Hello, I am about to purchase an SA22 Rx-7 to replace my crashed TII and the seller says it has a 13B engine swap and a GSL-SE LSD. Only thing is that it's listed as an 83 and has GSL-SE badges. I am not too knowlegable about 1st generation rx-7s so I can't tell if he is pulling my chain because this looks carbed and the 13B was supposed ot be fuel injected. Any other things you see that should be brought to my attention please notify me of.

Here is the Ad:
1983 Mazda Rx7 13B engine

83 Rx7 with 13B,5 speed ,Racing beat intake and racing beat weber,gsl-se LSD rear end,132,000 miles,white exterior,burgandy leather seats. RUNS PERFECT!!!!

 

It could be a 13B swap. Older ones were carb'd but then it would not be an SE. Easiest way to tell is look at the housings. They will say 13B or 12A and that is your best indication.

83's were not GSL-SE's so he could have the year wrong or just not know anything. Id run the VIN as well.

 

Thank you very much, that was fast and helpful, people in the 2nd gen section would've tried to tell me to search, but I really just don't know these 1st gens. I am going to see the car in person Friday as it is an hour away and I know where to check on the housing, but I was just wondering in advance.

 

Looks like a 13B based on the width of the housings. Need a better pic of the engine to be sure (it will say 12A or 13B). It is more than likely a carbed GSL-SE engine. They are normally FI, but keeping it carbed saves a lot of work when installing into a car that was previously carbed. He is running the beehive oil cooler (oil/water oil cooler) which was used in the '83-'85 12A cars, but not the GSL-SE ('SE used a FMOC). However, they are interchangeable, so you could run the 12A oil cooler on the 13B engine (the FMOCs are better, though).

 

That looks like a gsl-se swapped with a 12A, the beehive oilcooler is evidence enough, though the wheels are stock for the more desireable bolt pattern of teh -SE. But the engine appears to be the 12A, though with some mods of course.

 

Thank you, that is mainly what I was wondering. And I know, the pic res sucks but it's Craigslist and the guy must not know HTML so what can ya do? But that information is very useful. Thanks.

 

Something smells fishy. That "13B" engine doesn't look anything like the 13B in my '84 GSL-SE.

Here's a link describing the model year differences:

http://www.rx7.org/public/1st-gen.html

 

I've seen that spec sheet before and I know GSL-SEs weren't sold nin 83 which is why I said "has GSL-SE badges" in the first post and not "it's a GSL-SE". If it's a 12A maybe I can talk him down a bit, I just really want another rotary powered car and this is in my budget range. Thanks everyone for the replies.

 

Like they've said, too hard to tell from the pictures. My first thought was a 12A for the motor due to the beehive cooler but it's possible it may have been retained for the 13B swap instead of getting the FMOC from an SE which would support that it's an 83. It definitely does have at least the SE's hubs due to the wheels. But that's about all that can be confirmed by the pictures

 

It looks like it's probably not an actual GSL-SE, but has the suspension/rear-end swap. Not enough detail to tell what kind of 13B it is, but it looks pre-'86.

 

^^^In North America yes but it is globaly recognized as an SA22C so we can let it slide

 

Thats crazy that all you guys can tell just by looking at the pic.I'm just now gettin in to the rotary's getting a FC in a few weeks. I should have done this 11 years ago but better late than never right?