Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

Who else beside RB sells front struts for the RX-3?

I'm looking into getting some GC front coilovers and they ask what type front struts you have: Tokico, Koni, Bilstein, KYB or stock.

Now I know you can get Koni's from Racing Beat, but where else can you get any of those others? or do they even exist.

Also curious if anyone else runs this setup and what spring rates they went with.

Thanks,
Mike

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

See what I mean, Wacky.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

Cut those coils but cut it in 1/2 coil increments.

islandsnow

smeagol that is a very nice car you got there.

You know there is another way to lower your car with out cutting your springs....Do you have a welder???? cut the bottom half of your rx3 strut casing below the spring perch and weld the first gen rx7 upper half. Just make sure its the same length as the rx7 housing when your done. The rx3 housing is 18" long and the rx7 is 15" long . With that youll have a choice of different front dampers and aftermarket springs and spring rate.

What I dont like about the Ground Controll is that the sleeve are too close to the spring. If not set up correctlly the spring will eat up the sleeve .

Heres where you can does koni for alot cheaper than RB. I was told by the sells reff RB gets their Koni's from them.

http://www.classicgarage.com/classicgarage/index.html

Hope this helps

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, that does help. I do have access to a welder, but I thought you could just bolt up an entire 1st gen strut housing? I guess I need to get all the parts laid out and do a comparison. I'm still not 100% sure what I want to do with the front end.

So what causes the spring to eat up the sleeve on the GC setup? I do like the adjustability factor of them, but not if they ruin themselves over time.. hmm.

Mike

racerx7

iTrader: (2)

Sorry no tech. Just wanted to say very nice rx3.

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

i put KYB's on mine, but that was a very long time ago so i can't remember where i got them. i also cut 1 coil from the springs.

the '79-80 rx7 strut will bolt right up. it uses the same swaybar setup as the rx3. but i've also read of others using the gsl-se front suspension so it must be some what of a bolt-in, using all suspension components from the se.

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

I may just end up being lazy and getting the Koni's from classicgarage (thanks islandsnow) and GC coilovers. I know it would be cool to have more spring/strut options with FB front parts, but if there a ton of fab work involved I'll probably pass. I have 5 other cars to maintain, heh.

Mike

islandsnow

yes it would be easier to do a swap, and use a chamber plates. That's what I have on my sp right now. I'm thinking by using the upper housing of the rx7 and the lower part of the rx3 there would'nt be any need for a camber plates.

I have the ground controll on my corolla, the sleeve didnt fit well even with the o ring provided. It would move around and cause the spring to rub up against the sleeve.

islandsnow

I know what you mean, I got you beat by one

RotorRican

Hello guys
i been reading your write ups on the struts, am absorbing information like Spongebob!
am working on my 75/RX-808 and the suspension is shot, it rides like a boat, so i will need and want a tighter suspension.
Should I get the wheels first and then build the suspension around the wheels?
I like the wheels Smeagol has on his car.
Is it smart to keep the 4x110 or should I change it to have more wheel options? I already ordered the adapter plates from REspeed for the rear disk convertion!!!.
If i got the route that smeagol is thinking of doing, the Koni and the GC coilover then I have to use the RX-7 1Gen struts, get the camber plates and also drill the extra hole for top strut mount?
Sorry for all the questions I just dont want to spend money on parts that I might end up not using. I almost sold the car when I no longer could find the vintage rotary site for info, I was lost, but now I find you guys,am back on track.
Islandsnow you are my hero, I love your car and inspired me , good job,
Andres.

rxtasy3

iTrader: (2)

that bolt pattern is getting harder and harder to find, same goes for parts. u can get urothane bushings from VB. it was either autozone or advance that i got lower ball joints and tie rod ends from. if i EVER find another rx3, i'll surely be doing the gsl-se swap to solve the wheel availability issue.

Smeagol

iTrader: (1)

Actually papovw, GC makes a coilover kit for the RX-3 so you shouldn't need plates or drilling, although I am not 100% positive on that. All you need to tell them when ordering is what strut you have. They had around 5-6 choices on their website, but it seems that Koni is the only one still available. That was the main reason I was considering swapping first gen. parts in, but Koni's aren't bad. I believe they're just more difficult to adjust, ie. they have to be removed to adjust. Can anyone confirm if they're still that way?

If you want the lazy route, get the GC RX-3 kit and Konis for the front.. should be around $300. This is probably what I'm going to do. I'll call GC this week and confirm what is needed.

Oops, actually I'm wrong, just checked their website and apparently some welding is required:

http://www.ground-control-store.com/...tion.php/II=39

so it's not as "bolt on" as I thought.

Mike

13B-RX3

iTrader: (2)

You know there is another way to lower your car with out cutting your springs....Do you have a welder???? cut the bottom half of your rx3 strut casing below the spring perch and weld the first gen rx7 upper half. Just make sure its the same length as the rx7 housing when your done. The rx3 housing is 18" long and the rx7 is 15" long . With that you'll have a choice of different front dampers and aftermarket springs and spring rate.

This is what i did on my car and it was very easy. I also installed the aerospace brakes to get a bolt pattern that was more common.

islandsnow

13b-rx3 Thats extacly what I'm talking about, tell me did the chamber change at all?
That brake system look awsome and expensive....hows the build up comming along?

The front is simple to convert to 4x4.5 bolt pattern. I'm also working on rear with out doing any swap. It may be cheaper than changing the rear end and getting new axle. I'll let you guys know once I'm done with it.

13B-RX3

iTrader: (2)

The camber wasn't effected at all. And the brakes weren't as bad as you would think. I have got a lot done one the car and am very close to having it tuned. Just a few more parts and a little work and she's ready.

Allen