sen2two

iTrader: (10)

Just recently purchased a 73 Rx2 to replace my recently sold 72 disaster of a Rx2 project...


One thing I will have to take care of right away is the rear. Its from a gsl so its a bit long for the rx2 chassis. I have a spare bare gslse rear that already has rx2 brackets welded onto it. I will be using this rear as my mock up piece.i have another complete gslse rear i will be using for parts.

parts i want to us:

gslse housing shortened to stock rx2 length
shortened and resplined gslse axles (possibly moser)
Gslse bearings, brake calpers, and rotors
Kia 4.77 ring and pinion in gslse lsd 3rd member

*will possibly get the axles in 5 lug and run t2 brakes depending on the wheels I chose to run. I already have the respeed 5 lug front sitting on my shelf.

So, any problems with my plans.? Ihave worked with 1st gen rears much.

jgrewe

iTrader: (1)

Future HP you plan to put through the rear end?

For all the trouble why not put something more bullet proof with more gear and axle options?

sen2two

iTrader: (10)

Don't really have a hp goal... Plans as of right now is a moderately sized 12a pp on a set of webers. Steet car with the occasional auto cross.

I have an 8.8 in the garage, but I just think its a little over kill for my plans. A large part of my decision is based on what I have laying around and cost. Building the 8.8 would get over the triple digit cost area real quick. Building the gslse rear will stay at around a third of that even with moser axles.

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

you will be fine with the 4.44 or 4.78 kia gears for street use; however, 4.78 is sucky on the freeway. Cheaper to just convert the stock RX-2 to rear disc brake using the GSL parts and REspeed adapter plate

sen2two

iTrader: (10)

The car already currently has a Gsl rear in it. And I do not have an Rx2 rear. And finding one locally would be near impossible...

This I why I need to do something about the rear.

I have been told that the GLC rears are the exact same length as Rx2 rears. And these might be easier to find in the junk yard. But will the 1st gen lsd and Kia gears still work in th GLC rear?

Siraniko

iTrader: (13)

not sure on the GLC, havent worked on them but I will look into it IF i come across a RWD GLC and 626 as well at the junkyard

sen2two

iTrader: (10)

well after looking deeper into it I have decided to build my 8.8. It wount really be much more cost wise. It almost comes to the sameand will be twice as durable, or better.

The stock fox body 8.8 comes with 28 Spline axle shafts with a 1.29" diameter. And the explorer has 31 Spline axle shafts with a 1.32" diameter with a 5 lug disk brake hub. I have a set of these in the garage as well. Given that the GSLSE only has a 26 spline axle that's barely over 1" in diameter, The stock explorer axles will do the job just fine.

The fox 8.8 already has an LSD and I will have the stock explorer axles cut and resplined to to 28 splines to fit the stock mustang LSD. I think I will still go with a 4.88 or similar ratio though. which can be had for around 175 shipped new or even cheaper when found used. Which is actually cheaper than I have seen the Kia diffs go for on here!

The only real cost of the 8.8 over building the SE rear is buying the TII brake caliper mounts from Grannys. Which I will most likely make myself anyways...

So, I havnt fully decided on a rear ratio as of yet... and now that my choices are almost endless, and recommendations? I have a Gslse tranny in the car right now, and I might swap it to a TII if i ever break the SE tranny. Mainly because the SE trannys are hard to find...

turbo_dave

iTrader: (50)

if building a 8.8 might as well go to the local yard and pull one of a 96-98 ford explore they are 31 spline,disk brakes,and limited slip.i picked one up for around $130 and had it shertened,resplined axles,and mounts put up for a total of $900.i guess it all depends on the machine shop that does the work.

sen2two

iTrader: (10)

well I already have the mustang lsd rear laying here, so I'm just going to use it. I could always swap to a 31 spline lsd with moser axles later, but I don't think I will need to. But just in case my power goals change, I know I have the option too.