Can the Re-speed springs be installed without the adjustable perches? I need to replace the springs and shocks on my '82 GSL autocross project before the spring but I can't afford to do it all at once. I would like to replace the shocks and springs this year and get the adjustable perches and front sway bar next year.

No, the Re-Speed springs are the 2 1/2 inch springs and are flat on the bottom, the factory perches are "stepped" because the factory springs are not flat, so to use the 2 1/2 springs you will need the Re-Speed perches or at least some kind of perch the will provide a flat support.

If you don't switch to the Re-Speed perches and want to upgrade springs you will need to use some of the after market springs that have the same diameter and "shape" of the factory springs. Then if you upgrade later to the coil overs these will be useless.

My suggestion would be to keep the factory springs and shocks for now and upgrade the sway bars to begin with,

Then you can do the coilover kit later.

It's just my opinion, and there are people on the forum that know more than I, however I feel that you can accomplish alot with just the proper sway bars. You will not need the rear bar unless you intend to auto cross.

My 2 cents....

That's good to know about the spring bottoms, thanks!

The rear springs in the car now are sagging so bad that I bottom out going over moderate dips on the freeway. The front struts leaking pretty bad and I think the passenger side strut came apart at some point because it looks like it was welded back together. I'm sure if my current pieces weren't failing, a new sway bar would be the best first step. My plan is to get the Re-speed setup eventually, since everyone who buys it, loves it. I may have to get a temporary set of springs (Racing Beat or whatever) until I can afford the Re-speed parts since the suspension is so questionable right now. I was hoping to avoid that step, but oh well...

Thanks again for the input.

You might be able to find a set of used springs to get you by for now. But really, if at all possible, just save your money until you can get the rear perches. They make all the difference.

What are you plans for the car? Just weekend pleasure cruising, daily driver, weekend racer?

This is my autocross car. I'm going to keep my eyes on rx7club's classifieds to see if any used springs come up, but I plan racing the car this summer no matter what I have for springs. Since this will be my first year racing, I'm sure the car is faster than I am at this point anyway.

"I'm sure the car is faster than I am at this point anyway"

That is exactly the attitude that you'll need to have. When I started, I thought I already knew everything. Then I had to admit that I knew nothing, and get down to learning.

As far as the rear setup goes, new shocks may very well solve the bottoming out issues that you are having. Can you spring for Illumina shocks for the rear? That adjustability is really great, and the stiff settings could help your old springs even more, allowing you to delay replacing them.

And I see you already have plans for a Sterling carb. Great choice!

Not much I can add to the thread

One thing to note is that by just replacing the rear shocks you may find your current springs adequate to start with. New shocks do help with the sagging a bit.

-billy