Um, I have an odd question, one that I should damn well know the answer to, but I don't.

On the stock setup (83 GSL) do the lugs thread onto studs, or is it what I call a 'stud-nut' that is like a bolt that goes into the wheels?

 

Lug bolts.

 

Hmm. That would go far to explain why my SA LE rims don't work to well with my normal lug nuts that I have on the car. . . . Once again, the O/O has given me a nice surprise ahead of time

 

Not quite sure what you are saying. I thought all 1st gen stock wheels used the same lug bolts. Even my Epsilons use the stock ones. I do have a set of Revolution wheels that take studs and nuts, but that is the only set I've run across that way.

 

Okay, my seven is like a normal car, with the lugs that just thread onto the stud things.

 

Lug bolts are normal. Studs, that are permantly screwed into the hubs, are not. Lug bolts are the stud and lug in one piece. If you have studs sticking out of the hub, after you have removed the wheel, your's is non-stock.

 

GSL-SE's have studs, not lugs, so if you have -SE suspension you'll have studs

 

ditto
i know all 83 and older cars had lug bolts and i was thinking the 84-85 cars had studs but i know -se's have studs.
its not that hard to change them out,someone may have done that before you bought the car.

 

The non-SE series 3 cars (84/85) have lugs as well... PITA to change the rims on the '85 base as opposed to my -SE

 

Yes all 79-85 RX-7s come with "lug studs" and threaded rotors/drums EXCEPT 84-85 GSL-SE's

Just get 12mm x 1.5mm studs and do the conversion, makes life much easier for mounting, safety and maintenance.

 

Okay, I have the studs ON the hub. I can't contact the O/O right now, so I have another question that this brought up that I never thought I would have to ask.

Is there a way to see if I have an SE rear end?
I know I have Koni adjustables and vented discs, but I also know that Koni adjustables were available for non-SE's and GSLs had vented discs. Any other telltale signs?

 

Unless I'm very much mistaken, only the -SE had vented rears. GSL had non vented...

Plus the bolt patern is a dead giveaway. 4x114.3 for -SE, 4x110 for non-SE

 

Oh, ****, how did the bolt pattern not cross my mind. I feel like such a no0b

Well, I definately have the normal crappy FB bolt pattern, as I can put plussers on. . . .
Was there a vented brake upgrade? Or is my car just a freak that was made special for some reason?

 

IMO the lug bolt idea was probably the stupidest thing Mazda has done (other than not forking out for a decent rack and pinion setup in the FB). Only other vehicle I'm aware of that ran this crazy setup were some Fiats and I think Lancias?

The ONLY possible benefit that I can think for having lug bolts as opposed to fixed studs with wheel nuts are that in the extremely unlikely event the wheel comes off, you won't have to worry about replacing the studs. In every other respect, they suck - big time.

 

Good thing I don't have to put up with them then

 

The SA wheel studs are a bit longer as they dont "sink into" the wheel like how they are mounted on plus and rotor wheels. I read somewhere, I think VB mag that they came with studs and nuts on the cars with steel wheels. Not sure of years though.

 

Well, there very well could be a vented rotor for the non-se rear... Don't see any reason why not?

Or someone could have re-drilled the hub for some bizzare reason...