GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

guys i have a clean 80 that has a bad 12a. in the first stage of a 302 swap.
stock shocks and springs are shot.
what is a good replacement ?
searching for front struts seem like options are slim
need some help here from a well versed rx7 lover please

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

sorry forgot to add a picture
http://i400.photobucket.com/albums/p...a12aissue5.jpg

cfamilyfix

iTrader: (15)

If your SA is getting a 302 then your build thread will probably end up in the v8 section. As for struts and springs you can use 81-85 FB stuff and make a spacer for the struts since the SA ones are longer. For springs just get racing beat

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

thanks very much
sorry if this is in the wrong page
i have racing beat springs and a full bushing set on the way

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

guys
over the weekend i had a chance work at the car.
i got the passenger side front apart but now i'm confused.
when i look at racing beat front struts they show a straight shaft with no spring perches.
when i got the strut removed the hub comes off with it.
this is my first rx7 in my 51 years and have never seen a setup like this.
the manual says to pull the strut shaft up and down and if resistance is felt it should be ok.

i do have resistance but when i stand the strut vertical the center rod will fall to the bottom on it's own.
what do you think about this?

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GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

bump
anybody know?

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

81-85 fb will bokt right in

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

guys here is what i needed to know. i could not find any pictures of this at all.
a email to jim at racing beat was the best help out there.
so here is pictures so any one else can see if you too need to do a strut change on a first gen.

this piece needs to be un screwed from the body

[URL="http://[URL=http://s400.photobucket.com/user/91owner/media/mazda%20rx7%201980/mazdarx780frontstrutdiassembly.jpg.html][/URL]"]


then pull the shaft out

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these parts are what is left

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now i'm guessing that the struts now to be bought slide in the lower body.
can anyone tell us more on this please

woodmv

iTrader: (8)

Your new KYB struts will come with the left piece installed in the center piece and a new threaded collar that screws into your housing on the right. You'll need to reuse your rubber bumpstop and the dust cover.

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

thank you
that is good news
my racing beat parts came and very quick delivery to me in canada.
beautiful springs

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and now just about ready to pull this lump out. hard when all i have is outside to work and just a few hours every night.
but with these changes i am moving in the right direction

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woodmv

iTrader: (8)

I bought, or rather, Santa brought me, the same springs and struts. I need to save up for the new bushings, but was planning on the same. Great minds think alike!

What are you planning to do with the 12A?

GFRENCH

iTrader: (1)

thank you
the 12a engine is not known problem for me. last summer when i bought the car i drove it home at worked perfect. so good in fact i commented the normal phrase { the motor must be just read to pack it in , it works so good}
2 weeks later at a stop light it was at steady idle when it started just like a piston engine drops 1 cylinder.
next day i looked at it and i saw a pool of prestone in a valley at the intake gasket.
replaced the gasket and the same result
later compression test showed very little on the front rotor. the rear shows 7.8' 7.5& 7.4.

my only reason for 302 is cost. 1400 for gaskets and seals is nuts to rebuild the 12a.
why so much?
for 900 a 300 hp 302 can sit in the car.
here is picture of the coolant issue

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