I was working today which requires lots of driving, I came across a 1980 for sale. I stopped to look at it, pretty rough shape, but it runs and supposedly drives fine. I didn't have time to drive it, as I said, I was on the clock. I looked everywhere for a badge or trim level on it, but couldn't come up with anything. My question is, are all SAs non-LSD or was this just a base model due to its lack of a badge? I didn't even see any holes where the badge would have mounted to the body on the rear. I searched but could not come up with any threads covering the topic this specifically, if they are there, I apologize for the re-asking.

Thanks in advance

 

1980 = no LSD

 

SA trim levels (best as I recall)- S had 4 speed tranny & no sway bar in the back. GS had 5 speed and added the sway bar.
The 80 did have electronic ignition, but is different from 81+ (remote mounted ignitors, etc).
All the cars had open diffs.
Personally, I really like the look of the SA better (and have 2), but as far as parts interchanging and availability, 81+ is a better option.

 

on the east coast the 4 speed came out in the later 1/2 of 1978 the 1979 model was always a 5 speed, cloth seat or vinyl, factory or probalby port of entry a/c,,,, no LSD no pass rear mirrror, you could get wheels or a dealer moon roof

 

I may be misinterpreting what you're saying, but I have a small correction to make. I have a '79 model ('79 was the first model year in the U.S.) and it has a 4 speed, so "...the 1979 model was always a 5 speed..." is not true. Otherwise I think you've got it right (although mine didn't come with air conditioning either, but I don't think you were saying they all had it).

Rich

 

Thanks for the info guys. The only one I have owned was a '83, so I wasn't sure. The car is a 5 speed, has A/C, cloth seats. I didn't climb around on the ground long enough to notice a sway bar, but i was down there and no visible rust (that's arizona for you).

So are there any common problems to the '80 that I should know about? The guy says "it won't start without spraying starting fluid in the carb", and he hooked some alligator clips on the battery and somewhere near the Ignition packs to get the key to work, told me it needed a new ignition switch, but the key worked fine after he "hot wired" it.

 

None of the SA's came with A/C from the factory. They were all dealer installed. And the 79 and 80 both had the steel wheel, 4 spd option.

 

pretty sure the LS came with factory installed ac

 

Chances are it just needs a little TLC, the ignition switch and/or the wiring going to it might be bad, as far as the start fluid it probably just needs a carb overhaul and a good tuneup. If its solid as you say it is I would go for it, these cars are getting harder and harder to find...

 

79 GS came from the factory with A/C, S only came with dealer installed A/C, as I remember. S had only 2 speed wipers (no intermittent), no A/C switch on the fan speed switch and no cassette with the radio.

'79 S came with steel wheels, usually. GS came with waffle wheels. '79 LS came fully optioned with special LS wheels.

RXDad

 

I think this is what you would refer to as waffle wheels, maybe not. I definitely saw an A/C compressor, and it did have a tape deck complete with graphic equalizer.

Trust me, I know how hard they are to find intact, I moved from michigan so I saw lots of rusty ones, but I crawled under this one to get a good look.

Sorry for the crappy pic, I only had my camera phone on me.

 

yes, the LS came with factory air

 

to make a correction here, the LS was only available in 1980 and was based on the GS sunroof model with every available GS option except for the automatic transmission. the wheels were painted solar gold. color options for the LS were solar gold, aurora white or brilliant black. production was only 2500.

the S models for 79-80 did not come standard with the side body moldings, no rear sway bar, non hallogen headlamps, no sunshade on the windshield, steel wheels, non intermittent wipers as mentioned above, no power mirrors, 4spd trans, o rear cargo straps, no electric hatch release, two spoke steering wheel, no driver's dead pedal, and no glove box light. i would imagine that one could purchase an S model with a few of the GS standard features though.

 

This describes my car perfectly...and the only thing on the list I've always wished I had is the 5 speed transmission.

Rich

 

i LOVE those wheels. i have a set of SA wheels ill be painting gold to throw on my DD soon.

id get it, install an 81-85 dizzy, install a 2nd gen coil, rebuild the nikki, remove emmissions, install a header and good exhaust, and a RB filter set up. then DD teh hell out of that biotch. youll love it.

also, due to these cars age you cant really rely on what the car had from teh factory anymore. so many ofthem have been modified the only way to really tell is to test and look. a PO could have easily installed a new rearend or something else. if the price is right, grab it.

 

If you think the A/C was factory, then show me the a/c wiring on the FSM wiring diagram.
And, I bet your compressor is a Sanden.

 

are you thinking all ac was dealer installed? i have the fsm and wiring diagram for 1980 and i'll look it over and post back. also, i'll check the compressor to see what the brand is.

 

Unfortunately I live in Phoenix, and emissions are required here. And my current DD is a Miata, but I miss my FB that I had to leave in Michigan, and I would love to tear *** through the mountains in a First Gen.

 

miatas are sweetass too. i cant decide if i should keep my current 1st gen DD or sale it and get a NA miata

 

My understanding is that all A/C was installed here in the states. Maybe at the port, or maybe at the dealer, I am not sure. But, until 81 there was no factory air on the RX7's.
I bought my 80 new and I purchased every option available, except the leather package. I got the sunroof, wheels, a/c, five speed.

 

check the dash to see if you have a digital clock and if you dont have holes on the pass side for the speaker. the limited 79 came with the digital clock