Rexmanwolf

OK, guys I just bought myself a 1st gen. Its a 1980. I also am getting a 1985 GSL-SE. And i wanted to know if i can swap all the interior of the 85 and drop it into my 80. Also if so how do i take them out and do i need any special tools to do so! Thats mostly it. ALso any advice for a first time FB owner. thanks!!

LongDuck

If it were me (and it once was...) I would be going the other direction, i.e. the 85SE is a much more valuable car than the 80 is.

I have an 80LS that has been stripped down to move all the performance parts onto my 84SE (see signature line). This is due to the relative rarity of the 84/85 SE models, as they were only built during these 2 years, and were the ONLY first gen to get the factory 13b RE-EGI fuel injected engine.

For this reason, there are a lot of us SE owners on the boards. To answer your question - the tools will be the same between models, and mostly consist of 10mm, 12mm, 14mm, 17mm box-end and ratchet wrenches. Flat and cross screwdrivers, and the standard garage tools.

Let us know what you decide to do - those SE parts are worth money to those of us trying to keep our cars running well into the future.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Don't bother with the 80, if you have a good SE in the works. If the SE is trashed, let me know, I want an SE Parts car.

The interiors will swap over, but the dash is a nightmare.
Some guys here have just put an FC instrument cluster in their 80-83 models and it looks quite trick.

To me, it's hard to beat the stock 84/85 interiors and dashes, they were WAYYYYY ahead of their time, and still look great today.

BTW, a good running FB will be much faster than an FC Vert.

7aull

iTrader: (2)

Ok. Call me crazy, but, with extreme bias, having an 80 GS, I'd say: stick to the 80. Yes, all the SE interior stuff should fit, BUT, as noted by others, the dash swap would be nightmarish, IMHO. The enormously complex ventilation system in the SE alone would be daunting enough...then all the re-wiring? oog. Here's the beauty of the 80: simple, simple, simple. this is a tinker-toy car to work on. No complex systems/wiring/injection etc. etc. And I will further disagree with my SE friends as to value. Like the original Datsun 240z (as opposed to the 260 & 280 models), I think the value of clean (stock is best in any collectable car) 1979-80 "Mark 1" RX7 is going to increase quicker than later cars. These are lighter more "pure-sports" than the more luxo-oriented SE cars with all those aging (and weighty) power accessories and electric doo-dads just waiting to break down. And -to maybe add salt to the wound- in so many forums I see these poor SE guys constantly battling seemingly complex, on-going issues with fuel injection and related electronic stuff in aging cars. Actually, my hat is off to them to keep plugging away, because they are the nicest of the later RX-7s, but I'll take my simple, clean-lined SA22C anytime and damn the complexity.
Please refer all bitching, moaning and threats to my attorney...
-with complete bias-
Stu Aull
80GS

Nick-7

IMHO the SE cars are more valuable. I have found many 12a cars around were I live and on the street. They are not common by any means, but they are the most common out of the first gen seven's (at least around here) I have had three GS's in a little over a year and I know were a few more gsl's are. I have an se, which I was very lucky to find.

I have weighed my se and with a full tank of gas it weighs 2,440 lbs. My brothers car weighs 2,300 with less than a full tank of gas.

Pele

iTrader: (28)

I'm gonna agree with the guys and say the dash is gonna be hell. Even moving the dash from an 85 to and 85 is pretty bad.

As for advice, it's pretty similar to N/A FC's... If they flood, crank with the fuel pump disconnected... Change oil every 2500 Miles, dont overheat, dont drive hard when cold, dont advance the timing too much...

(Fuel pump connector is under the driver's side storage bin behind the seat.)

If that SE is a parts car, please let me know, I'm lookin for a rear axle and possibly some front struts.

Rexmanwolf

Hey thanks Guys! Well, The GSL-SE was a parts car and I gutted the interior to hell this weekend. Now I have a Metal Frame with a clean tittle for that car so if any of you guys is interested, let me know! I wanted to stick to the 80 because the se was missing the rear end and it was smashed in the front right! so i didn't want to bother with trying to fix it and trying to find a rear end for that thing, i have and it was a pain. So, I have nothing else except smal stuff! if any of you would like to stop by and check it out, your more then welcome to! The 80 is in perfect condition and all i needed was a motor so thats why i just wanted to mess with that one! And yes Im pretty sure an FB would be faster than a vert but i doubt it would be faster with a turbo2 tricked out motor! I want the FB for old school status to keep it stock with very well worked on motor and the rest looks old school and Gangster! he he he. The vert is my passion more then anything since it is my first seven, so im pretty sure you guys can feel me on that one! So, send me pms or let me know what you guys need and i can see if i have it since this is the final week for the car to be here!

Ralf-786-326-2630
p.s. I am a college student so from the hours of Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 5. Please don't leave a message on the cell if i don't pick up! Thanks! And once Again, thank you guys so much for all the Help!! But I have to stick to the 80 unless someone has got an 85 body with rear end and all and all its missing is a motor,tranny and shaft, and the whole interior could be gone also!!

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

Ralph, I already spoke to you, and I want the gas tank. I will follow up with you this week.

Rexmanwolf

K. I'll Make sure to have it taken out and put it aside!

Pele

iTrader: (28)

Are you still trying to do an interior swap? If you're not, what color is the interior? I'm lookin for a grey/black interior for my 85...

Carpet will be new, I'd need Dash, Console, Door panels, rear plastic, and head liner...

Red interior for trade, rear carpet is rotten, but the rest is in decent shape.

Rexmanwolf

sorry, the interior is like a reddish burgandy, but i am still swapping the interior so good luck on your find!!


WooooHoooo 600 post now Baby!! Im moving Up!!!
sorry just thought it was kool!