New project: 1976 Cosmo RX-5

[Whizbang]

well it is a cruiser car all told.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by Whizbang

well it is a cruiser car all told.

Sport coupe, because rotary.

Now the Road Pacer, that is a cruiser....

[silverfdturbo6port]

If i recall correctly the 8.8 rear ends are almost a direct bolt in for the cosmos and first gens. A buddy of mine has a 350 in his first gen with a 8.8 and it looks like it fit pretty well.

[djmtsu]

8.8 is a heavy bitch, of course, this MPV axle is heavy as fuck too.

Also, it needs to be cut down on one side to center the pinion. Not going that route at this time. Also remember, this is a 70's Mazda, which means NARROW. Hell, a GSL-SE axle is about 1.5" wider on each side than the Cosmo, and an 8.8 would be another 1" over that.

So GSL-SE with 5 lug it is.

[djmtsu]

For reference, the MPV axle is just a little wider than an 8.8.



It would work great for a widebody FB though. Centered diff, 5 lug, 5 link.

[GySgtFrank]

Originally Posted by djmtsu

8.8 is a heavy bitch, of course, this MPV axle is heavy as fuck too.

Also, it needs to be cut down on one side to center the pinion. Not going that route at this time. Also remember, this is a 70's Mazda, which means NARROW. Hell, a GSL-SE axle is about 1.5" wider on each side than the Cosmo, and an 8.8 would be another 1" over that.

So GSL-SE with 5 lug it is.

You can use the GSL axles and brake brackets. It will narrow it about an inch overall than the stock GSL-SE. I actually had Moser shorten and machine the bearing seats another 1/2" outward to shorten mine up enough for what I was doing, had to make my own brake brackets though. Still had more than sufficient room on the stock axle tubes to install discs. Overall I'm probably about 2" narrower than the stock GSL-SE track width (1" per side) was when I got it. Even this would leave you about 1/2" wider per side. There is enough room to machine and shorten the axles another quarter inch or so per side, but it would be pushing it to go much beyond that and would probably require shortening of the axle tubes.

[FerociousP]

In the words of Adler..... Flares!

(and in this case high offset wheels)


Sucks its so wide. would have been a good axle.

[djmtsu]

Originally Posted by FerociousP

In the words of Adler..... Flares!

(and in this case high offset wheels)


Sucks its so wide. would have been a good axle.

Yep.

But damn, the flares would have to be about 5-6" It was look like an IMSA car, or bosuku.

The axle might come in handy anyway. Been looking at something else for the next project.......

Anyone want to buy an S4 FC? Cheap?

[djmtsu]

GSL-SE axle acquired.

Cleaning side seal grooves is the devil.

[djmtsu]

Still working on her. Slowly however, since I need to be frugal with money until I find a new job.

Engine should be built soon. Carb is rebuilt. Some surface rust and dings are being fixed. I also installed a new steering column bushing. What a huge difference that has made!! The A/C components are almost all out, just need to get into the passenger side under dash and see how the evaporator is connected to the hoses. I would rather not cut the lines going through the firewall, but it is what it is.

[My5ABaby]

Post up pics of the engine. It's purty.

[djmtsu]

Oh, OK.

Painted before rebuild.

[rx7 vinnie]

I'm partial to that color combo myself.....

[chibikougan]

I went with silver and gold giant metallic flakes dragboat style!

[djmtsu]

Time to start looking at wheels. Suggestions would be useful, but don't be surprised if I think your wheel choice is dumb.

Size is going to be limited to 15" in either 7 or 8" width. (won't be certain until the rear axle is in. PCD is 5x114.3.

Ideally, I would like some Enkei 92's, but we'll see about funds for those. Kind of need to be cheap right now.

I would also like something else old school looking, like Rota Shakotan, but I can't find anyone who sells them in the PCD I need. I don't need to hear Rota hate, I'm not a baller and this isn't a racecar.