What is involved in upgrading an 85 GSL to GSL-SE wheels...I wouldn't mind having the larger brakes at all, is it as simple as Rotors and Calipers?

 

You'll need rear axle shafts... Best bet is to swap out the WHOLE rear axle...

You'll also need backing plates... GSL-SE had a different bolt pattern (4 x 114.3 mm (4 x 4.5 in) instead of the GSL's 4 x 110 mm)

 

if you swap the entire rear, say for the lsd and 5 lug pattern... does the driveshaft bolt back up?

like could you get it done in a well dedicated 2 hours with only a spare rear end from a gsl-se?

 

There is no 5 lug 1st gen rear axle. That'd be all custom work.

the Driveshaft will bolt back up on 1984/1985 cars. 1983 and earlier cars will need the flange changed.

I'd budget a little longer than 2 hours on that. Maybe a saturday afternoon, but I have a tendancy to drag jobs out.

 

don't forget the ebrake cable

 

yes it can be done in 2 hours 45 min out and hour or so in but not for you first time unless you have someone there whos done it b4.

 

i did it. took me all day, because i was by myself. but i just dropped the old gsl rear, put the se rear up and bolted it back it.

there is an adjustment for the e-brake cable under the handle, you can back that off to get some extra inches to make the cables fit. driveshaft just bolts right up also.

make sure you have rims/tires ready to bolt on to the new 4x114.3 (4x4.5") lug pattern.

for the front, i just grabed the whole front strut assemblies from an se. they bolt right up also.

if you have any other questions let us know.

carl.