2nd Gen parts to keep for a 1st Gen...
 

Hey guys. I'm parting out my FC soon and I plan to get an FB with the money from that. I was just wondering what parts I should think about keeping for use on FB. I've read about the oil filter pedestal, radiator, and alternator, but is there anything else I should think about keeping? BTW its an '87 TII, 5-lug.

And yes I have searched :D but I couldn't find anything specific.

take the entire TII harness, ECU, coils, fuse blocks etc etc. Save it for future TII conversion on your FB

^^^ +1 ^^^
Also you might consider keeping suspension, making it possible to go 5 lug conversion later, seats in 2nd gen are more comfy too.

I doubt I'll be doing a TII conversion seeing how the 13b is one of the reasons I'm switching to an FB, but it's def something to consider. I could use the money right now as well... The fuse blocks were a good idea tho, I can use those to convert from those gay fuseable links. Thanks for reminding me!

The car already has some cheap ebay lowering springs/shocks (came on the car :P) so I don't think I'll be keeping those, unless you mean some other parts of the suspension... Are the FC seats lighter? How's the fit/ease of installation? Again I could use the money a lil more than comfier seats unless there was a notable advantage in keeping them...

install of seats is just bolt in (swap the sliders), you could keep the brakes from the fc, the fc brakes are awesome in fbs... depends on what year your fb is tho 84 - 85 are ok

*cough*

http://c3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...9359e4bdfe.jpg

My body shell, interior, radiator, oil cooler, and driveshaft are still FB. So's the rear axle but it doesn't look like anything Mazda made anymore...

Front crossmember, engine, and transmission are FC.

Neato. I assume the FC crossmember is there as part of the 13b swap? I don't really know the details of the swap seeing as how I don't intend to do one, so forgive my ignorance...

You don't need the crossmember for a 13b swap. A lot of people swap it in to get the rack and pinon steering. It is one of the least expensive ways to replace the lame FB steering box.

O.o really now? I'll have to look that up... Is there a lot of fabrication involved? I doubt that it just bolts in...?

EDIT: OK, upon further research I don't think I'll be doing a steering rack swap anytime soon (I'd rather just save up for the respeed rack :D )

Is there anything else I should be thinking about? The oil cooler I have is in good condition so I'll be keeping that...

Waterpump. The impellers always go bad on 2nd gens but the main housing is aluminum.

Edit: oh wait, you said TII. Those housings can be clearanced to fit 1st gens. I'd do S4 but probably not bother with the S5 housing.

I've had an FC engine since 2008. In a nutshell it is superior to the SA/FB engines in every way. It's a direct bolt-in with some FB bits.

The crossmember is because it was cheaper than replacing the worn suspension parts.

There is no advantage to the FC oil filter housing, it works the same as the SA/FB unit.

The oil filter pedestal should be the same from the parts bin for '81-'92.

Yep, grab that aluminum water pump housing. The fb is cast iron, and weighs a ton and a half.

The plastic caps that cover the tops of the struts too, if you care about that sort of thing.

Leading coil pack, so you can convert to direct fire ignition.

Alternator.

Definitely the seats if they are in good shape.

And even if you don't plan on using the TII motor, grab the harness because there is always someone looking for one who would be willing to buy it from you.

That's all I can think of right now. :)


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Oil cooler and brakes.

It's alkso probably corroded through. At least, every one I've had was perforated in spots.

Different bolt pattern. Ask me how I know :)

I am using ZX2 strut tops, by the way.

I see. I Didn't know about that. I have an NA S4 housing as well so that's cool to know.

lol yeah I'll def be keeping the caps, didn't know you could swap them :D (EDIT: just read peejays post, heh. nevermind) As for the coil pack I have an MSD 6a sitting around that I plan on using. And yeah I'll be selling the harness when I part out the car anyway.

Now the brakes I have some confusion with :scratch:. Which brakes can you use with which models/years/axles? I've been reading all the posts I can find but I just don't get it...?? Sorry to be such newb :Wconfused

The speedometer cable from an FC will work in an FB. The 2nd gen cable is a little bit longer than a 1st gen cable, but it will work just the same.

Although not the same bolt pattern the rubber caps will fit.

84 - 85 fbs work "easiest" (have to have parts from an 84 or 85, front strut assembly and rear end) but you'll have to buy the respeed kit.

Why would you not keep and swap the entire TII into the FB again....?????

Turbos are for trucks!

Like I said, the 13b is way too much of a headache, I don't want that damn thing anymore lol. I much prefer carbs when it comes to troubleshooting an engine, and I do intend to DD the FB...

rofl, I don't know about that! I would love to turbo the 12a someday when I get some money together:icon_tup:

That doesn't make any sense... I'm not bashing your response at all, it's just now I am sure that it "WAS" what you intended to actually say.

I could understand if maybe it was because the stock EFI of your Series 4 TII is something you don't want to get into figuring out let alone dropping it into a 1st gen or something along those lines, but b/c it is a 13B doesn't really make sense...???

I have a 13B in my 85gs w/a 12A carb setup as a daily driver for the past few years now. ;)

I'd sit on that TurboII, especially with ur last response talking of someday turbo'ing your 12A.

In my opinion, the 12A is a horrible engine to turbocharge. Parts availability is shrinking every day and you will go through a lot of parts. The 13BT is a much nicer engine for turbocharging.

I get what you're saying, no worries. I never considered carbing the 13b, I like that. It's a moot point regardless, seeing as how I sold the blown TII motor I had already. I'm laid-off right now and I could use the money more than I could use a blown motor taking up space in the garage you know?

You guys bring up some really good points. I may just hang onto my harness and ECU now. This has been a very illuminating thread for me! :nod:

How much did you sell the block for..??? And was it just a short block or did it have a bunch of stuff still attached like the clutch, pressure plate, flywheel, exhaust manifold etc....

If you're really going to STAY messing with RX-7's you might regret selling your stuff while you were strapped for cash, I know I have. When you answer the 1st question I'll tell you if you're going to regret it toooo haha. :)

Just the short block with the tranny still on it, got $500 for it. Not too worried tho I've got another 5-speed sittin in the garage.

And I can regret it all I want, it doesn't change the fact that I've got bills to pay and no other source of income. No point crying over it :(

Yea I'm not saying to cry over it... I'm just trying to steer you from making the same mistake I made once. I sold my FULL turbo set-up when I was fustrated with popping my motor / strapped for cash / btwn jobs and have regreted it since. Ohhh well, I guess everything happens for a reason. :)

FC door weatherstrip will work in FB's also, just need some minor tweaking

The rubber covers still fit though.

THAT is very good to know!

Yeah, right? I did not know that.

Get the spare tire/wheel -- especially if it's aluminum. If you go to the same bolt pattern on your FB, the FC spare wheel will fit.

oreally? I have two aluminum spare tires, good to know.