I'm looking for a modest improvement in the handling of my 93 Touring, and want to add a slight drop (nothing radical). I've already picked up a set of Eibach prokits (not as stiff as linear springs) and, after reading about them, am now interested in Bilstein struts. I know they aren't adjustable, (Bilstein claims they don't need adjustability).

as info, Shox.com is currently offering a set of four for the FD for $419.00

thanks in advance for any feedback!

 

I was looking into picking a set of these up. They come standard on all the highend J-Spec FD's, so they must be good, and you won't have to worry about adjusting them all the time. As you stated Blisten claims that they are self adjusting, and for that price I don't think they could be beat! Give them a try and let us know what you think.

 

Yes, the Bilsteins are an excellent, cost-effective upgrade for the stock shocks. I'd do them if I had to do shocks again

Manny Lozano
Motorsports Driving Club
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

What do you guys mean by self adjusting ??

thanks Gun

 

bisteins are one of the best. mazda motorsports can custom valve them for race applications too.

 

You guys do know that Bilsteins are stock on the R1 right? Anyway, the sports are REALLY stiff, but great for lowering. The HDs are a good all around strut, but not very stiff. I'm running TEIN HS Coilovers and would recommend them to anyone looking for a higher performance than stock that doesn't want a rock hard ride. They're pretty cheap too! (they make the Apex N1 Coil over and a few others)
-Dan

 

This is a funny thing...I've heard the R1/R2 shocks were Bilsteins, then I've also heard the R1/R2 shocks were made by a Japanese company.

Will someone give a definitive answer on the subject?

Which shock company produced the OE shocks for the '93-'95 R1/R2 Rx7s?

Manny Lozano
Motorsports Driving Club
www.autosportoutfitters.com/mdc/

 

According to this article on the history of the FD, Bilsteins were original equipment on the FD at one point, but not until model year 1999 on the RS. Which apparently would preclude it from being on earlier U.S. imported models.

The 1999 Update

Here's the whole page:

http://7sins.rx7life.com/genesis.htm

Manny, thanks for the input!

 

Uhmm, not to sound like an @$$ or anything, but you do know that Showa, makes the stock R1 and R2 shocks. And the Blisteins didn't come until the RS. RZ, etc... right???? Since I own an R1, and have looked into TEIN, JIC-Magic, Zeil, Apex'i and Advance Design coilovers, while also looking into regular springs and shocks, I can tell you that my R1 shocks are NOT BLISTEINS!!!
Just a little FYI.

 

Actually they all are Bilsteins. All Models sold in the US from 92-96. They do not say The brand name of course because they are mazda stock items. Your R1 did in Fact come with them. This has come from Peter Farrel himself. I figure he would know who made them seeing he raced them since thier Debut. I talked to Ray at Malloy Mazda and he said the same thing so take it for what thats worth.

 

Sorry the ORIG R-1 (93) and R-2 (94-95) shocks were SHOWAS NOT BILSTEINS - The Bathurst Rs use a special Bilstein. My Touring shocks are clearly marked with the MAZDA Part # and stamped SHOWA. - Maybe MAZDA has changed to Bilstein for OEM replacements?

FWIW Peter Farrel has been known to be full of BS at times.

 

True Dat

 

I put Bilstein yellows in my FD last month. Car is now on rails. I have stock springs, and the ride is stiff but good. Not too harsh.

 

Do you rate them over Koni's ?

 

I have bilstein shocks combined with racing beat springs and the car practically rides like a go kart......stiff as hell!!!!!

 

Petah knows ****. All shocks, including R1/R2's, were all twin tube designs made by Showa until the '99 in Japan.

As for the Bilstein's, I have them on my car (with H&R springs, M2 toe & trailing links, and some other stuff)and love them! For the money, they can't be beat. I had Koni's before and the Bilsteins blow them away. Here's an interesting write-up on them:

http://www.geocities.com/valspeed/

 

how do the stock r1/r2 shocks compare to like, say aftermarket koni's?, besides koni's adjustability

because showa's are a pretty respectable company, after all they make the suspension for spoon and they cost an arm and a leg

 

bump... for those using the blisteins, you guys are reffering to the heavy duty ones right?

 

Wow old thread.

I was looking at Bilsteins and I have only found the heavy duty model made for our car. I contacted Bilstein and the rep I talked to confirmed that there is only the heavy duty line made right now. The heavy duty are made for stock spring rates, and it is recommended to get them revalved for higher spring rates. Bilstein will revalve them for $65 a piece and can include a shock dyno plot for no extra fee.

 

hmm think i can run these with eibach lowering springs? or will i need to get them revalved? (dont remember the spring rates)

 

You'll be fine with Eibach on those shocks. I would recommend going with Koni's instead if you have the money.

 

koni yellows? really? i thought blisteins were better then konis

 

At least not the ones available for the FD. They are non-adjustable and the Blistein site used to recommend not using lowering springs with their shocks. I haven't checked to see if they changed it but in the past the didn't hold up well to springs that were too stiff.

 

thanks mahjik

 

Is this true??!?!!?!? Apex'i N1 is built from Bilstein shocks? Can someone verify this?

EDIT: Called Apexi Tech Support, they couldn't verify this.