Where have all the shocks gone?
#1
Where have all the shocks gone?
I've been looking online recently, trying to get rid of my coilovers (good suspension, but just not what I want for a street driven car) and I've noticed, I can't seem to find a complete set of shocks *anywhere.* I can find rear's all day, but no matching fronts of the same brand, nor the boots, mounts, etc that I'd need. I've checked everywhere, and the only place I can find that has fronts and rears in the same brand/model is Tirerack.
Can anyone point me in the right direction of buying some brand new shocks, as well as bushings/mounting hardware?
Can anyone point me in the right direction of buying some brand new shocks, as well as bushings/mounting hardware?
#2
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Bushings and hardware, Mazda.
I don't know if Mazda still has the OEM shocks, they may be pretty pricey.
Really, I'd think about getting the Tein Flex Z's. I have a thread called "old man suspension" talking about it, I LOVE mine. The car still handles well but is VERY comfortable and not harsh to drive. Also you can set the ride height to a reasonable level so you aren't scraping on things and the ~$800 price is VERY competitive.
Most aftermarket shocks (like Tokico) are going to be stiffer and more harsh IMHO. Also the car stock didn't have the smoothest ride.
Dale
I don't know if Mazda still has the OEM shocks, they may be pretty pricey.
Really, I'd think about getting the Tein Flex Z's. I have a thread called "old man suspension" talking about it, I LOVE mine. The car still handles well but is VERY comfortable and not harsh to drive. Also you can set the ride height to a reasonable level so you aren't scraping on things and the ~$800 price is VERY competitive.
Most aftermarket shocks (like Tokico) are going to be stiffer and more harsh IMHO. Also the car stock didn't have the smoothest ride.
Dale
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gracer7-rx7 (11-12-21)
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#4
@Pettit Racing
iTrader: (1)
My vote is with the Ohlins, but they are pretty pricey. I love being able to adjust the suspension on the fly depending on my preferences. I can't imagine stock suspension being better than any available option on the market these days. Definitely look into Dales thread regarding old man suspension, very informative regarding the different suspension options.
#7
My issue is the car came over from Japan with a set of CST (Circuit Spec Tune) Coilovers. looking them up, they have about a 10kg spring rate front and rear. Waay to aggressive for me for street driving. I'd have to source new shocks and factory springs. I'm not even sure what other OEM components I would need as far as part numbers go (mounts, bushings, etc) that should be replaced at the same time. I'd prefer a decent set of shocks and something that rides about oem level.
Edit: Looking at the Tien Flex Z's, the spring rates are 8k/10k, so would they really be that much different than the CST's I have now?
Edit: Looking at the Tien Flex Z's, the spring rates are 8k/10k, so would they really be that much different than the CST's I have now?
Last edited by SwappedNA; 11-12-21 at 12:07 PM.
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Howard Coleman (11-12-21)
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#8
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
Hear me now and believe me later, the Teins are the way to go.
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
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#9
Hear me now and believe me later, the Teins are the way to go.
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
#11
needs more track time
iTrader: (16)
Just googled for those CST coilovers and they sound like some entry / low level coilovers. Which means that the shock technology and tuning probably aren't very good.
Given your starting point, the price of going to shocks and springs vs coilovers will be similar. The upper shock mounts are something like $80 each from Ray Crowe, add lower spring isolators, shocks and springs and you'll be close in price to the Teins and a little bit more of a stretch to the Ohlins.
Just make sure you get the right Teins as the shock valving differs as Dale's thread shows.
Given your starting point, the price of going to shocks and springs vs coilovers will be similar. The upper shock mounts are something like $80 each from Ray Crowe, add lower spring isolators, shocks and springs and you'll be close in price to the Teins and a little bit more of a stretch to the Ohlins.
Just make sure you get the right Teins as the shock valving differs as Dale's thread shows.
#12
Just googled for those CST coilovers and they sound like some entry / low level coilovers. Which means that the shock technology and tuning probably aren't very good.
Given your starting point, the price of going to shocks and springs vs coilovers will be similar. The upper shock mounts are something like $80 each from Ray Crowe, add lower spring isolators, shocks and springs and you'll be close in price to the Teins and a little bit more of a stretch to the Ohlins.
Just make sure you get the right Teins as the shock valving differs as Dale's thread shows.
Given your starting point, the price of going to shocks and springs vs coilovers will be similar. The upper shock mounts are something like $80 each from Ray Crowe, add lower spring isolators, shocks and springs and you'll be close in price to the Teins and a little bit more of a stretch to the Ohlins.
Just make sure you get the right Teins as the shock valving differs as Dale's thread shows.
That aside though, I'm assuming if I get the Tein's, I won't have to worry about replacing any other OEM bushings, mounts etc that directly effect the coilovers, will I?
#14
Rotary Enthusiast
I am very pleased with my Fortune Auto for an alternative to rest. I love them on the street and only ran them on the Oval track for about 25 laps and experimented quite a bit with them. Made in Merica. ... well, I should say assembled in America.
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Howard Coleman (11-16-21)
#16
$150 for a set of 4000km bathurst coilovers:
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp...on/q1017709159
https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp...on/q1017709159
#18
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
TEIN Coilovers (93+ RX-7)
They have the Flex Z. As far as I know there's only one version.
You don't need to do anything else suspension-wise while you are in there.
It is worth measuring the ride height before and after, and also getting the ride height set up with the new coilovers. Mine had some minor variation from "perfect" - like a quarter or a half inch. Get them installed then drive around the block to settle in the suspension. Measure. If it's, say, a half inch off on on corner, jack up and remove the wheel and use the provided coilover wrenches to raise or lower the coil over a half inch. Drive around the block again and double-check everything, when it's where you want go get it aligned. I also set my shock settings to the recommended settings in the included manual, SUPER happy with it. They also have a recommended ride height in the manual as well but you can go up or down if you want.
Dale
They have the Flex Z. As far as I know there's only one version.
You don't need to do anything else suspension-wise while you are in there.
It is worth measuring the ride height before and after, and also getting the ride height set up with the new coilovers. Mine had some minor variation from "perfect" - like a quarter or a half inch. Get them installed then drive around the block to settle in the suspension. Measure. If it's, say, a half inch off on on corner, jack up and remove the wheel and use the provided coilover wrenches to raise or lower the coil over a half inch. Drive around the block again and double-check everything, when it's where you want go get it aligned. I also set my shock settings to the recommended settings in the included manual, SUPER happy with it. They also have a recommended ride height in the manual as well but you can go up or down if you want.
Dale
#19
Rotorhead for life
iTrader: (4)
Hear me now and believe me later, the Teins are the way to go.
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
The big change is the design of the shock to smooth out the ride.
I'm SUPER picky about this kind of stuff and I have been nothing but pleased with the Teins. Also you can add the EDFC Pro to dynamically change the shocks as you drive - so soft comfort for cruising and stiffens up immediately when you take some corners. It does it all automatically.
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-gen-gene...nsion-1149308/
Coilovers for YEARS had pretty harsh shocks. I had the Tein Super Street coilovers before this and they weren't great on the road - real bouncy, you felt every bump. The Flex Z's are damn amazing.
Dale
With that in mind, besides the Tein Flex Z set, and perhaps some new OEM bushings to replace the most tired/critical ones, what else should I consider while I'm at it?
#20
Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
I was going to go with the Tein Flex Z's after reading that thread too but ended up going with Ohlins. Probably can't go wrong with either, every one who runs them seems to like them.
For the more experienced members with coilovers: i just installed my ohlin dfvcoilovers last week and have driven it around sparingly. The guy who rolled my fenders during my new wheel install said he suggested not lowering the FD to my desired height for a week to let them 'settle in', do you guys reckon I would be able to lower them to my desired ride height before taking it in to get balanced? Wonder if folks here provide lifetime tire alignment services
For the more experienced members with coilovers: i just installed my ohlin dfvcoilovers last week and have driven it around sparingly. The guy who rolled my fenders during my new wheel install said he suggested not lowering the FD to my desired height for a week to let them 'settle in', do you guys reckon I would be able to lower them to my desired ride height before taking it in to get balanced? Wonder if folks here provide lifetime tire alignment services
#21
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
@Pete_89T2 I had Eibach springs and my R2 shocks at first, I bottomed out a few times with that setup. Never had problems with my old coilovers and haven't pushed the new ones enough to compare but I'm confident they will be fine. How well my RX-8 handled bone stock and how well it rode is what convinced me to look for new options - the old coilovers were an older design and were just too damn harsh.
The only bushings I've done on my car is the rear trailing arms, diff mount, and the bushings that wrap around the steering rack. Oh, the sway bars have aftermarket bushings. That's it.
There's really not much "while you're in there" with swapping shocks/springs to coilovers.
@Jatt you will want to have the car where you want before getting aligned. If you lower or raise the coil overs that will change alignment. I don't think it takes a huge amount of time for them to "settle in", they aren't on any sort of soft bushing or something, just a drive around the block will settle them. I set mine to 25" from the fender lip to the ground all the way around, I think that's a good height that looks good, will handle well, but won't be so slammed that you scrape on everything and can't pull in a parking lot.
Dale
The only bushings I've done on my car is the rear trailing arms, diff mount, and the bushings that wrap around the steering rack. Oh, the sway bars have aftermarket bushings. That's it.
There's really not much "while you're in there" with swapping shocks/springs to coilovers.
@Jatt you will want to have the car where you want before getting aligned. If you lower or raise the coil overs that will change alignment. I don't think it takes a huge amount of time for them to "settle in", they aren't on any sort of soft bushing or something, just a drive around the block will settle them. I set mine to 25" from the fender lip to the ground all the way around, I think that's a good height that looks good, will handle well, but won't be so slammed that you scrape on everything and can't pull in a parking lot.
Dale
#24
RX-7 Bad Ass
iTrader: (55)
The Flex Z's have parts easily available from Tein USA. If the shock starts leaking, they will sell you the shock assembly and you just transfer the springs/perches onto it. I think the new shock is like $150 or something very reasonable. Some places have you send in the shock to be rebuilt, which is fine as well. The Flex Z's aren't rebuildable but are obviously replaceable, they designed them like that to keep costs down.
AutoExe has nice parts but a lot of them IMHO are overpriced for what they are, they are kind of a "fashion" brand, nothing wrong with that, but you are paying for the name for sure.
All that said I haven't heard of any first hand experience with that setup.
Dale
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gracer7-rx7 (11-17-21)
#25
Rotary Enthusiast
The AutoExe site says they are meant for JDM cars (and there are probably some counterfeit products out there), so I'd go with North American products: https://www.autoexe.co.jp/?page_id=120