FB or SA
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: honolulu
FB or SA
I hate it when you guys refer the 1st gen as as a FB .
I know that the vin Number from 81-85 starts with a FB but it just doesnt sound right. I guess im so use to hearing it referred to as SA by my japanese and okinawa friends. i dunno to each their own i guess
I know that the vin Number from 81-85 starts with a FB but it just doesnt sound right. I guess im so use to hearing it referred to as SA by my japanese and okinawa friends. i dunno to each their own i guess
Old [Sch|F]ool
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,856
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From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Except in some countries where *all* 1st-gens were SA.
I prefer to differentiate SA from FB. The Series 1 is sooo different mechanically from Series 2&3 that it almost might as well be a different car. Thread pitches, transmission, brakes, interior, body structure, emissions control strategy, wiring strategy, wheels, bumpers, bodywork, lighting... very little will "directly" interchange in the sense of "it works exactly like the original part".
I prefer to differentiate SA from FB. The Series 1 is sooo different mechanically from Series 2&3 that it almost might as well be a different car. Thread pitches, transmission, brakes, interior, body structure, emissions control strategy, wiring strategy, wheels, bumpers, bodywork, lighting... very little will "directly" interchange in the sense of "it works exactly like the original part".
Old [Sch|F]ool
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 12,856
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From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
I'm with JDuncan. 
FB brought weird things like catalytic converters... ignitors that are attached to the distributor buried above the hot engine and next to the hot alternator (instead of hanging out in the breeze off of the left strut tower)... rear brakes that self adjust (this is a GOOD thing, I prefer having total control over the shoes)... funky looking plastic mush instead of proper steel bumpers with rubber ends like a bumper *should* look... dashboard lights that are at best, red, or at worst a sickly orange that belongs in some wretched Cavalier... a separate voltmeter instead of the tach-acts-like-a-voltmeter-with-the-engine-off dealy... odd ergonomics (wtf - twisting the left stalk turns the lights on and flipping the right stalk turns the wipers on instead of the other way around!)... shifter action more like a light switch than a proper shifter... I could go on but I think I'm gunna cry
- Pete (You always miss your first one, be it a car or a girl...)
FB brought weird things like catalytic converters... ignitors that are attached to the distributor buried above the hot engine and next to the hot alternator (instead of hanging out in the breeze off of the left strut tower)... rear brakes that self adjust (this is a GOOD thing, I prefer having total control over the shoes)... funky looking plastic mush instead of proper steel bumpers with rubber ends like a bumper *should* look... dashboard lights that are at best, red, or at worst a sickly orange that belongs in some wretched Cavalier... a separate voltmeter instead of the tach-acts-like-a-voltmeter-with-the-engine-off dealy... odd ergonomics (wtf - twisting the left stalk turns the lights on and flipping the right stalk turns the wipers on instead of the other way around!)... shifter action more like a light switch than a proper shifter... I could go on but I think I'm gunna cry
- Pete (You always miss your first one, be it a car or a girl...)
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Mazspeed.com
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Maryland
left stalk makes sense because on upwards from 80% of cars out there, the switch to turn on the headlights is on the left side of the steering column (US).
The SA/FB thing tends to be a US thing, whereas Series 1, 2, 3 is a Euro/Aussie thing. We US folks are still going to use MPH and you others will still use your KPH, but hey - that's just living with cultural differences
The SA/FB thing tends to be a US thing, whereas Series 1, 2, 3 is a Euro/Aussie thing. We US folks are still going to use MPH and you others will still use your KPH, but hey - that's just living with cultural differences
My wife bought me 2 RX-7s
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
Having owned both a S2 and a S1, or FB and SA 
, I'd have to say that I definately prefer the SA. There's something pure about the simple execution of the SA, with it's manual crank windows, archaic rear brakes, funky headlight stalk, crooked shifter, the tinny sound of the thermal reactor, etc etc.
While I will dream of owning a SE, with all its modern convieniences like power windows, FI, LSD and rear discs, There is something to be said about the original.
, I'd have to say that I definately prefer the SA. There's something pure about the simple execution of the SA, with it's manual crank windows, archaic rear brakes, funky headlight stalk, crooked shifter, the tinny sound of the thermal reactor, etc etc.While I will dream of owning a SE, with all its modern convieniences like power windows, FI, LSD and rear discs, There is something to be said about the original.
Old [Sch|F]ool
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
I know the headlight/wiper thing was backwards on the SA... but that is *character*. Putting the headlight switch on the left and the wipers on the right is just doing it like every other car on the road.
Putting the headlight switch on the left and the wipers on the right is just doing it like every other car on the road.
My FSP Fiesta eats Jettas
Joined: Aug 2002
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The SA oil coolers are much better than the "beehive" units fitted to later models, but the ignitors on the FB distributor is a much better arrangement than the remote-mounted ignitors on the '80. I like the looks of the SA models better, myself.
