i recently bought an 1982 rx7 FB, I want to convert it to 5 lugs. I have read around and looked through so many forum threads and have heard a lot of methods. For the front is swapping to an FC hubs and manufacturering the parts to mount it properly and then swapping the rear axle entirely for the rear. Is this really the best way and if so has anyone done it and can share what parts are needed to make for the FC hubs and or rear axles. All the links on the other forums don’t actually lead anywhere

 

There’s several ways to do it. For the front, I have 4 lug FC hubs on the factory gslse spindle. I have them installed using the old RE Speed conversion kit which includes a new caliper bracket and a bearing spacer that you have to install on the spindle. The process would be the same for FC 5 lug. I have also seen people use Mazda 3 ball joints pressed into the factory control arm to install a whole FC spindle and front strut. This seems pretty easy, but I seem to remember the geometry is all wrong..

For the rear, you could have the axles re drilled, if you have a gslse rear end. You would still need caliper adapters to use the FC parts. Or you could swap to a whole new rear end like a ford 8.8 or other.

 

The 1979-1983 is small spindle front and small axel rear.

I have a brand new never used front conversion kit but it requires the 1984-1985 big bearing front spindle

However, you have a 1983 and it would require replacing your front struct tube/spindles.

For the rear, you would either need custom axels for a small axel rear end.

I used to make the front BBK kit to go 5 lug. I'd sell it for $275 shipped to your door.

 

275 would be a bargain!!!!

I drew all mine in CAD and had a machine shop cut them. That just the plates the spindle adapters, rear axle retainers....then you gotta but all the brakes from a later model, strut tubes, shocks etc etc.....

I have seen some pretty potent 1st gens still running 4 lug. Noth sure I would throw that money at it again. In the end I should have restored to OEM.....although it is a bad ****, it would be worth more and been the cheaper option.