Can anyone point me to resource noting the differences between an 82 and 83 12a Rx7.

I picked up a used 83 engine and the (2) water bypass into the inlet manifold have been blocked. What are the pros/cons to this?

 

Im pretty sure that the 12a's are the same...did it look like the bypasses were blocked off by someone AFTER having the engine? Or was this done from the factory?

 

that may be for the behive oil cooler. the 82's and previous 12A's had the air/oil cooler under the rad. Much better than the useless behive.

 

So if I swap a '79 engine into an '83 I'll have to find a '79 oil cooler?

 

yes. Also 83-85 12a's have lighter rotors

 

I have an '83 12A and I plan on swapping out the behive for a REAL OILCOOLER.

the behives suck

they leak and don't cool the oil as well
It must have been a cost saving measure for the bean counters

 

i have an 83 that has the under rad oil cooler from the factory...

am i special.. or would it differ from country to country?

 

You are special...and there were minor differences here and there depending on country.
For example, I wish that they had made the 12A turbo available in North America.