FD coilovers *without* pillow mounts?
 

Anyone know what the choices are for coilovers *without* pillow mounts (i.e. a solid top mounting plate, like the Mazdaspeed, JIC, Tein, Apex'i, etc.). I thought that the Koni coilovers were available with a rubber top mount, but haven't been able to find anyone who sells them. Truechoice, which used to be a big Koni reseller, doesn't seem to specialize in suspension parts any longer. Any suggestions?

Basically, I want a ride height adjustable setup *designed* from the ground up to be coilovers (no Ground Control conversion bullshit... already been there, done that) with rubber top mounts for less noise and 550/450 lb. springs, give or take.

And BTW, I'll have a brand new set of JICs for sale immediately after I find what I'm looking for... :p:

Zeal Function B6 with street spring rates....contact Rishie....

Zeals are completely customizable and the US service can do all rebuilding and custom revalving here. Guess how many of the other Japanese coilovers have that.....Tein is the only other one. (And before anyone says JIC, PROVE it with a picture of their shock dyno, because they've lied before...)

It may be easier to buy some sheet urethane (or other material) and cut a pad to sit between the top mounting plate and the underside of the shock tower. Didn't the JICs require some additional spacing anyway to avoid rubbing on the hood/liner?

Yeah,
I'm a little surprised this thread isn't titled "check out the custom rubber upper mounts I made for my JIC coilovers in my spare time"!

I thought about making pads to go between the pillow mount and the body, but at this point, I've got enough custom crap left to make without adding to the list, and I'd have to change the springs out anyway.

Jim, check with the guys at ground-control.com about the Advance Design shocks. These are custom double adjustable, monotube coilovers and are not based on the Koni. I have seen them on quite a few cars and know many people who've had great results with them. The ones I have seen mounted with stock hardware.

I thought that the "Advanced Design" coilovers had been discontinued, according to M2 Performance. No?

My understanding is that at one time M2 distributed Advance Design RX-7 products, but was never truly involved in their manufacture or design. Ground Control is now the distributor and support system for Advance Design and there are many, many Advance Design applications available for many vehicles.

http://www.advance-design.com/

http://www.ground-control.com/application_guide.htm

Then perhaps M2 overplayed their involvement in procuring those shocks for FD owners. :D

Found this site and noticed that the last update was listed as 2002... :p:

A list of coilover conversion kits. :)

On the home page, they list Advanced Design coilovers under Mazda -> RX-7 3rd Gen, but there's no link or further information that I found. There's nothing but coilover onversion kits listed in their online store either. In fact, it's one of the crappiest manufacturer web sites I've seen in awhile. They should have just posted a blank page with their phone number on it. :p:

I know, I know; the website has always sucked. I do recall seeing a price list at one time from them that listed the cost of the fronts, rears, options available etc. Seems like the double adjustable FD shocks were about $400ish a corner. Give Ground Control a call; maybe all this is no longer true.

I bought the Advance Design double adjustables from M2 when they still sold them. Call them directly to discuss options, pricing, etc. They've always been helpful when I needed advice or parts, and were quick to ship.

My set (like the other aftermarket systems I've seen) has a solid metal top plate, so you'll want to ask whether they will supply a rubber/urethane spacer. If not, then you're back to making your own.

Advanced Design or M2 Performance? :p:

Heh, that would be Advance Design. You don't want to hear the story of how hard it was to get the shocks from M2 after I ordered them. Shortly after filling my order, M2 started selling DMS shocks instead...

Seriously though, I've had nothing but great service from the guys at Advance Design.

You really don't notice any more noise/vibration without the rubber spacer. I have FLEX's and I don't have any such problems with them and they don't use any rubber spacers or anything. Everything that you need is included.

Craig

BTW They have independent ride height adjustability, 16 dampening settings (that are very easy to use!), and the spring rates you are looking for!

There are the KSport coilovers as well.

They come with just regular top mounts on front and rear.

Here are specs:

93-97 RX-7
13kg front/ 9kg rear springs
MSRP: $1,300

Key Features:

36-way adjustable dampening
Made from high quality 6061 Aluminum with T6 for increased hardness
Compression/Rebound adjustable
Adjustable spring perch for height adjustment
Adjustable body allowing maximum suspension travel
Pillow Ball Top Mount w/ adjustable camber (not available for some models)
Monotube High Pressure Design reduces oil leakage
Electroplated body for protection from corrosion and rust
One Year Limited Warranty

They are great coilovers as well. I run a set on our civic and I love them. Would run a set on my FC but they don't make them for those yet.

Mike

How about 9kg/mm (~500 lbs./in.) front and 8kg/mm (~450 lbs./in.) rear?

Yeah, 13kg in the front is quite a bit! I actually went down from 10kg w/ the Type FLEX and got 8's in front and 6 in back. 13 seems really high.

Craig

13 kg/mm is ridiculously stiff, way to stiff for anything but glass smooth track surface...good luck finding one of those.

Also, IMO, running an aluminum-bodied monotube damper on the street is ASKING for a blown damper...

Yeah, the springs are stiff I totally agree.

As for dependability I haven't had a problem with a set yet. It would all be preference but you can get different springs. That isn't a problem at all.

Mike

I took Rynberg's advice and contacted Rishie. Looks like I'm going with some Zeal B6s with 9kg/8kg springs.

We got some TEIN HA's for $650 slightly negotiable. Straight from Japan off an FD chassis we got imported over here. You can call my buddy a TEIN dealer if you have any ?'s. He might know a lil more about TEIN's and he has some bad ass deals on all suspension stuff. His name is Raliegh and he runs the only Drift Spec shop down in Portland, Or. Garage 112: 503.760.7814