I am attempting to install SE calipers and rotors on my 12a car, and the calipers do not line up with the 12a mounting plate. Do I need SE mounting plates, or can I modify the 12a ones (drill the holes out, and shim the caliper)? I knew I needed the calipers, pads, rotors, and bearings, but no one told me I needed the mounting plates as well. Please help as the car is currently sitting in pieces in my garage. If I do need the plates, does anyone know where I can get them fast? If I can modify my mounting plates, has anyone done this, and what did you do?

Thanks,

Jason

 

i believe you also will need the SE spindles as well since the GSL and the SE have different sized bearings. I just finished swapping my GSL suspension for SE suspension. YOu will however need the backing plates from a SE and the SE caliper bracket bolts are larger than the GSL bracket bolts. i hope you have different rims for the front as well.

 

If the car is the 85 listed in your sig then your strut housings are the same size bearing as the SE. You are correct in thinking the caliper bracket / Backing plate is different on a SE though.

The attached pdf file is a 1:1 drawing of the holes for SE caliper. When you print it make sure to select "No Scaling" so it come out the right size. This will show you how different the caliper pattern is than 12A.

If you decide to grind the holes, do so at your own risk. I simply put this here so you can see where you are at.

-billy

 

Thanks. I have the struts with the same size spindle, so that is not a problem. After looking at it, it looks like I can drill out the top hole with a 1/2" bit to mount the bracket. I can then drill the bottom hole the same, but oval it up a little to make it fit. I will then use three washers between the bracket and mounting flange (to shim it out proberly). I am going to weld the washers in place to the mounting flange to keep it properly located. I have longer bolts of the correct size/pitch from my subaru, so that should not be a problem. Does this sound about right?

 

Does this sound about right?

 

Again, This is not the proper way to do things. The proper way would be to get the correct parts. Why not post a WTB post? There should be a good bit of these laying around with all the big brake kit upgrades.

-billy

 

Well, I figured that I can do it safely and effectively myself, that is why. I put a post out just to see what is available. It does not look like it will be very difficult to modify the stock mounting flange, as I drilled out the stock one side already to check the alignment.

 

yeah you need the whole shock tower with spindle and everything from there everything will bolt up. I have a 79 rx7 under other rotaries in the thread with yo post pics of your old school ride, im the first post. The car has the complete suspension from the gsl-se all around on 18inch tenzo r rims.

 

I don't need whole spindle and shock, just the mounting flange. My 85 has the same spindle, just different mounting plate.

 

so if you have an se mounting plate, you can bolt it onto the non se spindle as long as it's an 84-85 right?

 

As far as I know.

 

Correct.


-billy

 

Just did this conversion, the SE mounting plates are the right way to go, definately not a fan of modifying the non SE caliper brackets as the forces will not be engineered correctly. IMHO. Bolts for front SE brackets are M12 X 1.25 find them ahead of time, they are unusual if you live out of a city.

 

I have the bolts, as my Subaru WRX uses the same size/pitch (a little long though, nothing a hack saw can't fix). I put a post out there for the mounting plates, but doubt I will find just the mounting plates. I was going to open up the holes to fit them correctly, then weld grade 10.9 washers on each side to keep the bolt properly located.

 

Thanks! I have a set of the plates