Hey guys I been looking forward to starting a project car for a while now ( 2 years). I am finally in a position to get started, yeah the wife said it was okay. I am going to look at a 1980 that has not run in 10 years, it fits my needs since i am really only looking for a shell. i have read enough to know that this job is easier with a GSL-SE car but this shell looks to be in great shape.

I was thinking that i read somewhere that 1980 and 79 are not good candidates for 13b Turbo swaps. Does any one know if this is true or have I imagined it. Am i trying to stop myself from making a mistake by not starting with the right car for the swap?

Thanks

 

Nothing wrong with the SA.

The main thing an SE gives you is all the best 1st gen components to handle the power.....brakes,cooling,LSD,gears,ect.....right off the bat.Any of that stuff can be swapped into an SA,although at great cost/labor.

The only technical advantages to an SE are,
1.The needed mounting parts,like oilpan,front cover and mounts for a 13B are right there.
2.The SE has a fuel tank setup for EFI,so you dont have to adress the slosh baffle issue,although you have to run an external fuel pump which not everyone likes.
3.The 81-85 cars have a shifter hole that is closer to matching up if you want to run a TII trans (highly advised).

None of these are critical issues and all are overcome with relative ease compared to the rest of the swap as a whole.

 

I know nothing about the fuel injected 7, but I just wanted to drop in and say that I love the username!!

Good luck with the project. And dont be scared to take pics and post 'em b/c we all love em!
~andrew

 

There are a couple minor differences. If you can afford it I would reccomend getting a GSL-SE from the get go.

 

At the very least, start with an 84/85 GSL. You can use the 12A front cover, and the car comes with rear disc brakes and an LSD.

 

post some pix

 

I personally like the look of the SA. You will spend more time looking for parts but to have a really nice SA is worth it IMO.

What kind of project is this? Widebody or Stock look with performance upgrades?

Depending on how serious you get with the upgrades, big brake kit, grannys rear, t2 tranny, etc, you would be replacing a bunch of parts even if you had a newer FB; therfore the SA wouldn't be too bad. Plus if it is mostly rust free thats a bonus.


I could be way off but when I hear project my mind hears at least a few years and lots of money.

 

where are you in atlanta? i have a 79(see sig for pic) its pretty heavily modded. the enine isnt really, but im saving that for last. plus im working on a VERY tight budget since i started college this year.

honestly, if you can id go with an SA chasis. they look mcuh better IMO. the differences are so minor that i wouldnt even worry about it.

its not a big deal to mod the tank for FI. its not a big deal to swap the rearend. where did you find the car? i found a good deal on a SA in atlanta recently. if youre interested let me know.

 

Thanks for all of the positive words guys, the car will be stock looking with some good power, I hope to swap in a 13 BREW (1 listed for a 1,000.00 right now in 3rd Gen. parts) but we will have to see.

Steve84 it was the shifter i read about now that i see it. I guess you can just enlarge the hole.

AWS I live in Grant Park (downtown ATL) and found the car on the "old guys with 1stgen" thread in the SE Forum. It is listed on craigs list for $750.00 I am difential intrested in looking at a car if yiu see one and would love to check out your car aswell. Call me if you are around or find something cool 770-294-3188

The wife wants me to wait till early spring to buy one but we all know how these things come and go, so i have been "given" the go ahead if i find a good deal. $750 for a car that wont run but is in good shape fits the bill.

My over all desire for this car is something to tinker with... i have told my wife that this will likely be a multi year 5-7 K project (300-350 hp and all supporting mods would be the goal I would seek and likely never achieve). Melting tires would be main use along with being able to post some good kills.

As soon as i have something to take pictures of i will no matter how ugly it starts.

Thanks again,

Keep it side ways 2fast2rotar....

 

i see the one youre talking about on CR. look at this one:

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/511586107.html

seems like a much better deal to me. id check them both out. i looked at yours and it seems like itll be a lot more work.

my SA in in toccoa, 45 minutes from me, but it should be coming down to oakwood/gainesville soon.

were you at an OGTA meeting?