turbosa22c

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

ioTus

iTrader: (5)

I think it sound appropriate, being EVERY SINGLE OTHER rx-7 produced in america followed suit,

fb- first gen
fc- 2nd gen
fd- 3rd gen

1rx7owner

The 79-80 are SA and 81-85 are FB.

peejay

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".

anthrax

Around here people with North American 1979, 1980 cars refer to them as SA's

SA is also in the VIN number, just like FB

JDuncan

iTrader: (3)

SA > FB

peejay

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...)

pratch

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

MosesX605

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.

peejay

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.

buddah9543

yes i also like the SA so classic. And yes i agree with anthrax 79-80 is SA and 81-85 is FB. Thats how i always knew it when i first got my 79.

Wankelguy

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.

RotaryMotorDisorter

Nice! Nice to see some people backing up the good old SA's. Mines been good to me so far. I love the looks of both the exterior/interior.. I think they all need TII swaps

pratch

Ergonomics... That's the only reason it switched places - not because everyone else was doing it Sort of like top/left navigation on websites - there's an actual reason why its done...

Keaponlaffen

I'm all for the SA and it's simpleness I love my '79... but it's parked

peejay

Yeah... but when you need to flip your headlights on for a split second, your right hand is already off of the steering wheel in preparation for downshifting...

Sk8r_dude

who cares? call it what you want!