two79rx7's

as the title says:
struts/shocks for 79 rx7 with original suspension - recommendations?

One 79 will be bone stock accept for a header and other exhaust for obvious reasons. So stock springs and shocks. Its just going to be an original car, not lowered.
Currently this car has RB springs that hopefully are in good shape and bilstein shocks that need rebuilding.
I will take these off and put them on the car below. In its place the original mazda springs that were used for only one year go back on.
the question: recommendation for 79 struts/shocks for stock replacement.


The other 79 currently has a 74 13B second stage streetport engine with dellorto carb and RB intake maniford, RB full road race header and exhaust, FMOC, electric fan. MSD6al and 2nd gen leading coil.
if the RB springs are still good from above they will go here as well as the rebuilt bilsteins all around. I understand they dont make bilsteins anymore for the 79.
the question: if I decide not to use the bilsteins, anybody have a strut/shock recommendation for the 79 using the original strut towers and rear housing?
car will be used mostly on the back roads as well as highway. Not interested in bone cracking firmness. ( I run illumina's in an 85 used now as a DD and keep them mostly at 5 with lowering springs but often enough I will set them at 2 or 1 on some smooth back road twisties and 90 deg. S's )

third question:
looks like the front tokico illumina's are for 81 - 85 only
maybe I should do a whole suspension swap for this second 79 to broaden the choices?

I am in the middle of doing a search

Rogue_Wulff

For stock springs, on a 79, I'd say use the KYB GR2 shocks/struts. They still offer the fronts to fit the 79-80 housings. They also have a very good ride quality.
If the ride quality is what you are after, the KYB units are a great choice. They're also much less than the tokico hps.

two79rx7's

Rogue_Wulff
thanks that sounds about right for an all stock 79 project as long as they will last a long time and not suffer "early changes".

Other than putting the rebuilt bilsteins on the other 79. what other shocks or struts would be a good choice or is there any choice other tan upgrading suspension to later years?

kgray

I had so much trouble trying to find some that i swapped to S3 front spindles. Good luck with your search. I have some NOS Koni Reds in the garage that i have no use for. They were the only option at the time.

two79rx7's

see below

two79rx7's

thanks Kgray...

points my sail in the direction of a suspension swap. had that feeling

glad I have the bilsteins, with RB springs it is a very firm ride but puts the car on rails.

anybody with some magic in regards to avoiding the swap?

Rogue_Wulff

The KYB's are the only readily available inserts I am aware of for the 79-80 strut housings. The housings can be modified to accept the 81-85 inserts.

two79rx7's

What kind of modification,

I might want to keep the original struts original rather than cutting them up if it is severe.

Jeezus

iTrader: (4)

There was a place that still had either Koni or KYG adjustable shocks for like 30$. Cheap because they sat around in their warehouse for a while and may need a rebuild. Not sure if you want those or not, but I will search right quick and see if I can find the link...

two79rx7's

thanks much

branca

iTrader: (1)

i have an unused pair of Bilstein P30-0161 struts in their original box for the 79 & 80 SA.

PM if interested

7SpringsMisfit

for all 4 corners?

branca

iTrader: (1)

front struts only

two79rx7's

I already have the choice of bilsteins for all 4 corners matched
thanks for the offer anyway

I was just exploring for other avenues

for anybody interested is using bilsteins see my post after Kgray

thanks for all who offered any input or comment