m0t03

Will it work? Are any of you running this setup? I will be installing tanabe lowering springs with my 18's. So do I need to get anything else so I dont rub like hell.

SleepR1

I'm running my stock R1 Showa shocks with H&R springs to great effect. Also ran the stock Showa R1 shocks with the RB springs, but the RBs were a tad stiff for road use...

m0t03

I was thinking about getting some Koni adjustable struts too. Would this help me out instead of using the stock struts. I do not have an R1 so my suspension is already kinda soft. Do you think getting the struts would be a good idea before I install the springs? Or will I befine running it on totally stock suspension.
thanks,
Mike

SleepR1

If you're installing new springs, you might as well get new shocks. I'm not familiar with Tanable springs...are they OE style (4-inch OD), or are they 2.5-inch OD springs?

Not keen on adjustable shocks, don't like Konis...prefer Bilstein HDs which are self-adjusting...I hate tinkering with sh*t

m0t03

the tanabe springs lower the car about as much as racing beat springs if you are familar with those. Do you like Tokiko struts? Or what struts would you recomend. And where else can you buy them RX7 store only offers koni and tokiko.
thanks,
mike

SleepR1

Depends on the application and on the Tanabe's spring rates.

I found the Racing Beat springs a bit stiffer than the H&R Sport Springs with either spring brand mated to the R1's Showa shocks.

The Mazda engineers went through a great deal of testing to come up with the right shock valving, and that testing effort shows as I really like the stock R1 Showa shocks with the H&R Sport springs on road AND on track.

Having said that, if I were strictly road racing or autocrossing my FD and didn't have to compromise with having nice ride quality, I'd probably go with the Racing Beat (or your Tanabe springs) with the Bilstein HD self-adjusting shocks. The Bilsteins are more aggressively valved than the Showa R1 shocks, so the Bilsteins should provide better response for either the Racing Beat or Tanabes. This also means the Bilstein HDS will ride stiffer than the Showa R1 shocks...

FavBandDMB

SleepR1 is totally right about the Bilstein HD's. www.geocities.com/valspeed. I like the Eibach springs from Ground Control though. It's kinda tough to adjust all the suspension stuff though. http://forums.audiworld.com/a4/msgs/1009600.phtml

m0t03

I was thinking about getting the Konis but I do not wanna be adjusting my suspension all the time. Is it the same with the Tokikos? And where can you buy blistens, they dont sell them at the RX7 store. A link would be appreciated along with some advice.
Thanks,
Mike

SleepR1

Bilstein HDs are available at Mazdaspeed Motorsports Development. You have to join the team, but it's worth the couple autocrosses per year to receive the team support parts program...

Here's their website:

http://www.mazdamotorsports.com/

You can print out their application, and they'll send you a team support number, which you'll use for every Mazda parts purchase...

I believe you can purchase the Bilsteins WITHOUT membership but you should check by calling them directly at 1-800-435-2508

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iTrader: (2)

I have done the same thing with the 18's but I talked to MAX Cooper and he mentioned to stay away from the lowering springs with a significant amount of drop. I have looked at a bunch and the H&R seem to have alot of drop. 1 1/2 inch drop. I think thats too much for the front end. The Eibachs drop it 1 inch and the Racing beats lower it 3/4 in the front and 1 or 1 1/2 in the rear. They are also just 7 percent stiffer. I think those are a great choice. They are linier rate so they have the same rate through the whole coil. Now I was looking at the HKS website and they have progressive rate springs. That would make a better ride on the street and supposely has a much higer rate lower on the spring for harder cornering for the track. I also like the HKS springs because they have even less drop than the others. .6 inch drop in front and .8 in the rear. There isnt much wheel gap in the front to begin with and the car is low to the ground to start. I would imagine that amount of drop would rid you of ugly wheel gap without sacrificing ride and or fitment for 18's. The only issue I might be concerned with would be do the Progressive springs compress alot further because of the decreased rate on the top of the spring than the linier rate springs. If that were true the progressive rate springs would not help for fitment.

SleepR1

I have the H&R springs with R1 Showa shocks, and Eibach swabars front/rear...wheels are 9 x 17, SSR Integral A2s in 45-mm offset...tires are 255/40-17 Yokohama AVS I's...track setup is 8.5 x 17 fr and 9.5 x 17 rr SSR Competitions, 42-mm offset...track tires are 245/45-17 and 275/40-17 Hoosier R3S03s.

No rubbing at all with either setup...

Yes the progressive rate springs are a compromise. They're a tad soft on the track, but they will save your spine on the public roads. The softness actually works well in keeping my FD R1 glued to the tarmac during high performance driving, as the tires load more progressively rather than abruptly as would stiff springs...

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iTrader: (2)

So are the H&R springs alos progressive rate then? For some reason I thought they were Linier rate. After looking at my car today I noticed its got more than 3/4 inch of wheel Gap. I am tempted to go with a bit more drop than I had originally anticipated.

ARD T2

iTrader: (22)

How about staying with stock springs and getting the Koni adj. as they have the spring perch which can give you some lowering. Kind of a nice alternative. Possibly pick up some used R1 springs, as I'm sure they are different than the touring model. Just depends on budget I guess and the order in which you want to do things.

See ya, Rishie

FavBandDMB

m0t03 i looked at your sig, and im trying to figure out why youve got the blitz sbc and a A'pexi pfc. doesnt the pfc already have a boost controller on it? also, it says you have a ss bov. do you like it (sound, quality)? And you dont need to join Mazda Motorsports to get Bilsteins. go to www.shox.com