My R1 suspension is getting old, in every sense of the word. Trying to explain to passengers that they are getting shaken to bits because I have the "special" R1 version of the car isn't very cool. However, I do go to the track now and then, so I'm not going to sell up and buy a cadillac.

How about the Tein Flex with EDFC? Is it practical to use this setup to give me a more "normal" ride when poodling around town, slightly firmer when going for a fun drive, and properly firm when at the track? I realize the EDFC isn't necessary, but it's also not very cool to have to mess with shocks manually when driving from town into the mountains.

Is it possible to do what I'm wanting with Tein flex + EDFC? Anyone doing this? Or am I being incredibly optimistic?

Does the EDFC make me remove the rear tower brace?

Thanks.

 

I tried the Tokico first with 550lbs front and 450 lbs rears. Hated it. Tried the Konis yellow single with 550F and 450R. Hated it so I reduced the spring rate to 350F and 225R. This was livable but the springs were too soft so the transition wasn't sharp. Picked up a set of used Tein Flex 550F and 450R. It was perfect at 4 clicks from softest. The only thing I didn't like about the Tein was the solid bushing. I wished I had saved the Mazda rubber bushing where the shock mounted to the body. Go for it, especially with the EDFC. there is another alternative from Pettit Racing but it's rather new though so not a lot of feedback yet.

 

Interesting. Thanks for the info. So the Teins were the same spring rate as the Tokico and Konis, which you didn't like...so it wasn't that 550/450 was too stiff for the street then? One thing that makes me nervous is that 550/450 is stiffer than stock, although people seem to say that Tein Flex's do indeed feel more compliant than stock at the softer shock settings. Does this sound right? Can shock settings compensate for stiffer springs without unbalancing things?

 

Anyone know if the EDFC requires removal of the rear strut brace?

 

tokicos definately arent valved for springs that high. koni yellows, possibly, but chances are you need them on full stiff to work right. if you had em anywhere near soft, that explains why you hated them.

yellows rock (when they're properly matched to the springs), and flex's are perty damn good as well

 

i have the flex coilovers with the edfc...it is very livable i think...i have it set to the same setting pomanferrari said 4 from the softest which on the edfc is 12....i think it is a good move for the street...as for if it requires removal of the rear strut: i dont kno, the shop had installed it for me...

 

Cool. Thanks for the info. Guess I'll order the Teins, see how they work. Get the EDFC if I like 'em.

 

The spring rates on the factory Rx7 where all the same (base, touring, and r1). It was the shockes themselves that were different.

 

Just posting some feedback to close the loop...

I put the Teins on yesterday. They do a good job. On setting 4 (16 being the hardest) the car *almost* feels like a regular car. In other words, there's alot less "Ka-chunk" when I hit a pothole or something. Fewer shakes and rattles. Doesn't give up much in the mountains actually either. I might even forgo the EDFC since I imagine I'll only change the settings if I go to the track again.

Setting 12 feels pretty close to stock R1, but I *think* I can still feel the increase in spring stiffness. Difficult to tell though without a proper A/B test.

Overall, I'm glad I did this replacement. The car feels more compliant without getting all mushy. I could probably have saved some money though if I didn't care about the option to use EDFC later.

Thanks for all the input.