MosesX605

Well my 12A is finally starting to go, even with some heavy Lucas oil stabilizer in the mix it typically smokes hard on startup, between high RPM shifts and on any hard engine braking.

As a consequence I have started looking into engine replacements. I do have a line on a running 12A, but there is also the possibility of a 13B out of a GSL-SE.

If I do go the SE route, I'd want to keep the fuel injection intact, to keep the cost of the install down, more than anything else. Now there are some snags as I understand it. First off, I'd need to run a surge tank or somehow get a baffled pickup installed in the tank of my SA. Those of you that do run surge tanks, where did you get them and where on the car do you mount them? Now if I run a EFI system, do I have to upgrade my hardlines, or will they be sufficient for a mildly modified 13B? (RB header exhaust system)

The good thing is that I have a wreck to get parts from, so what do I need to grab from the donor car to ensure that I have all the parts I need to install the engine and retain the fuel injection?

Oh, if I want to use the SE transmission, I will have to cut the transmission tunnel, since the SA shifter location is further forward than the FB. Will the lower console section from an '81 to '83 RX fit in a SA to cover up the new hole in the tunnel?

Thanks for your attention.

MosesX605

No one has an opinion?

steve84GS TII

This is my take,assuming the 79-80 cars have similar parts as the later cars.......
The feed hardline is fine,its the same size as even a TII's feed line.The carb return line is too small,it should be replaced with another 1st gen feed line.Its an easy massage fit since they are identical in shape.
The rubber lines should be replaced with EFI rated hose and clamps,another easy task.The SA tank could be swapped for an SE tank if your not against chopwork.Or you could follow my route and install an intank EFI pump.It wasnt too hard,I just used FC parts and some ingenuity.I had a shop do the final welding,but it wasnt costly and I have a factory-clean,quiet setup.
I never much liked the surgetank method.Sure it works,but youll have 2 fuel pumps to worry about now and more plumbing/hardware.Check with SelectMaz for surgetanks.The Aussies seem to prefer them.....

Be sure to be thorough with parts.Get EVERYTHING under the hood.Get all the wiring under the dash(if possible).Get anything near the ECU/firewall area.You can always pitch it later if its not needed.Shouldnt be too tough,its simpler than FC injection and that wasnt too complex.

gsl-se addict

iTrader: (3)

I'll take a crack at it. To fully swap the SE engine, you will need the engine, ECU, engine harness, engine mounts, etc. To make it easier you will also need the front harness (goes to ECU, under dash, to drivers side of car (relays, coils, etc.)). You can do without the front harness, you'll just need to run some of your own wires.

For the EFI, it would be good if you could get the SE hardlines at least. As you know, they are larger than the 12A ones. You can then use a 12A (carb fuel pump) to feed a surge tank. Usually the surge tank will be mounted in the engine bay. You will then need an EFI pump to pump from the surge tank to the injectors. Personally, I think it would be much easier to just use a SE pump and not deal with having two pumps, the surge tank, etc. (you would probably have to keep the tank fairly full at all times, though). If your car was an FB, I would say just grab the SE tank, pump and lines for the fuel system.

The 12A tranny will work fine. The only gain with the SE tranny is a little different gearing. Since your rear end gearing is different from a SE, you may be best off using the 12A tranny/rear combo.

MosesX605

Steve, what exactly did you do with the FC setup? I have access to several at a local boneyard, so I could get the necessary parts pretty easily.

Good call on the transmission gsl-se addict, I forgot about the gearing differences.

This is good stuff guys, keep it coming.