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

GSL-Miata rear Calipers?

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Old 08-25-20, 10:24 PM
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Question GSL-Miata rear Calipers?

I'm in the process of putting together a GSL rear end for my 83 GS and one of the calipers is pretty much beyond saving.
New calipers are no longer available. Has any one looked into fitting first gen Miata rear calipers to the GSL rear end?
In pictures they look close. Solid disc and single piston.......
Not having one at hand I thought I would throw out the question.

Last edited by thirteenbees; 08-25-20 at 10:25 PM. Reason: spelling
Old 08-26-20, 06:46 AM
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I am dealing with the same thing right now. I got a new drivers side I think the last one in existence lol. Then the passenger rear crapped out.
The only problem with Miata is the caliper is on the front of the rotor so to get the bleader screw on top you would have to swap them side to side. Then the ebrake pull is pointing the wrong way. My brother has a dead 96 Miata sitting around I may look at it more this weekend. I was also looking at ae86 rear calipers. We need to find a good donor something with a following. The FC calipers are next to be discontinued.
Old 08-26-20, 10:41 AM
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the miata calipers might work, flipping sides is really common, Ford even will use the same caliper on all 4 corners.

the only trouble with the miata calipers is that they suck, they are manually adjustable, and the adjusters break all the time.
Old 08-26-20, 11:23 AM
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J9 can you expound on the manual adjustment of the miata calipers? I rebuilt my 94 NA brakes and don't recall doing anything different than my 83 or 84 FB. Granted both FB's are now basket cases. Are you talking about the parking brake adjustment?

OP, if you ever really interested in seeing the difference documented, I am trying to dig out my cars from being buried by this fall.
Old 08-26-20, 12:59 PM
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Good to know about Miata calipers. I want something common like Honda Civic common. I found these that could work
https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Emerg...RoChPgQAvD_BwE
We need someone who works at a chain auto parts place to go in the back and find something that's close. I can make brackets if they aren't to elaborate. I even thought about putting front calipers on the back and just doing a line lock for the ebrake. I plan to do a hydraulic ebrake for drifting and general use. Or even put a wheel boot on if you have to park on a hill
Old 08-26-20, 01:43 PM
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Originally Posted by swbtm
Are you talking about the parking brake adjustment?.
yes those fail all the time.
Old 08-26-20, 04:26 PM
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I'm working on making the RE-Speed style front and rear BBK. Parts are at the machine shop right now getting the drawings made then having a few kits put together. These will be offered for sale outside this site at a really low price. PM me for info.
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Old 08-26-20, 04:55 PM
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Try to find a car with a similar size disk (diameter & thickness) then the caliper might work. Centric's website is great for this, assuming it is accurate.
Several years ago I found out late 1990s Civic rear disks are about the same size, and those calipers also have an integrated parking brake.
I would have liked to try and make such brackets, but I no longer have access to the machining tools.



Last edited by j_tso; 08-26-20 at 05:06 PM.
Old 08-26-20, 05:37 PM
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i wonder about a current miata, or the 2006-2015 NC miata
Old 08-26-20, 07:25 PM
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This all pretty interesting,I don't mind rebuilding them and rebuild kits are plenty full but it looks like the supply of replacement pistons and rubber parts is drying up.
Hopefully I can find another used caliper around here. It really would be good to find a swap that will work.
Old 08-26-20, 07:27 PM
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I sent my rusty junk-yard sourced -SE calipers out for a pro reman and baked on coating. Wasn't cheap but I now have brand spankin new, Mazda GSL-SE calipers all around. Where else ya gonna get those?.
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Old 08-31-20, 06:16 AM
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Who did you send them to to get them rebuilt? How different are gsl-se calipers. Does anyone have a pic of them side by side?
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Old 08-31-20, 09:15 AM
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Originally Posted by prelude106
Who did you send them to to get them rebuilt? How different are gsl-se calipers. Does anyone have a pic of them side by side?
I had them reman-ed by GoldLine Brakes in Port Orchard, WA. Like I said, not cheap, but I found them highly recommended on the classic Porsche sites and they did beautiful work.
The GSL-SE discs and calipers are larger than 12a GSL brakes (both front and rears). Here are the front parts for size comparison. Note the -SE is still just a single piston caliper. Many people swap in S4 (early second gen) calipers for more clamping force.



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