ok guys, i tried to find info on this from the forum and this is what i understand:
-besides the rear end, need proper brake master cylinder and e-brake lines.

ive also read that 83-85 have different axle flanges and driveshaft flange. so if i use a 79-82 gsl rear end, i can use the rear end without much mods besides brake system? and is there any welding required or is it mostly bolt on? i dont know how to weld and i want to do this on my own.

 

i swapped a gsl-se rearend into mine and i didnt swap the master cyl or proportioning valve, i took the 2 off and compared them they are identical, and have the same numbers on the same parts...

-greg

 

the owner before me did the gsl rear end swap in my gs, but didnt do the master cylinder, eventually it went bad and i just got the gsl one. it is different. the side going to the rear is a little bigger, granted no, i didnt notice a difference in braking much, it physically is different.

also, you need the e-brake cable because the stock one uses drums on the rear, and the cables arent interchangable

 

There should be a permanant page with info on this since it comes up so much, but since there isn't here goes.. The GSL didn't come out untill 81, so anything before that wont have it. the 81/82 rears have the smaller axles and the smaller driveshaft flange. 83 has the bigger flange but still the small axles. 84/85 have the bigger axles and bigger flange. Brake lines/fittings etc are the same for all 81-85. 79/80 require some kind of adaptor to make the brakes work. The Master cylinders are different part numbers, the proportioning valve is the same reguardless. Hope that clears things up.

 

oh and as mentioned before the two handbrake calbles on the rear are different from the drum ones, so make sure you grab those from the donor, the long cable going to the handle is the same, so unless its rusted to hell just keep it.

 

I am also going to be doing this swap next week, so I want to get this right:

From the donor -
rear axle (dif, axle, wheel hubs)
emergency brake cables
springs (to be replaced later)
shocks (to be replaced later)
watts linkage
front dampers
front wheel hubs

Leave alone -
upper and lower control arms
drive shaft (target car is an '83)

Should I change the front crossmember? Victoria British lists it as a different part for the two models. I suppose this would allow me to fit the engine with the stock pan and mounts (I will be putting a 13B in it).

I have to put what I take out of the '83 back into the SE wreck, so it can roll (to be picked up and hauled away.

Thanks,
BTC

PS - no hijaacking intended

 

there is , its on mazdatrix's website

 

thanks guys. so an 82 gs and gsl has the same size flanges?

 

I dont want to hijack the thread.
Here is a related question.
What diff from a another Mazda will work..mine is starting to sound a bit funny these days ?

One that is stronger,would be preferred.

Karis

 

http://members.ij.net/mrmazda/interc...l#DIFFERENTIAL

hope this helps... i couldnt understand half of it

 

yep, the driveshaft will work. Assuming you can get the right driveshaft your better off getting a 84/85 rear, but then again anything is better than the open diff drum pos.

 

How about putting the hole independent system from a 86 in to a 80?... I have one sitting on a doner car curious if it has been done before?

 

That would be a pure custom job, but I do believe that one or two of the board members have done it. I'm still waiting for someone to try the Miata IRS swap that Grassroots Motorsports proposed!

 

Thanks!
Much appreciated!

I`ll be doing a diff change in the months to come.
I have to pop this one first though!

Karis

 

im going to have an extra running rx7 in about 2 months, and ive been messing around with the idea of trying this swap. its just hard to locate a miata rear end. i keep telling my friend we are going to swap rears (he drives a miata) but hes not down with the solid rear axle thing