Well I think my engine is toast. I noticed a few days ago that it had some white smoke coming from the exhaust, and it smells like coolant .

So the car is an 84 gsl-se, but Ive got a spare s/p 12A sitting in my garage. I was thinking about putting that in the car so I can still drive it while I rebuild and port the 13b, but Ive got a few questions.

1) My gsl-se already has racing beat exhaust, so if I get a racing beat header for the 12A will it bolt right up? (or at least be close?)

2) I know you can modify a 12A motor mount bracket to work on a 13B, can this be done in reverse?

3) Ill need a carburator (I think the nikki that was on there is toast) what is the cheapest way to go for that? I was thinking a used webber would be nice

I know Ill have to change the fuel pump, but thats not really a problem. Is there anything else im missing? I would like to do this for as cheap as possible (save money for the rebuild) and it has to be running monday - thursday so I can get to work.

 

So the car is an 84 gsl-se, but Ive got a spare s/p 12A sitting in my garage. I was thinking about putting that in the car so I can still drive it while I rebuild and port the 13b, but Ive got a few questions.

1) My gsl-se already has racing beat exhaust, so if I get a racing beat header for the 12A will it bolt right up? (or at least be close?)

no it will not but it can be modified to fit a 12-A.


2) I know you can modify a 12A motor mount bracket to work on a 13B, can this be done in reverse?

I dont think there is a need to modify it but if it deosnt work, then 12-A it is.

3) Ill need a carburator (I think the nikki that was on there is toast) what is the cheapest way to go for that? I was thinking a used webber would be nice


yes, carb it. lots of option there.

I know Ill have to change the fuel pump, but thats not really a problem. Is there anything else im missing? I would like to do this for as cheap as possible (save money for the rebuild) and it has to be running monday - thursday so I can get to work.


you will need a fuel pressure regulator with a return line. either a mallory , etc and in fact, a regular holley can be modified for FI pump (I've done it)

 

1) i would think so
2) get a 12a mount
3) used weber setup $450+, but you could probably use it for a year and get your money back out of it. a good investment.

 

Wackyracer, can you be more specific on what im going to need for exhaust? I was hoping the 12A header would bolt up to the presilencer that is on the car, am I going to need to weld in a section or what?

Also, I dont have to replace the fuel pump? I can just put in a FPR and be done with that?

List of stuff im gonna need:

1) Racing beat header 12A
2) Webber
3) FPR
4) 12A Motor mount (I have this)
5) 12A (I have this too)

If anyone has this stuff and they are willing to sell, PM me please. I want to get that 13b out of the car before it gets damaged even worse... I hear engines dont like to run on coolant.

 

12A mount won't work without modding it. The crossmember is different.

 

Be more specific......I am getting an SE chassis and there is no motor but I have a good 12a to put in it.....I want details Dammit.....LOL

 

So suck it up and just by some soft seals and do a rebuild, Problem solved.

 

Hey if there is a difference can't I just swap a 12a crossmember into the SE???

 

This is how I modded the bracket but over decades ago when I had the time and welder. I have to mod another one in a few weeks so I will take pix.



RX-3

 

If my opinion counts for anything...do not put a 12a in the car. IMO the 13b is one of the best attributes. Any direction that you go though...good luck.

I agree with rotor 13b suck it up and do a rebuild! I think that you will be happier.

~Z

 

I think you guys are missing the point about putting the 12A in. Its temporary so he can at least get to and from work until the 13B is rebuilt...

Anyway, Im almost positive you can use a 12A mount on the front of a 12A engine and put it in the 13B car, I dont see why you couldnt. The mounts on the frame are the exact same for a 12A and 13B car, its the physical crossmemeber that bolts to the front of the engine thats different. So, just use a 12A crossmember for the 12A engine and bolt it in.

Exhaust, do you have the single or dual pipe setup? Try emailing Racing Beat and asking them if they know what would happen. I know for the single pipe setup, they both use the stock connecting pipe forward of the muffler, so the rear mufflers would be the same in theroy, so from that pipe forward is where the changes would happen. The presilencer is different for the 5th/6th ports, but is it shorter, longer, or the same as a 12A presilencer? Also, the 13B is longer than a 12A, so is the header longer to make it meet at the same point for both exhaust systems, or is the presilencer longer to make up the length of the header? So many variables, lol.

Fuel system, as mentioned, just get a nice regulator and drop the pressure from the 60 or whatever PSI the FI pump puts put down to like 4 PSI for the carb. I cant remember off the top of my head, but I think Mallory makes a fairly cheap regualtor for this. Take a look at the specs of the 4309. Its a rising rate used for turbo applications, but it would work fine in a non-turbo also. It might make it easier to sell later too because its pretty commonly used for custom turbo setups on our cars.

Carb, well youre on the right track. Yore gonna need something. Seeing as its a SP engine, I wouldnt put a stock Nikki on there. Maybe a modded one. A stock one would work however, just wouldnt really get the most power out of it. Something used and aftermarket would be best, although harder to find and more expensive. A Weber also has the same (or at least close to the same) fuel pressure requirements as the Nikki, so the regulator wouldnt be a problem there. A Holley needs about 6 PSI I think, so if you go that way, you can still use the same regulator as the one for the Nikki/Weber, just turn it up more. I only mention the difference in PSI in case theres a cheaper regulator but it only goes down to 6 PSI or something, you could use it if you went with a Holley, you tracking?

Anyway, thats all I have for you. Hope it helps.

~T.J.

 

When I got my SE it had a stock 12a mount in it. When it took it out it was bolted right up to the stock location.

 

Well the main difference is the SE uses a different crossmember so the 13B can go right it... im not talking about the mount piece that bolts to the front cover but the metal piece that the mounts them selves bolt up to.

If its a temporary solution, id just go get the crossmember out of a junkyard for a 12A and bolt that straight in

 

Sorry I was not clear before, my SE had a 12a crossmember that was bolted to the same holes as my 13b crossmember I put in.