About to order some ohlins.

Does anyone have a good link for coilover install that includes torque specs.

ty

 

If you have the budget, highly recommend the FD specific FP spec Ohlins from Sakebomb. They addressed the shortcomings of the off the shelf Ohlins kit.
https://www.sakebombgarage.com/rx7/suspension/
I think they are having a lbor day sale

 

 

Factory service manual plus Ohlins booklet is what you need.

So many errors in do it yourself vids and write- ups.

 

Example, I didn't watch that whole video (so perhaps they address it), but the very 1st thing they do is remove the rear swaybar wrong.

"Pliers and flat head screw driver"

GIANT RED FLAG to any mechanic.

 

Take the old stuff off and put in the new. You don't need to be a mechanic or have an FSM. The video shows it being done in the order it should be done. It's easy.

Two posts, laughing smilies but no help? OMG pliers to help take off tension clamps! No mechanic would ever use those!

 

There you go. No need to take off tension clamps...

*edit* oh, you mean brake line clip. Yeah, that is legit use for pliers and a small *prybar*.

 

@matty The procedure is pretty straightforward and I'm sure you'll figure it out. I'll just leave you with a tip... One of the first steps up front should be to remove the ABS sensor from the front hubs so that the wiring doesn't get stretched and break internally. Really easy to do.

 

Regarding that ABS sensor, if it's rusted solid to the spindle and won't come out easily, you can still get enough slack in the ABS sensor wiring to do the coil over job by simply removing the 2 cable clips (M6 bolts). That's what I ended up doing when I installed my Tein Flex-Z coil overs.

 

^you can but it's tight

 

It is, but it was do-able that way. I just didn't want to risk busting my ABS sensors trying to remove them as it wasn't cooperating and looked like it would turn into a real PITA. Another point I forgot to mention is you can get a little more slack in the cable by removing the cable's rubber grommet from the body after removing those 2 cable clips/brackets. Just need to be careful as you maneuver the old strut/springs out and put the new coil overs in.

 

Can you elaborate on the difference between the standard Ohlins kit and the FPspec kit? what shortcomings?

Thanks,

 

Cost vs benifit analysis for any product.

Ohlins offers one Road & Track product at one cost for the FD RX-7 and FP Spec builds upon this single offering to add higher cost options.

You can read FP Spec advertising to get an idea of what they offer and why.

Ohlins really focused their Road & Track project "budget" on getting good shock valving technology and durability into their product (its what they do).

 

OK, just read the FP Spec description and they dont really explain their advantages over standard Ohlins all that well.

Mainly- Ohlins took near zero effort to mitigate spring coil binding issues on the Road & Track coilovers for the FD RX-7 probably because it is has a very minor effect on the coilovers performance versus the cost.

What happens is as the shock is compressed the suspension arm to lower shock mount moves in an arc and the shock upper mount is stationary.

Since the standard Ohlins upper spring perch is also the upper shock mount the whole spring moves in an arc with the shock, but the upper spring mount does not move.

This loads the spring off the spring centerline which causes "binding" or more force is required to compress the spring/shock the same distance.

Swift Springs/Hyperco offer higher grade material springs that reduce the number of spring coils for a given rate that reduce coil spring bind on any application.

Barrel wound springs by various manufacturers (bulge in middle) likewise reduce coil spring binding from off center loading in any application they can fit.

Articulated upper spring mounts that keep the spring coils perpendicular under compression (FP Spec Ohlins) is another method of reducing coil spring binding.

All 3 (and more techniques) can and have been used on a single coilover.

Downsides to all are cost.

Other downsides to articulated spring top mount are also reliability (another spherical bearing to wear out), performance (more weight and probably less shock stroke per the length of shock). IDK how these downsides compare to the advantages.

Likewise, FP Spec offers a spherical bearing lower shock mount for the front to decrease bindinding in compression when the FD suspension arms move front to back (as designed to for dynamic toe). Standard Ohlins use a simple bushing for this articulation.

Again, advantages are less binding: downsides are more cost, less reliability and less performance (weight).

The rear FP Spec lower shock mount is milled Aluminum instead of stamped steel like standars Ohlins.

Advantages, more performance from less weight (but not really- read on): downsides are more cost, require Sakebomb swaybar mount (so less reliability from open spherical bearings, less performance from added weight, more performance from adjustability).

Other possible advantages and disadvantages to FP Spec are due to their custom spring rate and custom shock valving options. Both can be advantages and disadvantages over standard Ohlins for performance.

"Sometimes good, sometimes ****."

 

@BlueTII there were some old threads from them or one of the owners when they first introduced the product. I'd search but I'm not on the market so no motivation

 

it seems very easy. i think i need fsm for torque specs etc

 

If I change my coilovers from my zeals to the ohlins and set it to the EXACT same height do I still need an alignment?

btw. This is an easy job. I am not worried about it. I’ve done it before. It’s just been awhile since I put effort into my fd and been in there on it. I am also a stickler for torque specs. Especially when bushings are involved

with that said. I’ll be selling my zeals function X six way adjustable. I am doing this bc I want to go with stiffer springs and frankly I am bored. I want to switch things up. I also decided that I want to get back on the track.

The zeals are a top of the line Jdm product. They used to be very highly sought after. people used to work hard to try to find them. They are similar to ohlins in that you can adjust ride height without impacting preload. They been on the car for ten years and about 15000 miles. I think I will list them for $1000 or best offer. They are high end and I think that’s a bargain. But I don’t know the market so feel free to chime in on pricing.

 

The FD doesnt change alignment much at all through the suspension stroke, so you wont need to get a new alignment with a change of coilover height.

As long as you dont mess with the toe and camber cams on the lower arms you are good.

 

thanks. Hopefully they come soon. Although I drove the car today and the zeals are in fact good. But I do want the stiffer springs. Anyways.