I've got 3 12As and have been looking for a nice SE. But after auditioning several I'm starting to wonder if it's worthwhile. Sure, I'd like some more power, but all the SEs I've driven are noisy and rough riding. I LIKE having a relatively quiet car (with just a deep RB exhaust note I can hear down low a block away) that accelerates smoothly and pretty quick. And corners well without really sacrificing freeway comfort.

What I'd rather do is improve the 12A to have a little more lowspeed torque, while keeping the ability to cruise thru traffic smoothly at 4000-5000 RPM, ready to stomp and jump.

Seems to me that what I need is something like the Judson blower I had on my old 59 Sprite.

What engine/exhaust mod would give me what I want?

B

 

12As can be noisy and rough too - it sounds like you just drove a particularely bad batch of SEs.

 

Yeah my SE with a flowmaster is really really quiet. I can barely hear teh car when i have any music turned on. The ride is really smooth, too. Like Manntis said, i think you just test drove the wrong SE's.

Zachstylez

 

OK, I'll keep looking.

B

 

The -SE's have a ride thats rough or more acute, but the cars feels solid as the 12a's have a different less solid feel. it's the car !! I'm been able , lately to compare
the 2 cars. and trust me on this. Once you own/drive
a ' good ' -SE . the 12a car is left far short then the -SE .
Have you ever driven a 2ed gen ?? it sounds exactly what you want. ride, power, 13b lowend torque, and i guess,,,looks. never driven an FC ? you ought' too, not bad. IMO.

 

i've got an 84 SE and rode in an 81 and the SE to me feels stronger and more robust than the 12a...IMO

 

I rather like the FC vert. Maybe I'll get one and reserve the 12A for my FB car.

B

 

See,,, painless.

 

I own both but find the SE has just that bit extra punch & even a rough SE can be brought back,given enough TLC and copious amounts of money.

 

Yeah FC looks like the way to go. Their suspension is not as rough as the SE... but same engine. Also i am really fond of the interior of the FC like the short shifter... the deep cargo boxes... and the light panels and switches. A lot more options too for aftermarket exterior and such.
Personally, i just love the old school FB.

Zachstylez

 

We have both an S (base), which is the wife's and a GSL-SE (mine).

I love the S for it's VERY firm chasis and light body, but I prefer the -SE.
A little heavier, but the brakes, rims, and 35HP make it a completely different beast...

SE all the way!

 

I got a MINT 85 se with 72,000miles on it. All Stock, black with pin stripe, all options except leather. Has the RB streetport exhaust. Just charged 12R AC. (still has the original exhaust) Everything works. All records. Second owner. Caution! Will not be cheap! If interested, either e-mail me at : jackpotliu@aol.com to arrange test drive.

 

I wouldn't let my -SE go for less then 2K .

 

SE's are the "harshest" riding first gens available-they were designed that way.

Now that I have new shocks and struts on mine, I can't believe how rough it rides. With a set of shocks and struts valved more for a nice ride than performance, it would be a much better riding car.

That being said, my FC beats the crap outta the first gens in riding comfort, but I would never get rid of the SE just because it rides hard...

It all comes down to personal preference, I guess. Any car can be made to ride better or worse with enough parts thrown at it.

 

Hey

Like everybody is saying......Its all about how you fit in the car.......I cant switch to an fc because of comfort....
My SE is me.......I will work on it till I have it all down.....
There are lots of options you can do to them as well.....
More Power = More money.........the sky is the limit......

But finding a car thats fits the driver is step one.............

12a or 13b.........first gens baby........

 

The SE motor is a real work horse. Get much more from the 13B. LSD too.




Peace-