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

S, GS, or GSL?

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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 09:47 PM
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S, GS, or GSL?

Considering buying a very solid ‘84 that I’ve run across, but I’m trying to figure out which model it is.

What is has (or doesn’t) for options:
No sunroof
No power steering
No rear wiper
No power mirrors
Manual windows
Checked pattern seat and door cloth (gray)
12A
5-speed
Radio and climate controls are missing, so no help there
Limited slip diff

It’s really the LSD that seems to be the outlier. I’m guessing GS with an optional factory LSD (if there was such an option) or someone has swapped in an LSD.

Thoughts? Any way to look up or get build sheets anymore? Thanks!
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 10:49 PM
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Discs or drums in back? If it's discs, I'm guessing someone (maybe even the dealer could have been convinced to) swap in a GSL or SE style rear end. It's an easy change.

If it's drums I'm guessing someone read that RX7s come with limited slip and included that point in the ad, but it's really an open diff.

Last edited by cpt_gloval; Sep 3, 2019 at 10:51 PM.
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Old Sep 3, 2019 | 11:01 PM
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Originally Posted by cpt_gloval
Discs or drums in back?
Rear discs, 4x110. Wasn’t advertised as LSD, but I was pleasantly surprised.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 01:53 AM
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Sounds like an 'S' (manual mirrors) with a GS rear end....

Stu A
80GS
AZ
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 05:46 AM
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Stu, do you mean an S model with a GSL rear-end? The solid rear disks would indicate GSL, while vented rear disks would indicate GSL-SE - though that would be an odd combination with the rest of the trim level description (manual windows, 12a, etc.).

Over the years, many people swapped in what they had, but rear disks (solid or vented) definitely indicates an LSD is (or was, originally) present.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 05:51 AM
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The S model also did not include a windshield sun shade, a glove box or rear hatch light, no electronic hatch release, no dead pedal, no map light, and no illuminated driver's door lock cylinder. If that helps you determine if it's an S model.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 10:04 AM
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Duck - it was the MANUAL mirrors that caught my attention. I thought only the S came so equipped...

Stu A
80GS
AZ
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 11:24 AM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
no sunroof makes it a GS or an S. Manual mirrors would make it an S model, but its possible to swap those.

also, the S model is the only one with no badge on the back, all the other models get a GS/GSL/GSL-SE badge
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by mazdaverx713b
The S model also did not include a windshield sun shade, a glove box or rear hatch light, no electronic hatch release, no dead pedal, no map light, and no illuminated driver's door lock cylinder. If that helps you determine if it's an S model.
Reading this, I would say that it is not an S, but rather a GS and that someone swapped in a GSL LSD. The backstory that I got was that the original owner was in constant contact with Racing Beat, always looking for the latest upgrades, but rarely investing in them.

If I do buy it, it’ll become a full fledged GSL, less sunroof, if that was 100% standard equipment.
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Old Sep 4, 2019 | 07:54 PM
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Swapping over to power windows would be a mildly difficult task. I'm all for adding the rear wiper and disc brakes with limited slip differential. The power windows would just be unnecessary in my opinion. More weight and the windows do not fully retract into the doors like the crank windows do.
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Old Sep 5, 2019 | 08:54 AM
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From: https://www2.mazda.com/en/100th/
Originally Posted by XLNDRVR
Reading this, I would say that it is not an S, but rather a GS and that someone swapped in a GSL LSD. The backstory that I got was that the original owner was in constant contact with Racing Beat, always looking for the latest upgrades, but rarely investing in them.

If I do buy it, it’ll become a full fledged GSL, less sunroof, if that was 100% standard equipment.
i'm being dumb, if you PM me the vin i can tell you what model it is!
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Old Sep 5, 2019 | 09:42 AM
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google search found this on the forum
https://www.rx7club.com/vindecoder.php

i input my vin and mine is a GS. make sure to use capital letters, otherwise it comes back as an invalid vin number.
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Old Sep 5, 2019 | 08:14 PM
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I thought the S had only a 4 speed tranny?
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Old Sep 5, 2019 | 08:23 PM
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Well a quick look at my original window sticker shows that's not right. My S has cruise and AC, but has the manual mirrors and 5-sp. I always thought I had a GS. Still wouldn't trade her for anything!
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Old Sep 5, 2019 | 08:56 PM
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The S only had the 4 speed trans in 79 and 80. The 5 speed was optional. In 1981, the 4 speed manual transmission was dropped in favor of a standard 5 speed transmission.
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Old Sep 6, 2019 | 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Ckforker
Well a quick look at my original window sticker shows that's not right. My S has cruise and AC, but has the manual mirrors and 5-sp. I always thought I had a GS. Still wouldn't trade her for anything!
The cruise control and ac install would have been done at the dealer,some dealerships took cars to independent places to have these accessories installed to circumvent service department charges. I did a lot of both installs,gravy work,sometimes tag team with another tech to do install,best time just under 45 minutes-depended on which kit we got from parts dept,there were two manufacturers of kit. One better made than the other,went in car faster. Made pretty good coin fixing up effed up ac installations from outside installers.
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Old Sep 6, 2019 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by rxtasy3
google search found this on the forum
https://www.rx7club.com/vindecoder.php

i input my vin and mine is a GS. make sure to use capital letters, otherwise it comes back as an invalid vin number.
Dummy me tried this originally and didn’t use caps. Came back as invalid, like you said.

Doing it with caps worked, but there is a drop down menu to further refine the model type (what I am trying to determine) and whichever one I pick, G, GS, or GSL, that’s what it says it is. It initially states GS, which is probably correct, but the fact that I can change it makes me wonder if that is accurate or simply an initial default.
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Old Sep 6, 2019 | 11:07 AM
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well for me the only thing that makes it a gsl is the disc brake rear. if drum rear, it's either s or gs.
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Old Sep 6, 2019 | 09:43 PM
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Well, today I picked up what I’m sure is an ‘84 GS with a GSL rearend. Super solid shell, ‘84/‘85, and manual were my first priorities. Only a couple of small spots of surface rust in the engine bay, not a spot of rust anywhere else. Excited to get back into a 7.
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Old Sep 6, 2019 | 10:19 PM
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Would love to see pictures of the car!
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 11:13 AM
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Have to figure out how. Been a while.

Last edited by XLNDRVR; Sep 7, 2019 at 11:19 AM. Reason: No pic
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 12:47 PM
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You can attach pictures directly in the thread or use a website such as imgur that hosts pictures and post them as a response in the thread that way.
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 03:01 PM
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Pic


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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 04:47 PM
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Oh, my God...

Do all of our garages look the SAME?!?
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Old Sep 7, 2019 | 05:23 PM
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lol
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