How hard is a 5 lug conversion?
Unless they are old school aftermarket wheels on a non -SE car, the 14" 4 bolt wheels were stock on the GSL-SE which should have a 4x114.3 bolt pattern which is shared with Honda, Toyota, etc; a very common pattern. Also the -SE had larger brakes, larger wheel bearings, etc. Honestly if I had an -SE car I wouldn't even worry about the 5 lug conversion. The -SE of course was also fuel injected, so if yours is carbureted, you would know it's not an -SE car. Do you have pictures of the wheels on it now if it's a non -SE car? I always like seeing old school wheels...
~T.J.
~T.J.
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I saw a guy I know who did this and I am in the process of doing it this weekend. Already took down the GSL front suspension. Here are the parts needed.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
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Oh and for the back. I plan to pull the axles and have them redrilled to 5x114.3 and also the stock GSL Rear brake rotors. (Even though I remember my friend saying Toyota Cressida/Crown rear disks works) will update!!
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the GSL is 4x100with little outer room. If you drill it to 114.3x5 you will need 5 new holes! that's a lot of holes with the 4 current ones. plus you will have very, very small area left on the outer rim of the hub to hold those studs. I thought about it and measured it a dozen times. for my v-8 build it's just too risky of breaking studs even if you tap weld them for strength. might hold on a rotary though.
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From: Mom’s basement
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GSL-LE rear ends are next to impossible to get. They guys that have em, have a few and are not selling. And the ones for sale are either gutted or waaaaaaaay overpriced. I was planning on welding up the holes and then having it redrilled.
Thanks for the suggestion and words or warning.
Thanks for the suggestion and words or warning.
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: South Beach
I have aftermarket rims right now, but going to get other aftermarket rims, and all the good ones are 5 lug.
I saw a guy I know who did this and I am in the process of doing it this weekend. Already took down the GSL front suspension. Here are the parts needed.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
Attachment 525968
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
Attachment 525968
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
I'm not at that tuner level yet to just comfortably drill axle flange/rotors
I got the re speed kit but guess their business went down the tube... Did get gsl se rear housing and third member separately from salvage yards.. Then got moser axles
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OK!! These are the ball joints needed. They are very common and used for all sorts of applications. But they are listed for the mazda 626 glx model (box says 82-87)
They fit the SA/FB Lower control arm and fit snug as a bug in the FC TII Spindle. Making 5 lug conversion a breeze. Ball joints were $35 each (had cheaper but I asked for the best he had)
Going to have them pressed in tomorrow
They fit the SA/FB Lower control arm and fit snug as a bug in the FC TII Spindle. Making 5 lug conversion a breeze. Ball joints were $35 each (had cheaper but I asked for the best he had)
Going to have them pressed in tomorrow
I saw a guy I know who did this and I am in the process of doing it this weekend. Already took down the GSL front suspension. Here are the parts needed.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
Attachment 525968
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
1) FC TII 5 lug hubs, spindles, brakes
2) FC front shocks and spring (or coilover)
3) Mazda 626 lower ball joints pressed into the FB lower control arm. (82-89 Mazda 626, I will clarify tomorrow when I take the hubs to the parts store)
4) steel brake lines, pads etc
5) may need to lower the steering knuckle or buy an aftermarket steering arm.
I know ppl have been doing his swap locally here for a while as we get lots of jdm knocked down/scrapped cars and some had this and similar swaps.
The guy I went by the check out the swap took it further and was using EVO 9 rotors and Brembo calipers. All he had to do was open up the rotor hole and it all slid onto the fc hub and the caliper bolted up.
This swap is by no means needed, but I have a Mariah kit and want to go 5 lug to get 17x8 and 17x10 wheels and big brakes etc. I'll take some pics of my swap. But here is someone else's. (Not the guy I went by, found it online)
Attachment 525968
You can see how he modded the spindle where the steering arm bolts up to keep the lca and steering parallel and avoid bump steer and other no no's I did a very similar swap on my old Datsun 1200 using s13 parts. Very easy swap and handled great after.
Can't wait to see this finished and verified.
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Even better is that I have been talking to techno toy tuning about making this ball joint an option for their fb lower control arms so you can run fc hubs and big brakes. Should allow u to also use 4 lug fc hubs etc so you can keep your bolt pattern of you have a GSL-LE.
That's cool for sure, but just knowing the info someone can just buy the ball joints and swap them themselves.
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Ok some more updates as the swap progresses Some notes. The tie rods may need to be lengthened to get the most steering angle. With it in its original position (using the fb/sa hubs) there is tremendous toe out. I am taking the tie rods the bolts and fastener store to see what they have.
If you are going to use the stock fb/sa spring perch and shock mount you'll need to get a larger bearing similar to the fc one pressed into the mount as it has a grove and the fc shock is larger (if it's even possible to press one in) or you can make the shock rod diameter smaller to fit in the fb bearing (easier maybe, a friend thinks so)
You can also enlarge the holes in the strut tower and use the fc shock mount but you must use the fb/sa spring and spring hat/bumpstop etc. Some pics with the strut mounted etc
If you are going to use the stock fb/sa spring perch and shock mount you'll need to get a larger bearing similar to the fc one pressed into the mount as it has a grove and the fc shock is larger (if it's even possible to press one in) or you can make the shock rod diameter smaller to fit in the fb bearing (easier maybe, a friend thinks so)
You can also enlarge the holes in the strut tower and use the fc shock mount but you must use the fb/sa spring and spring hat/bumpstop etc. Some pics with the strut mounted etc
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I sure will post all updates. I'm mocking up everything with used parts (except ball joints and tie rods) to make sure it all works/fits but so far so good. I ordered my t3 camber plates and top hats etc but so far it is mounted up with the fc strut, fb spring and spring perch and top mount, fc spindle/hub/brakes, fb tie rods
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No significant updates. I have mounted up all the t3 stuff and am now taking apart the stock strut to use koni or Bilstein insets with the t3 coilovers.
My engine is out of the car and until the struts are finished being rebuilt when I get the parts. I don't have any real updates for the moment. I think until the engine is in and wheels back on the hound I wouldn't be able to comment on drivability and adjustments etc.
But going to see my fiends car soon who has the same setup and will take some more pics etc.
Gab from t3 is also working on developing the kit. So I'm also awaiting his input as I think their Lowe control arms are crucial for more camber etc
My engine is out of the car and until the struts are finished being rebuilt when I get the parts. I don't have any real updates for the moment. I think until the engine is in and wheels back on the hound I wouldn't be able to comment on drivability and adjustments etc.
But going to see my fiends car soon who has the same setup and will take some more pics etc.
Gab from t3 is also working on developing the kit. So I'm also awaiting his input as I think their Lowe control arms are crucial for more camber etc