Hey guys, it's been a while scince my last post, been busy with other things i guess. Anyway I just replced my 1980 SA project with an 84 GSL-SE. I have just replaced almost all of the front suspension in the SA and I was wondering what I can re-use on the 84? Anything at all will help. Here is a few pics of the new car too.

 

Well, welcome back.

What's funny is that I sold off my own 80LS (SA) 2+ years ago when I moved, and kept the '84SE as my project car to continue rebuilding, so I did a very similar swap to what you're contemplating right now.

Suspension-wise, the SE front struts are different, as are the brake calipers, rotors, bearings, and axle shafts (on the uprights); so, none of those parts are usable on the SE. You can use the front trailing link bushings, lower control arms, brake cables, tie-rods, center link, and idle arm assembly on the SE, as these were not model specific. Front sway bar will be much larger on the SE, so don't bother swapping that.

The SE was 4-5 years more 'advanced' from the SA models, so most of what you get on the SE is worth keeping. I only mention the front suspension parts to help you decide if you want to cannabalize the SA for $$$ you might have spent getting the steering project done. The SE's have power steering, so few of those components will transfer easily.

If you changed the front strut tower mounts, those will NOT convert over to an SE, as the SE strut tops can turn - the SA's don't; they rely on the strut piston shaft to provide rotation. Wheels and tires obviously won't fit due to different bolt pattern and larger brakes on the SE.

I think you'll find that the SE is a much more capable car. I have only missed my SA a few times since I sold it to a fellow enthusiast - the SE has been the center of attention for years now. Good luck,

 

Thanks very much for the info, besides the front suspension parts that I have replaced is there anything else I may want to keep off of the SA or in everything on the SE better?

 

Not that I can think of. The cars are fundamentally the same, but the SE's are a step beyond the SA's, obviously. I wouldn't spend a lot of time stripping parts off of your SA - I ended up selling mine for $1 to a guy was interested in rebuilding it. While it was worth more than that, it was convenient, they came to pick it up (non-running), and I was fairly certain they'd actually get it back up and running someday.

Here's a pic from it's heyday;


And the 84SE that's been in my family since new off the lot;

Take care, and good luck with the new SE.

 

LongDuck, do you have any pics of the SE when it was new? what color was it originally?

 

What about my Racing Beat front and rear springs? Will these fit or no? Also what about the rear shocks? are they different too?

 

http://www.mazdatrix.com/h4579-85.htm

http://www.mazdatrix.com/h3.htm

 

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the springs will fit without any issues at all.

My 84SE was originally the beige color, with brown interior - the brown interior went well with BZ21-T 'Chrome Yellow Clearcoat' out of the Mazda catalog for 2004, so I kept it.

 

Thanks very much Doc, and Longduck for the info it is apprectiated.