Does wishbone front suspension found on 3rd gen RX7 perform substantially better than Macferson strut found on 2nd gen RX7 due to elimination of oversteer resulting in more nuetral steering.

 

Any advice on wishbone vs. Macferson strut front suspension?

 

Yes, it's superior.
No, not for the reasons you posted.


-Ted

 

wishbone costs more to manufacture and fix when damaged but offers more control of suspension angles.

 

What performance improvements result with wishbone suspension.

 

better retention of camber angles when cornering keeps tire flatter and thus more tread (grip) on the road.

 

Due to the double wishbone inherent design, it tends to keep tire contact more consistent during bump travel.&nbsp More consistent tire contact = minimize weird tire slippage.


-Ted

 

Would one only notice a performance difference at higher speeds and agressive cornering?

 

Yes.&nbsp Do you feel the difference between your FC versus a Yugo driving under 10mph?


-Ted

 

Ted, do you believe a 2nd gen stock RX7 SE handling (designed oversteer) is still ok from a performance standpoint or is Macferson strut suspension and designed oversteer not current technology for good handling sport cars with nuetral steering?

 

I dunno...the stock NA I drove around actually had very nice manners.&nbsp If anything, I've got these cars to push, not oversteer.

Oversteer is bad.&nbsp I'm not sure what you're actually doing to cause it to oversteer?


-Ted

 

Rx7's have understeer designed into them. The front struts do not induce oversteer at all. Struts are not the first choice for suspension design, but they can be made to work well, look how long Porsche used them.

 

oversteer bad?!?!?!?! pagan.

these cars have the damn passive rear steering. basically a bushing that deflects and changes toe in accordance to g's on the wheel. low speeds it steers out to help the car point towards the corner. then at higher loads, toes in to help counteract oversteer. however by now they're looser then a **** star and generally annoying when pushing the limits. rb sells rearsteer eliminator bushings to rid us of this shitty attempt to save morons and induce snap oversteer to people puching the limits in 10+ yr old cars.

 

I meant understeer not oversteer. New 2003 Acura RS coupe uses Macferson strut front suspension, while new 2003 Nissan Z coupe uses wishbone. However, stock 2003 Nissan Z coupe performance specs (skid path, sallom, braking and drag) equal or are weaker than my stock 88 non-turbo RX7.

 

Honda dropped their double-wishbone suspensions in all but their flagship Prelude...quietly, to reduce cost of manufacture.&nbsp All Civics use struts now - can you say Hondas with camber plates?

A little understeer is good.&nbsp Neutral is preferred, but very hard to dial in under dynamic conditions.

I would try to slow your driving first.&nbsp Rookie drivers tend to dive into turns too quickly - the FC will reward you with a nice plow into the guardrail.

Otherwise, upgrading suspension will allow for a much better handling vehicle with more expensive components allowing for adjustability.&nbsp Adjustable components can minimize gross understeer problems...


-Ted

 

Ted, my 88 RX7 still handles great in turns with designed understeer as rear multi-link suspension/bushings (toe in/out) are in good shape. Also, one can acclerate thru corner due to designed understeer and real suspension toe-in/out.

However, this older RX7 suspension design (Macpherson strut and multi-link rear toe in-out suspension) still enables 2nd gen RX7 to compare favorably with new 2003 stock basic Nissan Z selling for approx. $30K. Should a 2nd gen RX7 owner be concerned about this older suspension design if they intend to keep car.

 

I can offer a resounding *NO* to this question.

The FC suspension is still one of the better handling suspensions on a stock vehicle, even compared to all the new offerings.


-Ted