What are some inexpensive suspension upgrades?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1
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From: Yakima
What are some inexpensive suspension upgrades?
I am contemplating a turbo2 purchase with a bad motor, the motor part doesn't really scare me. I would like to refresh the suspension both front and rear.
Specific areas of interest are replacing bushings and body mounts with solid mounts or hard rubber/nylon or similar. Also adjustable arms...
I have poked around for an hour and a half and have failed to stumble upon any posts detailing these items.
OR
If you know where I could find an all inclusive suspension post to satisfy my nerdy needs, I would be much appreciative.
Allen
Specific areas of interest are replacing bushings and body mounts with solid mounts or hard rubber/nylon or similar. Also adjustable arms...
I have poked around for an hour and a half and have failed to stumble upon any posts detailing these items.
OR
If you know where I could find an all inclusive suspension post to satisfy my nerdy needs, I would be much appreciative.
Allen
Check mazdatrix.com and eBay.
You'll find energy suspension stuff as well as prothane for bushings, as well as solid metal mounts for the engine and differential.
Solid mounts are harder to find ,you'll want to do research on the brand and make sure they're durable.
Adjustable control arms I doubt you'll find. I've never seen any , I've seen items on mazdatrix to adjust camber/toe for racing applications.
Another thing to get are dtss eliminators, the stock ones are usually worn out and should be eliminated.
Rotary >Pistons
You'll find energy suspension stuff as well as prothane for bushings, as well as solid metal mounts for the engine and differential.
Solid mounts are harder to find ,you'll want to do research on the brand and make sure they're durable.
Adjustable control arms I doubt you'll find. I've never seen any , I've seen items on mazdatrix to adjust camber/toe for racing applications.
Another thing to get are dtss eliminators, the stock ones are usually worn out and should be eliminated.
Rotary >Pistons
Rotorhead
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 9,136
Likes: 39
From: Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
Suspension upgrades are expensive. The cheapest method is to not replace anything unless it is unserviceable. The FC RX-7 tends to plow its front end a bit, and you can correct this by simply playing with the front tire pressure during autocross events.
If you have access to a lathe, drill press, and band saw then you can make your own bushings out of material stock. Delrin can be milled.
Materials from softest to stiffest:
Mazda OEM rubber
Mazda Motorsports "40% stiffer" rubber
Urethane
Delrin (UHMW)
Metal / spherical bearing
The FC RX-7's rear camber is adjusted by links on the arms and/or by the center link. See AWR for adjustable links:
RX-7 - Suspension - AWR Racing Store
If you race then you can register for free at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development to get access to special parts pricing. Along with Mazda racing parts, they sell several aftermarket parts, such as Koni coilovers, Eibach sway bars, etc.
MAZDASPEED MOTORSPORTS DEVELOPMENT - Home Page
Helpful hints:
- In order to remove stubborn old bushings that will not come out with a bearing press, I have found that a blowtorch works better than drilling. Either way, you will probably need to use a sandblast cabinet to remove all of the bushing material.
- When replacing the front a-arm bushings, be very careful not to damage the barbs. See my post here on how to safely remove them with a mill.
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...ontrol-869028/
- On a Suck scale of 1 to 10, replacing the mounts and bushings is a 10. God help you if you think this will be easy.
If you have access to a lathe, drill press, and band saw then you can make your own bushings out of material stock. Delrin can be milled.
Materials from softest to stiffest:
Mazda OEM rubber
Mazda Motorsports "40% stiffer" rubber
Urethane
Delrin (UHMW)
Metal / spherical bearing
The FC RX-7's rear camber is adjusted by links on the arms and/or by the center link. See AWR for adjustable links:
RX-7 - Suspension - AWR Racing Store
If you race then you can register for free at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development to get access to special parts pricing. Along with Mazda racing parts, they sell several aftermarket parts, such as Koni coilovers, Eibach sway bars, etc.
MAZDASPEED MOTORSPORTS DEVELOPMENT - Home Page
Helpful hints:
- In order to remove stubborn old bushings that will not come out with a bearing press, I have found that a blowtorch works better than drilling. Either way, you will probably need to use a sandblast cabinet to remove all of the bushing material.
- When replacing the front a-arm bushings, be very careful not to damage the barbs. See my post here on how to safely remove them with a mill.
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...ontrol-869028/
- On a Suck scale of 1 to 10, replacing the mounts and bushings is a 10. God help you if you think this will be easy.
Suspension upgrades are expensive. The cheapest method is to not replace anything unless it is unserviceable. The FC RX-7 tends to plow its front end a bit, and you can correct this by simply playing with the front tire pressure during autocross events.
If you have access to a lathe, drill press, and band saw then you can make your own bushings out of material stock. Delrin can be milled.
Materials from softest to stiffest:
Mazda OEM rubber
Mazda Motorsports "40% stiffer" rubber
Urethane
Delrin (UHMW)
Metal / spherical bearing
The FC RX-7's rear camber is adjusted by links on the arms and/or by the center link. See AWR for adjustable links:
RX-7 - Suspension - AWR Racing Store
If you race then you can register for free at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development to get access to special parts pricing. Along with Mazda racing parts, they sell several aftermarket parts, such as Koni coilovers, Eibach sway bars, etc.
MAZDASPEED MOTORSPORTS DEVELOPMENT - Home Page
Helpful hints:
- In order to remove stubborn old bushings that will not come out with a bearing press, I have found that a blowtorch works better than drilling. Either way, you will probably need to use a sandblast cabinet to remove all of the bushing material.
- When replacing the front a-arm bushings, be very careful not to damage the barbs. See my post here on how to safely remove them with a mill.
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...ontrol-869028/
- On a Suck scale of 1 to 10, replacing the mounts and bushings is a 10. God help you if you think this will be easy.
If you have access to a lathe, drill press, and band saw then you can make your own bushings out of material stock. Delrin can be milled.
Materials from softest to stiffest:
Mazda OEM rubber
Mazda Motorsports "40% stiffer" rubber
Urethane
Delrin (UHMW)
Metal / spherical bearing
The FC RX-7's rear camber is adjusted by links on the arms and/or by the center link. See AWR for adjustable links:
RX-7 - Suspension - AWR Racing Store
If you race then you can register for free at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development to get access to special parts pricing. Along with Mazda racing parts, they sell several aftermarket parts, such as Koni coilovers, Eibach sway bars, etc.
MAZDASPEED MOTORSPORTS DEVELOPMENT - Home Page
Helpful hints:
- In order to remove stubborn old bushings that will not come out with a bearing press, I have found that a blowtorch works better than drilling. Either way, you will probably need to use a sandblast cabinet to remove all of the bushing material.
- When replacing the front a-arm bushings, be very careful not to damage the barbs. See my post here on how to safely remove them with a mill.
https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-generati...ontrol-869028/
- On a Suck scale of 1 to 10, replacing the mounts and bushings is a 10. God help you if you think this will be easy.
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 25,581
Likes: 136
From: Smiths Falls.(near Ottawa!.Mapquest IT!)
Well give me a while. I'll eventually live up to my unique name. 
I just started getting back into the rotary after a 1-2 year break since selling my last rx7 I owned for 6 years.
I just picked up a 87 t2
Rotary >Pistons
I just started getting back into the rotary after a 1-2 year break since selling my last rx7 I owned for 6 years.
I just picked up a 87 t2
Rotary >Pistons
For engine mounts and tranny mounts, you can find different types ranging from solid aluminum, delrin, or polyurethane here: Level Zero Motorsports
DTSS eliminator can be found from AWR Racing, Racing Beat (the one from Mazdatrix is the same from RB), and Level Zero Motorsports.
After those, you can get front & rear strut tower bars.
DTSS eliminator can be found from AWR Racing, Racing Beat (the one from Mazdatrix is the same from RB), and Level Zero Motorsports.
After those, you can get front & rear strut tower bars.
