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Index > Engine/Drivetrain > Thread: Rear Disc Branks... (and LSD too)
Thread: Rear Disc Branks... (and LSD too)
twenty_wanna_be


Newbie
Posts: 6
posted October 29, 2002 12:37 AM

Rear Disc Branks... (and LSD too)

I was just perusing the archives (hey its that or actually do something while I'm here at work! :) and I noticed the discussion on rear-disc conversions.

I don't have a REPU yet, but when I get one, I'd want to be able to tow my seven on a car hauler with it (track, shop, track, bodyshop, track, shop... notice a pattern here? :) and two things that would really help with towing I would think are:

#1) BRAKES! I once saw some poor shmose pushed out into an intersection because he couldn't stop the extra weight.

#) LSD: it just seems like having euqal distriubution to both wheels would help with towing a lot. Someone please help me out here if I'm wrong.

Anyway I saw all the discussions on FOrd 9" rears with brake conversions, etc which seem difficult to source and expensive to boot. I wondered if anyone knew how well the rear end out of an '85 RX-7 GSL-SE would work.

Also what's involved in changing lugs (4 or 5 to the 6 for the REPU)? I'm pretty certain that RX-7 Rear is a 4-lug but it may be five. Plus as popular as the 1st gens are you might have more choice on rear end gearing as there's something of an aftermarket available for these cars still.


I'd be intersted in hearing anyone's thoughts on these matters, because its one fo the major upgrades I'd like for any REPU I do get. You can never have too much brakes :)


-Martin

=============
'91 RX-7 Cabrio
A REPU, soon I hope.

       
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rotarynews


Moderator
Too Many Rotary Websites
Posts: 206
posted October 29, 2002 09:53 AM

Added Advantage

An added advantage would be to not have to climb under the truck every month or so and adjust those damn drums!

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wankel_dreams


Redlining
Posts: 293
posted October 29, 2002 06:01 PM

might be easiest to get a trailer with electric brakes.


____________
74 wankel panther
77 REPU
79 rx7
89 Vert

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nwaco


Redlining
Posts: 407
posted October 29, 2002 06:56 PM

I tow a lot of 7's around, and I personally would not put a car behind me without a dual axle trailer with trailer brakes. Now don't get me wrong, it helps to have good brakes on the tow vehicle, but, you got to remember, a 2300 lb car needs a 1500 lb trailer, and that needs good stopping power in an emergency. If you have no emergency, you can get away with less, but if you do it a lot, you will eventually have a tight spot and that is precicely when you need the stopping power.
Note: My experience lacks towing these with a REPU, as I just got one and have yet to rebuild the engine. I shall get to it very soon though and will post back.

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rotormunky


Redlining
Orlando, Florida
Posts: 424
posted October 29, 2002 11:40 PM

I wouldn't haul a car without a tandem axle trailer and electric brakes myself at all. I'd just like to have rear discs to go with that. I got almost 100K miles out of a set of brake shoes once. I do not trust how much stopping power they provide. Ideally I'd like to be able to do large vented discs (10"+) and four piston calipers up front and at least two piston calipers in back. If I could get large enough rubber (225+) under the truck, and those kind of brakes, I'd feel a little better hauling cars.

The only concern I'd have really would be whether the wheelbase of the repu would give a comfortable and stable ride on long hauls (say cross country), but the bigger rubber and proper tire inflation plus decent suspension should go a long way towards improving that.

I still wonder if the '85 GSL SE rear ends are up to the task though. Does anyone have a reliable list of rear ends that you could swap in that would support disc brakes and LSD?


____________
-Martin
Orlando, Florida

http://www.themonkeyhouse.org/REPU

'77 REPU (Some assembly required :)
'91 Cabrio (Battered and bruised, but she's still my baby.)

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