Ok im using alphabet soup to figure out what this car really is.... here is what i have

JM1FB3311F0XXXXXXX

JM1 - ok its a mazda! lol
FB - rx 7
33 - coupe?
11 - its a 12a
F - its an 85!!
0 - it was manufactured in hiroshima

Ok, i have a 79, my parts car is an 85 if im correct, what all would be something i would really want to put on my 79 from it?

 

electronic ignition. And depending on what model the 85 is, if it's a GSL, you may want to use the LSD. if it's a GSL-SE then you also have a F.I. 13b engine you can mess around with...

 

http://www.rotorhead.ca/topic.php?fldr=tech&cntnt=VIN

The front suspension of the FB sits lower, maybe 1/4 inch than the SA due to shorter struts. The FB and SA strut housings are not interchangeable.

If you have a 4 speed in the SA, you could switch to the 5-speed with shorter shifts, but you'll also want to change out the rear end and driveshaft if you do that. The driveshaft is not compatible between the SA and FB so either you need to have it modified or move everything over.

Depending on your commitment, the gas tank in the FB is larger, but you'd need to cut out the deep well in your SA for the spare tire and replace it with the more shallow well and space saver spare from the FB.

The seats and door cards are pretty simple swap.

The engine in your parts car is a 12a. There is alot of mixing and matching you can do there.

 

Swap the front spindle from the parts car also, more aftermarket shocks available.

 

Why do you say that the complete strut housings are not interchangeable?

In order to switch over to the FB 5spd you either have to notch the tunnel or if it is a early SA there is a procedure to swap tail shaft housings. Any 5spd FB transmission will work in there and the drive shaft will be the same.

If he puts the complete rear end from the 85 in there then the drive shaft will work. The only difference in the 79-85 drive shafts for most is that in 83 they went to the larger pinion flange. 84-85 Automatics had a different length.

 

I wasn't clear, you can't use strut inserts for an FB in and SA and vise-versa. - apologies

 

The shifter position atop the transmission is not the same SA > FB. The FB shifter sits backward further (like an inch, IIRC), and you can't use the stock SA interior or shifter gaskets with an FB trans.

 

^^ no but you can change the tail-ends of the transmissions.

 

well its looking like mainly this car will be for parts considering mine already has an electronic distributor, and a 5 speed. There are alot of good parts still though, I now have my ignition switch to replace mine thats going out, and already swapped starters since mine went out! I have all the engine parts although the parts engine is carbon locked.... im kinda curious to see if I cant get the parts car running :-). I have full exhaust on the parts car which i really needed considering mine is falling off the car, and honestly isnt doing its job at all. I have a mastercylinder which i also need! Id say not to shabby for a parts car that I got for free!! :-)

 

I'm running by memory, but I think the rotors were lighter on the later 12as with a heavier flywheel. I think the spec7 guys used to match the early flywheel with the later rotors to get the lowest reciprocating weight engines.

 

Any free car is by definition worth the price.

 

haha thats what i was thinking!!

 

i can second that. especially when the only thing you have to change is the water pump

 

Yea, i thought about seeing if i could get it running, the engine is carbon locked and im quite sure the carb is trash, but i think other than that it would run, it is complete. I probably wont worry about it though. I just want my car to run! i just need to get my brakes fixed, redo my exhaust an get my carb rebuilt, looking for a local shop here somewheres, the person who owned the rx7 shop when we had one is supposed to be calling me, he still does side work, but i dont know when he will call or even if he will. If i cant find anyone, doesnt someone on the forums do that? if so who is it, and what is the average price?? as for the exhaust and brakes hopfully between my car and the parts car, ill get it all lined out!! anywho this forum is great and i appreciate everyones help and encouragement!!

 

Post a thread in your regional forum to see who does work in your area.

 

KCscott11 hope you don't mind me jumping into your thread. I have started the same project with an 83 FB for my 79 SA . I plan to learn on the 83 for when the 79 needs TLC. Im currently unbolting the exhaust to get the tranny out as I suspect that will be the first thing I need (third gear doesn't like downshifting quickly)

rx-7Doctor Where can I find which early SA's can be used for a tail shaft swap. I have seem these comments in some threads ive reasearched, but have not found the specific information to identify the specific tranny/model, also can you point me to the procedure. I have found a procedure for swapping gears in a tranny which should help. I would like to find something more specific on this swap if it exists.