3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

FD Air Suspension

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 06:46 AM
  #1  
rotary.yannis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Europe
FD Air Suspension

Hello everyone!

Since my old RSR coilovers are already very rusty and very, very stiff, I was planning on either installing new coilovers or maybe going for an airride suspension.Does anyone know which brands are good and what you need to install a complete system?
Here in Austria there is a big problem with the registration of aftermarket/tuning parts so I don't want to need a camber kit or other parts
Is there perhaps someone who has already installed one in an FD and could possibly give me tips if I decide on an airride?

To put it simply, I would like to ride an airride as legally as possible.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 08:35 AM
  #2  
FDAUTO's Avatar
よ*ろ*し*く*
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 1,669
Likes: 693
From: Tampa
There are companies out there that make adapter kits. They are just bags that go on your current coils and replace the spring and top hat entirely. Really simplifies the install. No experience with it myself but I have been keeping an eye on them since I would like it for my own car.

I have Friends with bagged cars, an FD included. It's a fairly straightforward install. You will want 2 compressors. From what they explained to me, tank and compressor size is dependent on usage. Of course smaller tank and compressor gives a longer charge time and vice versa. The trade off is space. In addition, the car will "air up" slower.

air lift is what everyone i know is using. Seems to be most popular as its what i see in the vast majority of bagged cars. You can use their controller and manifold and someone else's bags or you can use all air lift. You have options.

When it comes to choosing parts, bigger is faster. The larger air lines, tanks and compressors equals faster air up and faster charging. Relatively speaking "faster". I couldn't speak on what the difference is but again it comes down to usage. If you're looking to air out everytime you park the car then speed may be what you're looking for. If you're wanting to pick a height and air up to clear an obstacle and go back to ride height then the speed may not matter much to you.

Bags can be a lot of fun and really cool, just keep in mind the lines, the manifold, the tank, the compressors, the bags themselves, all take up a lot of space so be prepared to make some compromises
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
rotary.yannis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Europe
My idea would have been to get a complete kit that included everything from installation to connection.

https://www.bagriders.com/air-ride-k...-ride-kit.html

The way I see it on the website, it seems to me as if everything I could need is there!

But otherwise one of my buddies who has built a bagged FD told me i would need all of this for the perfect fitment without cutting into the chassis:
"hardrace camber kit, correct tire dimensions & rim specs & fold down the sidewall otherwise you won't be able to get over the tires"
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 01:17 PM
  #4  
scotty305's Avatar
~17 MPG
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,478
Likes: 334
From: Bend, OR
Do you want the car to feel soft, or to look low when you air it down? People have claimed that the Tein Flex Z coilovers can be adjusted soft enough to feel comfortable, possibly better than original stock suspension damping. https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene.../#post12482696
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 01:25 PM
  #5  
rotary.yannis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Europe
Well yes i want the car to feel soft, but i also kinda want the car nearly touching the ground when I air down...
One of the biggest problems right now with the old rusty coilovers is the car. It's that stiff that u feel any little stone on the street in your a** and the car feels and sounds like it falls apart at every bump on the street.
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2024 | 02:04 PM
  #6  
BLUE TII's Avatar
Rotary Motoring
Tenured Member: 25 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 8,479
Likes: 933
From: CA
Air cup suspension is a much better solution for the FD RX-7.

These cars are blessed with simply amazing suspension, handling and wheel/tire fitment- would be a shame to put it on air ride and compromise all that.

Air cups give you two ride heights. Functional for regular driving and low for racing or hard parking.

When air cups fail you still are at least just down to your low setting and not all the way to the ground like bags.

Thats one thing all air suspension has in common- you will have component failures.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2024 | 10:30 AM
  #7  
DaveW's Avatar
Racecar - Formula 2000
Tenured Member: 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 370
From: Bath, OH
Originally Posted by BLUE TII
...Thats one thing all air suspension has in common- you will have component failures.
When I worked at Bridgestone/Firestone I did a lot of work on air suspensions. Leaks and ride-height issues were common.
Reply
Old Sep 3, 2024 | 03:13 PM
  #8  
rotary.yannis's Avatar
Thread Starter
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 24
Likes: 1
From: Europe
Good to know... Thanks fot the info
Reply
Old Sep 5, 2024 | 03:38 AM
  #9  
NEWGENRX7's Avatar
Aviation Machinist Mate
Tenured Member: 15 Years
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 78
Likes: 12
From: SAN DIEGO
I recommend airmext bags. I’ve been on bags since 2019. I ended up building my own air suspension kit.

View this post on Instagram
Reply
Old Sep 6, 2024 | 04:26 AM
  #10  
billyboy's Avatar
Rotary Freak
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 287
From: sydney
Would have thought Austria would have all sorts of TUV hoops to jump through, likelihood of any small airbag suspension company being compliant/afford testing would seem long odds to me.
Reply
Old Sep 21, 2024 | 02:03 PM
  #11  
Gregoryp's Avatar
Full Member
Liked
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 71
Likes: 17
From: NC
I bought Prazis for my FD haven't driven on them yet, but just bolted in where the original shocks/springs were. You can run normal ride height or drop it to the ground. Doesn't impact suspension geometry unless you adjust it. They have adjustable compression dampening and you can adjust the length of them to work with the air pressure you want to run. Air pressure sets the spring rate and the mechanical adjustment sets your ride height. For a control system you can't go wrong with the air lift system. I have had them on my 260Z for 2 years and you can't tell the difference from coil overs. I have the height sensors on all 4 corners and it always goes right to where it is set. Super easy to raise the car up for driveways and speed bumps. Haven't really seen any negatives, so that's why I'm putting them on the FD. In theory it is an air spring just like a coil spring and has a linear spring rate depending on how the bag is designed, so no reason for it to perform any different that a regular coil spring.

Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
HARD2B
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
3
Apr 15, 2018 04:46 AM
vboy720
New Member RX-7 Technical
3
Dec 3, 2011 08:23 PM
Messinian7
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
3
Dec 27, 2007 02:51 PM
frankadelic
Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes
6
Mar 31, 2006 10:12 AM
sunnyxwala
3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002)
11
Feb 13, 2002 09:30 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:37 PM.