vagen Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 I'm pretty happy with the power in my RX but the suspension leaves some to be desired. My plan is to take Numbchux Idea of Miata struts in the back and go a step further. I have a full set of Miata R package struts and a set of coil overs that will be going on my RX. The front struts will have to have a slight modification to fit (Lower mounting eye will have to go). I am hoping to add a larger rear sway bar for better turn in. Once the suspension is done I will turn my focus to the clutch which is slipping a bit in top gear at 11psi. after the clutch comes the fender flares and custom 13x7 wheels. that is my winter build plan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breeke Posted December 12, 2009 Share Posted December 12, 2009 That sound like a solid acheviable goal. Good luck, make sure you get some before, during, and after shots :-p -Caleb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 14, 2009 Author Share Posted December 14, 2009 the clutch just went to the top of the list I kind of toasted it yesterday at an autocross. It won't hold 3rd gear now so time for a new one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have miata struts rears are standard the fronts are modified to fit (mounting eyes removed) I expect to see the coil overs before Christmas and I will start the install when they arrive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 The coil overs have just arrived and I had to test fit. it looks like I will have to modify the top hats slightly but otherwise a great fit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uberoo Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 great idea but where where are you going to find WIDE 13" tires? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Also how are you attaching them at the tops on both and the bottom on the front? Whats the EA82 knuckle look like? I need to figure out a better set up than what i have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Beast I Drive Posted December 21, 2009 Share Posted December 21, 2009 Looks to me like he is only going to be using the clamp bolt on the knuckle to hold the bottom of the Miata struts in the front, and he has custom strut tops for the front that gave him some nice - camber and a little extra - caster. If it were me, I'd prolly try to weld a tab onto the struts like on the stock EA82 front struts. the rears, from what I read in Chux's threads are pretty much bolt-in with minor mods. EA82 front knuckles are almost identical in design to the EA81 knuckles. -Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 21, 2009 Author Share Posted December 21, 2009 the modification I need to do the the coil overs is. I need to open the center hole to fit over the pressed fit collar on the strut this will allow more bolt length to attach the strut to the car. or I need to pull that collar off the strut. I will look at that tomorrow. Once everything is sorted I will install these struts. I expect to see a 3 inch reduction in ride height with good bump travel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 If I can't get these fronts to fit (they are slightly larger diameter than the Suby struts) I will pick up a pair of Galant struts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 If it were me, I'd prolly try to weld a tab onto the struts like on the stock EA82 front struts. EA82 front knuckles are almost identical in design to the EA81 knuckles. -Bill Ok thats what i was thinking. I couldnt figure out how he was going to secure it other than the pinch bolt. I dont think i would weld on a strut ever. Thats compressed gas in there and if you heat it up enough with a welder it could explode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 the goal is to quell body roll and maximize grip This was at a recent Subaru only autocross notice the massive lean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 the goal is to quell body roll and maximize grip This was at a recent Subaru only autocross notice the massive lean. Looks like my 83 sedan except...better. I got a LONG way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 it doesn't look bad at speed but I think ...... yes lower will be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PoorManzImpreza Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Ok my 2 cents if you have the means please do yourself a favor and go 5 lug with Legacy/Impreza knuckles on the front it opens up a world of suspension options. Check out suberdave's GL-10 @ http://www.suberdave.com/subaru/Leone/index.htm for an example. Evan the stuff 'Chux was working on in his suspension thread was related to the back of the car as his car was 5 lugged. Whatever options you choose Good luck and happy Handling with your project. Kaz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 At some point I will do a 5 lug swap but not until I have at least 2 sets of 5 lug wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hatchsub Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 Ive considered 5 lug for my own car but i gotta say (a bit ashamed to admit this) but the main reason i dont is i love my Enkeis so much. By far my favorite 4x140 wheel. I like the way your RX looks with em! BTW what size and brand tire are you running? They look wider than 175/70/r13. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 22, 2009 Author Share Posted December 22, 2009 I run 205/60/13 toyo RA1's on track and BFG comp T/A's on the street in the same size. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted December 22, 2009 Share Posted December 22, 2009 I'm concerned about the strength of the miata shock being used as a strut . They're just not designed for that kind of force.....especially on a track. I hope it works out for you, but I won't be climbing in for a ride..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) I'm thinking it will not fit the knuckle more and more so I will hedge my bet and buy a pair of 1995 galant front struts. I am fairly confident the galant strut will fit the knuckle but I'm not sure about the damping. I guess we will see. Edited December 23, 2009 by vagen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazmataz Posted December 23, 2009 Share Posted December 23, 2009 (edited) just my 2 cents worth. sounds like a neat build. but, one thing you need to consider before even thinking about changing suspension (I.E. swapping suspension for 5-lug conversion) is whether that is allowed in the rules for the class your running in, of course this only applies if your concern with points and winning a championship. that kind of modification wouldn't be allowed in a stock or some cases even a street prepared or improved touring class (SCCA). I'm assuming you can run coil overs. looking at that picture tells me you use a bigger sway bar, not sure whats available for a subaru but you can always have some made. Again this is just my 2 cents. doesn't mean much but thought i would mention it and i'm not sure what group your autocrossing with either. my background: before i gave it up for due to life issues (divorce, kids and being single father of 2) mid 80's to mid 90's. i use to autocross and road race a datsun 510, been thinking about autocrossing my 61 austin mini though when its finished. Edited December 23, 2009 by chazmataz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 23, 2009 Author Share Posted December 23, 2009 As of the last autocross (when the photo was taken) I am still using stock RX swaybars. I will be changing them out for stiffer XT6 bars very soon. This car is running in a modified class so prettymuch anything goes. I don't want to go to 5 lug because I would end up with a higher ride height. The 5 lug struts are longer than the 4 lug ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 I finally was able to get the calipers around the stock struts and grrr .300 smaller than the miata struts looks like I'll be installing a set of Galant struts in the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Numbchux Posted December 24, 2009 Share Posted December 24, 2009 I don't want to go to 5 lug because I would end up with a higher ride height. The 5 lug struts are longer than the 4 lug ones. I had the control arms as close to level as I dared (roll-center starts getting pretty high), and never bottomed out the front struts (except that time I baja'd the snow bank while ice racing). AND, with a 5-lug swap, you could get a roll-center adjustment kit, so you'd have much better suspension geometry. Up to you, but I was 5-lugged for a couple years, and strut length was never the limiting factor when lowering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vagen Posted December 24, 2009 Author Share Posted December 24, 2009 I have 3 sets of 13 inch wheels all with different race tires on them and all in good condition. this is a big part of why I'm sticking with 4 lug. I am planning to go 5 lug at some point but 15 inch wheels in 5 lug are oddly hard to find in the style and offset I like. I have installed the rear struts and 450 lb/in springs. No more bottoming out on every little bump YAY! I'll take photos this weekend when I start in on the front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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