Miata differential in a GT

[daveegt]

I have heard of many diff installed in an Opel GT. Has anyone installed a Mazda Miata complete differential with the dropout subframe. I have been investgating the possibility, and if you want IR it looks like a good fit. Can anyone give me any background on this?
Dave

[Nathan Acree]

I looked into it a while back and to me it seemed the mounting points for the Miata rear subframe were far, far too wide. They actually end up in the wheel wells of the GT.

To keep the stock width (i.e. not have to shorten the miata axels) you would have to go to a custom made cradle and use fender flares. And then you would have to figure out a way to widen the front suspension as well.

Just my 2c.

-Nathan Acree
Albuquerque New Mexico

[daveegt]

Thanks Nathan, I have not had the oppertunity to get any measurments form a Miata, only visual. I didn't realize there was that kind of an issue. Have you or anyone else found any IRS to go into a GT? I am putting a 3.4 GM w/ 5speed in and want to do the rear end at the same time, don't want to redue drive shaft or destroy orig. rear end. Anyother ideas??
Dave

[jeff denton]

There is a very radical GT in progress at this site which uses a BMW rear end. Quite a project. Requires very intense fabrication skills. A search for "BMW IRS" should show it.
edit: I went ahead and looked it up for you. The thread is called "how to fit a BMW IRS in a GT", appropriately. By fellow member "jtb" who is quite obviously very skilled.