OK... I got two, and need to make one...

First: 83 Limited Edition with those sweeeeet wheels on her. Original red interior with original silver paint that is faded, chipped, and oxidized. Trashed dash. OK interior otherwise. Decent suspension, body has a couple small dings, but looks pretty sexy otherwise. Tranny seems to be OK (as best I can tell since she won't go more than 10 or 15...) Engine is SHOT.
Air is still working and original cold R-12.

Second: 85 GSL. Brown exterior, Brown Interior. Body is in bad shape, front air-dam is smashed to pieces and front driver fender is damaged. Frame and linkage for pop-up light is damaged, and won't go down. Interior
is TRASHED, but Dash-board is in EXCELENT condition. Since it's a GSL, it's got power windows, cruise, and other etc things the 83 does not. Power Steering is shot, A/C is too... Suspension is SHOT.

So, I've been giving thought to this. The 83 LE is so good looking, my first instinct is to throw the 85's engine in the 83.

However, is there anything about the 85 GSL that should cause me to change
my mind and use it and take parts from the 83 to make it look good?

If I use the 83, I have an idea that the rear-end, rear axle, and driveshaft will swap OK. How big a pain will it be to put the 85's dash into the 83 if I wanted to do that?

Any help is appreciated!

 

The 85 GSL has the Limited slip differential and rear disc brakes, which you should use either way..

just my $.02

 

bump! bump!

Really could use some opinions and ideas. ;0)

 

make one car out of 2..... start with the good body and but the "goodies" from the gsl ( ie lsd and all that jazz) on teh good body

problem solved

 

The LE is a somewhat rare car. (I had one) Make it into a nice rare car.

I personally like the 83 dash and instrument cluster. I vote take the 85 engine and drop it in the 83. Just be careful with the A/C not to crack a line when taking it off!!

Put the 85 rear end in the 83, swap the whole engine and tranny assy, it will be easier. TRUST ME!!

Save parts from the 83 that you may need- carb, alt, dizzy, etc.

While you're at it, do a DLIDFIS on it since you'll have the extra needed parts.

Good luck. It sounds like you've got a very good start.

 

Definitely start with the LE. It's lighter. Also, fixing rust SUXXX!!!!! You will save yourself much heartache by starting with the best body.

Plus, if you're carefull, you can swap motors without disconnecting the air.

DO swap rear ends too, the LSD is worth it.

 

I agree with metallic_rock. That would be the best route, in my opinion. If you're going to get rid of the seatbelts from the GSL, PM me. I'm looking for a couple brown belts.

 

Thanks for the advice! OK, so what is DLIDFIS? What's a Dizzy? (Sorry, these are my first 7's).

 

I think it stands for:

Direct Leading Ignition Dual Fire Ignition System, or is that:

Dual Leading Ignition Direct Fire Ignition System,
a do-it-yourself mod, (do a search for it) and a "dizzy" is a distributor, I believe...

 

Dual Leading Ignitor Direct Fire Ignition System

Dizzy= Distributor


Check out the Facts thread on the main 1st Gen page

 

Your in Dallas, seems you could use my help

More than willing to help out with anything....


I live over where 183, and loop 12 meet... have 4 first gens in my yard....


I say, you take the hole GSL drive train and put it into the LE... engine, tranny, rear end..... just be sure when you yank the LE engine, you tie the a/c comp off to the side and leave it charged (rare to find working a/c, bet it comes in handy in this heat, like today!!!)


Use the a/c bracket off the LE and ditch the ones from the GSL...


Use the GSL dash, and put in the power window setup... I would just make one nice *** car.....

AIM: Rotary Rx7 Toy


Later, Andrew

 

What is the big deal with the AC? I took off my pump and lines and crap, no problems.

 

You dont see 100+ degree heat days up there much do you?

Right now its 81* and thats pretty damn hot from what it has been

 

you can't put the 85 dash in the 83. It's different.

 

Yep, in Texas we must have our A/C, otherwise we haveta put the car up in the summer and drive our summer-beaters...

I've got my EPA cert, so I can get R-12 legally, If need be. Not a huge fan of conversions (especially on a still working 20+ yr old system), but that's another thread in itself... Good to hear that the A/C stuff will tie off to the side while pulling and installing the engine, since the A/C in the 83 works still!

As for the dash, I have obtained a black dash cap that I can install, which should be clean enough that it doesn't look like a repair. The interior will be red as it was stock, but with black leather seats and a black dash cap. Should look sweet!


79+80+84_rx-7, I may just take you up on the offer!

 

Black and red interior looks GREAT. I used vinyl stain on my arm rests and handles and re-painted the center console Black. Looks VERY good compared to just red.


good luck, and enjoy!!