vancouver_reign

Well this goes out to all the veterans here. I have totally stock suspension thus far on my FD. After 13 years it has no life left in it. So I have been doing a lot of research as to the right setup for my needs. My primary concern is to have a setup that is good for road-racing. I have just started hitting the track but I want a package that I can grow into. Not something in a year I need to upgrade. I thought if anybody had some advice it would be appreciated.

Please keep in mind I would love some tire sizing and offset recommendations as well. I would like to run 18's (although 17's are lighter, 18's just look so nice on the FD). Also I prefer to go with a coilover system. As long as I can see the value in the setup I don't mind spending a few extra bucks.

Thanks all.

---VR

Efini_7

iTrader: (1)

If you want to search through some of my posts you'll come across some where i recommend my D2 coilovers that i just installed a few months ago. To me they're the perfect road/track combo. Another coilover i would recommend is the Tein Flex, but they're not as good for racing with the twin tube construction as the aluminum monotube D2s. If you're interested i might be able to get you a good deal on them. Normally they're $1600/set for the FD, but i can get them for closer to $1100 brand new in box from a local dealer i have connections with. PM me if you'd be interested.

You might get flamed for asking about tire stuff as there's a whole buttload of info on the board if you just search for it. Personally i'm going to (eventually) upgrade to 17" wheels because of the lighter weight and increased sidewall helps smooth out street driving compared to the 18's. I'd get either 17x9" or 18x9" wheels with 43-50mm offset and 245/40-17 (or 245/35-18's) up front and 275/40-17's (or 275/35-18's) in the rear. But seriously, do some searching as this is one of the most discussed topics on this sub-forum.

Good luck.

vancouver_reign

Thanks for the help Efini. I'll look into the setups you've recommended. If I decide to go with those coilovers I will defintiely appreciate the hook-up. Yeah the reason why I brought up the tires was because a lot of ppl have said certain sizes work especially well with certain coilovers. I guess I should have clarified a bit. Thanks again for suggestions.

---VR

vancouver_reign

I'm still open to other ppl's suggestions. If there are guys out there that race but still drive their cars on the street point me in the right direction.

Mahjik

iTrader: (1)

I personally wouldn't go with the front and rear +3 size difference. I would do a +2 size difference (so 245's up front, 265's in the rear). If you don't mind rolling your fenders, you'll be able to do 255's up front but I would stay with 245's. Another option would be to do 255's all around if you want to rotate tires.

The coilovers Efini_7 mentioned would be a steal at $1100. However, I would still suggest something a little less drastic like Koni Shocks and some RSR Race Springs. While the coilovers (properly setup) will allow you to push the car harder on the track, it also reduces the warning/feedback from the car. While it's a pain to redo your components every few years, IMO it's better to start out a little slower.

Better to spend the "time" to upgrade than to "grow" into something that may put you into a wall before you get to grow.

https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...0&postcount=32

vancouver_reign

Hmmm...that is a good point. I had concerns regarding feedback from any new setup. Plus I would like to be able to really get to know the characteristics of the car on the track. Perhaps I may have to reconsider my approach. Is there any coilover you would recommend if I do insist going this way Mahjik ?

---VR

Efini_7

iTrader: (1)

On that note, i really enjoyed my PFS spring/Tokico adjustable shock combo for my first few times on the track. They handled very well and had enough roll to let me know when the car was taking a set and how much further i could push it. If you have never tracked a car or FD before than i would second the suggestion of a good spring/adjustable shock combo like Mahjik said.

Honestly, i had no plans on changing my suspension setup for my track events, but came across this deal on D2's and didn't know how much longer i'd be able to do it so i jumped at the chance. (Wow...run on sentence. Nice.) If you're determined to go with a coilover setup then get something with a spring rate of no higher than 9kg front, 7kg rear. Any tighter and you start to get go-kartish, handling becomes a bit trickier and you'll run into exactly what Mahjik is talking about. Most coilovers setups come with much stiffer spring rates, since they assume you really want to get the absolute most out of your car. That would be my only hesitation. Doesn't really seem to be what you're looking for right now.

Also what Mahjik said about not going so large in the rear as compared to the front is also correct...normally. This setup would give you increased understeer...which is bad to an extent. The only reason i'd be going so wide in the rear is so i could plant the rear end a bit better and roll on the power a bit more when exiting turns. Unless you're running well over 300 hp at the wheel you won't need 275s in the rear.

vancouver_reign

Well I think once the car is dynoed my car will be in the ballpark of 350-400rwhp. So the wider tires may be needed. Also after reading a whole bunch of threads by Howard Coleman and others I am now leaning towards the Tein Flex setup. They seem to offer the best combination of spring rates, adjustability and affordability. I haven't really read consistently good reviews about any other coilovers for street/track use.

If I am doing my suspension what other things should I replace/upgrade on the suspension (eg.trailing arms, toe links...etc) ? Keeping in mind this is the original FD suspension with no mods thus far.

Thanks again.
---VR

fastrx7r1-rotary

check to make sure the rear suspension bushings aka pillowballs are good. stock or mazda motorsports is fine. go to the archives section of the 3rd gen section for info about replacing pillowballs or search on threads - clunk is a good term to use.

howard and many others recommend a stiffer bushing in the stock trailing arms or an aftermarket unit such as rotary extreme's. a few knowledgeable people suggest keeping the stock toe links with new bushings b/c they'll last longer.

pettit has some good urethane diff bushings. stiffer there is good too.

fwiw, i'm running 17x9 +45 offset with 255/40 kumho mx. no rubbing at all.

good luck.