1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Can I use GSL-SE axles?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 2, 2018 | 11:24 PM
  #1  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Can I use GSL-SE axles?

Can I use GSL-SE axles, calipers and rotors to convert the rear over to 4x114.4 on my 85 GSL? I'm not worried about the front just the rear. The front is about to be all S13 4 lug stuff.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2018 | 12:09 AM
  #2  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
yes u can.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2018 | 05:21 AM
  #3  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 573
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Done many times. All big bearing disk brake housings are the same.
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2018 | 01:51 PM
  #4  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Thanks guys. Now I just need to find the stuff....lol
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 11:43 AM
  #5  
Whizbang's Avatar
Respecognize!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 72
From: Anchor Bay, CA
generally, you just find the whole axle since getting the axles, brakes, rotors, etc, you almost just need the whole axle anyway.... Then its a much easier affair.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 01:54 PM
  #6  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
Like I said in the previous thread, I find it enourmously easier to just redrill the non-SE axles.

But then again, I'm also the nut who's designing a floater conversion for the rear end, so.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 02:47 PM
  #7  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Originally Posted by Kenku
Like I said in the previous thread, I find it enourmously easier to just redrill the non-SE axles.

But then again, I'm also the nut who's designing a floater conversion for the rear end, so.
that would be easier but if I needed a brake rotor it would be a nightmare to find one or redrill it to work
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 04:31 PM
  #8  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 573
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
GSL-SE rear calipers are NLA from Mazda or rebuilders.

I do have a GSL-SE rear but it would take about $1250 to liberate it from me...
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 09:17 PM
  #9  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
Originally Posted by meifert
that would be easier but if I needed a brake rotor it would be a nightmare to find one or redrill it to work
Once you make a drill template, you can just redrill the 12A rotors and use the stock calipers - or at least I used to.
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2018 | 09:36 PM
  #10  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Originally Posted by peejay
gsl-se rear calipers are nla from mazda or rebuilders.

I do have a gsl-se rear but it would take about $1250 to liberate it from me...
nla?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 12:00 AM
  #11  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
No Longer Available
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 01:00 AM
  #12  
Whizbang's Avatar
Respecognize!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 72
From: Anchor Bay, CA
Originally Posted by peejay
GSL-SE rear calipers are NLA from Mazda or rebuilders.

I do have a GSL-SE rear but it would take about $1250 to liberate it from me...
that explains why people can't find them

also, LAME
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 05:24 AM
  #13  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 573
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Lame is my idea of putting a Miata 1.6l in the RX-3.

The GSL-SE caliper situation is a large part of why I went with common as dirt Lucas calipers for the new rearend.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 08:01 AM
  #14  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
Originally Posted by peejay
The GSL-SE caliper situation is a large part of why I went with common as dirt Lucas calipers for the new rearend.
how did u come across this alternative? were there data sheets to compare dimensions and mounting points? modifications needed?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 08:17 AM
  #15  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
Originally Posted by peejay
Lame is my idea of putting a Miata 1.6l in the RX-3.

The GSL-SE caliper situation is a large part of why I went with common as dirt Lucas calipers for the new rearend.
I need to figure out if SCCA will throw a fit if I use FC iron calipers instead of actual GSL-SE ones. Same pad shape, same piston size... oh well, I at least have one set of -SE stuff.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 09:02 AM
  #16  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Are there any bolt on replacement options for the calipers?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:45 AM
  #17  
Whizbang's Avatar
Respecognize!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 72
From: Anchor Bay, CA
Originally Posted by Kenku
I need to figure out if SCCA will throw a fit if I use FC iron calipers instead of actual GSL-SE ones. Same pad shape, same piston size... oh well, I at least have one set of -SE stuff.
petition based on NLA status of parts?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 10:48 AM
  #18  
Whizbang's Avatar
Respecognize!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 72
From: Anchor Bay, CA
Originally Posted by peejay
Lame is my idea of putting a Miata 1.6l in the RX-3.

The GSL-SE caliper situation is a large part of why I went with common as dirt Lucas calipers for the new rearend.
kinda like my idea of a Miata 1.6 in an FB?
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 11:19 AM
  #19  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
Originally Posted by Whizbang
petition based on NLA status of parts?
I feel like the guys with little British cars will laugh. More seriously though, I suppose I should just look at my parts piles and see if there's an actual, real difference. For some reason the GSL-SE/FC pad shape has better compounds available.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 11:41 AM
  #20  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 573
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Originally Posted by rxtasy3
how did u come across this alternative? were there data sheets to compare dimensions and mounting points? modifications needed?
I noticed that my Volvo had the same 4x4.5 bolt pattern and used Lucas calipers, and that VW used a similar caliper but in aluminum, and common as dirt, and the Mazda cable would plug right in if you clock the caliper down about 30 degrees. Uses a 3.5" bolt pattern like certain Wilwoods, weld brackets are cheap and available.



Zero Mazda parts except for the Watts bellcrank, not pictured.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 11:52 AM
  #21  
rxtasy3's Avatar
Moderator
Tenured Member: 20 Years
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,579
Likes: 290
From: Spartanburg, SC
good to know. there should be a data base on the forum for OEM part alternatives and upgrades such as this along with any modifications need to make them work.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 12:01 PM
  #22  
Kenku's Avatar
spoon!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,208
Likes: 50
From: Dousman, WI
Originally Posted by peejay
*Ford 9" picture*
God, that would make things easier than messing with the stock rear axle...
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 12:06 PM
  #23  
Whizbang's Avatar
Respecognize!
Tenured Member 20 Years
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,106
Likes: 72
From: Anchor Bay, CA
i went toyota 8.8.
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 04:41 PM
  #24  
peejay's Avatar
Old [Sch|F]ool
Tenured Member: 20 Years
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,866
Likes: 573
From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Originally Posted by Kenku
God, that would make things easier than messing with the stock rear axle...
Making the Watts linkage fit is... problematic. I bought a new bellcrank just so I can hack it up. Part of the problem is that I want the pivot down on-center instead of 40mm up.

Can't use a Panhard with a quiet exhaust. The RB muffler/pipe takes up every bit of space and leaves no room for a chassis bracket. Can't put the bracket on the left side without losing the gas tank.

Most of the build pictures are on Photobucket....
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2018 | 04:56 PM
  #25  
meifert's Avatar
Thread Starter
Full Member
Tenured Member 05 Years
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 70
Likes: 1
From: Buford, GA
Are their any calipers that will work but maybe need new brake lines? I'm not lookimg to make totally custom everything if I can just keep it simple
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:56 AM.