PFC or suspension mods?
#1
PFC or suspension mods?
i have about 1000 bucks to spend on the FD and i am really stuck on what to do: get a powerFC or some nice koni shocks/springs and bushings...
my FD has a stock engine with a downpipe, hiflow cat and catback. suspension is stock... all cooling mods done.
i plan on autocrossing the car so i want the suspension, and the suspension would help it ride a little better and get rid of some small clunks (i probably have a few dead bushings)
but at the same time i'd rather have the increased reliability/potential/functionality of the PFC and commander.
what do you all think i should do?
my FD has a stock engine with a downpipe, hiflow cat and catback. suspension is stock... all cooling mods done.
i plan on autocrossing the car so i want the suspension, and the suspension would help it ride a little better and get rid of some small clunks (i probably have a few dead bushings)
but at the same time i'd rather have the increased reliability/potential/functionality of the PFC and commander.
what do you all think i should do?
#5
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by jacobcartmill
well, my beef with the shocks/springs is that i'd like to use stock springs with koni yellow shocks, but it will BARELY lower it with the adjustable spring seats. i'd love to get some aftermarket springs, but i dont want the spring rates too harsh.
#6
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Foster city Ca
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'ver heard many poeple say that you shouldnt run an exhaust like you have (DP, HF cat, CB) and a stock ECU because of the danggers in boost creep and spike. I have also heard of poeple saying that their car only spikes to about 9 or 10 on VERY cold nights. My $0.02 is gog for the suspension. as long as you run a HF cat and not a MP then you should be fine (hope that the weather doesnt go below zero0
-Daniel
-Daniel
#7
Lives on the Forum
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: San Lorenzo, California
Posts: 14,716
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes
on
8 Posts
I'ver heard many poeple say that you shouldnt run an exhaust like you have (DP, HF cat, CB) and a stock ECU because of the danggers in boost creep and spike.
Given the dropping cost of a PFC....I would get a PFC and some Eibach springs. The stock shocks can still handle the Eibach's. Either that, I would get the PFC and save a little more to pick up Konis+Eibachs.
Trending Topics
#10
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
I'm with Rynberg - PFC and Eibach springs, you can do both for a grand. Do some searching on Howard Coleman's username - he highly recommends the Eibachs with stock shocks as a VERY good setup on the FD. The Eibachs lower it "just right" in my opinion, and the handling is fantastic.
Get the best of both worlds and enjoy .
Dale
Get the best of both worlds and enjoy .
Dale
#11
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
How many miles on your stock shocks? Mine were starting to get bouncy around 120k miles.
Koni shocks set at the lowest spring perch will put the ride height around 25 +- 1/4" measured to the fender lip. Works nicely with the stock springs and a bit more comfy than running them with higher rate springs like the Eibachs or H&Rs.
If your shocks are in good shape, you can buy the PFC for around $700, used Eibachs for about $150, new spring pads for ~$50 (helps eliminate noise; get them from Malloy Mazda) and maybe upper spring perches if you need them (also from Malloy).
Koni shocks set at the lowest spring perch will put the ride height around 25 +- 1/4" measured to the fender lip. Works nicely with the stock springs and a bit more comfy than running them with higher rate springs like the Eibachs or H&Rs.
If your shocks are in good shape, you can buy the PFC for around $700, used Eibachs for about $150, new spring pads for ~$50 (helps eliminate noise; get them from Malloy Mazda) and maybe upper spring perches if you need them (also from Malloy).
#13
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
^^FD Newbie here: https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...10#post6411910
Or used
I'd personally go with the suspension work. You'll derive greater benefits by a nice riding car that doesn't squeak around - especially if autox is the game you want to play. DamonB autox his car very successfully and I believe he is running stock ECU - and Konis with stock springs.
Or used
I'd personally go with the suspension work. You'll derive greater benefits by a nice riding car that doesn't squeak around - especially if autox is the game you want to play. DamonB autox his car very successfully and I believe he is running stock ECU - and Konis with stock springs.
#17
Mr. Links
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by Mr rx-7 tt
Get the PFC first. The cars already handle like go carts.
1. Better handling
2. Lower stance (so it doesn't look like a 4x4)
At 95k miles, its about time for a suspension overhaul.
#18
SideWayZ The Only Way
iTrader: (11)
whell since you dont need a pfc at the moment since you dont have that many mods to need it go with the suspension trust me mine has gone on me and i bounce like crazy and scrap the lip of the car all the time in Daily driving... and then save up for a pfc.. since im saving up for a suspension at the moment to over a pfc
#19
Do a barrel roll!
iTrader: (4)
How far do you want to go with your FD in the HP department? My vote would be for a used Pettit ECU (~$300), and the koni/eibach combo. Last year I was running about the same mods as you with a Pettit ECU and ~14psi, and my car was trapping 113mph with a slipping stock clutch and 18x9.5s all around. If you would be content with 300-340rwhp (which is still damn quick), go for the easy route, plug in the ECU, crank the boost a bit and go tear it up. You can have both of what you want within your price range.
#20
well i bit the bullet and found a decent deal on some used konis w/ stock springs (400 shipped) that only had like 12k miles on them... also spent 300 on some good used turbos (16k miles) and used UIM (mine is cracked)
SO, i spent about 700 on konis and turbos and i'm keeping the rest for brake pads and hopefully some bushings. the plan is to autox in the spring.
SO, i spent about 700 on konis and turbos and i'm keeping the rest for brake pads and hopefully some bushings. the plan is to autox in the spring.
#21
Moderator
iTrader: (7)
About the autox: what class will you be in?
The ECU, suspension mods, etc will certainly push you out of SS. You may or may not fit into ASP.
If you've never autocrossed before, it won't matter - old guys in renaults will whoop on you - but at some point if you decide to get competitive, putting on aftermarket stuff can put you out of the class where you have the best shot at being competitive. You still won't be beating the fast drivers in the class, but sometimes it's frustrating when you're a beginning driver AND your car is way outgunned in the class.
Dave
The ECU, suspension mods, etc will certainly push you out of SS. You may or may not fit into ASP.
If you've never autocrossed before, it won't matter - old guys in renaults will whoop on you - but at some point if you decide to get competitive, putting on aftermarket stuff can put you out of the class where you have the best shot at being competitive. You still won't be beating the fast drivers in the class, but sometimes it's frustrating when you're a beginning driver AND your car is way outgunned in the class.
Dave
#22
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Suspension/handling work would be my suggestion
- replace bushings if they are shot (with stock ones)
- alignment
- big front swaybar (with David Breslau's mounts and Mazdatrix adjustable end links)
You may want to attend a couple of autox first to become eligible to enroll in Mazdacomp program and be able to buy parts (e.g. bushings) at discount
- replace bushings if they are shot (with stock ones)
- alignment
- big front swaybar (with David Breslau's mounts and Mazdatrix adjustable end links)
You may want to attend a couple of autox first to become eligible to enroll in Mazdacomp program and be able to buy parts (e.g. bushings) at discount