phalerider

Ok, I've settled on a 13b. I currently have a NA 12a american fb.

Heres the facts:
Lots of na GSL-SE's in the bone yard
Lots of turbo 2nd gen 13b's for sale on the web and in town
A couple FB's on the web for example
http://albuquerque.craigslist.org/cto/1230959446.html


My questions are simple,

1. should I pop in a GSL-SE motor and add a turbo
2. Should I pop in a 2nd gen 13b WITH a turbo
or
3. Buy a complete FB and miss out on spending a butt load of time and money setting up my own fb.
4. Can a GSL-SE be turbo'd, semi-safely?

I also feel a car and it's set up are kind personal, like a baseball glove or a pair of boots. So buying a complete car is good and bad but I have no problem doing it.


Please help.

BlackWorksInc

Most of those questions can be answered by searching the archives and using the search function profusely.

As for the GSL-SE 13B Turbo... I believe its been covered but I can't remember.

A more common swap is the TII, its actually all up to what type of power, and purpose you're setting you're car up for.

phalerider

It never fails 98% of all web forum posts are answered by the Spell check guy or The You should search guy.

I was under the impression that after you have searched and still have questions then you should post a question. That is what I've done in this case.

A closer look will show that I'm not asking HOW to do any of the above choses. I'm asking WHICH choise to make. I well aware of how to make each idea become reality.

This is more a social/moral and budget question. But thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can find that rascally search button

'87 turbo II

iTrader: (1)

TII swap is the most popular, and the easiest, also possibly the most cost efficient, so I would go with that. The 2nd gens have different motor mount locations so you'll have to fab something up on the sub-frame, or possibly use the 12A front cover if it's somehow possible with the TII's crank angle sensor needed for the fully digital ignition(I'm not going to pretend I know what's needed for the swap). You'll probably want the TII transmission and differential too with a custom drive shaft, or possibly find a shaft from anothe year/trim package car that will bolt the TII tranny and diff in. (your N/A tranny and rear end can't take the heavy power as well) That's the route I would take but I have never done it first hand. Hope I helped.

Rx-7Doctor

iTrader: (13)

Well once you figure out what you want then you will know what route to go.

We can't make up you mind for you when you have mixed feelings about whether you want to do the work yourself or buy one already set up?

Once you determine if you want to experience the build yourself or just want to enjoy the aftermath of someone else having done the work then the rest is easy. The TII swap is the most common.

Or if you just want to swap in a 13b and are not concerned about a turbo set up then you can install either A SE engine or A S4 or S5 or just buy a Gsl-Se.

In the end you have to decide what you want out of the experience and also are you going for HP or what.

BlackWorksInc

I just wanted to cover all the bases, sorry if I offended you.

But like I said, you need to figure out what you need the car for. If you're looking at a budget build a TII might be more cost effective than a GSL-SE Turbo. But I've never dealt with a GSL-SE Turbo so I wouldn't know exactly. I would personally go with the TII.

84stock

iTrader: (5)

Only one choice, TII swap with a 12a or GSLSE fron cover, GSLSE oil pan and GSLSE oil pick up. If I was to do my car all over again, it would be an aggressive streetport on a S5 na with the S5 vdi and ecu..

PercentSevenC

A TII swap is almost a straight drop-in (just need the oil pan and front cover and wire it up and you're basically set). A turboed -SE motor is not. You'll need a modified exhaust manifold, different injectors, tunable ECU, etc. To paraphrase from Aaron Cake's website, it is easier, cheaper, and safer to buy a TII engine.

diabolical1

iTrader: (3)

well, it seems the one consistent thing is that you want a turbo. so the only logical thing in my book is to get a T2 engine and tranny. your 12A will give you all you need to mount it and then it's a matter of getting something to manage fuel and timing appropriately. good luck.

Attila the Fun

iTrader: (1)

Option 3 is the easiest.

Yes, a GSL-SE can be turbo'd safely. David Lane put a Cartech kit in his '85 GSL-SE and is getting around 300 hp with an Electromotive Tec3r for engine management and a couple of auxiliary injectors. The webpage about his car one www.wankel.net seems to be down right now. Cartech no longer offers their kit AFAIK, but you could cobble something together. Shooting from the hip, I'd estimate about $3000 for the turbo hardware and another $3000 for the Tec3r. Professional installation and tuning - another $3000.

cmanns

I'm personally stuck between 13b blowthrou turbo or a TII swap for my FB

my 2cents