Roen

iTrader: (2)

So I'm finally beginning the long overdue process of building an ITS car, in order to settle a bet with a friend of mine who is a BMW fan. He currently drives a BMW 135i and is building an ITS E36 325is.

I'm in the process of procuring an 1986 RX-7 Sport Model and implanting it with the powertrain and electronics from a GTUs and switching out the diff with a Miata T2 Torsen. I'm still looking for a 5.12 ring gear if anyone has one. ECU will be controlled by an Rtek 2.0, S5 Engine will be rebalanced and the rev limit will be increased to 9200 rpm. Spoiler, if I decide to run one, will be the sport spoiler.

My question now lies with the shocks and springs. Most people decide to revalve either Koni's or Bilstein's (I will most likely go with Bilsteins from a cost perspective as I'm not quite sure I'll need the adjustability of the Koni's) and mate them to a Ground Control Coilover sleeve. I'm wondering what other full coilover options exist that are popular with the ITS crowd. The only things that I require from the coilovers are that the valving is consistent and matched from the factory, if it's adjustable, the adjustments must be linear and must match from side to side (i.e. damping force approached from the low side via the adjuster must equal damping force approached from the high side via the aduster) and ride height may be adjusted via a lower shock mount, rather than the spring perch, in order to maintain full shock travel.

Any ideas?

jgrewe

iTrader: (1)

Just so you know the BMW will eat your lunch on the track in ITS. OK, now that that is done it sounds like you're on the right track for shocks. Stick with the Koni or Bilsteins unless you want to spend $1000 a corner.

I like the Bilsteins because they use the same basic valve in all their shocks. They just have two sizes, you want the bigger size (46mm IIRC) if you are going to run above 450lb springs. Your damping curves won't be symetrical. The compression side is really just to handle the unsprung weight, the rebound side is controlling the spring. The Koni isn't really that much more money if you end up having to have the Bilsteins revalved. Adjustablility is nice to have for tuning for different tracks and changing spring rates etc.

Roen

iTrader: (2)

Apparently, I've heard that the 29mm restrictor that they have to run evens the playing field a bit.

I'd want to revalve the Koni's as well if I go that route, or maybe look for some 2800/8611's instead, if I'm going the custom route.

I'd just like to see if there are any other options that most people use.

C. Ludwig

iTrader: (27)

Really? Since the restrictor was implemented for the BMWs, the RX-7 has returned to "the car" status. The BMWs aren't even in the picture at the ARRC anymore. RX-7s and Miatas are now the top dogs.

I'd suggest calling Mike at ISC and just letting him take care of everything you need for the car. His Bilstein setup is very competitive and priced right. He knows the ITS game as well as anyone now.

In IT you'll see everything from Monroe Gas Ryders to Penskes with the threads machined off and coil over sleeves installed to make them legal. Koni is by the far the most popular. Advance Design is pretty popular. Your budget will narrow the selection pretty quickly. And if you're a fairly novice driver save the cash on high end shocks and buy lots of tires and track time instead.

jgrewe

iTrader: (1)

I havn't been following IT that closely for years. I just know of a couple FC's that converted to EP when the bimmers were stomping on them.

Its nice to see the classes get some equalization like that. I remember when the 2nd gen CRX was put into ITA with the FB's. We had a guy show up at Waterford Hills in one after driving it from Cincinnati. First time at the track he knocked a couple tenths off the lap record. He ran away from about 7 or 8 RX7's that day. You know what that did for the ITA fields and why IT7 was created.