Ok put up the suspension weekend, wow what a difference. Apparently all my old KYB GAB shocks on the right side of the car was GONE LOL.
Removed the old GAB shock and spring by removing the 2 17mm nuts and bolts on the brake hub, the clip holding the brake line and the 4 14mm nuts on the shock tower/shock head. Please note that the 22mm that holds to shock head to the shock polished rod needs to be slackened when it is STILL on the car. It needs the weight of the car to loosen this or off the car it will spin the polished rod and anybody will get frustrated, very frustrated.
Removed the old shock head and all rubbers. (will have to use back that)
notice the old GAB springs are shorter and thicker, it actually used to bounce around in the shock LOL. It's also a linear spring not a progressive like the Intrax.
Placed the spring in the shock, and if needed, used spring clamps to compress the springs so the shock head can go on. If the spring is short enough, you will not be requiring the spring clamps. In this case we did. Replaced in the same order we took it out. Please note all rubbers must placed back or it will result in a squeaky shock. (bare spring on bare shock)
OK. shock mounted, then return to the car as taken out. Remember again when the car is back on the ground to TIGHTEN that 22mm shock head nut!
Ok now the rear, this is actually the easiest thing EVER to do on a FC3S RX-7. Just remove the shock head plastic upholstery and see the shock head with the 2 14mm nuts holding the shock head to the car. The FC3S shock is held to the rear cradle though 1 17mm bolt run though an eye in the shock. Just loosen that and the 2 14mm top nuts and we are out!.
We did not even need the spring clamps for the back, it just slipped in, tightened back the shock head which I believe is a single 17mm nut on this one. Remember again to tighten when the car is back on the ground.
The dampening adjustment on the Illuminas is so precise, 1 being close to stock and 5 being as stiff as coilovers. The springs settled the car with good height with nice response and tension. Right now it's set on 3 all round, but when I align, will do some further fine tuning.