Rx-2 suspension modifications?

Whizbang · 04-23-2013, 01:31 PM

So has gone above and beyond and started playing with modifications to the Rx-2 to get it handling to at least 1980s standards?

Looking for what may have already been done for inspiration. Have some ideas im going to look into this week. measurements etc.

sen2two · 05-09-2013, 06:01 PM

My 73 Rx2 has RE speed coil overs up front and out back. (using miata shocks in the rear)

And a 1st gen rear with ladder bar, Not just 80's, but late 80's tech! lol... It's good. But i have bigger plans. (I have also put GSL-SE front strut, hub, ect. on an old rx2. Requires a little adapter plate that mounts in between the SE strut and the Rx2 control arm. But it's really easy to make)

Front end plans:

I plan to mount the engine on an aluminum plate that fits from one side of the frame to the other. Then cut away the excess subframe leaving nothing but the suspension bits bolted to the frame. Then remove all that, take some measurements and make some tubular control arms and mounts that will be welded to the frame. doing away with the front sway bar as well. Then use a VW or similar rack and pinion steering that will mount behind the engine. Sounds weird, but all in all pretty basic if you have decent fabricating skills. Imagine the front end weight loss as well. Which is my motivation.

The rear will just get a cut down and built GSL-SE rear with an updated adjustable 4-link and ladder bar set up with qa1 coilovers set just inside the frame mounts. Similar to a drag car but not so aggressive where I would lose drivability.

Want to share your ideas...?

chibikougan · 05-10-2013, 02:29 AM

I think I am going this route for coilovers. I was thinking of putting spherical bearings in the 4 link. Thing I am at a loss for is rear diff and brakes. Although I have a set of rebuilt TII calipers I could use.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/3008457...Types&var=sbar

mattallac · 05-10-2013, 04:49 PM

My front suspension on my 2 is on and it sits to high (2 1/2 in to high), I have front 82 rx7 struts , coil overs and re speed ( garbage ) camber plates witch I am going to have to re design and 275 lb springs ( because I have a 13b turbo car ) . does anyone know of a shorter front strut ? I am using re speed tubular control arms with miata ball joints and I am pretty pleased with those .

Whizbang · 05-10-2013, 04:56 PM

what insert is in the front?

Whizbang · 05-10-2013, 05:01 PM

well right now i am eyeing up making something a little more.... oddball

My FB has an FC subframe since they are the same width for mounting. The rx7 has about 5 more inches of width between the inner unibody frame thats in the engine bay. So i am considering making brackets to mount and hold an FC subframe which grants me modernish suspension, brakes, steering, blah blah blah.

The rear... GSLSE axle since i have spares laying around, and if i want to run the 5 lug moser axles, if not, ill do the aaron cake 4 lug w/ 4 piston calipers adapter thingy. So with the front track width and the rear not being cut down, ill plan to run some aggressively sized over-flares.

mattallac · 05-10-2013, 11:24 PM

tokiko part # 1069 . I would like to find a shorter strut body and section my strut housings .The problem with coil overs is lots of people think they are ride height adjustment (like the guy i bought one of my rx2'2 from),I'm trying to find a good semi low ride height with 2mm pre-load on the spring .

sen2two · 05-11-2013, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whizbang

well right now i am eyeing up making something a little more.... oddball

My FB has an FC subframe since they are the same width for mounting. The rx7 has about 5 more inches of width between the inner unibody frame thats in the engine bay. So i am considering making brackets to mount and hold an FC subframe which grants me modernish suspension, brakes, steering, blah blah blah.

The rear... GSLSE axle since i have spares laying around, and if i want to run the 5 lug moser axles, if not, ill do the aaron cake 4 lug w/ 4 piston calipers adapter thingy. So with the front track width and the rear not being cut down, ill plan to run some aggressively sized over-flares.

I was planning something similar at first. But I was going to cut the extra width out of the FC subframe and re weld it back together. But without building a jig, it would be near impossible to get it back strait again.

One major thing that really pushed me off the FC subframe is the strut height. Your car would be slammed even on stock height springs. Put the Rx2, SE, and FC suspension next to eachother and you will see how much shorter the FC stuff is. I even put together the stock Rx2 strut top, SE springs, and FC strut. Goes together with little modification.

Whizbang · 05-27-2013, 11:35 AM

what modification was that? is there a spring top piece from the SE that i need?

04-23-2013, 01:31 PM	#1
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	Rx-2 suspension modifications? So has gone above and beyond and started playing with modifications to the Rx-2 to get it handling to at least 1980s standards? Looking for what may have already been done for inspiration. Have some ideas im going to look into this week. measurements etc. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

05-09-2013, 06:01 PM	#2
sen2two KTEC Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 642 Rep Power: 0	My 73 Rx2 has RE speed coil overs up front and out back. (using miata shocks in the rear) And a 1st gen rear with ladder bar, Not just 80's, but late 80's tech! lol... It's good. But i have bigger plans. (I have also put GSL-SE front strut, hub, ect. on an old rx2. Requires a little adapter plate that mounts in between the SE strut and the Rx2 control arm. But it's really easy to make) Front end plans: I plan to mount the engine on an aluminum plate that fits from one side of the frame to the other. Then cut away the excess subframe leaving nothing but the suspension bits bolted to the frame. Then remove all that, take some measurements and make some tubular control arms and mounts that will be welded to the frame. doing away with the front sway bar as well. Then use a VW or similar rack and pinion steering that will mount behind the engine. Sounds weird, but all in all pretty basic if you have decent fabricating skills. Imagine the front end weight loss as well. Which is my motivation. The rear will just get a cut down and built GSL-SE rear with an updated adjustable 4-link and ladder bar set up with qa1 coilovers set just inside the frame mounts. Similar to a drag car but not so aggressive where I would lose drivability. Want to share your ideas...? __________________ what I have: 1985 Gs:12a All motor Drag car - 1973 Rx2: Play car What I had: 93 Touring: TRADED - 91 Coupe: TRADED - 90 GTU: RHD - 88 10AE: SOLD - 87 Base: SOLD - 86 Base: SOLD - 1985 GSLSE - 85 Gsl: SOLD - 80 Gs: TRADED - 1972 Rx2 Last edited by sen2two; 05-09-2013 at 06:05 PM.

05-10-2013, 04:56 PM	#5
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	what insert is in the front? __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

05-10-2013, 05:01 PM	#6
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	well right now i am eyeing up making something a little more.... oddball My FB has an FC subframe since they are the same width for mounting. The rx7 has about 5 more inches of width between the inner unibody frame thats in the engine bay. So i am considering making brackets to mount and hold an FC subframe which grants me modernish suspension, brakes, steering, blah blah blah. The rear... GSLSE axle since i have spares laying around, and if i want to run the 5 lug moser axles, if not, ill do the aaron cake 4 lug w/ 4 piston calipers adapter thingy. So with the front track width and the rear not being cut down, ill plan to run some aggressively sized over-flares. __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

05-27-2013, 11:35 AM	#9
Whizbang Respecognize! Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Δx = ħ/2Δp Posts: 3,190 Rep Power: 21	what modification was that? is there a spring top piece from the SE that i need? __________________ For current updates and event coverage check out Follow on Twitter! @WhizbangRally Whizbang Rally's Webpage \| Facebook

05-10-2013, 04:49 PM	#4
mattallac Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: crockett ca. Posts: 176 Rep Power: 0	My front suspension on my 2 is on and it sits to high (2 1/2 in to high), I have front 82 rx7 struts , coil overs and re speed ( garbage ) camber plates witch I am going to have to re design and 275 lb springs ( because I have a 13b turbo car ) . does anyone know of a shorter front strut ? I am using re speed tubular control arms with miata ball joints and I am pretty pleased with those .

05-10-2013, 11:24 PM	#7
mattallac Rotary Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: crockett ca. Posts: 176 Rep Power: 0	tokiko part # 1069 . I would like to find a shorter strut body and section my strut housings .The problem with coil overs is lots of people think they are ride height adjustment (like the guy i bought one of my rx2'2 from),I'm trying to find a good semi low ride height with 2mm pre-load on the spring .