So I posted a couple days ago about the bad housings in the 12A I tore apart and have been searching around for a new engine ever since. I might have a line on a good FC 13B and so have been searching the forum for what I would need to make the switch. As far as I can tell I could do it with a racing beat 13B motor mount, a new fuel pump, new manifold/exhaust, front cover and a new oil pan. It's currently in a working FC so I should be able to pull everything I need to make it run, including oil cooler and the computer. The computer scares me a bit, but the rest seems pretty straight forward if I can keep the same transmission. From what I've read here I think I can. Is that true for FC motors as well or only gel-se 13Bs? The other choice is 13B from a turbo II but that seems like an excessive amount of work and I don't know if it will fire.

 

If your car is a carbureted model (as all USA-market 12As are, I see you are in Canada though), it might save some time and electronic frustration if you can find a carburetor intake setup. I'd weigh the cost and work of putting in a fuel pump and regulator vs. a carburetor that can work with the stock pump. With some mods a Nikki carb can work, too.

Should be able to bolt a FC engine right up to an FB trans. 13bs are longer but not wider.

 

I was going to say the same thing - if you're intimidated by the computer, then stay carbed. Or go the other direction, and get a MegaSquirt and really learn what an engine management computer does.

The 12A through Renesis will all match up to the same transmissions, I believe.

 

I agree. I'd go with the NA 13b (assuming its an S4 and not an S5) and slap a Holley or Weber carb on it and call it a day! But that's just me looking at the easiest option to minimize downtime etc. Switching from carbed to EFI takes a lot more effort than most people factor in. Full harness, ECU, fuel pump, regulator and other bits and bobs. The wiring is always the worst part of the swap. If you have an electrical minded friend or are competent at running wires etc. then this should be a weekend job at the least. One other thing, if you've got a donor FC that you can grab parts from, you should consider doing a brake and suspension swap while you're at it. Swap the FC front subframe and either swap rear axles or re drill the hubs. Bigger brakes, rotors and better bolt pattern for aftermarket rims. I love the old school plus 13's but there are so many great rims out there in larger sizes.

 

Depends on the year of your car, swapping rear axle isn't an option for S1/S2 without a full rear end swap - different bearings.

The suspension swap isn't really a 'while your at it' job, but if you have an easy opportunity to grab parts and somewhere to store them, you may want them in the future.

 

I've been thing about staying with carbs. The new fuel pump thing wouldn't be too big of a deal as my current seven has a bad gas tank anyways – I can only fill it up halfway or else it starts to leak – but I like the idea of staying with carbs, despite the fact it might be a little more fiddly.So, if I get a weber or holley I won't need a new fuel pump though? That would offset the cost of a new intake/carb, which would be nice. And unfortunately I don't have an FC to pull anything except drivetrain from. The guy wants to swap out the 13B for a renesis I think so he just wants to get rid of the running gear, ot the suspension. Besides, I just put the Techno Toy Tuning coil overs in it (when I say just I mean that I'll finish off the install this weekend).

 

I have a 13b first gen header somewhere if u need it