I currently have an 84 with a 12a and I’ve been to of that switching to a 13b would be much better but I really don’t want to spend 3 grand on a new engine. All I need are minor things like master/slave cylinders and I don’t know if I should switch.

 

So what are you asking exactly? Is your 12a running? then drive it till it drops. Improve the car, better exhaust, new suspension, replace worn out parts. new wheels and tires, 14" '83 limited edition wheel (enkie made them)
switching to a 13b? do you a donor car? lots to swap over....

 

if you're worried about money....just play with what u have

 

• Money isn’t really an issue I just don’t know where to go from here. It doesn’t need much to run but it wouldn’t be much to swap it.

 

What is your goal? I'm not sure I understand your question. You can swap a 13B in a 12A car, and keep the budget lower if you buy a known good used engine. Tou can continue on with the 12A. There are a few bolt on's that will help make more power. You can rebuild you engine and have it ported to make more power, and install an aftermarket carb and exhaust. You have options.

 

I am pulling a new performance carb and intake manifold on it along with a new exhaust manifold. I would like to know what kind of bolt one you are referring to Bc I haven’t seen to much on those. Also I’m removing the rats nest.

 

That's really it. A carb with intake and exhaust. Removing the rats nest yields no power gain but with an aftermarket carb and exhaust you will not need it. You can convert to a direct fire ignition system which is nice. You will need an adjustable fuel pressure regulator with an aftermarket car and a slightly beefier pump as well.

 

Be aware that intake manifolds and headers for your 12A won't fit the 13B block if you get one later. What do you need to get your 12A running?

 

Like I said. I need to put the carb on and put on my electric fan and put on my master/slave cylinders for both brakes and clutch. And yes I know that they don’t fit.

 

Okay, just making sure you knew. As others have said, it wasnt real clear what you're asking. Was the car complete when you got it? (With intake/exhaust/clutch &brakes) or are you resurrecting a car that was in storage / someone's driveway for many years? I mean, are you fixing up a complete car or rebuilding s derelict?

 

The car was sitting for 13 years. It doesn’t need much work but it does need some.

 

Got'cha. I looked back at your threads and saw you were asking about replacing the clutch and brake masters last October, and removing rats nest to install a side draft carb setup. And a fuel pump. But I couldn't find any pics or info about your car, other than '84 GSL. The more detsils you can share when you ask a question, the better answers you'll get to help you.

So did the car sit for 13 years in a garage, or a driveway, or a field? Does the motor turn over with a battery in the car, or is it seized? Do the brakes work, or are they shot? Is the underside rusty or still pretty solid?

Wait, what was the question, anyway?

 

Ok so it’s an 84 GSL and it does turn over. The previous owner had it running while they were pouring gas down the carb. It’s not rusty and it’s in excellent shape. The brakes lines are fine I just need to get new pads and The master cylinder. It was sitting in a driveway all that time and surprisingly the rats didn’t get to it. But I would like to remove the rats nest Bc I want a very clean and minimal engine bay. I had asked weather or not I should switch to a 13b from the 12a.

 

Got it. I'm also working on going from 12A to 13B, but I'm rebuilding the suspension this winter and hopefully the motor/tranny next winter. So your current engine had some kind of fuel delivery problem. It would run if it got fuel, but wasn't getting fuel for some reason. What about the clutch and brake masters? How come you pulled those out?

 

I forgot to say that the fuel pump needs replace my bad. But the clutch was on the floor and the brakes wouldn’t do anything.

 

Master and slave cylinders are same unless you are swapping the transmissions.

I sympathize kind of, but I think you are doing this for the wrong reasons. Yeah, NA 13B's are cheap as dirt, but if you have a running 12A then just run it.



Regardless you do need a 13B engine, and headers and a carb.

You can use your existing carb and adapt it to the 13B if you want to be cheap. I saw on ebay a while back a 13b to 12a carb adaptor; it wasn't expensive.

You can cut your existing headers and re-weld them wider or just buy new ones.

The mounts are close enough to identical you just need to swap your 12A front cover over to the 13B. Then cut the front engine brace to accept a longer engine. The cut is self explanatory once you are staring at it in person.


All and all the swap costs less than $1000 (save you can pick up a cheap 6 port engine). Much less if you can source cheap parts or weld. Be ware you will see about 2 more horse power so make sure you're ready for the extra output.