How much better is the se vs the gsl? I know all the differences but if I was to sell my 85 gsl to get a se would it really be worth it?

 

both cars are fun in exactly the same way, so the difference is pretty subtle. the -SE has a fatter power band, and depending on the production date, it revs a little lower on the freeway.

its got better brakes/tires too, but you won't notice on a street car.

 

Right. Fuel injection would be kinda nice too.

 

What about the rear end is it really that much better? Can it handle more power than the gsl?
I'm debating doing the swap but just trying to find out if it's really worth it..

 

The added torque of the 13b is nice too.

 

I don't think it's worth it. I like my carb fed motor. If I had a gsl I may consider the trade, as the luxo features are kinda the same. But I'm an s model man.
More power is nice, I guess. That's part of the fun of the 12a, maximizing what it is. The rear end of the GSLSE is interchangeable with the 84-85 models, I don't think it's any more stout, but may be wrong.

 

We'll there are literally like no other 7's in my area. I've never drove an SE so can't really compare. It would be nice to have some others around.

 

We'll I know that it has a favorable lug pattern and leads to more options with wheels.. But is that really it????

 

Keep the GSL! FI to me just says more computers and that's exactly why I like the GSL. No BS.

Everyone is different though.

 

Pretty much why I bought my GSL Jush.

 

Same here, only bummer is that I wish I had crank windows.

Well, I guess I still can, it's just a pain now.

 

That's kinda my feeling too, that's another reason I'm putting a rb holley setup on my se. Hmmm. . So if I'm stripping all the fi stuff, comp. and things related to it. I wonder what the weight difference would be now between a gsl and an se?

 

The 83-85 12A RX-7's were the pinnacle of the working man's carb'd lightweight two seat sports car, taking up the slack left by the MGB.

And the rotary 12A engine made it magic.

The FB has the proper power to weight ratio, it handles great in the curves or cruising on the highway and it's affordable, then as it is now.

The SE took this winning formula in the wrong direction, fattening up the FB and taking away its spirit.

 

it is, throttle response in corners and when the engine is at different temps is better.

who said anything about the rear end? its basically the same. different axles, different rotors, same diff....

except it doesn't. the GSL has a computer too. how's that for BS! and the 12A turbo has TWO computers!

 

Ill put a vote in for SE. My first car was an 85 S model. I loved it. But now I have an 85 SE and the options for power output seem limitless. Again, I loved my little carbed S model, but even with every bolt-on exhaust piece, k&n filter, msd ignition and modified niki, it still didn't have that power I craved.

What sucks is you can't really compare these cars apples to apples anymore. The degree to how well they've been maintained and modified greatly sways a persons feelings one way or the other.

You could drive someone's 12a with a fresh motor and then an SE with 160,000 miles and 85psi of compression and obviously feel the 12a has more power. Or you could drive a GSL with a low mileage steering gear box and an SE with a worn gear box or bad ball joints and assume the GSL handles better.

So ultimately it's gonna come down to what you are comfortable with, carb or EFI, and all the positives and negatives that go with each. As for the body, suspension, handling, etc... That will depend only on the condition of the car and how much you want to put into restoring or modifying those items.

 

Yeah my car feels slow as hell now that I've had it for a while.

 

May as well do a t2 swap. Or get a fast car.

 

More Horsepower, EFI, Bigger Breaks and Wheels, Limited Slip - "Fattening up and taking away it's spirit"? I don't think so... Refining is a better term.

Other factors: 13b's parts are more accessible for rebuilds. If you live in a State with Smog Checks like California, the SE's are much easier to pass.

 

Gsl has a tighter LSD than the SE. More discs.

 

Both have good LSD for their application. From what I've read, the SE rear end was engineered to perform better with the additional torque. In stock form, the GSL rear end is perfect for a GSL and the SE is perfect for an SE.

 

Hey send me a pile of money to my pay pal then will ya?

 

I had 4 or 5 12A FB's before my first(and current) 'SE...I'll NEVER go back...I was amazed at how much difference the 13B and EFI made compared to the non 'SE's...THEN I got the 5th, 6th port actuators actuating properly, and WOW. There was a whole new world of low end torque I could have never imagined in any of my 12A's.
The only thing I didn't like was the less aggressive rear end(supposedly made this way on purpose from the factory so people weren't out there accidentally "drifting" around) but that is easily remedied by tightening up the clutch pack stack with shims or with the same disk setup as the GSL's. My first hand exp. anyway.

 

Ive had my SE a long time. Ive seen it nearly factory fresh, and then the problems that come with mileage. Surging problems, the flooding issues, etc. If you are good as a technician and can keep the SE in good shape, to me, there is no substitute.

 

My SE has a hogged Nikki. No flooding problems or surging. Awesome low end torque. Best of both worlds.

 

Problem is I probably can't sell mine for enough to buy an SE. And I seriously don't think I could find a cleaner car than mine around here. Besides faded paint my car is mint. Seriously not a touch if rust. The under body is the cleanest I've ever personally seen. Maybe I just need to get a better engine. I had a 13b out of a 91 gxl that I sold. Kicking myself in the *** now.