Mazda RX-7 GSL-SE Rear End Swap -- Spriso Motorsports

[757roadster]

Is the disc brake version required because I have a drum version available for 350 from a local salvage yard....

[Alvin]

^the disc brake'd model also comes with an LSD so while it may not be necessary it certainly is desirable to have both. $350 is about right for the GSL-SE setup

[757roadster]

I called them on this and the price went up to 550 shipped... Way too much.

[jake7140]

Does it always go like this? When I was done racing a first gen I couldn't give them away.

[Gregs672000]

Does it always go like this? When I was done racing a first gen I couldn't give them away.

I think other racers have eaten them up over the years. I just got one redone and modified as I requested (1 inch wider than stock Roadster due to my flairs) from John in Oregon yesterday and it looks great! Looking forward to more power out of the corners, and now I can ditch my wheel spacers.

[caraddict]

I called them on this and the price went up to 550 shipped... Way too much.

Don't mean to imply that $200.00 isn't a lot of money but if you're getting a limited slip AND disc brakes instead of a peg leg and drum breaks then it sounds like a bargain.

Jon

[Alvin]

Does it always go like this? When I was done racing a first gen I couldn't give them away.

I think other racers have eaten them up over the years. I just got one redone and modified as I requested (1 inch wider than stock Roadster due to my flairs) from John in Oregon yesterday and it looks great! Looking forward to more power out of the corners, and now I can ditch my wheel spacers.

You mean "narrowed" 1" right?

[Gregs672000]

Nope, well, maybe... I needed it to be 1 inch wider overall than a stock Roadster... so is that narrowing or widening the RX7? I never really asked!

[Alvin]

Nope, well, maybe... I needed it to be 1 inch wider overall than a stock Roadster... so is that narrowing or widening the RX7? I never really asked!

Why do you want it to be wider than stock? Your flares are not significantly large. By widening the axle you've further limited fitment of wider tires and wheels. You want to narrow it, ie make it short than your existing axle.
How large are your existing spacers?

[fj20spl311]

With a wider rear axle,
You will be able to use "front wheel drive" wheels.

I still like the wider lip of the rear wheel drive wheels, but the scrub radius (in front) require less offset.
Phil

[RCMike]

I am not sure I personally would recommend making the axle any narrower than stock.

Granted, my experience is with driving the roadster significantly harder than most, but at the absolute limits, narrowing the axle on stock suspension could require some clearancing on the frame to make sure the caliper does not hit the frame.. I ordered mine narrower, and some clearancing was done by the calipers to the frame before I caught it.

Again, as many have noticed, I may be a touch harder on my car than most, and this interference probably only happens during very hard cornering over bumps. Static, the fit is generous, even using a jack to twist stuff up..

Just my opinion..

[Alvin]

Granted, my experience is with driving the roadster significantly harder than most, but at the absolute limits, narrowing the axle on stock suspension could require some clearancing on the frame to make sure the caliper does not hit the frame.. I ordered mine narrower, and some clearancing was done by the calipers to the frame before I caught it.

Mike how are your calipers clocked? You can mount them lower to avoid clearance issues.

[Gregs672000]

Actually my flares do add some room. To run the 280zx 6spoke wheels and make them look right I had to add 1inch spacers on each side (!), which required different longer studs, modified lug holes to allow the shaft to go through the wheel, etc. I am changing wheels and will be running 205/50/15s. With the offset of the wheel I'm using and the measurements of the 205/50/15 vs the 195/60/14 on there now, adding a 1/2 inch on each end put the wheel/tire exactly where the current one is, which I like and does not rub. I also have to use a 1/4 spacer up front with my Toyota 4runner brake conversion to clear the caliper/wheel, and should be able to eliminate that with the new wheels.

[Alvin]

Actually my flares do add some room. To run the 280zx 6spoke wheels and make them look right I had to add 1inch spacers on each side (!), which required different longer studs, modified lug holes to allow the shaft to go through the wheel, etc. I am changing wheels and will be running 205/50/15s. With the offset of the wheel I'm using and the measurements of the 205/50/15 vs the 195/60/14 on there now, adding a 1/2 inch on each end put the wheel/tire exactly where the current one is, which I like and does not rub. I also have to use a 1/4 spacer up front with my Toyota 4runner brake conversion to clear the caliper/wheel, and should be able to eliminate that with the new wheels.

I would take advantage of your flares, narrow it and run at least a 225. A 205 can fit under stock flares!

[Gregs672000]

I hear ya, but more tire means more rolling resistance, and while I like the look I don't think I'd gain anything performance wise by a wider rear tire than the 205s.