/ the lsd as i have read and researched in the FAQ. But the answer i want to kno is, in buying the 4 lug model am i losing the excellent handling that is associated with most fc's? Or is there not really much difference? Thank You
I appreciate comments and info in advance.

raptor22

I think the first thing you will notice is that the 4 lugs have inferior brakes.

OGFC

who needs brakes

Brody8877

iTrader: (10)

say best to swap over your 5lugs brakes and other component over to the SE, and the LSD.
Then for as suspension, what kind of handling are you looking for?

CrackHeadMel

iTrader: (2)

i have a 5lug car however, i am very partial to my ebach pro kit. lowered the car slightly, rates are a little high but not to stiff so daily driving suffers, and they were farily cheap. i got mine for 190, i belive go for 225ish new

Brody8877

iTrader: (10)

i say for pretty good shock and spring set up, i will go with kyb agx or tokico illuminas with tanabe GF springs

drumplaya310

Well, im really just going for the look for the most part. Some of these lowering kits say like 1" but that doesnt really seem that much lower. Ill look into the ones mentioned so far. Thanks so far, any more lowering/suspension kits to recommend? Also, so you're saying that the se 4 lug brakes arent very good? What about the overall handling of the car? does it compare to the other models(gxl,gtu,tII)? Hmmm... well now that i think of it, i remember that i kno a guy w/ a dead black 88 gtu in his yard that's in good shape and he wants me to buy it off him. :-) Keep the replies coming. thanks.

Brody8877

iTrader: (10)

I think you should swap over the brakes the 5 lug, i know for a fact that s4 gxl came with 4pot front brakes. As far as you mention suspension and handling, if you want stiffer and lowered the car with good budget setup go with shocks and springs. They will improve cornering (handling) and good starters for suspension mods.

Many have used kyb agx or tokico illuminas shock with tanabe GF210 springs as setup and had pretty good review about them.

skiallday

you would be suprised waht 1 in will do for a car like the FC

Black91n/a

Lowering does not equal performance. There's a reason the springs don't lower the car 4". It's not feasable, there'd be very little travel, it'd have to be rediculously stiff, you'd scrape all the time, the alignment would be hopeless and would tear up tires.

If you go over about 1" of drop you need to do something about camber or you'll go through tires really fast.

Mazdatrix has a table in their springs section that compares rates between a few brands. Eibach's are progressive and many people don't like them because they feel strange when driving hard.

I do beleive the 4 lugs got a softer suspension, and yes, the brakes are weaker.

Spirit Rx-7

iTrader: (15)

i would say koni yellows with RSR Race springs

Spectator

iTrader: (1)

For daily driving? I would go for KYB shocks and TEIN S springs.

Fairly cheap and good quality and performance for the price.

skiallday

i just bout some techs

riverzendz

Spirit - is that your car with RS*R's?

I drove on Eibachs for quite a few years with my 87 base (though it was upgraded to T2 drivetrain/suspension) and loved em. They aren't for someone who wants the low look, they only drop 0.8" front and rear. They do perform very well though.

Akina303

go for megan racing there really good

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

1-1.5" drop is about as much as you would want if the car is ever street driven. More than that will eat tires and scrape alot without super stiff suspention. Mine is only dropped an inch or so and has a super stiff suspention, and there are still a few places it scrapes.

LAN

iTrader: (1)

RS*R RACE * KYB AGX
TANABE * KYB AGX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akina303

go for megan racing there really good

Not what I've been hearing. . . .

riverzendz

You would be mistaken.

Black91n/a

Yea, they're a budget basement coilover. Not going to have as good durability or damping as a high end coilover. Also custom valving is unlikely, most of the budget ones cannot be rebuilt nevermind revalved. The consistency isn't going to be as good either. It's stuff like that that makes the good coilovers good.

Besides, the OP was asking about springs, not coilovers. Also, ALL coilovers I've ever seen have had spring rates higher than any drop in springs available, and that's awfully stiff for the street, and isn't necessary at all.

drumplaya310

You guys are great. thanks. Ok so ive learned that the 4 lug brakes arent as good so far from you but what about the handling overall of a 4 lug rx-7?

Sideways7

iTrader: (7)

To my knowledge the handling of a 4-lug will me pretty much similar to a 5-lug. I believe the suspention is the same, just the hubs/brakes, etc. are different. One problem is finding decent aftermarket wheels. They exist, but are much harder to find for the 4-lug pattern.
Also, there's nothing wrong with coil-overs for the street if you can tolerate a stiff ride. I have them and daily drove it for years. They are too stiff for many people, but I didn't find them too bad. That said, there isn't much point in getting them unless you are going to track it or autocross it.

riverzendz

Overall handling on a 4 lug isn't bad but can be better with newer/upgraded suspension parts, obviously (i.e. springs, struts, bushings, sway bars...springs and struts will help but with the age of these cars, why not go all the way?).

I'd do the 5 lug swap and get it over with. It's not really difficult at all.

Mechanic

I didnt read much on this thread, but i have to agree with him.