juliof

I am thinking of going with the M2 coil overs , what are the advantages over lowered springs I dont race so I am not sure coil overs are worth it .Can any shock be used in a coil over system or do they have to be adapted.

SleepR1

Actually the stock FD suspension system IS a coil-over shock setup. The difference is the ride height is NOT adjustable because the FD shock body is NOT threaded like with most aftermarket coilover setups.

From what I understand the M2 Coilover conversion kits mate with any FD shock (Stock Touring, R1, Base, or Aftermarket--Tokico, GAB, Koni). They come with special adapters that mount directly over the shock spring seat. The adapters are threaded and thus can be used to adjust ride height.

As for the advantage of M2 coilovers, I'd say there is none, in fact they might be a detriment to normal street performance (irregular street surfaces, etc.) because the M2 springs are shorter and afford less wheel travel, compared with the stock setup.

Unless you plan to go autocrossing or road racing, I don't see any advantage. As you know the stock suspension is overkill for most street drivers to begin with!!!

SleepR1

I road race and autocross my R1. My suspension setup uses the stock R1 Bilstein shocks, H&R sport springs (progressive rate), and Eibach Comp sway bars (complete with custom sway bar stops). Those who've track-tested my car say its handling is neutral, predictable, controllable, with a stable cornering attude.

maxcooper

I have a web page that shows how I converted my GAB shocks to a coil-over setup with the M2 kit:

http://www.maxcooper.com/rx7/how-to/...coil-over.html

The one advantage you might be interested in is that you can adjust the ride height. That is nice when you are trying to reduce rubbing from big wheels, or adjust the fender gap for cosmetic reasons. However, you probably want to get softer springs than people usually get for a street/track setup. Make sure to communicate your intended use of the car to M2 so they help choose some springs.

juliof

I was thinking of getting 550FR 450R springs with the coil over set, just not sure its really worth it for the street.I will eventually get 17in wheels would there be a rubbing problem with the H&R springs.

SpeedRacer

550 and 450 are DAMN stiff springs...I have 375FR and 325R and my stock struts have WAY more than met there match...they can't come close to controlling the springs, so I'm having to upgrade struts(I knew was going to have to before putting on the springs, I just didn't have the money) Of course I have an FC, and I am using the Ground Control Coilover setup.

SleepR1

There shouldn't be rubbing with the H&Rs. They lower the car about 1.5 inches, but so long as your offsets or correct on your wheels, you shouldn't have a problem. I don't have a problem with 38 mm 8 x 16 SSR Integrals with 225/50-16 Pirelli P-Zeros (street setup) or 37 mm 8.5 x 16 Kosei K1s with 245/45-16 Hoosier R3S03s (track setup). With the track setup the wider track width from the wider wheels and tires still don't rub with the H&R springs.

The H&Rs mate very well with the stock R1 Bilsteins. They're an excellent combination for street and track. I had Racing Beat springs prior to the H&Rs. The RBs with the R1 shocks were a bit stiffer, and less streetworthy than the H&R springs/R1 shocks setup.

88and93

Manny it's good to see you back. Many here could benefit from your wisdom.

SleepR1

Well, Thanks! I like to share my experience with the car. I've had it for 6 years and have raced it for 5 years, so...

BTW, have we met some place? MADS '99 at Summit Point maybe?? I seem to remember having a great run with another FD driver/Mechanical Engineer from Maryland??

88and93

SleepR1, no, we haven't met other than on an old thread here. You are close though, I am an aerospace mechanical designer and I have raced at Summit Point many times. I am the enduro kart guy with many years of national level experience. Scott Pruett, Mark Dismore, Ricky Rudd are all former adversaries. My financial situation prevents me from competing with my kart or FD unfortunately, be glad you can.

juliof

Thanks for the info , I guess H&R springs are good enough with 17in wheels for the street.

SleepR1

Julio,

You won't be sorry with the H&Rs. The progressive spring rate does a good job in absorbing most of the bumps in the roads. When you lean on the car more, the spring rate stiffens up, so it really is a great compromise.

If I were strictly tracking the car (no street time), I'd go with one of the aftermarket coil-over systems. Mazda Speed's is a very good one, but is quite pricey (even from Mazda Competition Parts!). Actually since I'm on a budget, I'd opt for the Racing Beat springs and switch from the stock R1 Bilsteins to the yellow Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks (also available from Mazda Comp).

BTW, the H&Rs are economically priced in the low $200s, 1/3 the price of M2's coil-over conversion kit!! I got my H&Rs from the Tire Rack. The springs are a dark blue color.

suganuma

sleep R1, why would you choose the racing beat springs over the H&Rs if on a budget system??

i plan on using the bilsteins or tokico illuminas but am still trying to decide what to do about the springs. i like the ground control setup, but i think i can wait til i hvae more money to go with it and also more experience with the car. i think i would like a linear spring instead of progressive though.

i will be mostly using the car for street use, with the occasional racing (autocross, road, and drag)

thanks for any input you or anyone else can provide

SleepR1

The RBs were a bit better performing than the H&Rs at autocrosses. The RB springs are linear spring rates, so they are very predictable. The transient response with the RBs (switchback turns and slaloms) is much better with the RBs compared with the H&Rs. I adjusted to the H&R's slight delay, at in response but am glad for the H&R's progressive rate since my FD is a daily driver. At the high speed track events the H&Rs have a bit more give, and loads the tires gently, and allows the tires to grip progressively. I believe the H&Rs have been much better on the high speed road racing and have helped my car control skills immensely (low occurences of spinouts!).

So for autocrossing, a great budget system would be the RB springs and the Bilstein Heavy Duty shocks as well as a set of good sway bars (and some sort of front sway bar mount reinforcer).

I do more road racing so the H&Rs work fine for me.