I know alot of parts like the diff and gears are throughout years of the rx-7. One thing ive never seen mentioned is if you can put drum brakes on a disc break axle.

The main reason I am asking this is because I may have found a GSL rearend for sale super cheap but its brakes are super rusted.

Is it possible for me to use my current drum brakes on this rear end? since they both have the 4x110 bolt pattern? I do plan on using the discs but I just dont have the money to rebuild calipers and buy rotors at the moment :P

 

I cannot answer your question but food for thought... Why not pick up the GSL axle and while it is out sand it down and paint it make it look nice.. then throw some new parts on it as you can afford it.. Then when it is done it will be nice and function prroperly..

 

The answer is no.

Just buy the set up and then when you have enough money for the rest of the parts install it.

 

disc brake rears have a 3 bolt flange at the axle end of the tube
drum brake rears have a 4 bolt flange at the axle end of the tube

that should answer things nicely

 

good to know, guess ill roll around with a welded diff for a bit then :P

 

However, you COULD (if correct years on both rears) swap in the 3rd member from GSL rear into the open rear currently on your car and then have drum brakes and limited slip. Just like mine. Rear disc brakes are overrated - rebuild and have your drums turned and BAM back in business.

 

just install the GSL 3rd member on your drum brake set-up and save up for a new/rebuilt rear calipers and brake rotors.

 

what years need to be correct for this to work?

 

http://www.mazdatrix.com/g5.htm

Covered for the Hmmmm upt time! :-)

 

Check over at www.rockauto.com

I bought discs for about $14.00 each. They've held up great for over 20,000 miles and still going strong.

Calipers are pretty cheap there too.

Also, the upgrade you are considering is a very worthy effort. The LSD makes a big improvement in handling, slides that are easy to initiate and even easier to control. And disc brakes are so much easier to work on than drums.





.

 

i never noticed that on their site...

but from what i notice, 83 will match a 85 due to the size change in 83?

 

No it will not. ^

Searching with the terms "Doff interchange" would answer your questions. :-)

 

So if the 3rd members interchange what has to be done to the propeller shaft? that's right i call it propeller shaft, it just sounds cooler. Also i read a couple things about a miata torsen diff working in FB's also by swaping the 3rd member?

 

81-82 = small driveline flange, small axle
83 = big flange, small axle
84-85 = big flange, big axle

The miata pumpkin works in 84-85 rears with a small bit of grinding (for watts link clearance IIRC)

The drum rear is lighter by a small amount fyi.


Isaac

 

If you have an 83 (like me) here are your options:

83 GSL 3rd member
81 GSL or 82 GSL 3rd member AND driveshaft (those also have easier to replace u-joints) - this is what I did
84 or 85 complete rear end

Cant remember about parking brake lines and brake hydraulic lines. Im sure a quick search would tell you what you need to do.

 

So, how about an 85 gs rearend with drum brakes onto an 85 gsl? can I use the rearend and drive shaft?

 

The answer to that question is here in this thread.

Why would you want to do this anyways?

 

The GSL that Im buying(from a junk yard, thats right, Im saving it) doesnt have a rear end. But the GS thats sitting next to it has one. and Id need something to at least roll around on, unless I can find a GSL rearend for the same price.
I saw a track oriented FB on car domain that had a whole miata IRS on it. I was wondering how hard that would be...

 

Hard.

 

Would it be worth it in the end?

 

Find a GSL rear end. If you are going through this much work, it should result in an upgrade (or at least not a downgrade) in performance. Spend a little more time now to find the right rear end, and you won't spend the next 10 years wishing you had...

 

I had someone tell me a FC 3rd member works in a 85 live axle. Any one ever see anything about this?

If this is true, what in all needs to be done to get it to fit. Cause im getting a free FC 3rd member

 

Well I mean, I would eventually. I just need something to help get this thing out of "the yard". And theres an '85 GS thats sitting next to it with a rearend that I could swap on in like an hour or two.

But if I could find a GSL before then, for around $60-70, then Ill just do that.