G-man

iTrader: (2)

I've been meaning to post this for over a month now but I finally put some pictures together (I know everyone likes pics) - as a little thank you for all the help I've received over the past two years putting together my car.

I purchased the car completely stock about 3 years ago – 85 GS. The original 12A ran like a champ once you got it started. It has a slow coolant leak so if it sat for more than a day, it took 10 minutes to get it started and smoked like a sob for another 5. I wasn’t too worried however since I had sourced a rebuilt 13B and had “most” of the parts to do an SE swap from a parts car I stripped.
I’m not a mechanic but I consider myself fairly handy and I don’t really have any mechanic friends either. So all the work I did myself in the relative comfort of my garage and it took me about 2 years of tinkering to finally get to the point where I can show it off a little.

A couple of things I learned along the way:
- 12A exhaust manifold/header won’t bolt onto a 13B (d’uh – it’s longer!)

- don’t trust 25+ year old fusible links – just do the 2nd gen engine fuse box mod and be done with it

- replacing the dash and wiring harness is pretty damn simple IF you can read the FSM wiring diagrams

- Trochoid’s FMOC write-up is golden

- Mazda parts counter folks have no sense of humour – and apparently don’t like microfiche

- just replace the 25yo FI clips while the UIM is off – this just makes good god damn sense.

- adjusting the idle of an SE is just as complicated as everyone suggested it would be (but I think I finally got it smoothed out)

So thanks to everyone who answered my questions and gave opinions…and a special thanks to mazdaverx713b for posting excellent how-to’s and answering my PMs about his own SE swap.

Here’s the links to the pics and a short (rather lame) video.

Picasa Web Albums - Gerrit Twynstra - 85 GS Rx-7

jeremyferguson4444

iTrader: (6)

That's a nice swap you did there!! Totally off topic, but what springs are you using??

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

glad you were able to finish the swap! the SE swap in a GS body is an incredible driver and a most reliable machine!

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

after looking at the pics and seeing the video, i'ma huge fan of your swap! you may however want to install the SE fan if you haven't already and install a fan shroud. is that a RB muffler on the car?

G-man

iTrader: (2)

The springs on my car are still stock (and probably sagging). I have new RB springs, shocks and bushing to replace the entire suspension sitting in a box..but I'll wait until the fall so I can get some drive time in first! Also, were you talking about the springs in my car photos or of the "inspiration" car that I posted? I'm not sure who's car that is.

G-man

iTrader: (2)

Thanks. I have the shroud and fan but have been waiting to install. It's easier to see leaks and stuff without the shroud in place. Same reason I don't have the front air jam or metal protector plate installed (the one under under the engine - I don't know what it's officially called). For the interior I have to install the steering column cover and plastic knee plate on the drivers side. What did you do to cover the hole where the choke cable use to be?

I have the RB header, pre-silencer and muffler. I think I have a small leak though because it sounds a little "putt putt" at idle. It could be that I have the stock midpipe installed between the pre-silencer and muffler which is thinner gauge. I have been thinking of bringing it to a shop to see if I can get a custom piece made out of thicker pipe to make sound a little deeper. In short I like the RB products a lot. Sounds and looks great and I'll never have to replace them. It's a bit louder than stock - enough to make a statement without pissing off the neighbours.

mazdaverx713b

iTrader: (91)

the dreaded choke **** hole..i actually spent months looking for the small grey cap that snaps in place there. the plug was only found on the GSL-SE and is NLA from Mazda. i had a heck of a time finding one. i even offered to buy the entire plastic panel to get the piece. i ended up getting one eventually though.