1980 engine 1985 RX7 engine swap 1.1L
 

Im getting ready to do a swap. the eninge in the 85 is shot. Starts boiling the coolant in about 15 minutes. So im pretty sure the egine is dead. water pump radiator and thermostat are all new. So, I have an engine from a 1980 RX-7 sitting in the closet. love these little engines. It is mainly the whole engine having the intake and whats left over of a distibuter in it. the engine was running when removed from the crashed car.
What I wanted to know was what type on thing cant be swapped from on to the other. will the 85 intake work on the 80 engine with out modification. you have to modify the 80 to work on an 85. Will there be any problem sticking the 85 distrubuter in the 80 engine. those are my main questions. If anyone has anything else I should look out for please advise. I wll be removing the rats nest and other emissions stuff do to the header.

Thanks
Sean

well is teh 85 abn se with the 13B egi or the carbed 12a?

1.1L carbed

The later intake should bolt right onto the 80 engine, AFAIK. Why use the 85 intake though? It has the shutter valve in it, whereas the 80 is free and clear. Just install the engine with the 80 intake AND carb. Especially if you're removing emissions. Use the 85 dizzy though, it's a better all-around unit than the 80.

You can't use any of the '85 emissions system on the '80. Completely different emissions reduction strategies. The problem is how the two engines get injected air to the exhaust ports.... the '85 gets it through a port in the intermediate housing, the '80 gets it through a port in the rear rotor housing.

I SUPPOSE, if you were motivated enough, you could make it work if you had a header and were adept at fabricating. I won't go into detail here but if you are serious, let me know.

can i use the 85 carb on the 80 intake? the 80 carb that I have is not in the best of shape.

Thanks,
Sean

12a swap
 

I have done the very same swap before. Change everything [and I mean everything] and it will work. Change both intake and exhaust manifolds, distributor et al. If the motor going in is really a 1980 vintage then the only thing that you'll have to keep are the original design spark plugs. The 1981-1985 12as had a little lip cast into them where the spark plugs go in. Pm me if you have any problems.

Don't change the intake manifold... keep using the '80 intake manifold.

Use the exhaust manifold from the '85, but if you have converters, replace them with a straight pipe since you don't want to use converters without an air pump. And you won't be using an air pump.

ok for any of you that have to do this you will need a couple things

1. a 5/8" tee for the water hose(if you have to reuse the beehive oil cooler) on the 80 engine the heater hose outlet is removable. but on the 85 it seem to be one piece. If you hurting for time a hack saw will get you the part you need off the 85 engine.

2. swap the oil pans. the sensors are different and not compatable going to need a gasket.


3. use the 85 (dizzy) distibuter-just better

4. used the 80 intake/carb spacer-modified to work with 85 carb linkage.

these items will work if your not using the emissions equipment. and a header is a must.

5. oil rings for the oil cooler/filter mount.

by the way I drove it home leaking oil cause I didnt have the orings. so Im doing this to save some one a hassle in the future. it was only two blocks to get home.