speeddemon7

Ok so maybe im just being picky.But is the stock suspension on an fd supposed to be so bumpy.I feel just about every bump on the road.Even on nearly perfect roads.Im also getting some slight squeeking or rattling.Im thinking its the suspension.
I would like to get some new shocks but I dont really know which brand is best.I know kyb and bilstein makes shocks for the car as well as koni and tokiko.Although im not sure about the tokikos as I had friend that bought new tokikos and one of the shocks lasted for about a month before it blew out.And he doesnt drive his car like **** either.Right now im thinking of bilsteins.Also i have a question for you guys.Can I just change the shocks or do I have to change the springs at the same time? I would think old springs will put more stress on the new shocks and vice versa.And if so which springs are closest to the stock ride height.I personally think the car is low enough as is.Especially for colorado.One last thing would be which shocks have the best warranty.I dont exactly want to buy new shocks every year if you guys know what I mean.Thanx.

speeddemon7

what im basically looking for is the most comfortable ride without sacrificing handling capabilities.

rynberg

There are no aftermarket shocks that have softer valving than OEM. This car rides hard, if you don't like it, I suggest moving on to something else. Your car could also be "bouncing around" a lot because your shocks are gone and are not controlling your springs properly.

Stick with your stock springs. If you don't care about adjustability, I would just call mazdaformance or Malloy mazda and get new OEM shocks. Otherwise, if you want adjustability for fun driving/track action, pick up some Koni's or Tokicos. Softest setting on either is essentially the same as OEM.

As far as warranty goes, Konis have a lifetime warranty.

speeddemon7

thanx for the help rynberg.Youre probably right about the shocks.They have to be gone to ride so harshly.Ive been in lowered cars before and the ride was much better than what im getting.I take it the larger the rims the worser the ride iwll get as well.Correct? I figure less rubber more metal = harsher ride.But I think things will improve once I get some new shocks.Also should I just stick with the springs i have now or do I need to change them with new units in order to keep the new shocks from getting damaged?

rynberg

I don't know why you think that older springs would damage the shocks somehow...the only way a spring could prematurely wear out a shock is if the spring is WAY too stiff for the shock valving.

Just keep your old ones. Since you said you don't want a harder ride and you don't want to lower the car anymore, I would stick with the old ones.

speeddemon7

sounds good to me.Well since the koni's have a lifetime warranty and they have adjustability I think they will be the best choice for me as far as practicality.And you did say the softest setting will be the same as oem shocks.Im betting that even on the hardest setting the ride will be much better.I really think the shocks are gone.Thanx once again rynberg for the sound advice.It really helped me to come to a decision.Really appreciate it.

rynberg

Yes, but they are more equal to the R1/R2 valving rather than the base/touring model valving. Still, not much different than my PEP model OEMs...

Haha, you wouldn't say that if you had ever experienced it...I forgot to turn my shocks back to soft after a track event one time and had to drive about a mile down the road before I could safely pull over. I'll never forget again...

BTW, you should order the Konis from tirerack. They double-box them and they even ship the same day you order. Very good prices too.

keynote22

https://www.rx7club.com/forum/showth...light=bilstein

my .02.

Cheaper and much better than R1/R2 set. A friend has the same springs and the R1/R2 shocks....handles much worse and the ride is the same.


I have koni non adjustable w/racing beat progressive springs on my 1st gen and I am very happy with them.

speeddemon7

what do you mean by double boxing them rynberg?
I checked their prices.Theyre selling them for 142 a piece.Found a full set on ebay for $470.Not bad ehh.Ill keep shopping around and see what I can find.Thanx for the additional help keynote22.

speeddemon7

Ohh yeah I also saw some kyb shocks on the tire rack.Damn ,way cheaper.Why I wonder?Are they crappier shocks or what? I may go with the kyb's because of price.If they have a lifetime warranty.Although I do like the adjustability feature of the koni's.Maybe you guys can help me on this one.I mean if the Koni's are hands down much better then ill get em.

rynberg

Well, of course they are made more cheaply than the Konis and they don't have a lifetime warranty either. Koni makes a very high quality street shock and, if you ever decide to auto-x/track the car, you will appreciate the ability to make the shocks stiffer.

I would watch who you are buying them from off of ebay. Sometimes it's worth it to pay a little more to deal with a reputable vendor. Tirerack boxes the konis in an additional shipping box to keep them together and provide more shipping protection = double boxing.

speeddemon7

well its settled then.Koni's are the ones for me for many reasons.Lifetime warranty being one of them,adjustability and a better shock.Cant beat that.
And yeah ill probably just pic them up from the tirerack.
Thanx for all your help rynberg.
Now if could find a wiring harness for a 93 at touring id be set.The connector for the idle speed solenoid broke.And im also worried about one of the ignition coil wires working intermittently.
Man I have a long way to go before my baby is in really good shape.Still have to put my blitz injectors in.Im going to change the fuel pulsation dampner as well since im getting a fuel smell after shutdown as well as hard throttle.

alberto_mg

while you are doing the shocks, buy the "pillow *****" aka upper shock mounts and spring pads from malloy mazda. the new rubber parts help quiet down the suspension and they are probably shot anyway on your car.

As far as springs with the stock ride height, try getting PFS springs. They only lower 3/4". I have them on my car and it is not dumped anywhere near as much as other guys running H&R and Eibachs. Those springs lower the car a little too much for my needs.

Hope that helps. Doing the springs and the shock tower mounts front and rear with new spring pads made a nice difference on my car.