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I recently purchased an 84 RX-7, GSL SE 13B). It was a build. Good body, interior is pieces of red and grey. There might be enough pieces to put it back together in either color.
I have also found a non-running 84 red on grey 84 GS. It does not run. My question, assuming g I had both, would it be better to put all my parts into the 85 or 84?
When they were new the GSL-SE was the better, "top of the line" car. Fully optioned, bigger more powerful engine, bigger better brakes, etc.. But now they are both old, so which one to keep depends on which one is in nicer shape (body and mechanical).
People are always looking for -SE rear ends and brakes to swap into the 12A cars (S, GS and GSL). So which is a better looking, more solid car? Have any pics?
The one I purchased 84 GSL SE is definitely the better body. Seats (red leather) don't match model (red over grey). It did come with most of the red extra and still has most of the grey interior components.
The 85 has the seats and missingmissing I'd need to keep it as original as possible. 84 GSL SE
I'm trying to zoom in on the rear wheel but can't tell if its an early RX7 waffle wheel. If so then its not an -SE. Or not -SE suspension anymore. The -SE has a different bolt pattern and can't wear the earlier rims.
Well if the -SE has a better body then it's the one to keep. They are higher end, more desirable cars. Interior colors are meaningless if the car doesn't drive well, so I'd worry about getting the -SE road ready first. People are always parting out cars here so you should be able to get any interior plastics in whatever color you like.
Did you get a flat or the car came rolling on donuts?
I just reread your first post. Okay tell me if I have this right... You have a running GSL-SE with a nice body. And you just found a non-running 12A GS parts car for sale.
So which one should you own as your main RX7? In other words, you're asking if you should buy a non-running low-trim car with a worse body...... because you like the interior's color better?
As I said earlier, you want the most solid car to start with. Anything missing from the interior can be found on our classifieds (or Epay).
The 12A might be a good parts car but I think the GSL-SE should be your main squeeze.
Sorry. Yes I can see buying a cheap donor for its nice interior. But if your current car is better in all other ways... better sheet metal, paint, motor, brakes, options, collector value, ... I can't see getting rid of it in favor of a worse car with nice interior plastic. Really you could buy all plastics, console, etc for a couple hundred bucks in nice shape (grey or red, black or blue).
A 35 year old car is gonna need a lot of resto/repair/upkeep before I'd worry about interior cosmetics. How are the brakes and suspension? Fuel lines clean? Primitive fuel injection still working well? How about good tires and 4 matching wheels?
And what's up with the rear wheels... are they early RX7 waffles?
Right, all the best parts to make one good car. But you asked which car should be the keeper, didnt you? Definitely the GSL-SE with better body. Rarer car. More valuable car. More desirable car. Better performing car (if both in good shape).
I'm not trying to argue, sorry it sounds like it. I'm trying to help you. Keep the -SE and buy the GS for parts. That's probably the best plan, in my opinion. Depends on the price of the parts car and how much loose money you have.
I am wondering why you won't answer my wheel question though.....
Perfect. Great conversation. Exactly what I wanted.
Would an 85 GS have power side mirrors?
Where do the red leather seats come in? I've read about them being in certain models, but I've never seen a cockpit photo with them in it. What model would have them. I dont believe this one came with them. The birth interior is grey.
So my decision is whether to keep the red leather seats with grey interior, with grey interior, or use the grey seat in the 85 with the birth grey.
Its confusing referring to them as 84 and 85.
GSL-SE vs GS is much more descriptive and to the point.
Power mirrors came stock on GSL and GSL-SE I believe. They were options on the lower trims (GS and S).
I think leather was an option on all trim levels. I'm not an interior expert but many long-term members here can tell you which interior colors & materials came in different years/trims.
the car pictured is not a gsl-se unless someone swapped in the suspension from a 12a car. that rear wheel is a dead give away. somebody that knows, what's the vin code for the SE?
the car pictured is not a gsl-se unless someone swapped in the suspension from a 12a car. that rear wheel is a dead give away....
That's what I'm thinking, and why I keep asking about the rear wheel(s). If that's a stock 79-80 waffle rim then you don't have an -SE rear end in the car. Just trying to figure out what you have there. The -SE model uses different brakes (rotor/caliper/pads) and different wheels (bolt spacing and wheel offset). So knowing what you actually have will help you in getting the right parts for maintainance and resto/upgrade.
Does it have a GSL-SE badge on the rear? Any pics of the engine? Pics help A LOT on this forum.
Now I done told y'all veterans or thr game already "go easy on a fella new to the game". The forum is for wise old facts like you guve advice and opinion to us young'ns (I'm 58).
What in the VIN would help clear this up. I'll take a look and compare. Here is an engine pick and a pick of the driver's rear (different rim same car).
The only badging I've found so far is GSL. Nothing with GSL-SE together, yet. It has power er thang, 13B fuel injected engine...i started making assumption.
That car is not a GSL-SE. Not at all. The car is a GSL with its stock carbed 12A. But don't worry. You're in good company! Almost all 1st gens are 12A cars and thats what most of us here are driving. Now you know what you have, and as I said you'll know what kind of parts to buy.
No if it originally had power windows there wouldn't be any door cranks. It left the factory with one or the other. In all likelihood the car is a combination of parts. These are 35 year old cars, most of which were ridden hard and put away wet. Yes the GSL has that funny (annoying) joystick for radio balance.
Your car is 100%, positively not a GSL-SE. Not at all. Every member of this forum can confirm that from your pics. If it's badged a GSL, has a stock 12A motor and 12A wheels, then its not a GSL-SE.
The -SE uses a different motor (looks totally different at 1st glance) and different bolt-pattern wheels. You cannot swap wheels between -SE and non-SE wheels. Your car is a 12A powered GSL model.
GSL was the top trim level, for 12A cars, until the last '85 FB (1st gen) rolled of the line.
Well, that means most of the stuff on the 85 GS I looking at buying should fit, yes?
Yes, everything should be a direct bolt-on fit. Body, interior, engine, tranny, suspension, etc. There were mechanical changes between 79-85, but 84/85 12A cars are all the same (mechanically and sheet metal).
Ok, young man. Not challenging your knowledge, trust me. I sit at your feet listening and learning. You can reign in the emphasis a little. Just trying to learn. 😁
So, again, with your insistence that mine is a GSL (which I believe, I really do), I should be able to use many of the 85 (GS, GSL or whatever it is) parts, yes?
