85 GS - Extended Lug bolts vs Studs, options
 

Hey guys - my 85 project is finally back on all 4 wheels and sorta-kinda moving under its own power again after 5+ years of resto work. That said, I have a set of old BBS 15's that I'd like to put on, but the thickness of the centers requires some additional length lugs.

For those who've dealt with this before, can you recommend a set, or conversely, is it worth switching to studs w/lug nuts? I've never converted a car to studs before, pretty clueless as to what to buy. I'm fairly certain the current lug bolts are 12mm, 1.5 thread pitch.

Thanks in advance -
Chris

Here is what i have come to understand about 84-85 :
"You're Screwed!" haha

You can screw in
from one to four 2.25" long studs that Fit 79-85 12A. I'm assuming that these 2.25" studs are the correct 12mm X 1.5 pitch thread. The stud threads in like the lug and then loctite 1..2..3?

I purchased some lug locks crossing my fingers that they work:
McGard 27204 cone seat lug locks. If these lug bolt locks don't work I will put a stud in a get regular lug locks like the rest of the world!

I chose the McGard 27204 because the overall length of the lug lock is slightly greater as well as the shank or thread what slight.

Any ideas???

first picture is of gorilla automotive the others McGard, Mazdatrix

stud made to 2.25'' from mazdatrix

Thanks for bumping, after some research I found that Andy's has lugs in the right size/pitch at a number of different lengths (http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/.../lug_nuts/h&r/)

They've also got H&R studs (http://www.andysautosport.com/mazda/...eel_studs/h&r/)

I may just bite the bullet and pay a few extra $ for bolts and not worry about installing the studs. Will post results.

The McGard lug locks worked perfectly! If anyone wants to retain the original lug bolt set up with the original GSL rims The McGard 27204 work flawlessly. If you are considering opting in to keeping the bolts. My only concern would be the toleration of.substantially longer bolts . Also the lug pattern either the wife or narrow four may be vulnerable. I'd rearch for horror stories regarding longer bolts and see if its a common problem in any application.
Any time glad I could contribute in a meaningful way! And thanks for mentioning Andy's Auto I was searching for car alarm systems and they popped up and provided the Rx7 filter to search for compatible parts. It was a bit to awesome to appear legit! But I guess if you goto Andys then they must be real! Thanks!

Sounds interesting. So will these work with '83 LE wheels?

Thanks
Ray

Sorry but I find lug bolts a total pain the ass to deal with. I can't believe Audi and BMW still use them.

I/We have used studs in place of the OE bolts on all of our FB race cars for years. We install them with Red Loc-tite at about 20-30 ft lbs. Never had any issues with them coming loose. Never.

Keep in mind that on a race car we were changing wheels 2-3 times a weekend and getting the brakes hotter than you ever do on a street car.

Here are the studs I was using;

Bildon Motorsport - Product Details

I was using the 75mm studs - the hex hole in the nose made installing them a breeze.

Here are the nuts I am using now:

M12x1.5 - Conical, Hardened Steel Racing Lug Nuts

They have a 17mm hex and that make using them with aftermarket rules very easy. They also sell nuts with a 19mm hex.

Good info, the hex head definitely seems like it makes things easier, and I'm glad to hear you've had no issues. Maybe I'll go this route after all.

I used them for twenty years with nary a problem.

i've used the 75 mm studs also...and used muteki open end lugs nuts with bull locks-great lock, no two sets a like....until i lost a lug nut...switched to muteki sr35 closed end, never a problem...