KYB 363003 Excel-G Front Strut Cartridge 1979-1980 Mazda RX-7 SA22C Sold Each

Vehicle Fitment

• 1979-1980 Mazda RX-7 S Coupe (SA22C, 12A 1.1L Twin-Rotor Wankel, RWD) - Front, Left or Right
• 1979-1980 Mazda RX-7 GS Coupe (SA22C, 12A 1.1L Twin-Rotor Wankel, RWD) - Front, Left or Right

Fitment Notes

• Sold individually - two strut cartridges are required for a complete front axle replacement. Order two units for a full front installation.
• Position: Front - fits both left and right sides (same part number for both sides).
• This is a strut cartridge (insert), NOT a complete strut assembly. The cartridge is installed into the existing OEM MacPherson strut housing, which is retained and reused. The original strut tube must be in sound condition for this cartridge to install correctly.
• Fitment is specific to the first-generation SA22C Mazda RX-7 (1979-1980 model years). The 1981-1985 first-generation RX-7 uses a different chassis designation (FB) and a different strut cartridge - KYB part number 363010. Do not use 363003 for 1981-1985 applications.
• Covers both the S and GS trim levels of the 1979-1980 SA22C. No trim exclusions apply within the SA22C year range.
• Special strut cartridge tools and a vice may be required for installation. Professional installation is recommended for cartridge-style strut service.

Features

• OEA (Original Equipment for the Aftermarket) classification - built on the same KYB production lines with the same components and processes used to manufacture KYB's global OEM strut cartridges, calibrated specifically to restore the SA22C RX-7's original front suspension performance.
• Vehicle-specific, hand-assembled damping valves - calibrated precisely to the SA22C's front MacPherson strut geometry to manage tire contact, steering response, and body movement as originally engineered by Mazda.
• Nitrogen gas-charged twin-tube design - provides consistent damping throughout the full stroke range, eliminating the oil aeration and fade associated with conventional non-gas cartridges.
• Patented check valve minimizes fluid foaming and aeration to maintain consistent damping performance even under sustained or repeated suspension inputs.
• Triple-lip synthetic fluid seal with integral wiper - multi-lip design keeps hydraulic fluid contained and road contaminants excluded for long service life within the strut housing.
• Triple chrome-plated piston rod - ultra-smooth surface finish reduces seal friction and wear for quiet, consistent operation over the service life of the cartridge.
• Seamless extruded steel inner cylinder - eliminates leak points inherent to seam-welded construction, maintaining consistent internal pressure and fluid containment.
• PTFE-banded piston - creates a positive, low-friction seal against the cylinder wall for precise, controlled damping throughout the stroke.
• Thickest and strongest cartridge body in the industry - designed to fit snugly within the strut housing while minimizing flex to maintain correct front suspension alignment geometry.
• Lifetime Limited Warranty to the original vehicle purchaser - covers defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle.

Specifications

• Part Number: 363003
• Series: Excel-G
• Type: Strut Cartridge (Insert) - Front
• Position: Front - fits both Left and Right sides
• Design: Nitrogen gas-charged, twin-tube
• Extended Length: 22.72"
• Piston Rod Finish: Triple chrome plated
• Inner Cylinder: Seamless extruded steel
• Piston: PTFE-banded
• Seal: Triple-lip synthetic fluid seal with wiper
• Quantity: Sold individually (2 required per vehicle)
• Platform: Mazda SA22C (First-Generation RX-7, 1979-1980)
• Engine: 12A 1.1L Twin-Rotor Wankel (Rotary)
• Drivetrain: RWD
• Warranty: Lifetime Limited Warranty to original purchaser

Included Components

• 1x KYB 363003 Excel-G Front Strut Cartridge (Insert)

Product Description

The KYB 363003 is a front Excel-G strut cartridge (insert) engineered as an OEM replacement for the 1979-1980 Mazda RX-7 SA22C - the first-generation first-gen rotary sports coupe in its S and GS trim levels. This is a strut cartridge, not a complete strut assembly: the 363003 is inserted into the existing OEM MacPherson strut housing, which is retained and reused. The original strut tube must be in sound, undamaged condition for this installation to proceed correctly, and the service requires cartridge-specific strut tools and press equipment - professional installation is strongly recommended for this style of repair. The 363003 is specific to the 1979-1980 SA22C chassis. The 1981-1985 RX-7 transitioned to the FB chassis with a revised front suspension specification and requires a different cartridge - KYB 363010 - and must not be serviced with this part.

KYB classifies the 363003 as OEA (Original Equipment for the Aftermarket), built on the same KYB production lines and calibrated to the same standards used for original equipment strut cartridges. The nitrogen gas-charged twin-tube design eliminates the oil aeration and damping fade inherent to conventional non-gas cartridges, providing consistent front suspension damping throughout the full stroke range. Vehicle-specific, hand-assembled damping valves are calibrated to the SA22C's front strut geometry to restore the precise tire contact management, steering response, and body control that Mazda engineered into the original platform. The triple chrome-plated piston rod, triple-lip synthetic fluid seal, and PTFE-banded piston all work together to minimize friction, seal leaks, and deliver reliable long-term performance within the existing strut housing.

Each 363003 is sold individually - two cartridges are required for a complete front replacement. Given the age of the SA22C platform (1979-1980), owners should inspect the strut housings, spring seats, and upper mounts for corrosion, cracking, or fatigue before proceeding with cartridge replacement, and replace any compromised housing components before installing new cartridges. The 363003 is covered by KYB's Lifetime Limited Warranty against defects in materials and workmanship for as long as the original purchaser owns the vehicle on which the cartridges are installed.