i need to find out if my car is an 81-82 or 83 and higher because im rebuilding it and some parts are different. I was told it was an 83 but i have the oil cooler under the radiator. are there any other features that would distinguish it?

 

130 mph speedo = 83
the oil cooler could of been swapped, so don't go by that.

 

Check the Vin#

1981 - on

USA:

JM1FB3314B0600001
JM1.............. = Manufacturer Mazda Passenger Car
---F............. = Car Line (F=RX-7)
----B............ = Generation (B='81-'85, C='86-'91, D='92-'99)
-----3........... = Country Code (3=USA)
------3.......... = Body Style Code (3=coupe, 5=cabriolet)
-------1......... = Engine (1=12A, 2=13B, 3=13B Turbo, B=13B-REW)
--------4........ = Misc, ID Code / Check digit
---------B....... = Model Year Code (see list 1)
----------0...... = Factory Code (0=Hiroshima)
-----------600001 = Serial Number

1) USA Model Year Code
B=81 H=87 P=93
C=82 J=88 Q=94
D=83 K=89 R=95
E=84 L=90 S=96
F=85 M=91
G=86 N=92

 

yeah that would be the better way, would'nt it...

 

yea vin is the only real way to tell. Also look at the sticker in the drivers door jam, it will have a production date on it, thats not a sure thing, but it will confirm that your decoding the vin right at least. The oil cooler means nothing since a lot of guys swap those out. the 130 speedo as mentioned earlier is a dead giveaway too.

 

I have an 83 speedo in my 82. It's an easy swap.

 

off topic:

i like the lower speedo in my car. its fun to guess how fast your going above 80 lol.. and its funny to see the speedo peged out.

on topic:
check the vin, best way to tell. its also nice just to read the vin to know all about your car. model, body code, ect.

 

i will go see right now..................................the 10th digit is D so my car is an 83 i guess the oil cooler was just swapped. thanks

 

yeah me too. It's also an easy roll-back...my 82' had low miles but the 83' donor speedo did'nt. Just a c-clip here, a screw there, and a couple clicks back... and I was back in bussiness