Suspension/Wheels/Tires/Brakes

79 needs wheel and brake upgrade

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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 09:44 PM
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5.0machx7's Avatar
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KS 79 needs wheel and brake upgrade

I have a 79 and as you know has that impossible to find lug pattern making it impossible to find new wheels. I was thinking of just swapping the whole strut, spring, spindle, hub and brake assembly from a newer rx7 like from a 83-85 and that would solve my problem and give me a little performance gain too. Is this possible? Thanks

Also I am open to other suggestions, Is there any other way, or kits out there to upgrade the front steering and suspension all together? Thanks
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:19 PM
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Miata_mx5's Avatar
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Depending what size, and wheel choice. Usually a quality wheel maker can re-drill or make a 3 piece wheel's bolt pattern to order.

But, be ready to spend a little more.
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Old Oct 14, 2009 | 10:35 PM
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Originally Posted by 5.0machx7
I have a 79 and as you know has that impossible to find lug pattern making it impossible to find new wheels. I was thinking of just swapping the whole strut, spring, spindle, hub and brake assembly from a newer rx7 like from a 83-85 and that would solve my problem and give me a little performance gain too. Is this possible? Thanks

Also I am open to other suggestions, Is there any other way, or kits out there to upgrade the front steering and suspension all together? Thanks

Is this a street car or race car? What are you doing and what size wheel are you looking for?

You can find wheels that have the 4x110mm pattern. Konig makes them and they can be purchased from a number of places - www.tires.com - usually has the best prices. Rota also makes wheels with this lug pattern. If steel wheels will work for you then google Diamond Wheels. My Panaports have this pattern....but they are not cheap. Check out the wheels that are for sale on this site - there are several sets of wheels for sale that have the 4x110mm pattern.

As far as the brakes are concerned the 4 wheel disk brakes that come on a GSL are pretty good for anything you can do on the street. That is all my racecar is allowed to have on it. With racing pads and high temp fluid they are fantastic. These brakes have the 4x110mm pattern.

If you want bigger brakes you can swap in the struts from an 84=85 GSL/SE model. These cars have 10" disk brakes on the front with a 4x4.5" (4x114.3mm) pattern that is more popular. The rear disks on these cars are also about 10" in diameter. This is a common swap and the easiest way to do it is to get the struts and rear axle housing out of an GSL/SE that is being parted out. These brakes are better than the GSL brakes.

Another option is offered by RE Speed - http://www.mrcmfg.com/catalog/ They sell a kit that mounts the 2nd Gen 11" disk brake and factory 4 piston caliper on the first gen struts.
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