I have a '93 Touring with Koni shocks. Compared to '93 Mercedes 500E, the FD will get to 120-140 faster, but compared to my 500E, it is a little "jittery" on the road, even with with R-compound tires. It handles well enough, but without a rear-wing, too floaty in the rear for me.

And yes, the brakes , IMHO, are too equally biased, which can lead to the rear getting lighter FASTER than the fronts, which can cause a rear spin. Rain makes it downright scary.

The 500E, I can cruise at 150 MPH all day (it tops out at 165 MPH), and it is very stable, especially when you're in a panic stop. It also weights about 3,900-lbs !

 

I have owned FD's w/ and w/ out wings.. I didnt notice much of a difference at 120 to 165 in handling. I would not go over 130 w/ stock rim/tire set-up. Unless you have very good tires. My current FD has no wing. Has eibach springs. Rims are 17x8 in front and 17x 9 1/2 in back. I am running 235/45 in front and 265/ 40 in back. Bridgestone so3 pole positions. It was said before that good tires make a big diffference. Very true.. I had her to 165 a twice and felt solid as a rock. I did run her up there and it only felt "floaty" w/out the front undertray on...

 

Ricer. This is hardly a serious topic discussing the FD's handling capabilities during any realistic situation on a track, rather a silly, dangerous high speed that should be visited sparingly (if at all) on the streets and rarely much even on the track.

Again. Ricer.

 

Ya i got a ticket doing 110 last year driving fc. Then I total it into back
of truck, wasn't my fault. He saw me get behind him and down shifted so I would crash into him. I went from 90mph to 65mph problem was he went from 65mph to 45mph. Impact was like hitting a wall at 15-20 mph. Fc was stuck to truck as he pull off to side. I was ok fc was suffered severe injuries and died shortly after. Now I have fd and drvie much faster.

 

(Off topic response)

You have a 500E? Lucky bastard

 

I think the firm **** was a good analogy!

 

Guys, if you want to race on public highways enter an Open Road Race where they close down the highway. It is embarrassing that out of 139 cars entered this spring in Big Bend Texas that only 2 were RX-7's. An ORRexample is this link http://www.bborr.com/home.html. also some events in Nevada et.al.

With regard the subject matter, the car needs to be aligned for high speed events; do no use autocross settings. For high speed you want stability, for autocross you want instability to speed up turn-in, hence toe out in front.... The car can be Very stable at over 150 speeds, on straights, turns and under braking; if it is not fix it. Yes aero is very important, the front end must have all the stock pieces on or equivalent, leakage in the undertray can make it hell at high speeds.

 

I obviously don't even know what a Ricer is. I just ***-u-me-d it was people obsessed with making their cars Japanese spec. I never thought it was a derogatory term, but I'm old and don't know these things.. I agree that 120+ belongs on the race track.

 

2nd part of your question 1st.

Did you try to do a search under STUPID QUESTIONS?
IM sure it's there somewhere

Now the answer to the 1st part.

WTF do you think??? Mazda produces a car that can exceed 150mph stock & they didn't test & refine it???

As far as aftermarket suspension.............

Like what? Airbags & 13" whitewalls? Seams there's a HUGE difference on what's available & how it affects the stability at speed.

 

I know theres something like that out in Montana...btw, is it still ok to speed up there???? The so called American autobahn(sp).
If there was something similar close to our side of the country you can bet i'd be there trying to travel back in time in my FD. lol

 

Yea, it can sometimes be associated with just a liking to Japanese bike's/Car's but it's usually an immature mentality and lack of taste thereof with cars and modifications.

 

I had a boss at my old job who told me about this one particular road that had signs which read "Drive at safe speeds". Apparently, due to the stupidity of a number of people, there is a speed limit up there now.

 

That's simple weight transfer. If you're going fast in a turn and hit the brakes, the weight shifts forward to the front wheels and off the rear wheels. This will happen in any car, and why so many inexperienced drivers spin out trying to go fast on public roads.

 

Do a google search on open road racing, their may be something on the east coast .... people come to the Texas events from almost every state including hawaii, alaska, new york .. even an entry form england.

 

listen jus because a car manufacturer builds a car to go fast doesn't mean its stable. And out of 3 pages of posts your the first one to flame my post. These 3rd gens are all over 10 years old and i'm sure they didn't handle the same way now as they did when you drove it off the lot. I've rode in a few cars 96 z28, an 89 irocz and my bros 03 mach1 stang and the only 1 i really wasn't too nervous about the cars handling at 130+ was the stang but thats brand new technology. As far as i'm concerned it was a good question and i could go all day as to why i wanted to know but to please refute your argument is a waste of my time.

oh and aftermarket suspension, i bet that after the drop the 7 wit a decent set of springs it will handle better than stock.

 

I think your wrong in the j-spec=ricer also.. I believe the FD looks incredible in 99+ attire. I think your referring to ricer as stickers, large wing for no reason, crazy looking paint schemes, etc...

 

Still a stupid question, no mater how you try a justify it.

What level of high speed driving experience do you (or your friends) have?

You talk about your brother's Mustang scared you at speed. IM not surprised. It speaks volumes on your skill. In your hands IM sure a RX-7 would be scary too.

Only a fool would drive a car over 130 mph on his/her 1st time out. You work your way up to it so you can PREDICT how it handles. The car is more than capable to sustain high speeds, but the DRIVER must be COMPETENT & CONFIDENT of his/her abilities first.

You've read the replies that talk about car prep. Alignment, tires (& balance), condition of suspension bushing (car is over 10 years old now) are all critical.

Well, I also will include road & weather conditions.......

How even is the road surface? Direction & speed of wind?

AS far as differences in stock & aftermarket "performance" suspension mods.

Stiffer shocks & springs will make steering inputs more precise. The car will still dance around a bit due to the road condition & wind, but the corrections are more direct, less numb.

I have done numerous lapping days with my stock suspension. Over the winter I replaced all the suspension bushings. Installed custom revalved Koni shocks with a coilover conversion & new Yokohama A032R tires. Had the car corner balanced & competition alignment done.

The car feels more stable, partially due to the stiffer shocks & springs, but mainly due to my CONFIDENCE to push higher speeds & predict how the car will react.

On the subject of springs. Anyone notice that when you checkout either Eibach or H & R springs they only tell you how much they will lower your car & that they are 15 to 20 % stiffer than stock?

Major benifit to the coilover conversion is I know the exact spring rate installed & can add (or subtract) in 50 lbs spring rate incriments.

 

LOL, Again, this is such a ricer thread.

How many times has anyone knowledgable about cars (like guys I've met at local AutoX events or Track days) ask you "Is your car stable at 120+Mph?"

OF COURSE it varies based on wheels, tires, suspension,..on ANY car. Now, knowing the FD isn't a Toyota Tercel, you can safely assume it should hold it's own at 120+mph, so long as all things involved are in check.

It's just common sense, and almost doesn't require the question to be asked at all, which is why I found it funny that the thread got as long as it did.

I mean no harm, this is just the way I see it...sorry.

 

It's because going 100+ on the street is so cool and must be bragged about.

 

Fo shizzle.

Oh come on, Meyers, my point-of-view was different, but that's no reason to give me negative rep points. Lame.

 

[QUOTE=Julian]Guys, if you want to race on public highways enter an Open Road Race where they close down the highway. An ORRexample is this link http://www.bborr.com/home.html. also some events in Nevada et.al.QUOTE]

Another choice for someone who wants to drive fast, at least in the upper Midwest:
http://www.sorcrace.com/
They also have the 'Mile shoot-out' and 'Half-mile shootout' as well. No RX7s this year, as my application was in about a day too late and it filled up. There will be at least one next year though.

 

145mph bone stock Fd. felt like you were floating on air. It handles pretty well, scary though.