Gauging interest in RX-2, 3, 4 suspension parts
 

Guys,

I'm thinking about getting some swaybar spacer blocks made and looking to see if anyone else is interested. RB used to make them, but can no longer cast the parts and has no interest in doing so. I've designed a set and would like to ask RESpeed to make some. If anyone else is interested, let me know. These would be CNC machined rather than RB's cast parts. They used to be known as RB's Stage 1 kit for the RX-2 back when they were for sale. If y'all want to offset the position of the swaybar and move it forward for more caster (helpful with wider wheels or slicks), that's an option too.

Attached image is from my CAD model.

Oh, and these correct a quirk of our cars. Because the swaybar is a loaded member and is what locates the hub front-to-rear, it is the sole component that sets our caster. Because it's inclined downward as it approaches the hub, it levels out under braking and cornering. Because it's moving in an arc, it actually pushes the hub back, and you lose caster as you brake or corner.

As you lose caster, you will lose the centering force that the weight of the car exerts on the steering, so it basically feels heavier as you corner harder. It also induces more understeer, because you're losing caster on the outside wheel and gaining it on the inside. The blocks move the swaybar down and slightly forward so that it's closer to level. On a stock ride-height car, the swaybar is made level under moderate braking, which does away with all the variable caster nonsense.

I'd be interested... as long as the price is reasonable.

RX-4 stage 1 front suspension kit
 

I would be interested if price is reasonable.

Hey guys.

If we can get 5 or so orders we will run them for $50 per set. This price is good for the non-offset units like shown in the drawing above.

We will run them from billet aluminum as Crit posted. We would like to get enough interest to run them this week or the next. Not sure if we will stock these after this deal, so get them while you can.

-billy

Billy, put me down for a set

I'd be instrested as well, but on your drawing.. loooks like your just moving it down. I beleive the RB had it down and foward to increase caster..

Will these just be a spacer, or will they also be spaced and pushed forward?

They didn't pull the swaybar forward in the RX-2 kit. The straight spacers can no longer be made by RB because they've lost or damaged the fixtures used to cast them and have told me that they're not worth remaking. Offset blocks (sold for RX-3 and 4) would add quite a bit of caster and are still available from RB.

How about some 1" bumpsteer spacers? Jesuscookies has a set that can be copied for the Rx2 pattern. The others I've seen are either in Oz or for 1st gens.

Do the bumpsteer spacers just move the crossbar linkage down from the pittman and idler?

We can do the turn in/ bump steer spacers. All I need is a steering arm to measure from.

I can measure Crit's car and do them, if we can get some guys interested.

Crit, these would go between the stut housing and the steering arm. They bring the control arm back down to proper angle and hight after lowering the car. You need some of these as well :)

-billy

done.

I saw you had got a 3. Did you pick up Al Pierce's car? Will you be running some southest IT stuff?


-billy

Oh, so a bumpsteer kit is typically for lowered cars, so that you can move the hub closer to the body but move the steering arms down the same amount? That makes sense.

I've noticed, however, that my steering linkage is higher in the middle of the car (pitman and idler) than at the steering arms, so I'd expect that when the front compresses, the tie rods level out and push both steering arms out which would get the car a little cross-eyed.

If that's the case, I'd need to either move the center link down off the pitman and idler, or move the steering arm pickup higher. Would it be possible to find bigger tie rod ends and reverse the direction of the taper on the steering arm? That way one could mount their tie rod ends above the steering arm and keep the linkage closer to level.

You would realy need to bump steer the car before making changes. I have a setup to do that when you get ready.

-billy

Billy: THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!!
...and something we all need with lowered cars and don't realize it. The ones I have seen are from Xtreme in Oz and are 3/4 inch, but with really low Rx2's...1 inch may be better, especially when using "other than Rx2" strut inserts and/or coilovers.

Here are some bits I have waiting to go under my 73 rx2.
Whiteline swaybar 24mm, threaded end for caster adjustment, part bmf92 from Whiteline www.whiteline.com.au
Noltec solid adjustable strut tops part n44012s from www.noltec.com.au
Caster blocks by ASK. No website but purchased from Stuie @ RX Performance http://rotor.rxperformance.com.au/

In Aussie dollars the parts are around $200 for the swaybar, and $45 for the blocks. Retail on the strut tops can go $650, but places like Xtreme Rotaries list them for $400. I have seen them as low as around $300 but that was a mates rates combined with a degree of "well I didn't really like working there anyway".

Whiteline, or at least one of their agents, do strut braces for the old school Mazdas, but with top mount IC's and any manner of inlets and engine locations it can be a bit hit and miss with fitments. http://ausrotary.dntinternet.com/for...c.php?t=110671 refers.

Anyone ready?

Reminder, these are the non offset blocks. They are $50.00 per set plus $4.00 shipping within the US. I have run 5 sets and 3 of them are up for grabs.

I can run more if we get more than the 3 people who want them.

Also, can we get a count on how many people would like the 1" thick turn in spacers. I can run them next week.

-billy

Paypal address?

Better yet: send me a bill zach12@aikenelectric.net

Crit and banzaitoyota have the first 2 sets. 3 more up for grabs.

-billy

1" bumpsteer blocks for me!!!!!

bwaits: YOu have any pictures?

I will post some later tonight. I am swamped today.

-billy

As promised. Picture did not turn out well. It does not do the parts justice.

Put me down for a set as well. I'll even buy a set of the offset ones when you run them. I like playing around with my suspension and at that price why not?

You can send me a pending payment at vlucketti@yahoo.com and my zip code for shipping is 95117.

Thanks,
Vince

I'd be really interested in a bumpsteer kit also. I still have a set for my old Corolla (sold the car a while ago) and never checked to see how close it is. They're also usually called roll center adjusters or RCA's. They even have Negative Camber RCA's to give even more camber by moving the roll center adjuster outward.

If you make these will you include the extra long bolts required?

1 set of sway bar blocks left after fchoncho goes for his.

Yes, turn in or roll center blocks is what I call them. I would build them on center. It is against my religion to add camber by changing the track. When adjusting suspension settings you always change one thing at a time. If a camber change also changes your track, then you have changed two at a time :)

OK, so we have 2 down for turn in spacers. Anyone else?

-billy

-billy

^ what exactly is a turn in spacer?... sorry for the no0bie question.

Also recieved the swaybar block today.. and I must say.. they look GREAT!

Thanks once again. :)

Payment request sent.

-billy

The suspension geometry is changed when you lower a car. When you lower the car the lower control arm now sits as if the suspension was in bump (wheel further in the wheel well). This changes the outer pivot verses inner pivot relationship. Another way to look at it is that the lower control arm angle is changed.

By using a turn in spacer you are bringing the control arm back down. The spacer goes between the strut housing and the steering arm.


Now that you guys have seen the sway bar spacer blocks, would it not be cool to make some billet sway bar bushing brackets to complement the billet spacer blocks? :)

-billy

RCA works great on old school toyota but I havent tried them out on the RX. If you want RCA talk to gave at Technotoy, he can make them for you with or with out camber. http://www.technotoytuning.com/
I have a set of strut casing laying around for AE86 I will take some measurement and see if they are a match with the rx casing.

I might be intrested in the turn in spacer as well... if you make them.. but what exactly would this improve? (besides changing the lower control arm angle back to where it would have been on stock ride hight)... Steering?

Hehe sorry for the newbie questions... new to this whole steering thing.

Basically, when you lower the car with shorter springs, you bring the outer end of the control arm up and out, since it swings in an arc and would normally sit at an incline. The spacers would move your steering arm and control arm back down from the hub after lowering the car, so that it sits at its original location. They'll be physically closer to the ground, but it'll all sit at the same geometry as before you lowered the car.

Hopefully if anybody wants some they would have us do them. We have already proven our manufacturing capabilities and our dedication to the old school rotaries. :)

Lets get a list together for turn in spacers.
1) Jaime Enriquez
2) TrainWreck - Maybe
3) fchoncho - Maybe
4) Crit - ????

Lets get a list together for Billet sway bar bushing caps.

1) ???


-billy

Me! of course

PAYMENT SENT!

[QUOTE=bwaits]Hopefully if anybody wants some they would have us do them. We have already proven our manufacturing capabilities and our dedication to the old school rotaries. :)

Will you be making them with the negative camber built in. This will resolve the + camber issue when using the 1st gen Rx7 front suspension with out using a camber plates. ... and with the combination of camber plates you'll be able to get more camber with out cutting into the strut tower.

islandsnow, We will run them however the majority wants them. We just need someone to measure up how much offset there needs to be.

New lists:

Turn In Spacers
1) Jaime Enriquez
2) TrainWreck - Maybe
3) fchoncho - Maybe
4) Crit - ????

Billet Sway Bar Bushing Caps.
1) banzaitoyota

Second Run Sway Bar Spacers:
1) dgr8julius

Islandsnow, I still have my RCA's from my Corolla and tried to line them up on a 1st Gen (SA22) lower control arm. Not even close! So yeah, let's hope other members here want them too. I'd really like the Negative style RCA's myself!

OK you beat to it....Ok I'm gonna put my thinking cap back on and figure out the how much camber with out the camber plates and go from there.


You do know that if your using the negative camber RCA your wheel will stick out right? this may be an issue for those guys running wheels that are even with the fender. With the NCRCA it will stick out even more, but not an issue with the RCA.

Yeah, I'd take them either way, negative or just regular.

you can put me down for the turn-in spacers if theyre a little bit later down the line.

Last set of sway bar spacers have shiped.

Let's see:

Turn In Spacers
1) Jaime Enriquez
2) TrainWreck - Maybe
3) fchoncho
4) Crit - ????
5) Eric Happy Meal

Billet Sway Bar Bushing Caps.
1) banzaitoyota

Second Run Sway Bar Spacers:
1) dgr8julius


How far do you guys want to offset the camber on these things? TrainWreck, Crit, banzaitoyota you guys in on this?

-billy

I'm in. Another idea:

Poly swaybar bushings for the control arm

I think Crit has poly sway bushings he imported from over the pond.

-billy

www.scottsoldautorubber.com.au has nolethane bushings for absolutely every suspension bit you could ever need. Also a good source for door seal and window molding kits. Shipping's excpensive, but you more than make up for it given how far a US buck goes.

Billy, me wants in on the following:

Second Run Sway Bar Spacers:
1) dgr8julius

2) Bern

and turn-in spacers, depending on the final camber offset

1) Jaime Enriquez
2) TrainWreck - Maybe
3) fchoncho
4) Crit - ????
5) Eric Happy Meal

6) Bern


-Bern

add me to the turn in spacer list

Second Run Sway Bar Spacers:
1) dgr8julius
2) Bern

Turn-in spacers:

1) Jaime Enriquez
2) TrainWreck - Maybe
3) fchoncho
4) Crit - ????
5) Eric Happy Meal
6) Bern - depending on the final camber offset
7) banzaitoyota


Bern, what would you like to see in the way of camber?

-billy

Turn-in spacers:

I didnt read the whole thread but is this compatible with my current set-up? Stock lower control arm with 85 non-GSL-SE strut assembly. if it is, then count me in for a spacer as well as the front sway bar spacer.


Also, my RX-3 came equipped with rear sway bay. If anyone is interested, I will be more than willing to send it Billy so he can fabricate it. But it has to be after Sevenstock.

Wacky, you're using the same drivetrain in your FB and 3, down to the clutch, ignition, and rear?