1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Lots of newbie questions....

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-09-03, 02:56 PM
  #1  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Lots of newbie questions....

Hey, thanks for coming into this thread even though these aer all probably questions you have answered a milion times before.

Were any first gens equiped with the 13b from the factory, and if so is there a link I could go to the explains what years and trim levels came with what?

Are any OEM carburetors on first gens preferable for performance (or other) purposes then others?

What should I look for if I am interested in buying a first gen for a restoration project. This project would have a goal of low fourteen second timeslips and a fresh, stock looking car.
Old 02-09-03, 03:06 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

 
TheTwinTurboRX-7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Raymond, ME / New Orleans, LA
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
13b came in the GSL-SE in 84 and 85

All stock carbs are the same Nikki as far as I know, which isn't far.

Any first gen can hit the fourteens with a port job, aftermarket carb, weight reduction, and free exhast.

Hope that helps some.
Old 02-09-03, 03:07 PM
  #3  
Junior Member

 
brison's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Palm Desert, CA.
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The 13b engine was standard in the '84 & '85 GSL-SE models only. The SE was the symbol for the 13b engine, fuel injection and larger brakes & wheels. Most 1st geners will tell you that this is the car that you want if stock speed is what you are after.

The '79 is also popular because it didn't come with alot of extras to weigh it down.

Alot of guys put weber carbs (45 interior diameter, I think) sidedraft with a modified intake manifold on the 12a's.

All OEM carbs were Nikki 4bbl. There are a few mods that will increase performance to this carb. I am trying one of them right now.

Hope that this helps.
Old 02-09-03, 04:22 PM
  #4  
Seven Is Coming

iTrader: (1)
 
RotorMotorDriver's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Washington
Posts: 6,503
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Re: Lots of newbie questions....

Were any first gens equiped with the 13b from the factory, and if so is there a link I could go to the explains what years and trim levels came with what?
1984 and 1985 GSL-SEs have 13Bs, as well as all RX-7s 1986-1995.
Are any OEM carburetors on first gens preferable for performance (or other) purposes then others?
Not that I know of. I have heard that the 1979 intake manifold flows better than the others, but according to Paul Yaw, the carburetors are all the same for flow.
What should I look for if I am interested in buying a first gen for a restoration project. This project would have a goal of low fourteen second timeslips and a fresh, stock looking car.
Watch out for rust. Mosty under the storage bins behind the seats, and in the rear wheel wells. Make sure the frame is stright, and just in general in good condition.

~T.J.
Old 02-09-03, 05:42 PM
  #5  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Assuming I can get my hands on a reasonably priced 84-85 gsl-se, how easy would it be to put a carburetor on those 13b's? What all is involved?
Old 02-09-03, 05:51 PM
  #6  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the 13B in the Special Edition (SE) is fuel injected and as such is a fairly reliable engine - some say the MOST reliable Mazda ever made. It's easy to wring performance out of it through intake and exhaust mods - going carb'd wouldn't necessarily do much for you.

They start at 135 HP from the factory with a broad torque band starting in the low RPMs. Change the intake filter to a free-flowing K&N, bolt on a Racing Beat header and exhaust system (eliminating the cats) and you're up in the 165 - 180 HP range before you've even touched the engine itself. Then there's street porting, etc.
Old 02-09-03, 05:52 PM
  #7  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
And how might that effect gas mileage?
Old 02-09-03, 06:00 PM
  #8  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Fuel Injection almost always gives you better gas mileage than carburation
Old 02-09-03, 08:28 PM
  #9  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OKay, thank you for all your help.

Roughly how much horsepower can the stock injectors support? And the ECU?
Old 02-10-03, 04:55 PM
  #10  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BUMP................
Old 02-10-03, 05:33 PM
  #11  
Senior Member

iTrader: (3)
 
jonfc3s's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cocoa, FL
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
the stock injectors on a gsl-se are actually better than the injectors on turbo II's, many turbo guys actually upgrade their 550cc injectors, to the gsl-se's 680cc injectors. they will support enough power for the na rotary, but, if going turbo, upgrading might be necessary due to the motors 9.4-1 compression,......
Old 02-10-03, 06:06 PM
  #12  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Are you saying that an upgrade would be necasary to avoid detonation by running rich? Couldn't other means be used to avoid detonation?

At any rate, I plan to keep the car naturally aspirated, So from what you tell me the injectors will support all the power I will need. I would like to make a little over 210 whp, and preferablyhave the injectors running less then an 80% duty cycle (it was recommended I not exceed this). So roughly how much power would you expect the stock injectors and ECU to support before I might have to upgrade and have the ECu reprogrammed or chipped?
Old 02-10-03, 06:22 PM
  #13  
My FSP Fiesta eats Jettas

 
Wankelguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,616
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I'd just put a Dellorto on it, myself. Then you wouldn't be faced with the limitations imposed by the stock FI setup. 210 whp is unrealistic for a stock-ported 13B, you'd need to do some healthy street-porting to get that much horsepower, and run a long-primary exhaust system which doesn't collect until right before the muffler.
Old 02-10-03, 06:47 PM
  #14  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
See, thats what I was thinking. Once you have your fuel injection set up, thats it, there is no adjusting or tuning with out considerable difficulty. I figured a carburetor would be preferable. Right? Still, swapping to a carburetor is not exactly a peice of cake either, so if I got a GSL-SE I might keep it F/I and just modify the existing system according to my needs.

I am aware that the stock 13b ports would not allow for 210 horsepower, at least not N/A. I was thinking a pretty agressive street porting would be in the cards. I might be happy with less then 210whp though. That much power should put me in high thirteens with some radials and and LSD?
Old 02-10-03, 06:57 PM
  #15  
My FSP Fiesta eats Jettas

 
Wankelguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,616
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
The Dellorto swap is a piece of cake. The upper manifold bolts to the stock lower manifold. Couldn't be simpler. And the Dellorto has a choke, which the Webers do not generally have. Then, when you do some porting work, you can change venturies and rejet and the same carb will work. As for 1/4 mile times, I'm not a drag racer, but I suppose that a low ET depends on more than just horsepower.
Old 02-10-03, 07:28 PM
  #16  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
OK, thank you for all the info you have all taken time to give me.


I hear a lot of people talking about 4 port side housings and 6 port side housings, and which is preferable to which...any links or info I should know about this?
Old 02-10-03, 08:23 PM
  #17  
add to cart

 
Manntis's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saskatoon, SK & Montreal, PQ
Posts: 4,180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The 6 port is preferable. It brings in more air around 3000 RPM, which allows a broad torque band.
Old 02-10-03, 08:47 PM
  #18  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Some people have said that swapping in some 12a side housings would be preferable to the 6 ports.....why?

And no one has really given me any type of gues as to the amount of power stock gsl-se injectors can support.........is this cause no one is sure, or cause it varies, or just cause no one posted it?
Old 02-11-03, 01:54 PM
  #19  
So little time and money

 
1984special's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: NorCAL
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
whitey: Some people have said that swapping in some 12a side housings would be preferable to the 6 ports.....why?
I think people want the 12A 4-port side housings because there is much more hp to gain from porting. The 13B 6-port side housings do not gain much from porting because their size is limited by the aux. ports.
Mazdatrix has a good article here


I suppose if you are going to get the engine rebuit it wouldn't hurt to look closer into the matter. Unless of course you live with the emission *****, in which case, you would not be able to pass emissions with a port job.

Hope this helps!
Old 02-11-03, 09:04 PM
  #20  
Full Member

Thread Starter
 
whitey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Jersey
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks very much for the link, very informative. How difficult is it to aquire a set of side housings from a 12a? And If I was tearing down an old motor to get ported and rebuilt it wouldn't be much more difficult to swap to the different side housings once I had them right?
Old 02-11-03, 10:02 PM
  #21  
Function > Form

 
rotor vs. piston's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Catonsville MD (baltimore suburb)
Posts: 10,890
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 1 Post
[i]

They start at 135 HP from the factory with a broad torque band starting in the low RPMs. Change the intake filter to a free-flowing K&N, bolt on a Racing Beat header and exhaust system (eliminating the cats) and you're up in the 165 - 180 HP range before you've even touched the engine itself. Then there's street porting, etc. [/B]
You should just go ahead and put that in you sig. That's all I ever hear you say BUT it is never the less true and the best way to start.
Old 02-11-03, 11:43 PM
  #22  
Wassup!!

 
Rotor13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Longmont Co.
Posts: 1,081
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Hey, He answered the question didn't he?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM



Quick Reply: Lots of newbie questions....



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:25 PM.