Vert Suspension Setup: Advice Appreciated

[BigEasyVert]

Ok, so I'm shopping for a new suspension for my 90 Vert right now and I just wanted to ask a couple of questions and get everyone's opinion.

Has anyone tried the RB Vert Springs and Sway Bars? If so, what is your opinion of them?

Also, what about struts? Would Tokico Blues be alright if I went with the RB Springs/Sway Bars or would it behoove me to cough up more dough for some KYB AGX's? I don't have my heart set on any brand, so please throw some suggestions out there for me.

I don't drive my car on the track, and I enjoy it as a daily driver when I don't need to take my truck out. I guess I'm just trying to get the max performance possible without rolling out of the seat clinching my back after an hour or two of cruising around.

[djmtsu]

The RB set up with either Tokico or KYB's will be good. No point in spending $$$$ for a coilover set up when you don't need all the adjustments. I cannot vouch for Tokico's, but I can for the KYB AGX's. They offer a good ride at the lowest setting, and hard as a rock on most firm.

[BigEasyVert]

Thanks for the input DJ... a couple other questions that I forgot to add...

Do the RB sway bars really make that big of a difference over the vert sway bars (since the vert came with the same suspension as the T2) or should I just leave the stock sway bars on?

RB says their vert springs lower the car by 1/2" and Mazdatrix says that the RB vert springs lower the car by 1"... anyone actually measure their ride height before and after installing them?

Apparently I'm going to need to do some curb and speedbump height measurements at all of my local hangouts before putting these things on : or maybe I should just pick new places to frequent and enjoy the springs :)

[RETed]

Although my experience is with coupes, most of the info can be applied to the vert as well...

IME, the biggest change in suspension (performance) can be felt with the dampers.
Tokico HP's are the best entry-level stock OEM replacements if you're looking for a bump in performance.
Prices for a full set of Tokico HP's shipped should be at or under $300.
If you're looking for adjustability (really only for racing and overkill for a street car), the KYB AGX's are the ticket.
Prices for a full set of KYB AGX's shipped should be at or under $400.

Racing Beat does offer their vert-specific spring set, and it's just a slightly stiffer set than the regular coupe versions.
Unless you're a racer, I doubt you'd feel the difference.
I'm going to buck the trend and say you can use the coupe spring set on your vert if you wanted to.
I sold a set of Eibach Pro-Kit springs off of my '87 Turbo II to a guy who owned a vert that had no problems running them.

The chassis has a problem with (negative) camber problems in the rear when you lower the chassis excessively, thus spring drops are usually conservative.
You should only notice a subtle change in the ride height with these aftermarket springs.
Excessive drops over 1" cause induce negative camber in the rears, and be prepared to purchase and install a rear camber adjust bar or other options.

Stabilizer bars (or anti-sway bars) should be the last on the list.
The cars already run pretty stiff bars stock.
I'd recommend upper strut bars as more cost effective and easier to install.
Even though the bar diameters only vary maybe a few millimeters over stock, that's a huge increase in torsional ridgidity.



-Ted

[Phoenix7]

yes, the sways make a huge difference IMO. Worth the $ for me.

Remember that your suspension might be old and saggy so the new springs might LIFT your car a tad. If there are a lot of speed bumps then I'd look for Eibach springs (compromise between the two you posted).

[BigEasyVert]

As far as i know, Verts and TII's have the same suspension. The coupes were different. Although, I'm not sure what the exact differences are, maybe someone on the forums with more knowledge could explain them in more detail.


And Phoenix, did you put the sways on a coupe, or a TII or Vert?

[Phoenix7]

The RB sways went on my TII swapped GTUs.
My wife's NA has suspension techniques sways.

I used all the TII suspenion (I MEAN THE WHOLE THING) on my GTUs and have had no problems.

I really don't know why they differentiate between the three.

[WE3RX7]

The vert springs vs coupe springs are just as RedTED stated - stiffer. They were slightly taller and had a higher spring rate due to the increase weight of the vert.

We put vert springs on our '88 base model rally car to actually LIFT it a tad and to keep it steady on the rougher off-road like terrains. We were only allowed OE equipment for springs in our class and the vert springs helped a lot!

We also ran the vert springs with the KYB AGX shock absorber, but mainly because the stages would change from event to event ranging from gravel and dirt, to tarmac to sand... I think the AGX would be more than you need on the street, but if you're looking for a no-fuss, but better than OE absorber use the Tokico Blue.

[BigEasyVert]

Well, the car has tokico blues on it now. They were on it when I bought it and I just figured they were stock, guess I was wrong (that doesn't surprise me much though... just ask my "better" half :P). They've been on it a LONG time and are worn to hell and back.

So, if I buy the RB sways, springs, new Tokico Blues, new strut mounts, and Prothane bushings, do you think I'll get a good mix of Performance and Daily Drivability?

[Nopis1O]

i have an 88 vert with full d2 coilovers and i like them a lot. i have tracked the car and it does handle very well. you loose a little be of smoothness in the rest of the road though.

hope that helps a little.