ZX2 Struts

LookIng for any kind of high performance strut for my son's new to him 98 ZX2. Any ideas will be considered

If still availabe, you want the S/R struts.

whenry wrote: If still availabe, you want the S/R struts.

Apparently they're NLA new. If you could find an NOS set, they were cheap when they were new.

In reply to psteav:

S/R struts are about as rare as unicorns. I cannot find HP struts for Mazda 323/Protege (which would work). Coilover kits I have found do not include shocks. I thought things got bad for Neons (glad I have my Konis), but Escort parts have vanished.

KSport and BC make coilovers; KSport makes a 'regular' coilover and a race-duty RR series.

The best street setup is to use Koni "red" inserts for a Mazda MX3. You can have them converted to 'yellows' if you need more.

http://www.grounddynamics.com/product-p/86-2442.htm

Anything for a Protege/MX3/EGT will work on a ZX2...perhaps with slight adjustments/modificaitions.

I understand that Probe stuff can be made to work as well.

In reply to FSP_ZX2:

Funny, I checked Koni's site and they don't list an insert for the MX3

In reply to FSP_ZX2:

Thanks for the link. I believe I need the Mazda Strut mounts/bearings due to the ZX2/Escort struts having a thicker shaft, no?

Not sure. Wouldn't be a bad idea to make all of that new anyway.

In reply to FSP_ZX2: I agree. Just was wondering.

Koni should have some 8610 or 8611 inserts that should work too...

Normal ZX2 struts are normal sized.

S/R struts have oversized shafts.

In reply to PHeller:

I knew there was something up with the ZX2 struts. I was never a Ford guy and it is a long time since I discussed Escorts and such. Just ran compression on my son's engine and got (from 1 to 4) 180 PSI, 182 PSI, 190 PSI and 178 PSI. I would say not too bad for a 134,000 mile engine.

What I am wondering is: If the MX3 struts fit the ZX2 and Escorts of a similar vintage, why does Tokico list struts for Escorts up to 96 and not later? Is there a mod to the mount, knuckle, etc necessary? From every source I have read, the answer is no. It seems if that they were a dirct swap, manufacturers would be keen to mention that. Things that make you say: hmm?

All of the BG stuff works. You might need a shim (washer) here or there because the clevis widths are slightly different.

As I recall, I think the BJ chassis stuff works too--with slight modification.

Moparman wrote: What I am wondering is: If the MX3 struts fit the ZX2 and Escorts of a similar vintage, why does Tokico list struts for Escorts up to 96 and not later? Is there a mod to the mount, knuckle, etc necessary? From every source I have read, the answer is no. It seems if that they were a dirct swap, manufacturers would be keen to mention that. Things that make you say: hmm?

Well the cars LOOK way different.

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/mazda-bg-chassis-guys-suspension-questions-escort-/31727/page1/

Moparman wrote: What I am wondering is: If the MX3 struts fit the ZX2 and Escorts of a similar vintage, why does Tokico list struts for Escorts up to 96 and not later? Is there a mod to the mount, knuckle, etc necessary? From every source I have read, the answer is no. It seems if that they were a dirct swap, manufacturers would be keen to mention that. Things that make you say: hmm?

Maybe the valving is different.

FSP_ZX2 wrote: http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/mazda-bg-chassis-guys-suspension-questions-escort-/31727/page1/

Roofles!!!!

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: I've got 350/250 springs on the car, it's not an insane purpose-built car or anything.

He will probably go with tokico blues and run in HS. He is on a budget and does not have enough money to set it up for STC. We have some very fast Civic SI's in our region and he would have to run against me and my Neon in FSP. While a well-prepped ZX2 is a good match for a similarly prepped Gen I Neon, a toss up in my book, he doesnt have the budget. Since this is also his street car, having him run in HS with street tires is a good way to learn the car.

Thx for everyone's help

Once the new "stock" rules kick in, get a rear bar off of a Wagon or EGT--21mm. The "regular" Escorts up til 96 had 19mm hollow bars. Either will be a Big improvement over the 15mm piece of linguini that's on the ZX2 from the factory.

I already discussed that with my son. Last time I was at a local (and very large) pick and pull, there were quite a few Escort wagons in the yard. Thanks for the tip on the "regular Escorts" as a second choice. Right now I am having trouble convincing him that replacing tires and struts (worn, but not unsafe) should be done before slamming the car two inches on hi slimited budget. He wants to drop the car and worry about tires later. Kids!

P.S. I told him that dropping the car on all-season touring tires is not only foolish from a financial standpoint, it will put him in classes in which he will be hopelessly outclassed. In my region, a good set of ST tires and a decent pair of struts (even Tokico Blues) would make his car competitive as no HS car in my region is running R tires. If he really wants to kill the class, he can get a used set of 14 inch wheels as I can give him very usable used V710s. Last year for R tires in "stock."

"Blues" are not terrible...we ran them as the "spec" damper on SpecRX7...they even work well with "street" lowering springs.

I agree--the ZX2 is way outclassed in STC if you have good Civics in the region. I had Jason Frank here locally, as well as Pat Washburn. Our ZX2 was as full-on as you couldmake it, and we were lucky to get within 2 seconds of the top Civics (those guys et al) on a 60 second course. We could beat some "mortal" drivers in Civics...but that is about as good as it gets. In ST trim, the ZX2 can get down to 23XX, maybe high 22XX w/o Air--but out car is an S/R, and AC is a "standard part" by SCCAs definition. That said, you cannot give the Civics 200-300 pounds...and still have the tire/wheel restrictions of ST. That class is a "tire-to-wight" ratio class.

The Base (sometimes called Cool Package) ZX2s had 14x5.5 wheels and no AC (no foglites either). The cars with the 15's came with AC and had 15x6s...and had foglies and rear "skateboard" spoilers.

My son's car is a "hot" Sport. I think the car would BR a hoot against me in FSP. It should be in STF with the Focuses (Foci?). In HS it should be competitor, especially in my region. He doesn't, have the money to prep it beyond HS anyway and I helped him with a lot of money already.

I had Blues on my 85 RX7 I sold in 2011. It drove nicely on the street and handled well on course.

We'll find out soon if the FSP hypothesis is correct...our car was built (still being finished) as a full-on FSP car. Fresh motor, aluminum flywheel, LSD--the works...