Hi, I just bought a 72 rx2 4 door. Looks like the suspenion and steering is going
to need a lot of work. I hear from alot of people who say that you can swap front and rear suspension pretty easily from a first gen rx7 gsl-se. Is this true and if so what mods will I have to do to make it fit? Also, what other suspension options do I have for the rx2 as far as aftermarket bolt on as I am finding out stock parts for this car are almost impossible to find? I am planning on putting a 13btII engine and trans. in it and I want a good suspension-drivetrain in it to back it up. I plan on mainly setting it up for street use. Got any ideas or links to help me out I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for any help.

Jarrett

 

What county are you in? I know a place in San Bernardino county I have been told that you can remove your suspension, take it to them and they will build or rebuild something for ya. I Also hear there is a shop in L.A. that will change it to Gls-se for you. I have also heard of people doing second gen conversions but I believe that will be alot more complicated as secnd gens have independant rear suspension.

 

I live in Anaheim, California so those places you mentioned are pretty close. Can you give me a name and phone # or link please? Also, I am a mechanic so I can do the swap myself to save on money, I just need to know what mods or cutting or welding, etc. that I need to do to make it fit and work. Thanks

 

The guy at R & R rotary in Upland said the place that can build or rebuild something to suit is called R-rated. It's on Philadelphia in Ontario (91761). You can ask JesusCookies about the place in L.A. that does the GSL-SE conversions. He's the one that told me about it. I haven't touched the suspension on my 2 so I hadn't need to track anything down yet. My step dad has worked for Mazda since '72 and he used his connection to try to check out the suspension on the Car and Driver (1972) rx-2 race car. The guy he knows at corporate actualy let him into the basement where they keep thier collection of race cars but unfortunately the Car and Driver car wasn't there that day. He said a couple of the 4-rotor cars were there and evan an old Lancia (sans motor).
I lost the phone number the guy gave me but when I searched for R-rated on yahoo this is what I got (909) 923-3414 1459 E Philadelphia St Ontario, CA 91761.

 

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

 

if your gonna go to the trouble of fabbing a suspension why use a 1st gen? Sure its probably the easiest but its not the best... you can find way better suspension in the junkyard for the same amount of money.

 

what would you suggest?

 

What do you plan on using the car for? If you're gonna keep it pretty civil, just replace the bushings and struts/shocks all around. You can fit a S2 RX-7 LSD into your axle, and can add S2 GSL rear discs pretty easily. The front suspension isn't considerably different from the other old-schoolers, and the 1st gen RX-7 isn't a huge improvement. I'd recommend reconditioning what you've got, drive the car in good working order, and decide what changes you'd like to make.

 

I was thinking maybe build it to do some autocrosses. I don't know much about this car as its even hard to find parts for it... So, where can I get replacement bushings and struts?

 

Well I have no experience with RX2's but even 1st gens use an absolete design. Macpherson strut using a Stamped-steel single-pivot control arm w/ secondary link. This setup is identical to datsun/Nissan Z cars of the era and it is very poor for handling. While absorbing vertical movement it sufferse from camber, caster and sideways movement. 2nd gen RX7's at least have a lower control arm more akin to an A-arm with dual pivots made out of alluminum.

If I were to graft a suspension unto an RX2, I'd look for something other then a macpherson strut design. Preferably something with dual unequal-length A-Arms made out of alluminum.

If you want inspiration on how it can be done check out the latest issue of Modified Mag, there's a silvia there with a complete GT-R powertrain, suspension and brake swap.

 

If you dont mind spending a little money i would suggest these guys for the suspension:

http://www.selectmaz.com.au/suspension.htm

And i would go to these guys to biuld a custom manual rack:

http://www.mavalgear.com

Good luck with the biuld.

 

Crit, I am going to street/strip the car. Mainly drive it on the street though. I am going to put a second gen 13bt and trans. I found a guy in Australia for parts to rebuild front and rear suspension. Shipping is pretty pricey but what are you going to do. I am going to do what you said and rebuild the stock suspension and go from there.

Regarding the gsl LSD rearend swap- I heard that only years 80-81.5 gsl's would be a direct bolt in swap while still being able to use you're stock axles. Is this true or can you use any year gsl?

 

They went to 83.5. If you look for a GSL in a junkyard (or ask around), you'll find that Mazda went to the big-bearing rear ends as a running change in 83 (ditto with the dreaded beehive oil cooler). The big-bearing cars had bigger axle halves and bigger splines, so the diff isn't interchangable.

If you find a GSL (rear discs and LSD), check the diff's input shalf. If it's threaded then you have an earlier, compatible LSD. If it has thru-holes and uses screws and nuts, then you have a later, incompatible LSD.

 

Thanks Crit! Great info! I'm going to go check this GSL and see if its what I'm looking for.. Whats a good price for these parts??

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...64713767QQrdZ1

 

Thanks Crit, that helps out alot.

 

You read too many magazines man! Sure thing, just completely re-engineer the suspension... nevermind decent compatible parts that are inexpensive. It's so easy and affordable to just slap on some double A-arms.

 

I have to agree with you on this one. If I had 10k to spend on a suspension system, would I be here asking for stock parts?

 

ultimatejay: get yourself some RX4 or RX3 steering knuckles if you want to use RX7 stuff. From there you can bolt on the SA22 (1st gen) RX7 front spindles. Lots of info about this on the Australian sites.

I'll be using RX3 steering knuckles on my Duece and GSL-SE spindles and hubs. More wheel options and bigger bearings. Then I can also upgrade brakes using the ReSpeed FC caliper brackets. Strut inserts are readily available and a good deal for 1st gen RX7s. Plus with the RX7 strut housing it's pretty much already a short stroke setup for a RX2. Sounds like a win/win setup but I won't know until I actually get it in there. Now I'm just collecting parts for a big build.

 

Thanks for that info Fchoncho..

I really don't want to spend ton of money nor want to do ton of fabrication to put in the "Best" suspensions from some other Make and Model.. I think thats what GTU FAN was implying..

Fchoncho, if you could post pics of your progress, I would greatly appreciate it. I'm very new to the "deuce" and once I pick it up this weekend, I'm planning to clean it up, and try to start it! Once it starts, I'll be looking for parts to update a little.