RX-7 Kit - more info please

[Saru]

Hi,

My 82 RX-7, while being in quite good condition, is a bit sad suspension-wise, particular as I am quite sure the seemingly stock parts that are in there now have not been replaced or upgraded for at least 12 years.

I'm looking for up upgrade that will make the car "handle better" without sacrificing too much in the way of ride or weighting up the steering too much. I've read the "Real Handling For Your RX7" article and that seems to contain a good description of the basic flaws in my car's handling and a good indication of what can be done to improve it.

Specifically, I am looking to improve the handling so that the car is more suitable for occaisional circuit work, motorkhanas and similar.

I have some questions on the Whiteline "works" kit for 1st gen RX-7s.[list=a]
How do the springs in the kit compare to those offered by, for example, King Springs, particularly with regard to rate? I have driven and been driven in a number of modified 1st gen '7s and found them to usually feel too stiff (is skatey a good description) in the rear.
How do the dampers in the kit compare to "common" upgrades such as Koni reds, basic KYBs etc?
In the suspension spec sheet (CK_RX7_SerI.PDF (http://www.whiteline.com.au/docs/fact_sheets/CK_RX7_SerI.PDF)) it seems to indicate that the front ride height is 325 (mm?) and the rear is 335 but in the "Real handling" article it mentions 330 front and 320 rear. Am I reading the spec sheet wrong? In any case I am not interested in the "cosmetic" aspect of lowering the car.
[/list=a]

thanks,

Ben

[Case]

Hi there Ben,

Thankyou for your interest in Whiteline products.

In response to your queries:

a) When used inconjuction with our reccommended shock abosrbers, our products maintain a great deal of the ride quality of the vehicle and avoid the "Skatey" feel of overtly, over-stiff springs.

b) These adjustable dampers have been researched and enhanced to better suit the needs of the rx7 driver, we beleive the quality is comparable to other brands and the outcome is superior.

c) The accuracy of the spec sheet is something we can control, of external publications, we cannot. Thus the whiteline document is correct. These are however baseline figures, some variance may occur between fitments.


Please let me know if you require any further information,

Regards,

Case

[Saru]

Thanks Case.

Originally posted by Case
b) These adjustable dampers have been researched and enhanced to better suit the needs of the rx7 driver, we beleive the quality is comparable to other brands and the outcome is superior.


How are the dampers adjustable? Basically, are the adjustable on the car? Wheels off the ground? Off the car?

c) The accuracy of the spec sheet is something we can control, of external publications, we cannot. Thus the whiteline document is correct. These are however baseline figures, some variance may occur between fitments.

Variation - sure.

So, are you saying that the springs give the car a 10mm higher ride height at the back? I was under the impression (from the article) that 10mm higher at the front was the intended result.

[Case]

Hi there Ben,

Thankyou for your reply.

In response to your queries.

1) The shock are off-car rebound adjustable.

2) I have consulted our engineering department to check the ride height discrepancy between the article and fact sheet, and will let you know when I have confirmation.

Regards

Case

[Case]

Hi there Ben,

Just letting you you the current specs for the RX7 ride height are:

Front - 326mm, Rear - 350mm (measured from the centre of the wheel to the guard.
Remember that all specifications quoted are approximations only, as we need to have room for error in the spring manufacturing.


Regards,

Case

[Saru]

Thanks again, Case.

326 front and 350 rear is a pretty big difference, near enough to an inch, and seems to negate the statement in the article (that I have also heard elsewhere, independant of Whiteline) that the rear of the car needs to be lower than the front to correctly align the roll centres. Is that old thinking?

[Case]

Hi there Ben,

Here is the response to your query from our technical team:

At these ride heights the sill of the guard sits perfectly level & that is what we were aiming to achieve. The front and rear guards of these vehicles are totally different size & shape, thus being the reason why there is such a big difference between the wheel to guard measurements. If we were to raise the front any further we would have the guys complaining about the height, and if we were to lower rhe rear any more we may come across issues with the watts linkage.

I hope this explains our point of view a little better.

Regards,

Case

[Saru]

Ok. Thanks.

Moving away from ride height now, are you able to tell me what rate the front and rear springs are in the kit?

[Case]

Hi there Ben,

If you would like information about the spring rates, please feel free to email me at,

case@whiteline.com.au

Regards

Case Sinclair