Said I'd never do it again...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 6
From: Outskirts of Road Atlanta
83 1/2 are THE car to have for some autocrossers. Somewhat lighter, but with bigger-splined rear end like the S3. Early 83 cars are THE ONLY source for a LSD that will drop into older RX cars (took me forever to find one). 83.5 have bolt-through pinion flange, whereas older 83s have threaded (small spline). If you ever want to cannibalize one, look for the beehive and diff if you want to know what you've got.
Thread Starter
Super Newbie
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 4,398
Likes: 1
From: Birmingham, AL
Originally Posted by peejay
Holy crap, a '70 Catalina!
I can't afford to drive it since gas went so high, it has about 10:1 compression and only takes 93.
EliteHardcoreCannuckSquad
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,126
Likes: 4
From: Acton, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted by vipernicus42
Yeah, there was another thread on here recently discussing some differences in the funky '83s. Mazdatrix lists an '83 and an '83-and-a-half kinda thing. It's like Mazda decided to make some changes at the beginning of the '83 run, then again halfway through, then again at the beginning of the '84 run!
One of these days, someone is going to get un-lazy enough to compile a VERY detailed listing of all these changes through the 1st generation... Might be me, who knows. I'll have to get a lot of free time before that happens though
The question I have now is: How do I identify if the engine I have is an '83? I think only the second HALF of the '83 production year got the S3 oil cooler, so if I do have an '83 it would be from the first HALF. And did the whole year have light rotors?
Gah.. so confusing
Jon
One of these days, someone is going to get un-lazy enough to compile a VERY detailed listing of all these changes through the 1st generation... Might be me, who knows. I'll have to get a lot of free time before that happens though
The question I have now is: How do I identify if the engine I have is an '83? I think only the second HALF of the '83 production year got the S3 oil cooler, so if I do have an '83 it would be from the first HALF. And did the whole year have light rotors?
Gah.. so confusing
Jon
A good example:
My old '85 SE (made in late '84) had the short air intake (takes air from in front of the rad)
My new '85 SE (October '85) has the longer intake, but black mirrors. Apparently body colour-mached mirrors were only available on November and early December '85 models... until they switched to FC production...
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,972
Likes: 37
From: Ottawa, Soviet Canuckistan
body colour matched mirrors? Dude... never seen that on an FB, that would rock 
Yeah, I guess WE notice the big changes more than anything else.
I'm still looking for a surefire way to determine what year my extra 12a is. I s'pose when I crack it open I'll see what the rotors weigh... that will at least tell me what range I'm in.
Jon
Yeah, I guess WE notice the big changes more than anything else.
I'm still looking for a surefire way to determine what year my extra 12a is. I s'pose when I crack it open I'll see what the rotors weigh... that will at least tell me what range I'm in.
Jon
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